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USD $107.00
Dunajec River Gorge and Niedzica Castle from Krakow
Krakow, Poland
Undoubtedly Dunajec River Gorge is one of the Poland's prime tourist attractions and this great day trip from Krakow gives you the chance to admire some amazing scenery as you float down the river, as well as a visit to Niedzica Castle in the Dunajec Valley.
Begin your excursion with a visit to Niedzica Castle (also known as Dunajec Castle), originally built in the 14th century by the Hungarians to protect an important trade route through the Dunajec Valley. The castle towers over a large water reservoir with an impressive dam built in mid 1990s. While visiting the castle you can admire the delightful view over the artificial lake and learn the amazing story of Inca refugees who found shelter here.
After your visit of the castle, continue to Sromowce Nizne to board your wooden raft to drift at a leisurely pace along the Dunajec River. The river runs from northern Slovakia to southern Poland and is at its most picturesque passing through Dunajec River Gorge. Your adventure down the winding Dunajec River offers breathtaking views of mighty limestone cliffs plunging into the water and stunning native flora, you may even spot some rare bird species such as the Black Stork.
Your highly experienced guide ensures you have a smooth ride, pointing out the sights along the way and teaching you the history of the gorge. Your 2 to 3 hour voyage ends 15 kilometers later in Szczawnica. It is advisable to bring suitable rainwear or a sun hat depending on the weather.
A lovely scenic rafting ride and experience where the Dunajec River flows through the borders of Poland on the left side and Slovakia on the right, bifurcating the 2 countries and the river gorge with its limestone cliffs are an awesome sight.
Review by: bcortis, August 2017
Lovely tour. It rained while we were on the raft but it was still great. Pity that the explanation was in Polish. Our van driver, Bruno, was very friendly, and he also gave us some very interesting historical information.
Review by: Allen G, December 2016
Very good driver/guide. Interesting and varied sites.
Review by: David B, October 2016
The weather didn't help but the 2 crew men on the raft made no attempt to speak to speak us or welcome us on board and we felt like second class citizens our driver complained about the distance he had to drive and missed out the castle completely
Review by: Sherin B, September 2016
Wonderful experience ,beautiful scenery, guide was friendly,helpful a real gent, even though it rained it was exciting ,would love to do it again if I return to Kraków.
Review by: Yogesh J, June 2016
The castle was interesting, though not much different from others we had seen near Krakow. But the region is really pretty, with mountains, lakes, rivers and tiny villages. The rafting down the Dunjec River Gorge was particularly enjoyable. The views are breathtaking and, since the weather was cool and pleasant, we found it to be very relaxing as well. The boats men did not speak English, so you miss out a bit. But the spectacular views make up for everything. It was a fairly smooth ride, with Slovakia on one side and Poland on the other. You also cross the border for a short while. Overall, a very worthwhile fun trip.
Review by: Kevin B, April 2016
The rafting through the river gorge is highly recommended, beautiful scenery, peaceful, lots to see and a very unusual activity. However, the second part of the trip was very disappointing! The tour was booked through Viator's own website yet when it came to the day of the tour it turned out that the booking had been accepted for a Monday - when the castle is closed!! The fact that the guide explained how interesting it is inside the castle DID NOT make up for the fact that we could not see it. It was even suggested that we had booked to early! Be very careful of dates when booking this trip, and perhaps make a specific check to ensure that the whole day's activities are available.
Review by: Darrell H, October 2015
it was too expensive. When we went it was too cold but that was my fault. The guide does not speak English
Review by: Valerie R, September 2015
Andrew was very informative and helpful. There was some confusion as to our pick up point, but Andrew followed up via our hotel and made it all happen seamlessly._br/_ The raft journey was in Polish so needed to read about what we were seeing. Countryside wonderful._br/_ Overall a great experience.
Review by: Ravini J, July 2015
Would not recommend raft trip is two hours long with no bathroom or shade. It was very hot on the day i went so after paying for it i opted not to go. Also the castle was a dissapointment. the tour guide was good
Review by: Sofie R, July 2015
Well organized and a fantastic day out! The scenery is beautiful and we even got to see a bear.
Review by: Norman C, September 2014
Our Dunajec River raft trip was wonderful, everything we had hoped. The scenery was beautiful, and our English-speaking guide was great. He was extremely articulate in English, well-informed and educated in general and kept us entertained throughout the ride from Krakow, the raft and castle trips, and the ride back._br/_
We were also pleased with how smoothly the pick-up went at our hotel. We tried to book a Dunajec trip six years ago through a different agency, and it was a disaster. We never got to take the trip at all. So we were very pleased that your pick-up and drop-off worked so well.
Review by: MIchael M, June 2014
The weather left us unable to do the rafting portion of the trip but our tour guide Agnes was very gracious in letting us make other stops which were not on the itinerary including lunch just inside the border of Slovakia which was an unexpected treat.
Review by: Andrey S, June 2014
Unique experience, beautiful nature, outstanding tour guide Agnieshka Bonior.
Review by: Ruth J, June 2014
Did not get to go down river as it was raining and they were waiting for 6 more people to make a full raft_br/_
they never appeared so no trip. driver took us to see another castle and church went for a trip to Slovakia
Review by: iluvmexico, May 2014
We felt that the price and time required for this tour weren't worth it. The trip to the site is two hours. The castle is small, there are few artifacts on display and little explanation of them or what it was like to live in that time period. It took us only about 45 minutes to slowly go through it. We would recommend the Wawel Castle in Krakow as a better alternative. The river gorge is relatively scenic but the guides don't speak English and we understood absolutely nothing of what was said. Also they will not take a raft out unless there are ten people. There were only two of us and we had to wait an hour until finally another eight people showed up just before we were going to leave. The float on the river is about two hours. So there's a four hour round trip and only about three hours spent at the site. The castle tour is about $5 a person, the raft is about $22 a person, the majority of the fee is spent on travel expense! We paid $112.50 each for this tour. The best part was our tour guide Andrew who spoke excellent English, was very accommodating and also a valuable source of everything Polish. He made every possible effort to make sure we got the float on the river.
Review by: Kevin S, April 2014
We all enjoyed it o the full. One thing is maybe that on the raft they should have some kind of rag due that it was quite cold.
Review by: Bree J, October 2013
The operator schedules the tour on Monday but the castle is closed on Monday and entrance fee cost was not refunded. When it came time for the Dunajec River Gorge, they require 10 passengers but there were only 4 on the trip - this should have been clarified up front. The guide was going to skip the event but after waiting an hour at the dock another group showed up that we were able to tag onto. The guide should have never taken us if there was not sufficient folks for the tour.
Review by: FREDA E, August 2013
We were fortunate to have our own personal tour guide as there were only 2 of us booked on the trip for that day. Niedzica is a fairytale castle perched on an escarpment with stunning views over the lake and reservoir. The castle is steeped in history with , Jack, our guide having excellent knowledge with facts and figures to hand._br/_
A short drive away through the dramatic countryside, we came to the Dunajec River Gorge "cruise". The transport is unique 5 narrow punts lashed together with ropes and branches and captained by two very colourful locals. The boat holds around 12 people and with around 200 boats is a very popular attraction. The 2 hour + "cruise" unfolds through rolling countryside into steep sided valley cliffs with glimpses of wildlife. We were fortunate to have some very good singers on our boat and were treated to some local folk songs as we meandered down the gorge.Would recommend this tour for the stunning views and history.
Review by: Victor C, July 2013
CASTLE DISAPPOINTING
Review by: Ashley M, July 2013
Excellent tour guide, small group tour, castle tour is quite short but the rafting trip lasts 2 hours, more than making up for it! The scenery is stunning!
Review by: Robert T, April 2013
The trip was excellent. The guide was very good and his English was excellent. The scenery was beautiful. The trip around the castle was very interesting with plenty to see. The best part was the brilliant raft trip down the river. The two Polish boat men were good even though they did not speak a word of English they pointed out anything of interest including a white eagle. The trip down the river was very relaxing and the views of the mountains and gorges were amazing a 5 star day out
Review by: Sarah Y, September 2012
The tour guide was great and we had a smaller group which was nice. However, be prepared for a long time (and confusion) being transfered between busses. Our van left before everyone found there way to the right spot and we had to turn around and go back. After being to Malbork and the castle actually in Krakow, this one didn't compare. It was a newer castle that was small and empty in comparision. It did have a great view from the top though. The float trip was a unique experience, but given how much time it takes I would only recomend if you have a long time in the Krakow area.
Review by: William M, August 2012
Our guide Jacek (Jack) really made the day great.
Review by: Tomi sue S, July 2012
Andrew was a great guide. His knowledge of the countryside and its' wildlife was incredible. We had a great trip. The rafting trip actually takes you into Slavakia which was a plus for me. As Andrew explained since 1997 the river has changed making it a two country trip.
Review by: Eileen P, May 2012
What an incredible day! First, we were the only ones who had booked this trip. Thank you, Viator for not cancelling it! Instead we were given the private services of Andrew, our amazing guide. The wharf area was crowded but inside of 15 minutes of our arrival, we were on a raft floating down the river. Yes, it's true the raftmen do not speak English but we were given a map with explanations in English. Our raftman helped us orient ourselves by pointing out where we were so we could follow along. At one point I commented on a particular sight and it was important enough for one of the passengers to try to explain what it was in broken but understandable English. The late Pope John Paul II had gone swimming there! Another highlight was when the raftman took off his hat and vest and turned them and the pole over to my husband who became the raftman for a few minutes. Throw in the gorgeous scenery and this was a highlight of our week in Poland!
Review by: Angie R, May 2012
Niedzica Castle was nothing fancy but the Dunajec River Gorge was lovely and took some great pictures. This was well worth the trip and much better than the tour to Zakopane.
Review by: annajewell, August 2011
WEATHER STOPPED THE RAFTING ON THE RIVER BUT THE GUIDE DID HIS BEST TO ENRTERTAIN US, WALKING INTO SLOVAKIA AND GIVING US A LOVELY LUNCH. THE CASTLE WAS QUITE GOOD.
Review by: Miss Susan L, August 2011
Castle wasn't so interesting as very few original artefacts were left, the River Gorge was really nice to do, although cold. I had an excellent guide for the day in Andrew.
Review by: Robert Albert B, November 2010
Wonderful scenery extremely peaceful environment a most enjoyable raft ride . It was a pity that our English speaking guide did not accompany us on the raft and the commentary was in Polish we ,therefore felt we missed out.
Review by: Robert Albert B, September 2010
Wonderful scenery extremely peaceful environment a most enjoyable raft ride . It was a pity that our English speaking guide did not accompany us on the raft and the commentary was in Polish we ,therefore felt we missed out.
Review by: Anonymous, August 2010
I was the only guest that day. I did like the beauty of the landscape and the rafting. The visit of the castle was fair.
Review by: HIEN V, August 2010
I was the only guest that day. I did like the beauty of the landscape and the rafting. The visit of the castle was fair.
Review by: Anthony G, July 2010
Very well organised, though an English speaking guide would have been appreciated.
Review by: HIEN V, July 2010
I was the only guest that day. I did like the beauty of the landscape and the rafting. The visit of the castle was fair.
Review by: Eileen S, United States of America, June 2010
This tour had very beautiful scenery but our guides did not speak any English. So other than the beautiful scenery we were not able to understand what they were talking about for two hours.
Review by: Karen W, January 2010
Very nice way to see the southern Polish countryside and mountains. Niedzica Castle is fairly small, with narrow passages and small rooms. There are great views from the top. The river raft ride is a unique experience. Beautiful views along the river of limestone and soapstone cliffs, the Three Crowns, and occasional small villages along the way. Bring a jacket to use as a seat cushion or to wear if you get chilly. The wooden seats on the boat get uncomfortable after sitting for so long, and it can get a little chilly out on the water, even when it is warm on shore.
Review by: Diptanshu P, January 2010
Fabulous. If you are expecting white water rafting, don't go! But if you want to see a medieval castle and do a two hour rafting tour on the river Dunajec on the border of Poland and Slovakia amidst beautiful gorges, it is a must see! I certainly enjoyed it and took some wonderful snaps there.
Review by: Kathryn C, United States of America, October 2009
Our guide was great, very knowledgeable. The castle was pretty typical I think I've been to too many European castles but the countryside is gorgeous. The Dunajec River Gorge is beautiful but here's the problem. We were the only English speaking people on the raft. The guide, who sometimes rides the raft with the tour group, didn't on this occasion. So the two of us spent 3 really long hours on the river not understanding a single thing the boatsman was telling the group about what we were seeing. I was ready to get off the river about an hour into the trip. I would not do this trip again.
Review by: airportbabe, October 2009
Our guide was great, very knowledgeable. The castle was pretty typical I think I've been to too many European castles but the countryside is gorgeous. The Dunajec River Gorge is beautiful but here's the problem. We were the only English speaking people on the raft. The guide, who sometimes rides the raft with the tour group, didn't on this occasion. So the two of us spent 3 really long hours on the river not understanding a single thing the boatsman was telling the group about what we were seeing. I was ready to get off the river about an hour into the trip. I would not do this trip again.
Review by: Karen W, United States of America, August 2009
Very nice way to see the southern Polish countryside and mountains. Niedzica Castle is fairly small, with narrow passages and small rooms. There are great views from the top. The river raft ride is a unique experience. Beautiful views along the river of limestone and soapstone cliffs, the Three Crowns, and occasional small villages along the way. Bring a jacket to use as a seat cushion or to wear if you get chilly. The wooden seats on the boat get uncomfortable after sitting for so long, and it can get a little chilly out on the water, even when it is warm on shore.
Review by: Diptanshu P, United Kingdom, June 2008
Fabulous. If you are expecting white water rafting, don't go! But if you want to see a medieval castle and do a two hour rafting tour on the river Dunajec on the border of Poland and Slovakia amidst beautiful gorges, it is a must see! I certainly enjoyed it and took some wonderful snaps there.
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