General nature tours:
Butterflies, Birds and Flowers
The peat bogs below the Belianske massif provide butterfly lovers with a chance to find some rare and exotic species.
We visit a traditional sheep farm and sample some fresh cheese. After a walk through a dense, flooded forest area
with good chances of seeing songbirds and amphibians we end at the TANAP botanical garden where you can put names
to all the flowers you have seen.
Price: € 55/ person - 2 people, € 45/person - 4+ people, max group size 8
Included: transport, guide, all entrances, cheese-based breakfast at farm
Pieniny and Bats
We head north towards the Polish border and stop at the historic village of Cerveny Klastor. From here we walk
along the Dunajec river through the limestone canyon towards Lesnica. Hopefully we will see plants and butterflies
that are particular to this area. We have traditional lunch at a chata. After lunch we head to the start point of our walk
to a cave that holds a number of species of bat. We wait here for dusk to fall to witness the exodus of the bats.
Price: € 55/person - 2 people, € 45/person - 4+ people, max group size 8
Included: transport, guide, all entrances, lunch at chata
Spis Castle, Birds and Beavers
A band of travertine stone is responsible for both the mysterious rock formations of Drevenik and the prominent outcrop upon
which Spis Castle is located. The alkali rocks make this a great area for plants and butterflies. We walk firstly through
the Drevenik area before having lunch at a Salas to try some traditional local food of the region. After lunch we visit
the imposing Spis Castle, one of the biggest medieval castles in central Europe. This is also a stronghold for the European Souslik,
an endangered ground squirrel. In the late afternoon we depart and position ourselves next to a lake. As dusk descends we
wait patiently for glimpses of the world's second largest rodent, the European Beaver.
Price: € 60/person - 2 people, € 50/person - 4+ people, max group size 8
Included: transport, guide, all entrances, lunch in Salas
Birdwatching tours:
A selection of the below will be chosen depending on season and what yourwishes are. These day tours are very flexible and if there is a good
chance of seeing something in a different area we will consult with you and decide our itinerary ad hoc.
We can offer other bird watching itineraries depending on what you want to target. Please ask if you have a particular 'wish list'!
Price: € 90/person - 1 people, € 60/person - 2 people, € 50/person - 3 people
quote on request for larger numbers.
Included: transport, guide
Kozie Chrbty:
A long ridge extends from west to east between the High Tatras and the Slovak Paradise Park.
As well as mature spruce and fir forest there is also one of the last remaining oak forests in the area.
We can expect to see Black and Three-toed woodpeckers, crested tits, hawfinch and in the summer Wood warblers and flycatchers
are everywhere. Raptors (and paragliders!) love the thermals generated by this ridge.
Vel'ka Lomnica, Flooded forest and Wetlands:
We visit a great field that attracts all raptors (we have seen six species in half an hour) and then head to a few
of the great lowland sites in the area. Depending on what's about, we visit peat bogs, flooded forest and some large
fishponds with extensive reed beds. Many species can be seen in these areas due to the variety of habitats.
We try to stay in areas with mainly deciduous trees to give a different species spread to the coniferous forests
of the higher Tatras.
Kamenista (walking itinerary):
The Kamenista valley is one of the gems of the Tatras. Set in an area renowned for its high density of bears
there is also good chance of seeing montane bird specialities such as nutcracker, crested tit and crossbill.
For the stronger walkers there is potential to see a great marmot colony after a final steep climb.
Cultural tours:
Spis Castle, Levoca and Belianska Cave
One of the biggest medieval castles in central Europe, the building of Spis Castle first started in the 12th century.
In later years it became an important strategic point and was the seat of the head of the Spis region. In the late 1400's
it was extensively renovated and enlarged to its current form. There is an informative trail on site and the views
from the castle are wonderful. We have lunch in the historic Spis town of Levoca with its city wall, lovely facades
and renaissance town hall. We also visit St James church, which houses the tallest wooden altar in the world carved
by Master Pavol. After lunch we visit Belianska cave, a network of ancient passageways through the limestone massif.
Price: € 75/person - 2 people, € 65/person - 4+ people
Included: transport, guide, all entrances
Betliar Manor House and Dobsinska Ice Cave
We head south from Poprad into the Slovak Paradise Park. Our first stop is the Dobsinska ice cave, which was discovered
in 1870 and opened to the public the following year. The unique aspect and geology of the cave contrive to maintain
an annual average temperature of about 0° C therefore the ice contained within the cave is virtually permanent.
This is truly one of nature's wonders. After lunch we head south towards Roznava. The Betliar Manor house is an elegant
building which has a history dating from the 15th century. The mansion was spared destruction and looting in WW2
and as a result it still houses a fine collection of art, furnishings, weaponry and a 15,000 volume library.
It is situated in the beautiful surroundings of an English-style park, designed by the famous architect H. Nebbiem.
In 1985 the house and the surrounding landscaped gardens were declared as a National Cultural Monument.
After leaving the house we return to Poprad.
Price: € 75/person - 2 people, € 65/person - 4+ people
Included: transport, guide, all entrances
Krasna Horka Castle and Krasnohorska Cave
We head south from Poprad towards the town of Roznava, near the Hungarian border. Our first stop is the Krasnohorska cave.
The cave is a wonderful experience of discovery as you don overalls, helmets and a caving lamp and descend into the tunnels.
This is a much less-touristy experience than many of the caves in Slovakia and you will be rewarded with some immense
and beautiful stalagmites that have taken many thousand years to grow. After lunch we visit the Mausoleum of Franciska
and Dénes Andrássy. Built in 1904, this is a Munich-designed Art Nouveau structure with influences from all over Europe.
Our final stop is the imposing Krasna Horka castle. Originally dating from the 14th century, it is strategically
situated on top of a conical hill. Like the nearby Betliar Manor House it is extremely well preserved and has typical
castle characteristics such as a dungeon and banquet halls. After leaving the castle we return to Poprad.
Price: € 85/person - 2 people, € 75/person - 4+ people
Included: transport, guide, all entrances
Bardejov and Wooden Churches of the region
The eastern part of Slovakia contains a number of wooden churches. We visit the Greek-Catholic churches of Lukov and Krive
and the Roman Catholic church of Hervatov. If time permits we will also visit the church at Trocany. These churches
are almost entirely made of wood and date back many centuries. Both the architecture and the contents of the churches
are fascinating. We then head to Bardejov, a UNESCO world heritage site. This town has the most beautiful medieval square
in Slovakia and has a great collection of renaissance architecture including the City Hall, a real gem. If we have time
we have one last stop at Jedlinka, another Greek Catholic church before returning to Poprad.
Price: € 75/person - 2 people, € 65/person - 4+ people
Included: transport, guide, all entrances
Stara Lubovna Castle and Medieval Camp
Family Trip
This is a great trip for families. We head north towards the Polish border and stop in the Spis town of Stara Lubovna.
Here we visit the historic city centre and the town square surrounded by 17th century burghers' houses. Once such house
shows you what life was like for 19th century burghers and also has a replica mint where you can make your own 'gold' coins.
We then head up to the Castle, an impressive fortification guarding the outer limits of the Hungarian empire. This castle
is most famous as being the place where the Polish hid their Crown Jewels from marauding Swedish armies in the 1650's.
Below the castle is an open air museum with some great examples of local architecture and a well preserved Greek Catholic
wooden church.
After lunch in a traditional Salas we go to the Medieval Military camp where you are transported back
to the 15th century. Here, amongst other things, we can see traditional crafts, try shooting bows and arrows or watch
swordsmen fighting. We return to the 21st century and Poprad in the evening.
Price: € 60/person - 2 people, € 50/person - 4+ people
Included: transport, guide, all entrances
