A journey through Slovakia’s mountain paradise

Tour operator Mountain Paradise is offering exhilarating wildlife tours in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains for the first time this summer with a special introductory discount of £200 off of a week’s stay and £100 off a short break if booked by 30 June. Packages start from £995 for a seven night holiday and £699 for a three night break.

Packages comprise: return flights from London, Luton or Manchester, airport transfers, full board accommodation in private rangers’ cottages and in chalets, transport to wildlife locations, two days of wildlife watching on the short break and five on the week stay.

These unique tours, led by expert guides and mountain rangers, take participants to areas of the Western and Belianske Tatra National Park previously inaccessible to tourists. They offer the chance to see a selection of Slovakia’s abundant and diverse wildlife including: brown bears, wolves, roe and red deer, the elusive lynx and the endangered Tatra chamois. Pine martins and many birds of prey including golden eagles and falcons also inhabit the area. The tours run on selected dates between June and October

Mountain Paradise does not use animal hides or bait the wildlife instead they rely of the expertise of the rangers to track animals ensuring that clients see them in their natural habitat . The company also restricts numbers to six per guided group.

The tours are part of the bear research programme being carried out by Tatra foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides funding for conservation initiatives throughout Tatra Mountains National Park. Clients will be able to see the results of some of the bear research while on these tours. Mountain Paradise will also donate £100 to the Tatra Foundation for every booking made.

The wildlife tours require a moderate level of fitness as they feature walks of approximately three hours around the valleys of the Tatra National Park with ascents and descents during wildlife watching. The holidays are not suitable for children under the age of 14.

Despite being in the Euro zone, Slovakia represents excellent value for money with a pint of beer, a vodka, soft drink or large sandwich costing only €1, a main course in a restaurant around €3 and an ice cream just €0.50.

Slovakia is just 2-hours by air from the UK (flights from London, Luton or Manchester) and the short transfer to the mountains means that holidaymakers spend the maximum amount of time on location.

Mountain Paradise’s 2009 wildlife tours are running on the following dates:

June/July, Duration, Price Per Person
5-8 June 3 nights £699 (if booked before 30/6) £799 after
12-15 June 3 nights £699 (if booked before 30/6) £799 after
27 June to 4 July 7 nights £995 (if booked before 30/6) £1200 after

August/September
14-17 August 3 nights £699 (if booked before 30/6) £799 after
22-29 August 7 nights £995 (if booked before 30/6) £1200 after
29 Aug – 5 Sept 7 nights £995 (if booked before 30/6) £1200 after
5-12 September 7 nights £995 (if booked before 30/6) £1200 after
12-19 September 7 nights £995 (if booked before 30/6) £1200 after
25-28 September 3 nights £699 (if booked before 30/6) £799 after

October
2-5 October 3 nights £699 (if booked before 30/6) £799 after
9-12 October 3 nights £699 (if booked before 30/6) £799 after
17-24 October 7 nights £995 (if booked before 30/6) £1200 after
24-31 October 7 nights £995 (if booked before 30/6) £1200 after

For more information and bookings, visit Mountainparadise.co.uk.