The following itinerary is a preliminary schedule for a trip designed for lovers of steam locomotives and railway history. It includes excursions to some of the country’s principal attractions, such as the railway depots in Bratislava and Vrutky, and two main museums with railway-related exhibits in Bratislava and Nitra. Slovakia is predominantly a hilly country and some scenic railways routes have been included e.g. the Cervena Skala – Margecany route with tunnels and bridges through the Slovak Ore Mountains, and the unique Black Hron forest railway.
The High Tatras National Park, the Spis historical region and the national capital, Bratislava, are among the most important and attractive tourist regions in Slovakia. We have therefore included all of them in this specialized itinerary.
Arrival at Bratislava/Vienna International Airport, transfer and check-in at hotel, walking tour of Bratislava Old Town including Main Square with craft market, Old Town Hall and neo-Classical Primate’s Palace, welcome dinner in traditional restaurant.
Morning departure from Bratislava, proceed to Slovakia’s capitals of wine – Pezinok and Modra. Visit the Driny Cave, located in the Small Carpathians. Then continue via Trencin and along the Vah River Valley, guarded by many castles, to the High Tatras area. Late afternoon arrival, check-in and dinner at hotel.
This day is dedicated to caves located in and around the beautiful Slovak Paradise National Park, including the Dobsina Ice Cave, one of the lowest-altitude ice caves in Europe, and the aragonite cave in Ochtina, which will be another unique experience of this day. Complete the day with dinner at a mountain-style Koliba restaurant with live Gypsy music.
After visiting the Belianska Cave, located in the Belianske Tatras, continue to the Zamagurie area, an isolated region beyond the Magura mountains on the border with Poland, inhabited by the friendly and proud Goral people. A major attraction of this region is rafting on the Dunajec River, which marks the border between Slovakia and Poland. Enjoy an outdoor picnic accompanied by Goral music at the Chalet Pieniny.
Morning departure from the hotel to visit two UNESCO World Heritage-listed caves in the Slovak Karst region. After visiting the beautiful Gombasecka Cave, enjoy an underground boat trip in the Domica Cave that forms, with Hungary’s Aggtelek Cave, a unique trans-border cave system. Continue through the Muran Plateau Nature Reserve to the resort of Tale in the Low Tatras.
This trip takes you to the northern side of the Low Tatras National Park. Visit the Demanovska Ice Cave and the Demanovska Cave of Freedom, which together form the unique Demanovska Valley cave system.
The trip is one of highlights of the tour. A special excursion to the Cave of Dead Bats, this trip involves a multi-hour hike to the cave entrance. Only groups of ten, led by a special guide, are allowed in. The cave is a unique place, holding the bodies of thousands of dead bats.
Note: This cave is not open to the general public and special visiting rules apply.
Morning visit to the Bystrianska Cave, located on the southern side of the Low Tatras. Continue to Banska Bystrica, a former mining town with a beautiful main square containing many outdoor cafés and restaurants. After enjoying some free time, continue to Bratislava. Check in at your hotel before a farewell dinner at a typical local restaurant.
Morning transfer to Bratislava/Vienna Airport, outward flight.
Caution: Please note that many cave entrances in Slovakia are located at high altitude and visiting them therefore involves a lot of walking up steep slopes and along mountain trails. Caves are very rarely found next to a car park. The trip to the Cave of Dead Bats requires participants to be in very good physical condition.
Note: This is a tailor-made tour. The Caves of Slovakia Tour can be organised for a closed group of a minimum 6 participants on any given date (some date exceptions may apply). To get the full offer, send us your preferences and we will respond with a price quote within 2 working days.