Come to Slovakia to experience one of Europe’s most wildlife-rich mountain regions. This tour is focused on ethical and safe wildlife observation, combined with light hiking, cultural highlights, and enough flexibility to adapt to weather and animal behaviour.
Over five days, you will explore the High Tatras and surrounding foothills, home to brown bears, chamois, marmots, beavers, and ground squirrels. Observation always takes place from a safe distance, using binoculars and spotting scopes, under the guidance of experienced local guides who understand animal behaviour and terrain.
This is not a zoo experience and sightings can never be guaranteed — but the areas we visit are carefully selected based on long-term local knowledge and seasonal animal movement.
The tour is led by an experienced wildlife specialist with formal education in nature conservation and ecology, and many years of hands-on field experience observing large mammals in the Carpathians. He has been actively involved in long-term wildlife monitoring projects and has also collaborated on the documentary Wild Slovakia alongside Nigel Marven. All wildlife photos in the gallery were taken by your guide during his previous tours and personal time.
Important note:
Bear watching is done from a large distance, without baiting or approaching animals. Safety of both guests and wildlife is the absolute priority.
Highlights
-
– Ethical brown bear observation with professional guidance
-
– Early-morning wildlife walks in quiet mountain valleys
-
– Chamois and marmot spotting in alpine terrain
-
– Visit to traditional open-air museum (skanzen)
-
– Beavers in their natural habitat at dusk
-
– Easy e-bike ride in a remote valley
-
– Cultural landmarks including caves and medieval castle
-
– Relaxation time before departure (thermal pools optional)
More information about packing, meeting place, etc. in the Itinerary and FAQs.
Feel free to contact us first at [email protected] before you book to check the availability.
Testimonials
Our customers love what we do
We joined Andrej for his trip in the Tatras mountains. What an amazing adventure! Andrej made everything so easy and fun. We were with an awesome group of people. I’d highly recommend joining one of Slovakation’s trips. 5 star ***** Even in extreme weather conditions everything was managed really well, and we got back to the airport safely and on time despite difficult driving conditions.
Great trip with Slovakation hiking around the Tatras Mountains. We did 3 hikes up to different lakes and stopped at a mountain hut for food each time. The views were incredible and our guide Tomas was so knowledgeable on the landscape and history and culture of Slovakia. Would highly recommend!
Well organised, good itineraries and great mountain 'huts' for food and drink.
What is included in this tour?
- All transfers including group airport transfers
- 4 nights in shared twin rooms in the area of Tatra mountains
- 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
- Local English speaking guide
- Equipment for observation
- 2,5 hrs entry fee to local thermal pools
- Mountain E-bike rental
- Entry fees to Spis Castle and Vazecka Cave
- Travel cost to Krakow and back
- Transfer from a different place than the Krakow Airport
- Lunches, drinks, personal expenses
Itinerary
Tour Plan
Arrival in Poland
Meet the group at Kraków Airport around 16:00 and transfer to Slovakia. After approx. 2,5 hours you will arrive to your hotel in the area of the Tatra mountains in Slovakia.
Brown Bears & Beavers
We start early, setting off at dawn to quietly walk into a remote mountain valley, when bears are most active. From a safe distance, we scan the surrounding slopes using binoculars and spotting scopes, observing wildlife without disturbance.
After a relaxed lunch, we visit a traditional open-air museum before heading out again in the late afternoon to watch beavers in their natural river habitat.
KM walked: 13 km, Meters ascended: 500m, Meters descended: 500m
- Bears
- Deer
Chamois, Marmots & Alpine Forests
After breakfast, we use a chairlift to gain altitude effortlessly, avoiding steep climbs and keeping the day relaxed. The open chairlift offers wide views but feels stable and comfortable — suitable even for those cautious about heights. From the upper station, we walk through alpine forests and meadows, scanning for chamois and marmots.
After lunch, we visit the nearby Vazecka cave, adding another natural element to the day.
KM walked: 8 km, Meters ascended: 100m, Meters descended: 600m
- Chamois
- Marmots
- Spotted Nutcrackers
- Western capercaillies
Bears Again & Recovery Day
We set off early again, this time using e-bikes to move efficiently along a quiet mountain road into a remote valley. Riding e-bikes allows us to cover distance quickly and save energy for wildlife observation. From the valley end, we scan the surrounding slopes for brown bears using binoculars, always from a safe distance.
Participants should be confident riding a bicycle on paved roads.
The afternoon is kept flexible for rest or recovery and possible evening visit of the local thermal pools.
KM biked: 24 km, Meters ascended: 400m
- Bears
- Deer
Ground Squirrels & Departure
On our final day, we visit Spiš Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set high above the surrounding countryside. Its vast open grounds are home to a thriving colony of ground squirrels, making it a unique and surprisingly accessible wildlife-watching location. We keep the program light and unhurried before transferring to the airport.
Transfer back to the airport is scheduled to arrive by approximately 15:00. It is safe to book return flights departing after 17:00.
- Ground Squirrels
