Hill Hopping & Bear Watching

• Arrival to Vienna airport
• Transfer to Veľká (Great) Fatra Mountains
• On the way, we stop in the city of Trenčín and visit the Trenčín castle.

The history of the castle goes back to the age of the Roman Empire in 179 AD. In the early 14^th century, the castle became the residence of Matúš Čák, the legendary "Lord of the Váh River and the Tatra Mountains", a powerful, renegade warlord, who ruled most of what is now Slovakia from here until his death in 1321. Later royal and aristocratic owners added to it from the 15^th century until it burned down, with most of the town, in 1790. It lay in ruins until restoration began in the 1950s.The castle and the pretty town square make this town well worth a visit.

• Hiking in the Veľká (Great) Fatra Montains

We will walk up a forest path and through meadows to the ridge of the Veľká (Great) Fatra Mountains. The demanding ascent will be rewarded by beautiful views over the High Tatras, the Low Tatras and the Malá (Lesser) Fatra Mountains and followed by a well-earned lunch in a chalet on the ridge.

The Veľká Fatra (also Great Fatra or Greater Fatra) is a mountain range in the Western Carpathian which is one of the least disturbed mountain ranges in Slovakia. It is a part of the Fatra-Tatra Area. The highest peak is Ostredok (1 592 metres above sea level). Nearly 90% of the area is covered by forests. As you walk, watch out for the many species of rare and interesting flowers, especially in the lush subalpine meadows.

• Departure to Prosiek
• Hiking in the Choč Mountains (the Prosiecka and Kvačianska valleys)

Both valleys are amongst the most beautiful in Slovakia. The trail is moderately difficult, leading through the canyon of the Prosiečanka River. In some parts, there are ladders and irons grips.  

The 3, 5 km length of the Prosiecka Valley includes a great number of beauty spots, high rock walls, waterfalls and interesting mountain flora, as well as a great variety of tree species. An educational hiking trail will take you from Prosiek via Svorad and Veľké Borové to the Kvačianska Valley.

Kvačany Valley, a national protected area, is a natural narrow passage formed between rocks and cliffs. At the end of the valley you can find an interesting cultural site – old wooden watermills from the beginning of the 20^th century,

• Full day hiking in the Western Tatras

The mountains of the Western Tatras have a similar character to the High Tatras – the ridge is above 2000 metres, a landscape of stones and rocks. The demanding climb will be rewarded by spectactular views as the whole range of the High Tatras, Western Tatras and the Low Tatras open out in front of you.

• Wild animals watching

The western part of the Tatras is much less busy. This makes it highly suitable for spotting rare species such as bears, chamois and marmots, because they are less offten disturbed by the presence of tourists.

• Transfer to the High Tatras and walk to the waterfalls of the Cold stream, considered to be the most beautiful in the High Tatras.
• After that we continue to Levoča.(UNESCO)

From the Middle Ages until 1922 the city of Levoča was the administrative and cultural centre of the Spiš region. It was one of the most important royal towns in the Hungarian Empire. The centre is built in Gothic and Renaissance architecture styles and its greatest pride is the famous Gothic church of St. James, with the highest Gothic wooden altar in the world.

Lunch will be served at a traditional Spiš region sheppard station – giving you the opportunity to taste traditional Slovak dishes like “bryndzové halušky” (gnocchi with sheep milk cheese served with crispy bacon), “baraní guláš” (mutton stew), “kapustnica” (sauerkraut soup) and a must-try dessert “makové šúľance” (potato gnocchi with poppy seeds).

• Full day hiking in the Slovak Paradise

Our trail will lead us through  woods to a rocky plateau and through the gorge of the Hornád River (iron steps on the rock above the river, chains). The route continues through an amazing gorge – “Kláštorská roklina” to the ruins of an old monastery. Here we will have our lunch and continue down to Čingov.

• visiting Vlkolínec (UNESCO)
• easy hiking in the Malá (Lesser) Fatra mountains

We drive to the mountain village Vlkolínec (“wolf village”), where traditional wooden architecture has remained unchanged for more than 200 years. Another attraction here is to taste a typical Vlkolínec sauerkraut pie, which is not to be found anywhere but in Vlkolínec.

Transfer to the Malá (Lesser) Fatra mountains. On the way, we will have our lunch in the restaurant Jánošík named after the “Slovak Robin Hood”, who was born nearby at the beginning of the 18^th century and till these days is still considered the Slovak national hero.

In the afternoon, we will do an easy hike on the ridge of the Malá Fatra Mountains. The lift will takes us up and down. Even though, the walking will be less demanding on this day, we will reach the highest peak of the mountains – Veľký Kriváň (1 709 metres above sea level).

• Full day hiking in the Malá Fatra Mountains

Hiking in the gorge of Jánošíkové diery is relatively demanding with some parts involving climbing with the assistance of ladders and chains. The trail and the views are indeed worth all the effort.

• Transfer to Bratislava 
• Sightseeing
• Departure

The city is one of the youngest and the smallest of the central European capitals. During our city tour, we will walk through the narrow lanes of the Old Town to see the gothic St. Martin's Cathedral, Academia Istropolitana – the first university in the Hungarian Empire, St. Michael’s Gate – the last surviving gate from the city’s medieval fortifications, the Opera house, and the old Main Square with the Town Hall and the Primatial Palace.

As the sun goes down, we will say our last goodbyes to Slovakia and get ready for the departure to the airport.