Trek the Polish High Tatras
Trek the Polish High Tatras
Trek the Polish High Tatras
8 Days Starting in Zakopane and ending in Krakow
Visiting: Poland, Slovakia, Tatra
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TVT
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 16
Physical rating:
Challenging / Tough
Age range:
18 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
The Tatra mountains are among the most rugged and spectacular in Europe, part of the granite Carpathian Range, rising to almost 2500m. The dramatic scenery, combined with a sophisticated network of footpaths, makes it a popular walking destination. On this trip, we trek through valleys, past lakes and over ridges before the final test, a tough ascent of Rysy (2499m), the highest mountain in Poland. From the top, we gain a dramatic 360-degree view of more than 100 peaks. This trip offers the great opportunity to experience the great change of scenery from the verdant Western Tatras to the The High Tatras, with their dramatic vistas, steep peaks, sharp rocks, deep glens, and crystal lakes. The walking will be hard but rewarding, the terrain tough but beautiful, and the mountain huts basic but friendly, clean and hospitable.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Zakopane.
Our tour starts in the resort town of Zakopane, a 2-hour transfer from
Krakow. For those not on the group flight, we recommend that you arrange to
meet the group at Krakow Airport, to avoid a costly private transfer. Willa
Orla guest house or similar
Day 2 : Bus To Tatra National Park; Walk In The Koscieliska Valley.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
This morning after breakfast there will be some free time to explore
Zakopane, a vibrant folk with beautiful wooden architecture offering
splendid views of the Tatra. Afterwards, a short bus ride takes us to Kiry
(15min from Zakopane) the entrance to the Tatra National Park, from where we
start start walking along Koscieliska valley, one of the most beautiful and
well-known valleys of the Polish part of the Western Tatra Mountains. A
gentle 90-minute hike takes us along many limestone gorges and caves. We end
the day at Ornak hut, our base for the night. Depending on our time of
arrival, there should be time to explore the surroundings.
Day 3 : Trek To The Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks) And Summit Cemniak (2096M).
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Another day of exploring the Western Tatras as we trek through the massif of
Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks), a stunning area offering dramatic views over
the High Tatras as well as the highest peaks of the Western Tatras.
The massif is beautiful especially in September, when the grasses that
covers the mountains called 'sit skucina' start to change its colour from
green to rusty, thus explaining why these mountains are also known as Red
Peaks. After leaving the hut, we start our challeging ascent along the banks
of the Tomanowy River, towards Tomanowa pass and then Ciemniak, our first
2000m peak. From Ciemniak we follow the main ridge of the Tatras towards
Krzesanica, Malolaczniak and Kopa Kondracka with a spectacular view of
Giewont (1985m) and the whole region. To the north, we can see Zakopane, to
the east Mt Rysy, and the south Slovakia. We descend the Dolina Kondratowa to
the Kalatowki Hut where we overnight in a very comfortable hut (rooms for 2-5
pax).
Day 4 : Long Climb To The Summit Of Mt Kasprowy; Descend To The Gasiencowa Hut.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our second long day as we head back up to the main ridge above our hostel;
here we officially enter the High Tatras and notice the gradual change to a
more alpine landscape. We follow the main trail alongside a chairlift,
zig-zagging in places to the summit of Mt. Kasprowy (1955m). Traversing along
the ridge towards Swinica (2050m) we again have dramatic views of the whole
area. We descend from the rocky ridge to the picturesque Gąsienicowa
Valley. We pass a few secluded mountain tarns and finish our day at Hut
Murowaniec, another comfortable refuge (1500m) where we stay overnight. From
the hut we can enjoy one of the most characteristic and known panoramic views
of the High Tatras.
Day 5 : Beautiful Day Of Trekking In The Heart Of The High Tatras; Through The Valley Of The Five Polish Lakes To Roztoki.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
This morning we prepare for the most challenging two days of the trip.
Depending on weather conditions and group’s ability, the leader will decide
how we trek the legendary Eagles Perch, the most difficult and spectacular
trail in the Polish Tatras. The option is to either cross the Zawrat Pass
where you will be using fixed mountain chains to assist you on the walk or go
over the Krzyzne Pass, without these technically difficulties. Both trails
offer amazing views of the highest peaks in the Tatras and of the beautiful
valleys of Gasinicowa, our start point, and the Lakes Valley, where we
descend. It is recommended that you try and pack as light as possible for
this day. Highlight of the last section is the waterfall Siklawa, the highest
in Poland (70 m) and the most powerful in the Tatras. We then descend back
into the 'Valley of the five Polish lakes' with a variety of mountain flowers
and grasses, to Roztoka Hut, one of the best polish mountain huts offering
great atmosphere.
Day 6 : Ascend Mt Rysy (2499M), Poland's Highest Peak. The Splendid Views From The Top Will Make The Effort More Than Worthwhile.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our final ascent and the hardest of the trip! On leaving Roztoki we trek via
Morskie Oko, towards the peak of Mt. Rysy (2499m) on the Polish/Slovakian
border. This is a very long day with a steep climb (ascending over 1000m),
walking and scrambling over difficult terrain, on the Polish side of the
mountain, but the effort is definitely worth it. On a clear day the views
from the summit of Rysy are simply stunning. We should be able to see over
100 peaks and several lakes including Morskie Oko once of the largest in the
Tatras. Return descent to Morskie Oko (your guides can decide to descent the
Slovakian side, which is not so steep and considered a safer descent than the
Polish side - there are chains to help).Mountain hut
Day 7 : A Short Descent Down The Dolina Rybiego Potoku. Transfer To The Historic City Of Krakow.
Meals Included: breakfast
Our last day walking as we descend down the Dolina Rybiego Potoku (valley) to
the road ahead and our waiting bus. We'll then transfer to the historic city
of Krakow, arriving mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore the
delights of this beautiful city. The Old Town was added to UNESCO's list of
World Cultural Heritage in 1978. Possible places of interest are Krakow's
Jewish district, where the film 'Schindler's List' was shot. There are also
numerous churches, the castle, the largest market square in Europe and the
oldest university in Poland. There are also plenty of cafés and restaurants
as well as jazz venues.
Day 8 : End Krakow.
Meals Included: breakfast
Our tour ends after breakfast.
What's Included
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Transfer for group flights
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All accommodation
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All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners.
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All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinnersAll accommodationTransfer for group flights
What's Not Included
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Single supplement
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Travel insurance
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Visa's and vaccinations
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Travel insuranceVisa's and vaccinationsSingle supplement
Accommodation
Food
All food is included, except for main meals (lunch and dinner) in Zakopane and Krakow (days 1 and 7). Breakfasts in Zakopane and Krakow will be a hot and cold buffet. In the mountain hostels, a choice of hot or cold is usually available. Lunches will be picnic type including rolls, fruit and a drink. Evening meals in the mountain hostels are plentiful and are usually very filling! The main course will include a selection of meat and vegetables.Vegetarian and special diets can be catered for, but options are limited in the huts - please inform the office of any specific dietary requirements when booking.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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