Chochołów

Hiking

Get back to nature on a day trip to the Tatra Mountains. Breathe the fresh air as you explore the village of Chochołów. Savor a taste of the traditional oscypek sheep cheese. Relax at the Chochołów thermal baths and admire local craftsmanship at a folk sculpture studio. Be picked up from your accommodation in Krakow and sit back and relax on the scenic drive to the mountain village of Chochołów. See panoramic views of the Tatra mountains at the Dzianisz viewpoint. View the old-fashioned wooden houses as you walk through the village. Visit a Bacówka (Shepard's hut) to sample some salty oscypek cheese. Have the chance to purchase lunch at a traditional restaurant. Peruse local art at a unique folk sculpture studio. Go for a dip in the warm soothing waters of the Chochołów thermal baths. Let water that is straight from Wysoki Wierch mountain relieve your tension and refresh you. Take in mountain views as you soak in the water.

Following pickup from your hotel in Krakow, journey into the Tatra Mountains to experience the pristine nature of the highest mountain range in Poland. Make your way to the village of Chochołów near Zakopane, where the locals still live in traditional wooden houses. Hear about everyday life and the folk culture of the local Góral people, before visiting the workshop of a talented sculptor. Return to Zakopane via Witów to look at an old wooden church and visit the shepherd's mountain shelter of Bacowka, where traditional cheese is still produced. Get breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains on the way to Krupowki Street, Zakopane's commercial heart with lots of shops and restaurants serving local cuisine. Ride the cable car to take in breathtaking views before returning to Krakow at the end of the day.

Your day begins with pick-up from your hotel in Krakow, then a visit to the studio of a local folklore sculptor in Chochołów to admire the traditional Polish artworks and, if you're interested, buy some of the artist's works. The day will continue with an unforgettable funicular journey to the Gubałówka mountain, which stands at an impressive elevation of 1126m. Here, enjoy spectacular views of the Polish countryside. After a hike through the mountain peaks, head down to the charming town of Zakopane and walk along Krupówki street, which runs through the town’s center. Here, have a leisurely lunch break and enjoy one of the local delicacies, a traditional smoked cheese dish called Oscypek. After lunch, visit the monumental cemetery of Pęksowy Brzyzk, as well as The Tatra Mountains Museum and the museum of Zakopane Style of Architectural at Willa Koliba. You'll also get to see the Jaszczurówka Chapel, a classical example of Zakopane architecture. As the trip nears its end, your group will head back to Krakow, where you will be dropped off at a place of your preference.

Enjoy an action-packed day taking a scenic hike to a glacial lake at Morskie Oko, exploring the town of Zakopane, and relaxing in the thermal baths in Chocholow. After getting picked up from your accommodation in Krakow, admire the views during your 2-hour drive toward the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountain chain in Poland. Arrive at the base of the Morskie Oko hike and prepare yourself for beautiful nature and stunning views. Trek up the mountain at a leisurely pace for approximately 2 hours until you reach the Morski Oko Lake. The lake was formed from glaciers in the mountains and its name means the Eye of the Sea. While at the lake, relax for a bit before heading back down on another 2-hour hike. Next, head to Zakopane and take a trip up Gubalowka Mountain by funicular. After, spend time on Krupowki Street and soak up the authentic atmosphere of the city. Peruse the shops and restaurants, and try some traditional cottage cheese. Zakopane carries the proud name of the "skiing capital of Poland" and its the country's most popular holiday resort. From Zakopane, move on to Chocolow and visit the Chocholowska Baths, the largest thermal complex in Podhale. The water here is extracted from a depth of nearly 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) and submerged rocks emit beneficial micronutrients such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Unwind for 3 hours in the 8 whirlpools of thermal water, the swimming pool brine bath, and the outdoor swimming pools, all with a temperature of 36° Celsius (97° Fahrenheit).