THE TATRA MOUNTAINS (POLAND)

Backabush is going to THE TATRA MOUNTAINS of POLAND!

Group size - 30. Nights - 4. Accommodation - comfortable hotel in Zakopane.

Cost - £499 twin share or £612 single occupancy. Group size - 30. Nights - 4. Accommodation - 3 star hotel and breakfast.

The craggy peaks of the High Tatras are a truly dramatic and beautiful sight. Soaring abruptly to the sky these mountains form a gigantic barrier along the border with Slovakia and is a paradise for energetic hikers. Our plan is to explore this incredible corner of Poland tackling 3 of the classic mountain trails.

The Tatra Mountains are part of the Carpathian mountain chain in eastern Europe. Both the Slovak and Polish sides are protected as national parkland with a network of trails giving access to this spectacular mountain range. The Tatras are also home to wildlife including the Tatra chamois, marmot, lynx and bears.

We will stay in a comfortable hotel in the resort town of Zakopane in southern Poland, at the base of the Tatras Mountains. Zakopane is a popular departure point for hiking and is blessed with wonderful mountain views, numerous affordable restaurants and lovely thermal baths.

***We will be guided by a local certified Mountain Guide.***

Classic hiking routes of the Polish Tatras include:

Five Lakes Valley through Roztoki Valley and visiting Siklawa waterfall. The route is around 7-8hrs long and is suitable for fit hikers but has no technical difficulties on the way.

Siwa Polana - Schronisko Chocholowska - Wolowiec. This route is a good one but long and physically challenging. It is a long day (approx 26 km) typically taking around 11 hrs with over 1200m of ascent and descent.

Giewont is the iconic mountain of Zakopane. This hike is not as long as the other two (approx 16km) but the last part of the mountain is supported by chains and requires a head for heights. We ascend around 900m and descent about 1100m.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• 4 nights in a comfortable hotel near bars and restaurants in Zakopane.
• Breakfast.
• Three guided hikes by a certified local Mountain Guide.
• Backabush trip organiser. Qualified Mountain Leader and first aider.
• Transport to and from the hike trailheads.
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 2018.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Dinner. Our accommodation in the heart of Zakopane will have plenty of local restaurants nearby.
• Lunch. We can pick up picnic supplies at the supermarket.
• Flights to Krakow.
• Transport to and from Zakopane. There are regular bus services and trains from Krakow to Zakopane.
• Travel Insurance.

MEETING DETAILS:

We will meet at our hotel in Zakopane. More details will be provided later.

Several airlines fly to Krakow from UK airports and I have chosen the following:

Outbound - Thursday 17 September
British Airways BA0872
London Heathrow Terminal 3
Departs 15:20
Arrives Krakow 18:55

My plan is to spend a couple of nights in Krakow so I can explore the city before travelling down to Zakopane.

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:

To book onto this trip send full payment to the Backabush account. Please also **email backabushxplorers@yahoo.com** and use TATRA as your payment reference.

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622

The following "terms and conditions" apply to all trip reservations:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/

Your RSVP alone is NOT enough to secure your place. Payment is needed to make a reservation.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We consider safety to be our number one priority and while we never take unnecessary risks, we do recognise that any outdoor activity involves a danger of personal injury or death. Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.