Tatra Winter Activity Week: Poland & Slovakia Winter Holiday

Essential Information

Trip Profile

An active week. No previous experience necessary but a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Price Includes

Return flights from London Gatwick to Krakow with Easyjet, airport transfers (group flights only)
7 nights in 3 star Hotel in Smokovec
All breakfasts and 1 lunch
Full day snowshoeing including snowshoe hire
Cross-country skiing instruction plus tour, including ski rental
Trip to Zakopane and dogsledding
Entry to Bukowina Thermal Pools
Full day downhill skiing or boarding including equipment rental
Morning downhill sledding including sled rental, horse and sleigh ride and picnic
Not included:
Lift pass on downhill ski day

Optional Activities:
Trip to Belianska Cave

Accommodation

HOTEL VILLA SIESTA ***

A warm welcome awaits in the heart of the High Tatras in this well-run hotel, just a short walk from the bars and restaurants of Smokovec. We use comfortable twin rooms with en suite facilities. The hotel has a restaurant serving a mixture of local and international cuisine, as well as a wellness centre with a number of optional spa treatments.

Food

All breakfasts and 1 lunch included.

Reality Check

Activity Details This trip is Grade B: Relatively full days, with 3 - 4 hours of physical activity per day. You should be reasonably confident in your fitness to ensure you get the most out of this trip, a light exercise routine pre departure will certainly help.

Your safety All active winter holidays involve some element of risk; from something as simple as slipping on icy pavements, to the possibility of injuries sustained as a result of the activities themselves. While we do all we can to minimize any dangers, participants must be prepared to accept some risk as part of the holiday.

Low level snowshoeing We have chosen to categorize this holiday as 'low level snowshoeing', which is described as snowshoeing over flat or undulating terrain, where avalanche risk is non-existent, and there are no big-drops and very steep terrain is rare. There is minimal risk of injury from falls and slides on icy terrain.

Cross-country skiing Unlike downhill skiing, where falls can happen at speed, most cross-country falls happen at slow speeds or from an almost static position, and cause no injury. Although it is very rare, some falls do lead to injury, in the worst cases this may include broken bones. Overall cross-country skiing is a safe sport to take part in, if properly instructed.

Dogsledding While speeds rarely exceed 20 km per hour, injuries can occur if a sled tips over or leaves the trail, and participants should be prepared for this risk. Downhill skiing or boarding As with all resorts, you will find the pistes graded to show difficulty level. It is important you do not attempt a descent that is beyond your ability.

Downhill sledding Relatively high speeds are possible on sleds, however participants will be shown how to control their speed. This reduces the likelihood and impact of any fall.

Normal group size and age

Normally 5 to 16. Minimum age 14.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

Relatively full days, with 3-4 hours of physical activity, although occasional longer or harder days may be involved. Previous experience is not necessary, but you should be confident of your fitness level.

Winter Activities: It's about seeking out alternative ways to have fun in unspoilt locations, you won't find standard skiing or snowboarding breaks here.

Mixed Activities: Activities may range from the ordinary (for example walking, cycling or whitewater rafting) to the damn right extraordinary (including caving, camel riding or canyoning).

For those clients who wish to travel with a group of other solo/single travellers, on certain trips we have set aside departure dates that are specifically recommended for clients booking individually. Solo departures are aimed at taking away that concern that you may be the only solo traveller when you arrive overseas. Look out for the solo departures (marked with a grey icon's') by checking the notes in the dates and prices table.
However, please note that we inform any couples, or friends travelling together, who enquire about these dates that the trip is recommended for solos, but we do not refuse bookings from non-solo travellers, and we are therefore not able to guarantee that a solo departure will be exclusively made up of solo travellers.