POLAND –Tatras Explorer

TREK OVERVIEW This ‘softer’ itinerary in the Polish Tatras has been created for those of you who do not feel up to continual backpacking along the spine of the Tatras but still want to explore this delightful area. You will visit the most picturesque lakes and valleys and have opportunities to reach some of the summits. The first three days walking will be daytrips out from your comfortable guesthouse in , visiting a different valley with opportunities to ascend different peaks each day. On the fourth day we use a cable car to take us up to , and for the last two nights we use comfortable mountain huts each evening. Our final day is a long day on the ascent of , returning to Zakopane in the evening. Driving times between Zakopane and the start point of the walks are short, so most of your days will still be on foot rather than on wheels! Finally we visit Krakow, to relax and enjoy the delights of ’s most fascinating city.

Participation Statement Adventure Peaks recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personalinjury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. Adventure Travel – Accuracy of Itinerary Although it is our intention to operate this itinerary as printed, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of flight schedules, climatic conditions, limitations of infrastructure or other operational factors. As a consequence, the order or location of overnight stops and the duration of the day may vary from those outlined. You should be aware that some events are beyond our control and we would ask for your patience.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE/FITNESS If you are used to regular multi day hill walking you will CATERING ARRANGEMENTS have the right level of fitness to fully enjoy your time on All meals are included on this trip. When staying in the this trek. Non hill walkers must come with a reasonable huts the dinner menu choice may be limited. However degree of fitness. Most days involve 4 - 7 hours walking Poles do like food and you can expect to be provided with plus plenty of rest stops. At times chains are in place to interesting and plentiful dishes, soups, pasta and goulash. assist progress across steeper, rocky ground. Most lunches will be picnics which the guide will arrange with the huts and you will need to carry with you during GROUP AND LEADERS the day. A fully qualified Polish guide will accompany all groups. He will speak good English and have a detailed knowledge of the area and will be able to explain the history and culture of the region. On occasions we may also send a UK leader as well. This trip is exclusive to Adventure Peaks.

WEATHER It is impossible to predict the weather accurately, but being an inland mountain range the Tatras usually are fortunate to enjoy stable weather over the summer months. Temperatures in the valleys may be 20oC to 25oC, but it will be cooler higher up. It can also be chilly around huts in the evening, when a lightweight fleece is recommended. Walkers should realize however that weather in the high mountains is unpredictable and should be prepared for rain and cold as well. ACCOMMODATION Five nights are spent in a family run guesthouse in Zakopane to where you will return each night after a good day’s walk in the mountains. Two nights will be spent in comfortable mountain huts. Here rooms are generally small dormitories and facilities will be shared. Hot water is often provided from solar energy, and will be limited. Blankets are supplied but we strongly recommend that you carry a light sleeping bag for these two nights. The last night will be in a hotel in Krakow.

LANGUAGE AND TIME Language: Polish. Our guide speaks good English. Time: GMT+1 (CET). No daylight saving time at present.

HEALTH All our leaders hold first aid certificates and carry a fully equipped first aid kit for medical emergencies. However you should bring your own supplies of plasters, blister prevention pads (Compeed), Paracetamol etc. and any medication you are taking. Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country- by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices. Tap or stream water should never be drunk without first sterilizing with WHAT TO CARRY chlorine dioxide tablets or by boiling. On days 2, 3 and 4 you return to Zakopane each night so will only need to carry a light daypack during the day. A INSURANCE 35 litre rucksack is a useful size to comfortably fit in Insurance which covers mountain rescue, evacuation and essential items such as water bottle, camera, wet-weather medical expenses is essential.We will require a copy of gear and extra layers etc. On days 5 and 6 you will need to your insurance prior to departure. Your standard travel add a lightweight sleeping bag, a few spare clothes and a insurance should be sufficient for this trip as there is no small washkit (3kg maximum) for the nights that will be technical climbing and we do not go above 3000m. spent in mountain huts. On day 7 (ascent of Rysy) you will be able to leave the extras in the hut and collect them on the way back down.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

ALTITUDE This trip does not go above 3000m so altitude is unlikely ADVENTURE PEAKS KIT BAG / GIFT to be a problem. If you are new to altitude you may have All Adventure Peaks clients who reside in the UK would concerns about the effects. Don’t worry because our normally receive a FREE kitbag for any treks outside the itineraries allow sufficient time to acclimatise, and altitude UK. However as a kitbag is not required on this trek we rarely causes anyone any problems on this trip. The best will send you some other item of equipment which we way to avoid such symptoms is to walk at a gentle steady stock in our shop which will be useful to you for this trip. pace and drink plenty of fluid. This will be posted to you approx. 3 weeks prior to your departure. USEFUL TIPS Just in case your main luggage goes missing en route, it is a good idea to wear your boots on the plane. Most other things can be replaced but comfortable, well worn-in boots cannot. Pack important items in strong plastic bags.

EQUIPMENT A detailed equipment list is provided on booking but normal summer walking equipment is all that is required. For equipment purchases Adventure Peaks offers a 15% discount from their shop in Ambleside or online.

BAGGAGE For your own comfort travel light. Normally airlines restrict baggage to 20kg, but you should be carrying far less.

FLIGHTS AND JOINING ARRANGEMENTS Flights are NOT included as part of this holiday. Easyjet, LOT and Ryan Air amongst others provide flights from VISAS AND PERMITS various UK airports to Krakow. Flight costs and schedules Visas for entry into Poland are not required by nationals of can be obtained from the respective airlines websites. the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand Some of these flights may not be suitably timed for the and all EU countries. transfer to Zakopane or may not fit with the trip itinerary and may require extra nights in Krakow at the beginning LOCAL COSTS or end of the trip. All accommodation most meals are included; please see the itinerary page for full details. Additional costs would The rendezvous for this trip is the ARRIVALS HALL include any drinks or snacks outside of mealtimes and IN KRAKOW AIRPORT at 1700 on Day 1. personal spending. The transfer from the last hotel to the airport is not included as we expect people to return on Your leader will meet you at the rendezvous and transport different flights so taking a taxi gives flexibility in will be arranged to take you to Zakopane. departure times. Return flights can be booked for anytime on Day 9, or CURRENCY later if you wish to extend your stay in Poland. The currency in Poland is the Zloty (PLN). You can obtain Zloty in the UK.ATMs and change bureaux are available PLEASE ENSURE YOU DO NOT PURCHASE in the airport and in main towns. There are no change YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL (FLIGHTS OR facilities in the mountains. OTHER) UNTIL WE HAVE GUARANTEED YOUR TRIP IS RUNNING. TIPPING Tipping at meals and in hotels is normal practice. On this trip you may also like to tip your guide. About £20 - £30 should be plenty to cover total tips. 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

TATRAS EXPLORER ITINERARY

No Day Today we... We stay at... Accommodation... Meals... 1 Sat Fly Zakopane Guesthouse D 2 Sun Trek Zakopane Guesthouse BLD 3 Mon Trek Zakopane Guesthouse BLD 4 Tue Trek Zakopane Guesthouse BLD 5 Wed Trek Five Valley Hut BLD 6 Thu Trek Morski Oko Hut BLD 7 Fri Trek Zakopane Guesthouse BLD 8 Sat Transfer Krakow Hotel BL 9 Sun Fly Home Home B

Day 1 Fly to Krakow. On arrival you will be met and will Day 5 KASPROWY - HALA GASIENICOWA - FIVE be met and transferred to Zakopane, a drive of about 90 LAKES VALLEY minutes. Zakopane is a delightful small town at the foot of We now head out to spend the next two nights up in the Polish Tatras and there should be time to explore the mountain huts. We drive back to Kuznice from where we town and its fascinating buildings in the early evening. take the easy option of the cable car to the top of Kasprowy Wierch (1987m) on the border ridge. Its Day 2 CHOCHOLOWSKA VALLEY downhill from here to the saddle below and then down a A short transfer takes us to Siwa Polana, the start point of rocky rib to easier ground leading to the Murowaniec hut. our trek. Very easy walking takes us up the beautiful After a short descent through forest we reach ‘Dry Water forested Dolina Chocholowska valley, following a route Valley’. We now climb steadily through dwarf pine, and shared by cyclists and sometimes a horse drawn 'bus'. after a few ups and downs, passing above the ‘Red Tarn’, a After 2 hours we reach the hut where we stop for a break. steep but not difficult rocky climb leads up to Krzyzne We then climb to the small summit of Grzes (1653m) on (2112m), a spectacular saddle with great views all around the Slovak border via a zigzag trail through the forest. – one of the best viewpoints in the Tatras. A steep, at times From here a broad grassy ridge leads south to the summit technical, descent (through bear country!) leads down to of Rakon (1879m). It then takes about 2 hours to descend one of the huts in the ‘Five Lakes Valley’. (Carry sleeping back to the hut via a different route, and after a bag and spare clothes). 6 hours walking. refreshment break here we can return to Siwa Polana by bike or horse carriage and then by bus back to Zakopane. 7 Day 6 SZPIGLASOWY WIERCH - MORSKIE OKO hours walking. A shorter day today – with two routes to choose from. The more challenging route heads up to the border ridge again Day 3 KOSCIELISKA VALLEY and climb to the top of Szpiglasowy Wierch (2172m), at We transfer to Kiry – the starting point of one of the most times using chains to assist us. A snaking descent then popular walks in the Polish Tatras. Initially we follow the takes us down to the hut. broad road through forests and meadows, passing by old The easier (but still quite demanding) route skirts the iron ore works. After 1 hour we reach the horse-drawn northern slopes crossing two saddles and again requiring carriage ‘terminus’ at Polana Pisana. We ascend more chain assistance at times. Whichever route we take we can steeply now through the Polana Smytnia meadows to reach take out time as the distance covered is relatively short the welcome Schronisko Ornak refuge (1108m). After a today. (Carry sleeping bag and spare clothes) 4 to 5 break here we head steeply up west to the Iwaniacka hours walking. Przelecz saddle and then on up the ridge to emerge from the forest just before the summit of Ornak (1454m). We Day 7 RYSY retrace our route back to Kiry. 7 hours walking. Ascent of Rysy (2503m). This justifiably popular route takes you from the most beautiful lake to the highest Day 4 MALEJ LAKI VALLEY – GIEWONT - summit in the Tatras. We head out along the shore of the KONTRADOWA VALLEY lake to its southern end, and then zigzag up moraine to the A fine day out today with no back tracking as we start and Czarny Staw pod Rysami (tarn) above. From here to the finish at different points. From Gronik we follow a forest summit the terrain increases in steepness, becoming quite track up the Malej Laki Valley. After a level section exposed as we near the top. Rysy has two tops, one in through the Wielka Polana (Big Meadow) the terrain Poland (2499m) and one in (2503m). We return changes and we ascend through the forest with some rocky by the same route (very carefully) to the hut for a late sections to reach the Przelecz Kondraka saddle (1725m) lunch then walk out (or take the horse tram) to Plaenica to from where there is an option to go to the top of Giewont meet the transport back to Zakopane. (Sleeping bag and (1894m) to the north. extra clothes can be left in the hut and picked up on the Turning south we climb steeply up to border ridge to the way out). 9 hours walking. top of Kopa Kondracka (2004m). From here we drop to the saddle to the east then take the path down to the Day 8 KRAKOW delightful Kondratowa hut. This path crosses boulders just A private transfer takes us back to Krakow for our final below the saddle, and then is much easier down to the hut. night in Poland. After a break at the hut, we walk out easily to Kuznice from where we take a bus back to Zakopane.7 hours Day 9 Take a taxi to the airport to fly home or extend your walking. stay in Krakow.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]