Discover a beautiful and still undiscovered corner of Europe. This superb adventure in the Czech Republic’s southern lands of Moravia and Bohemia offers a rare opportunity to explore a remarkable historical legacy of Baroque and Rococo castles, ancient but well preserved medieval towns, and centuries-old chateaus with impressive wine cellars. (This region is noted for its vineyards and you’ll have ample opportunities to ta ste its fine wines!) Complementing your cultural discoveries are walks in the limestone Pálava Hills, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Sumava National Park, with its untouched wildlife. Throughout you’ll meet local people in delightful Moravian villages where rich veins of folk arts—music, dance, and other distinctive cultural traditions—live proudly on.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the charms of Moravia and the fairytale castles and enchanting towns of South Bohemia
• Enjoy gentle walks through beautiful countryside, away from the crowds
• Discover five UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Biosphere Reserves of the White Carpathian Mountains and the Pálava Hills, Telc, Cesky Krumlov, and Holasovice
• Tour the heart of the Czech wine country, with several wine tastings!

What is a Self-Guided Tour Like?
A self-guided tour is a fully organized vacation that’s a balance between doing everything on your own and being on a fully-guided group tour. You can choose when you want to go and with whom—we do the planning and look after the logistics while you enjoy the tour. There is no guide, no support vehicle and no group to hurry you along or slow you down. You can enjoy the freedom of going at your own pace, with support behind the scenes. More than being in good shape, a spirit of open-mindedness is recommended. It helps if you can take the initiative and be comfortable with the adventure of learning and exploring. (Note—You can opt to have a private guide at additional cost.)

DAY 1 ~ Breclav – Mikulov

Your in-country host (or private guide) will meet you at the train station in Breclav, Czech Republic, at 11:30 a.m. Transfer to the small medieval town of Mikulov in southern Moravia. After checking into the hotel, you’ll change into your walking clothes and transfer to Valtice for a hike to Lednice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many cultural attractions, handsome hunting lodges, chapels built by the Liechtenstein family over hundreds of years, and an elaborate Gothic Revival chateau, one of the most ornate examples of this historical architectural style. In the afternoon you’ll transfer back to Mikulov and have a thorough briefing on the days ahead. (7 miles, 3-4 hours hiking.)

Lunch...Hotel Templ, Mikulov

DAY 2 ~ Mikulov – Uherske Hadiste

Morning transfer from Mikulov to Dolni Vestonice, where archaeological digs have unearthed a surprisingly large 29,000-year-old hunting settlement with fragments of the oldest pottery in the world (together with the fingerprints of the artisans!). This area, known as the Pálava Hills, was once a significant migration route for large animals (mammoths, rhino, and large cats), which allowed the existence of such a large settlement that wasn’t supported by agriculture. You’ll enjoy a brief tour of the Mammoth Hunter Museum before embarking on a hike over the Pálava Hills back to Mikulov. The Pálava Hills, a group of limestone hills with unique flora and fauna along the Czech-Austrian Border, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In the afternoon you‘ll transfer from Mikulov to Uherske Hradiste, with a stop along the way in the village of Petrov, where you’ll visit an interesting group of Baroque wine cellars from the 18th and 19th centuries, with the possibility of tasting local wines. This area is also known for its folklore traditions—the area between the White Carpathians and Chriby Hills is called Slovácko and it is here where the most distinctive cultural traditions of the Czech Republic survive. The area below Chriby Hills is also known for its very good quality of wines. You’ll also stop at an open air museum (locally called a skansen) in Straznice where you can view buildings from the last century, followed by wine tasting in a private wine cellar. (6 miles, 3-4 hours hiking.)

Breakfast, Lunch...Hotel Slunce, or Hotel Konicek, or similar, Uherske Hradiste

DAY 3 ~ Buchlov Castle – Buchlovice Chateau – Velehrad

In the morning, you’ll walk through beech forests to Buchlov Castle, set on a hilltop and one of the oldest in Moravia, founded in the 13th century. Later, continue to Buchlovice, visiting Buchlovice Chateau, an 18th-century Italian chateau still containing most of its original Rococo furniture left behind by the family when they fled to Austria in 1945. The chateau’s wine cellar will give you another opportunity for wine tasting! Then, you’ll visit the little town of Velehrad with its beautiful cathedral from the 9th century. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Czech Republic. (4 hours hiking, 5 miles.)

Breakfast, Lunch...Hotel Slunce, or Hotel Konicek, or similar, Uherske Hradiste

DAY 4 ~ Uherske Hradiste – Slavonice – Telc – Jindrichuv Hradec

After breakfast, leave Hradiste and continue to the beautiful town of Telc, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s noted for its Gothic castle. Later, you‘ll visit the handsome Renaissance town of Slavonice before finishing the day in Jindrichuv Hradec, an old royal town with the third biggest chateau complex in the Czech Republic.

Breakfast, Lunch...Hotel Concertino, Jindrichuv Hradec

DAY 5 ~ DAY 5 ~ Jindrichuv Hradec – Trebon – Cesky Krumlov

Morning transfer from Jindrichuv Hradec to the medieval town of Trebon, noted for its pretty red-roofed buildings. The countryside around Trebon is called Trebonsko, and it is an important Landscape Protected Area with a large network of interconnecting canals and fishponds dating from the 15th century. You’ll take a sightseeing tour around the town center, including the Neo-Gothic chapel of the Schwarzenberg family and the Regent brewery (one of the oldest Czech breweries, founded in 1379) before embarking on a hike to Kojakovice, an ancient village whose surrounding landscapes are untouched by development (9 miles, 4hours hiking). Afternoon transfer to Cesky Krumlov, the best-preserved medieval town in the Czech Republic (and yet another World Heritage Site). Accommodations are at a hotel in the historical center of Cesky Krumlov. (Note—you can upgrade to a five-star hotel in Cesky Krumlov at additional cost.)

Breakfast...Hotel Zlaty Andel, Cesky Krumlo

DAY 6 ~ Cesky Krumlov

Today you’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town, including a tour of the Krumlov Chateau, the second largest residence (after Prague Castle) in Bohemia. It was built in the 13th century and converted into a Renaissance chateau in the 16th century. The large park, of French design, is another highlight of the town, as well as the 18th-century Rococo theater and the museum dedicated to Egon Schiele, the Austrian painter who moved to Krumlov in 1911. Later, you’ll transfer to Zlatá Koruna, home to a Cistercian monastery, and hike over Klet Hill, the highest peak of the Blanský Forest, back to Cesky Krumlov. At the summit is a lookout tower and astronomical observatory where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It is possible to shorten this hike with a lift in a cable car up to the summit of Klet, then walk down to Cesky Krumlov. (10 miles, 4-5 hours hiking.)

Breakfast, Lunch...Hotel Zlaty Andel, Cesky Krumlov

DAY 7 ~ Sumava National Park

Morning transfer to Sumava National Park, the largest national park in the Czech Republic. Most of the area was a military zone during Communist times and closed to the public for 40 years. Because of this it is now an area of almost untouched wildlife. You may visit Boubin forest, one of the first natural reserves in the Czech Republic. The springs of the Vltava river was a popular place of the Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Transfer back to Cesky Krumlov. (4-5 hours hiking, 5 miles.)

Breakfast, Lunch...Hotel Zlaty Andel, Cesky Krumlov

DAY 8 ~ Cesky Krumlov – Prague – depart

Begin to make your way toward Prague, with a possible stop at the village of Holasovice, a wonderful example of a traditional central European village, and another stop at Ceske Budejovice, Hluboka or Tabor. Arrive in Prague in the afternoon and depart. (Optional afternoon sightseeing in Prague can be arranged. Your hotel this night is not included in the Land Cost of the trip, but we can book extra hotel nights in Prague upon request.)

Breakfast, Lunch...

Stay a Little Longer

You may wish to combine this trip with one of our regular group departure adventures in Europe, or other independent travel on your own. We also offer a two-day extension to South Bohemia: visit the fairytale castles and enchanting towns of South Bohemia, including magnificent Hluboka Castle; the exquisite medieval jewel of Cesky Krumlov; the spa town of Trebon; and the Renaissance city of Telc, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 2 days.

Arrival & Departure Information

Arrive in Breclav, Czech Republic, on Day 1. (You can fly into Vienna, Austria, and take a SuperCity train from Vienna to Breclav, a one-hour journey.) The trip ends on Day 8 in Prague. You may wish to spend some additional days in Prague, a “golden” storybook city with beautiful architecture of nearly every major period and style. We can make additional hotel arrangements for you.

Air Travel

Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their “frequent flyer” miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Level

Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and intellectually involved, and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Daily walks vary from four to five hours with other options on some days. Options will be discussed with your in-country host (or private guide) at your trip briefing.

If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least three months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. If your health is questionable or your physical stamina is limited, please discuss other trip options with us.

What's Included

• services of an in-country host and emergency contact
• accommodations in hotels Days 1-7
• meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch)
• wine tastings
• airport transfers
• sightseeing arrangements as noted in the itinerary
• luggage transfer from Day 2-7
• step-by-step hiking directions and detailed trail maps
• suggestions on where to eat and interesting side trips to take
• ground transportation
• entrance fees
• basic medical and evacuation insurance

What's Not

Travel to Breclav and return from Prague; insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); dinners (can be included at a cost of $125 per person); hotel accommodation on Day 8; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); cost of medical immunizations; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). Unused transportation to/during the tour will not be reimbursed.

Payment & Cancellation Policy

(This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.)

I. Payment
At time of reservation: $800
120 days prior to departure: 25% of Land Cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance of Land Cost

II. Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation is received:
Cancellation Fee will be:
From time of reservation until
90 days prior to departure $800
89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of Land Cost
59 days or fewer prior to departure 100% of Land Cost

Note on Itinerary

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to custom tours.

Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website.

Limitation of Liability

“Mountain Travel Sobek” is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives and affiliates (collectively “Mountain Travel”). Except for the Alaska Discovery Inn, some small craft and some vans in Alaska, Mountain Travel does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Mountain Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitation, Mountain Travel Sobek is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Mountain Travel. In addition, participants release Mountain Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof. On advancement of deposit to Mountain Travel, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form, which you can find on our website (or call us at 1-888-687-6235 and request a copy).

Arbitration

Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to these Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. Specific information on payment and cancellation policies is also contained within this document, as well as in our current catalog and on our website. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you have any questions.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure

Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

References

Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).

Questions?

Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services

We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

Ready to go? Signing up is easy!

Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.