Last chance to walk with bears in Slovakia

Trekking holidays company Walks Worldwide has a few places left on its unique Walking with Bears trip to the High Tatras Mountains of Slovakia departing 14 August.

The holiday has been created in conjunction with local study and conservation group Projekt Medved; no other UK operator is able to offer such an experience.

The High Tatras are the highest mountains in the Carpathian Arc, which stretches from Romania to the Czech Republic. The range is small in area but they are very steep and provide the only High Alpine environment in Europe north of the Alps.

There are a number of well-marked tourist trails but the highlight of this new trip are the days spent off the trail, following animal tracks and ancient smuggling paths in the company of guides who know the region and wildlife inside out.

This trekking holiday with a big difference, provides the chance to walk not only in a spectacular mountain area populated by bears, but with the intention of seeking the mighty beasts on foot!

“Rather than sit in a hide for hours on end - the usual practice for bear-watching trips - the objective is to actively locate and observe (from a safe distance) bears in their natural habitat, behaving naturally” says Walks Worldwide manager Mark Knowles.

This Carpathian wildlife walking odyssey commences in Poland and initially follows recognised way-marked trails across the High Tatras, descending into Slovakia. Reaching the Ticha, the group will be joined by a Park Ranger whom will take the group ‘off piste’ and walk amongst the mountains and valleys in an area where tourists are usually forbidden.

This unique opportunity is restricted to a maximum group size of eight people, to minimise disturbance. Walking is graded as demanding, hiking at altitude on mountainous terrain for up to 9 hours per day.

The one-off trip departs on Sunday 14 August and costs from £895 pp (land only). This includes ground transportation, 7 nights’ accommodation, most meals and the services of a tour leader. Walks Worldwide is fully-bonded and can book flights on request.

For more information, visit: walksworldwide.com