Slovakia Dogsledding Weekend Winter Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 7 reviews.

Alexander Koniecko

SLOVAKIA DOGSLEDDING WEEKEND

Written February 2013
I was Impressed with the strength, speed and acceleration of the dogs. The trip to Sachticka was a great experience being pulled by tame wolves along forest tracks in a light snow fall.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the dogs. They worked very hard and as expected were very tired completing the 40 Km run.
The dogs were friendly but did not respond to a pat on the head when working.
What did you think of your group leader?
Katarina gave us a warm welcome. She was always friendly and eager to help. She showed concern and helped when people fell.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would like to give advice on what to wear. The weather is obviously cold in the snow but you do not need to wear many layers as you soon get hot when energetically running on the up hills. I would recommend wearing gaiters as snow builds up to half way to your knees when braking.
Michael Haynes

SLOVAKIA DOGSLEDDING WEEKEND

Written February 2013
A fantastic long weekend break spoilt by a poor choice of accommodation.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Taking control of a sled pulled by a team of dogs and enjoying a drive through a snow covered forest is without doubt a wonderful experience.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader and the owner of the dog sled company were both excellent and made sure we all had a great time. Whilst providing us with helpful local knowledge we weren't pushed into eating here or drinking there. Indeed, we were left to make our own decisions on such matters. That having been said, with 3 restaurants and a 3 night stay, we tried them all!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes - book different accommodation to that offered by Exodus. The pension Aurelia is located on a main road which can be very noisy at times. The beds are small and uncomfortable and not what you want when a good nights sleep is needed.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you can spare the time, stay over in Krakow for a few days on your return journey. Its a fantastic city full of character. Visit the salt mines or Auschwitz for a bit of culture and dine in some of the great Polish restaurants in and around the Old Town square.
Scott Reininga

SLOVAKIA DOGSLEDDING WEEKEND

Written January 2013
Fantastic way to spend a weekend. Katrina (Guide) and Daniel (Musher) were great and the trip well planned. Two full days of dogsledding through forests and villages along with great slovakia food. The groups are kept small (6 people) and everyone has pleny of time mushing their own sled. You definitely get a good workout helping the dogs on hills and in deep snow. Donovaly is also a cool little ski town with a great vibe.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We had a great group and just enjoyed the fun of dogsledding
What did you think of your group leader?
Katrina is great, she was fun and informative, and made sure everyone enjoyed themselves.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is a bit of a workout, so definitely be fit
Is there anything else you would like to add?
HIGHLY RECOMMEND TAKING THIS TRIP
Janice Mitchell

SLOVAKIA DOGSLEDDING WEEKEND

Written February 2012
WAS A 6OTH BIRTHDAY TREAT FROM MY DAUGHTER. GREAT FUN WITH LOADS OF LAUGHS AND EXCITING MOMENTS. LOVED THE DOGS AND THE SNOW AND THE SLEDDING TEAM.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE BEING TRANSPORTED BY DANO AND HIS TEAM OF DOGS UP TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS, THROUGH THE FOREST TRAILS. BEAUTIFUL VIEWS WITH THE SUN OUT, SHINING ON THE CRISP WHITE SNOW OF WHICH THERE WAS A LOT!!! COMMANDING AND STEERING THE DOG TEAM WAS EXILERATING WHEN I GOT TO DO THAT WITH LOTS OF HELP FROM DANO'S GIRL HELPERS.
A BRILLIANT HOLIDAY FOR ANYONE WITH A SENSE OF ADVENTURE, A LOVE OF SNOW, DOGS AND PLENTY OF WONDERFUL FOOD - ESPECIALLY VENISON STEAKS AND HOT CHOCOLATE! YOU NEED TO BE PRETTY FIT TO COPE WITH THE CLIMB UP FROM THE PENSION TO WHERE THE DOGS ARE KEPT, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE SNOW ABOUT.
A GREAT HOLIDAY, FULL OF FUN AND WOULD IT AGAIN TOMORROW IF I COULD.
What did you think of your group leader?
KATRINA, OUR GROUP LEADER, WAS A VERY FRIENDLY, CHARMING YOUNG GIRL WHO SPOKE PRETTY GOOD ENGLISH WHICH WAS A GREAT HELP AS NOT MANY PEOPLE DID! SHE WAS ORGANISED, AND CLEARLY ENJOYED LOOKING AFTER US. AN ASSET TO THE HOLIDAY AND YOUR FIRM.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
PLENTY OF WARM CLOTHING REQUIRED AND GOOD WRAP AROUND SUNGLASSES AN ESSENTIAL ESPECIALLY MOVING AT FASTER SPEEDS WITH SNOW BLOWING IN YOUR FACE FROM THE GROUND, TREES, AND TURNED UP BY THE DOGS FEET. ANOTHER ESSENTIAL WAS A BALLACLAVA AND GOOD HAT. WARM GLOVES AND PLENTY OF THERMAL UNDIES. MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET YOUR WATERPROOF BOOTS ON WITH THE THICK SOX ON, AS IT CAN MAKE THEM A BIT TIGHT AND YOU NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE AS YOU HAVE TO DO A BIT OF RUNNING, WALKING, PUSHING ETC.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
BIT OF A LONG TRIP FROM AIRPORT TO THE RESORT SO TAKE A GOOD BOOK. WE ATE TWO GOOD MEALS A DAY AS THE FOOD WAS VERY CHEAP, DRANK LOTS OF WONDERFUL HOT CHOCOLATE, AND SLEPT LIKE BABES AT THE END OF THE DAY AS BEING OUT IN THE SNOWY CONDITIONS WAS VERY TIRING.
WATCH OUT FOR MARS, THE ST. BERNARD AT THE PENSION, HE LOVES PEOPLE AND HAS A GOOD BEGGING LOOK ON HIS FACE. HE IS A MASSIVE, CUDDLY BALL OF FUR, AND NEARLY KNOCKS YOU OVER WHEN HE LEANS AGAINST YOU.
THIS IS DEFINITELY A HOLIDAY FOR SNOW LOVING DOG LOVERS WITH A SENSE OF ADVENTURE.
Carla Trancoso

SLOVAKIA DOGSLEDDING WEEKEND

Written February 2011
The most amazing and empowering experience ever! I'd definetely do it again.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Driving your sledge through the amazing forests, totally in control, you hear nothing other than the noise of the sledge ripping through the snow. It's just you and the dogs. Then you reach the town of Bully, everything covered in snow, and the locals come out of their houses in silence to see you wizz by their front door. Priceless. The most amazing feeling, trying to describing will not do it justice, try it for yourself!
What did you think of your group leader?
The Group leader, Daniel, was a character. He didn't speak English at all - which was a shame - because he would've been good fun to talk to and would've had a few stories to tell us!! The Exodus representative, Katerina, was lovely and really professional.
I have to say that if Exodus organises a trip for British people it has to ensure that the mushers and guides all speak at least a bit of English; only the Exodus representative was able to communicate with us. I speak 7 languages and none of them were of any help on this trip!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of layers as it gets pretty chilly when you are the one sitting down on the sledge! But when you are pushing the sledge you definetely warm up!
When you go out for the day or afternoon in the forest you do stop for lunch but your second stop is in the middle of nowhere so i recomend you take some water with you - you will not feel hungry but you will definetely feel thirsty.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dogsledging in Slovakia involves more 'pushing of sledge' than you would expect - terrain is more mountaneous than in Finland or Iceland - so i definetely think it is important that you are reasonably fit.
The food is phenomenal, everywhere you go you eat and drink well. Traditional deserts are to die for...but i can see you would struggle if you are a vegetarian! p.s. dumplings are their traditional food, theya really nice but not what you expected - what they call dumplings we call gnocci!!
The Pension du Mars was where we stayed was very well set up, a tipical mountain pension, and the food was great. Try the lentil soup - divine!!
I would recomend that even if you have done dogsledging before, that when you are to go out with the dogs you choose to pair up with a musher/experienced guide as opposed to someone else from your group. Even if all he/she does is sit on the sledge and you drive all the way you want to make sure that in case something happens he helps you take control of the situation. You may feel you can do it all yourself and even take others with you but remember you are not there to prove anything to anyone - dogsledging, like skiing, horse riding or bodyboarding - is an extreme sport and you don't want your inexperience to be responsible for causing an accident.
Slovakia is not as commercial as other places you may have gone skiing in like France, Austria or Switzerland, so although they are very well set up, their main customer base is local people. Be respectul of their customs and of the fact that they are giving you the best they have to offer.
I would DEFINETELY recomend this trip.
Chantal Vermenitch

SLOVAKIA DOGSLEDDING WEEKEND

Written January 2011
An action packed 4 day holiday with great reps.
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What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was great!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The food is probably not that varied for vegetarians.
Sue Bonnington

SLOVAKIA DOGSLEDDING WEEKEND

Written January 2011
This was my first ever trip with Exodus so i didnt know what to expect, but i neednt have worried. It exceeded my expectations and was very well organised. For anyone who loves dogs or just wants to do something a bit different then this is for you. The scenery in Slovakia is amazing and although we didn't have much snow for the time of year we still had plenty of sledding time. The accommodation is clean and comfortable and the locals are friendly and helpful.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
As it was only a short break it's hard to pick just one thing that was the best, actually the whole trip was fantastic. Finally getting the hang of mushing the dogs and then going on the longer trip through the woods was truly exhilarating.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was great, she knew the best places to go to eat and looked after us very well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of layers to wear, and waterproof clothing, you get hot and wet on the sleds. Although they recommend wearing good walking boots I took my waterproof snow boots instead and I was glad I did.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The are several optional activities you can choose to do, depending on the weather, but I would highly recommend going to the Besenova Thermal Spa on the last day. It's a perfect way to relax after a long days sledding but make sure you take your swimming costume with you, although you can buy one there if you forget as I did !!