Trek The Polish High Tatras Poland & Slovakia Summary The High 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. 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 of this scramble we gain a dramatic 360 degree view of more than 100 peaks. The walking is hard but rewarding, the terrain tough but beautiful, and the mountain huts basic but friendly, clean and hospitable. At the end of the trip we enjoy the delights of Krakow, Poland's most fascinating city. 18 9 DAYS 9 DAYS TVT MIN AGE FLIGHT INC. LAND ONLY TRIP CODE At a glance 6 days point‐to‐point trekking, 1 free day Not recomended for severe vertigo sufferers Altitude maximum 2499m, average 1700m. Group normally 4 to 16 plus leader. Min age 18 yrs 3 nights en suite pensions and 5 nights standard mountain huts All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners included Highlights Summit Mt Rysy (2,499m), Poland's highest mountain Spend a night in the Picturesque folk town of Zakopane Discover the splendour of Krakow Challenging walking in the Tatra Mountains, including Optional visit to the UNESCO Salt Mine and/or Auschwitz Museum Poland & Slovakia • Trek The Polish High Tatras Page 1 The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included. Day 1 ‐ Start Zakopane Start at Krakow Airport, where we will be met on arrival by our leader. We then transfer (about 2hrs) by road to our hotel in the folk town of Zakopane, beneath the peaks of Giewont, Kasprowy Wierch and Swinica. The evening is free to explore. Day 2 ‐ Koscieliska valley A short bus ride takes us to Kiry (15min from Zakopane) the entrance to the Tatra National Park, from where we start walking. A gentle 90min hike along the Koscieliska valley, with many limestone gorges and caves, brings us to the Ornak hostel, our base for the night. Depending on our time of arrival, there should be time to explore further and climb Ornak peak (1854m). Approx 5‐6hrs walking 12km (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) This 5 day trek involves walking through moderate to difficult terrain. In addition on 4 of these days you will be required to carry all your trekking gear and lunches, which will make the walking seem harder. We usually walk between 7 to 8 hours a day, with a picnic lunch on the way. The trails are almost always well marked but are often rough and stony underfoot. The walks involve long ascents and descents (maximum 1470 metres Roztoki ‐ Mt Rysy). We therefore recommend that you try to pack as lightly as possible. There are steep, long drops on some sections of this trip, as well as paths that traverse along ridgelines. It is not recommended for clients who suffer from vertigo. Days 5 and 6 are the most challenging with sections of the walk using fixed chains to assist our climb. Whilst there is no additional equipment needed it is imperative that you are confident of your fitness as these sections will be tough. Where the group exceeds 10 people an additional leader will assist the group on these days. The difficulty climbing Mount Rysy is largely due to the length of the walk. Should you decide that you can not complete the ascent it is possible to do an easier walk from the hut. The refuges have dormitory rooms and it is often not possible to provide clients with smaller rooms, however, they are equipped with bedding and you can purchase snacks. Walking Grade: 6 ‐ challenging / tough. Walking hours stated in the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group. Day 3 ‐ Ciemniak peak A harder day as we leave the hut, and start our ascent east, along the banks of the Tomanowy River, towards Tomanowa Przetecz 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 down the Dolina Kondratowa to the Kalatowki Hotel where we overnight. Approx 7‐8 hrs walking 20km (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 4 ‐ From Mt. Kasprowy to Swinica Our second long day as we head back up to the main ridge above our hostel. We follow the main trail alongside a chairlift, zig zagging in places to the summit of Mt. Kasprowy (1987m). Traversing along the ridge towards Swinica pass (2050m) we again have dramatic views of the whole area. From the rocky pass we descend past small mountain tarns to Gasiencowa hostel (1500m) where we overnight. Approx 6‐7 hrs walking 16km (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 5 ‐ Challenging day This morning we prepare for the most challenging two days of the trip. We recommend that you try and pack as lightly as possible for these days. We begin with a steady climb past Czarny Staw and away from vegetation to the rocky heights of Poland & Slovakia • Trek The Polish High Tatras the High Tatras. Using fixed chains to assist us in the scrambles, we reach the Eagle's Perch' pass (2159m) around lunchtime before descending back into the 'Valley of the five Polish lakes' with a variety of mountain flowers and grasses, to Roztoki. Approx 7‐8 hours walking 16km (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 8 ‐ Free day in Krakow Day 6 ‐ Mt. Rysy ascent Day 9 ‐ End Krakow Our final ascent and the hardest of the trip! On leaving Roztoki trek via Morskie Oko, one of the largest lakes in the Tatras, we head for the peak of Mt. Rysy (2499m) on the Polish/Slovakian border. This is a very long day (total ascent 1470m), ending in a steep climb over rocky terrain, and using fixed chains for the final 400m of the ascent, but the effort is definitely worth it. In a 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. Return descent to Morskie Oko (your guide 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). End in Krakow. (Breakfast) Page 2 A full free day to explore Krakow. Your leader will be able to advise on optional excursions, perhaps to the UNESCO Salt Mine at Wieliczka, and/or Auschwitz Museum. (Breakfast) Whilst trekking the accommodation will be in mountain hostels/huts (bedding and linen are provided). The mountain hostels are of a good standard with dormitory style rooms, typically accommodating 8 to 10 people. In Zakopane we use a good quality pension and in Krakow we use a hotel. Rooms are provided on a twin share basis, and are all en suite. Single Accommodation Approx 12hrs walking 20km (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 7 ‐ To Krakow A short walk down the Dolina Rybiego Potuku (valley) takes us to the roadhead and our waiting bus. We'll then transfer to the historic city of Krakow, arriving late morning. 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. (Breakfast) Optional single supplement is £80 and covers only three nights, in Zakopane (day 1) and Krakow (days 7 & 8). Extra Accommodation We can arrange accommodation in Zakopane or Krakow, before or after your trip. Prices are available on request from the office. Food All food is included, except for main meals (lunch and dinner) in Zakopane and Krakow (days 1, 7 and 8). Poland & Slovakia • Trek The Polish High Tatras Typical Meals: Page 3 Weather in the mountains is unpredictable and changeable. It is therefore possible to encounter unseasonal weather at any time. 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. 9 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sun 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. Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London Transport Travel by minibus. The transfer time from Krakow to Zakopane is approx. 2 hours. We normally use the scheduled services of EasyJet (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Due to Easyjet's booking system, we can only purchase flights 6 months before the date of your departure. If you book your trip before this date, a booking confirmation will be sent to you advising that flights are subject to confirmation. We will then secure the flights as soon as they become available. In the case that flights are not available at the original budgeted cost once they are released for sale, a flight supplement will be charged. If the supplement exceeds 10% of the original holiday price, you will be given the right to cancel. Please note that many destinations now require Advanced Passenger Information (API), such as your passport number, date of birth and nationality, to be added to your booking before departure. When booking Easyjet flights through Exodus your sales consultant will do this for you. UK Regional Flights Both Poland and Slovakia have a continental climate, with harsh winters and hot summers. Our trips run from July to September, when temperatures are usually mild to hot. The summer months of July and August may be as hot as 30 ‐ 35 ºC, perhaps a little cooler in the hills. Rain can fall at anytime of the year, although in mid‐summer it is more likely to come as thunderstorms, and June, July and August have the highest rainfall. The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. Poland & Slovakia • Trek The Polish High Tatras Page 4 If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. The start hotel in Zakopane is approximately 2 hours drive from the airport. You can get there by public transport: bus or train from the airport to Krakow (all info on website: http://www.krakowairport.pl/en/60/4/176) and then catch the bus to Zakopane. Airport Transfers Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving from London on non‐group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. 9 days, normally start Zakopane Sat, end Krakow Sun Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Zakopane in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure. Hotel check‐in times are normally from around 3pm. Airport Transfers If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. Walking in small group numbers is a fantastic way to visit this region with minimal impact. Throughout our visit our local operator ensures that our visit benefits the local communities we visit by choosing accommodation that is on a smaller scale and traditionally run to help support the local economy and communities. They also encourage these establishments to source their produce locally so the benefits of our visit are spread to the wider community. Furthermore, you will visit and stay in smaller communities rather than the larger towns enabling you to interact more closely with the local customs and traditions, learning more about the destination of your visit. Our local partner will encourage you to try the local produce of the area, supporting local traders and producers in the region. The operator we work with in this area works hard to create tours that respect the environment which they visit, involving activities that appreciate the environment rather than damage it. Poland & Slovakia • Trek The Polish High Tatras For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: Electricity www.exodus.co.uk/responsible‐travel Standard European Adapter required Page 5 Group, Staff and Support Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information offered below is to help you with that process. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. The group will generally be between 4 and 16 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The trip is led by a local tour leader throughout, plus local specialist city guides where necessary. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 18 years. Currency Information Poland No visa required for British passport holders. The national currency of Poland is the Zloty (PLN), with an exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 4.7 to the UK£ and 3.3 to the US$. Slovakia No visa required for British passport holders. The national currency of Slovakia is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 1.37 to the UK£ and 0.89 to the US$. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. We recommend you bring your spending money in cash, but Visa /MasterCard credit or debit cards may be useful for shopping, extra excursions and withdrawing cash from ATMs (cash points). We do not recommend travellers cheques, as they may be difficult to change during the holiday. ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up‐to‐ date information. Insurance ‐ are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. Local Time GMT +1hrs There are plenty of ATM machines in Zakopane and Krakow. All major credit cards are also widely accepted. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Allow up to £40 (approx. US$65) for meals not included in the price of the trip, however this amount will vary according to where and what you choose to eat. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) Wieliczka Salt Mine (4 hrs from Krakow) ~£25‐30 (~US$40‐50) pp. Auschwitz Museum (6 hrs from Krakow) ~£25‐30 (~US$40‐50) pp. Poland & Slovakia • Trek The Polish High Tatras Essential Equipment and Clothing Rucksack of about 40 litres, 2 litres of water carrying capacity, waterproof jacket, good leather walking boots and gaiters, warm hat and gloves, warm trousers, shorts, small wash kit and torch, towel. It is important that you have your essential items but we also advise that you try and pack as lightly as you can without compromising on your kit as you will need to ensure that you can carry your bag between the huts. Any baggage not needed on trek can be left in the hotel in Zakopane. Page 6 In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? http://www.exodus.co.uk/community Optional items trekking poles Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0)1582 640 045. Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www.exodus.co.uk/about‐exodus/essential‐information? As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write‐ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. Poland & Slovakia • Trek The Polish High Tatras This may be for a variety of reasons ‐ climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice Service advises British tourists on the potential dangers they might experience when travelling overseas. We liaise closely with them and adhere to their travel advice. For up‐to‐date advice on all countries, please visit www.gov.uk/foreign‐travel‐advice. Should there be any change to advice prior to or during travel, we may have to cancel or curtail a tour at short notice, or re‐ route an itinerary part way through. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up‐to‐date prices can be found on the Exodus website. © Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email. 2. Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you're ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA ‐ The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. Edition No. MM 01 2016 Page 7