Mala Fatra and Tatra Mountains

GENERAL BACKGROUND

The Tatra, which form part of the great Carpathian range, have been described as the 'smallest high mountains' in the World. This is a complimentary phrase, reflecting unforgettable natural features of height, shape, glacial relief, climate, flora and fauna which are strikingly Alpine but on a scale which never overwhelms. Just a few days in the Tatra are sufficient to immerse yourself in the charms of this special place. This trip will include inspiring walks amongst the soaring, wild limestone cliffs of the remote Belianske (White) Tatra together with the granite walls and spiky summits of the High Tatra, brilliant scenery which is complemented by abundant wildlife. More than 1100 vascular plants have been recorded in the Tatra National Park, breeding birds include golden eagle, eagle owl, alpine accentor and wallcreeper, and there are large mammals such as wolf, brown bear, chamois, lynx and marmot. There will be the opportunity, weather permitting, to ascend some of the highest Tatra peaks, which rise to a maximum altitude of 2655 metres. The Tatra National Park is trans-national and the Polish and Slovakian administrations work in close partnership. The whole Park was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1992. Our aim will be to have an enjoyable time but you will be able to learn about the way in which National Parks and nature protection are managed, including contact with National Park staff.

This tour will also explore Mala Fatra National Park, the first 'real' mountains you encounter on the way from Bratislava, with a high point of 1709 metres. Mala Fatra is a wonderful geological mix of granite, dolomite and limestone which in part contributes to a spectacularly rich flora. The wildlife includes bear, lynx. otter and eagle owl. There is great walking here, through waterfalled gorges to spiky summits.

There will be overnight stays in the cities of Bratislava and Krakow, for shopping and/or sightseeing. Bratislava, for centuries an Austro-Hungarian city, has been the capital of Slovakia since 1918, containing a compact, pedestrianised and well-restored stare mesto [old town] on the north bank of the Danube, characterised by Baroque palaces and tree-lined squares. Krakow is the cultural capital of Poland, with one of Europe's oldest universities, and the city has risen to the challenge of conserving an extraordinary architectural heritage in spite of proximity to sources of damaging atmospheric pollution. The old centre of Krakow ['Stare Miasto'], which remarkably survived largely unscathed during WW2, is a World Heritage Site, one of twelve designated by UNESCO in the original list back in 1978.

DRAFT ITINERARY

DAY 1. Arrival in Bratislava - overnight in hotel. DAY 2. Morning transfer by train direct to Zilina, about two hours 45 minutes, and arrive at base accommodation in Vratna Valley, Mala Fatra National Park. Afternoon walking excursion. Overnight. DAY 3. Walking in Mala Fatra National Park, probably including the Boboty Gorge and Velky Rozsutec (1610m). Overnight in same place. DAY 4. Walking in Mala Fatra National Park, climbing Velky Krivan (1709m) and traversing the main ridge. Overnight in same place. DAY 5. Transfer by private bus via the spectacularly located Orava Castle and the skanzen at Zuberec to base accommodation below Tatra National Park, Slovak side, Stary Smokovec or similar. Overnight. Leave luggage not needed for next two nights. DAY 6. By bus to Zdziar (880m), about 45 minutes. Full-day walk across Belianske Tatra mountains through Szeroka Przelecz (Pass) (1826m) to schronisko (hut) situated by Zielony Staw Kiezmarski (Green Lake) (1551m). Total length of walk: 10 km. Overnight at hut.

DAY 7. Continue from hut into the High Tatra across Rakuski Przechod (2038m). Optional ascent to Lomnica (2634m) by funicular. Gradual descending traverse of the High Tatra slopes to Schronisko Zamkowskiego (1475m). Overnight at hut. Walking distance: 6km. DAY 8. Follow path up Dolina Malej Zimnej Wody, then high-level path over Czerwona Lawka (2352m) before descending via Starolesna Dolina to Stary Smokovec, 12km; return to 'base' for overnight. Alternatively, if participants are tired on this day, they can descend directly from Schronisko Zamkowskiego to Stary Smokovec, 4km. Overnight. DAY 9. Transfer by private bus to Zakopane, Poland, about two hours. Depot luggage not required for next three nights, and visit National Park Centre for short presentation. Afternoon ascent to the Murowaniec mountain hut, Hala Gasienicowa (1500m), for overnight stay. DAY 10. Full day walk in the Polish High Tatra via the Zawrat Pass (2159m), then descend through the beautiful Valley of the Five Polish Lakes for overnight at the Stara Roztoka mountain hut. Walking distance: 11km (6 hours). There is a lower-level alternative route if the weather is poor. DAY 11. An opportunity to climb Rysy (2499m), Poland's highest mountain, or to walk via Morskie Oko into the Valley of the Five Polish Lakes. Hopefully a climactic final day. Overnight at the Stara Roztoka hut. DAY 12. Walk down to the roadhead at Polana Palenica, about one hour, meet private minibus and transfer to Krakow via Zakopane to collect surplus luggage. Early afternoon arrival in Krakow, and overnight in hotel or hostel. DAY 13. Return home.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Accommodation & Meals
We will stay in a mix of huts/pensions/hotels. The huts in the High Tatra will add to your experience of being in the mountains but you need to be clear that you may well find yourself sleeping in a room with several other people, and not necessarily of the same sex. The food is wholesome, nutritious but unpretentious fare. If you are vegetarian life is not easy, especially in the mountains, but not impossible if you can cope with eggs and cheese. Bedding is provided but you need your own towels. There are showers and decent toilets, but if you value a high level of privacy, creature comforts and gourmet eating then this trip is probably not for you. In Bratislava we will use a comfortable hotel, a pension in the Mala Fatra and in Krakow you can choose to have hotel or hostel accommodation. Breakfast and dinner is included in the price, except in Bratislava, Stary Smokovec and Krakow (breakfast only). Lunches will be a combination of the packed variety or stops at other huts en route, for which you will need to allow around 5 - 6 euro per day.

Group Size and Guiding
Minimum group size is 12, maximum 15. The tour will employ a professional mountain guide throughout, Zilina to Krakow, the cost of which is included in the price.

Travelling to Slovakia and from Poland
The cost of this is not included in the price.

Price
The price is 590 euro per person. This includes: 12 overnights with breakfast in huts/pensions/hostels/hotels in the Tatra, Mala Fatra, Bratislava and Krakow; 8 evening meals; National Park entrance fees; all tour leader/guiding services as required; all train and mini-bus transfers as described in the itinerary. All you will need to fund in addition will be four evening meals, lunches, optional funicular ascent to Lomnica (day 7), plus personal spending money.

Supplements
If you would prefer to stay in hotel accommodation in Krakow this can be arranged for a supplement of 30 euro per person (twin room basis).