Soak up the charm of Szczawnica on this delightful day trip, starting with a hotel pick-up.
Begin with a stop at Czorsztyn Castle by the beautiful Czorsztyn Lake, offering picturesque views and rich history.
Next, visit a traditional "Bacówka" to immerse yourself in local culture. Sample oscypek cheese and take photos for a unique glimpse into shepherd life.
Enjoy rafting down the Dunajec River on traditional wooden rafts, marveling at stunning views of Pieniny National Park, including the Three Crowns and Sokolica.
After rafting, taste the renowned healing waters of Szczawnica, rich in minerals known for their health benefits.
Then, take a chairlift to the top of Palenica Mountain at 722 meters. Enjoy panoramic views and relax at a restaurant while soaking in the scenery.
Finally, visit the main square, the vibrant heart of Szczawnica. Explore restaurants, pastry shops, and souvenir stalls, enjoying the charming atmosphere of this picturesque spa town.
Tour Options
Krakow: Traditional Dunajec River Rafting with Mountain Chairlift
Pickup included
Itinerary
30 min
Pick up (Krakow) - The driver will pick you up from the place in Krakow that you chose when making your reservation. Wait for him in front of the hotel / apartment main entrance at the agreed time (or better a few minutes earlier).
150 min
Transfer to Szczawnica - Depending on road and weather conditions, the journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Sit back and admire the typical Polish landscapes, which will gradually change from plain to more mountainous, until the picturesque Beskid Mountains appear on the horizon.
Admission included30 min
The castle was built on a rock called Castle Mountain (588 meters above sea level), rising on the left bank of the Dunajec Valley. It is located about 50 meters above the surface of the current Czorsztyn Lake.
Admission included30 min
Stop at "Bacówka" (shepherd's cabin) -
On your way to Szczawnica, you will visit the place where one of the most unique cheeses in the world is made.
Highlanders - local settlers, famous for their manual production of "oscypek". It is a type of smoked cheese made from sheep's milk. The wooden houses where this cheese is produced are called "Bacówki". In such a small wooden hut you will be able to try different types of this cheese with different degrees of smoking, as well as learn how it is made.
105 min
Dunajec rafting -
A rafting trip through the Dunajec Gorge in Szczawnica, where you can admire the picturesque landscapes of the Pieniny National Park on traditional rafts steered by experienced rafters. The rafting route leads through charming spots, offering views of the Three Crowns and Sokolica peaks, while the rafters entertain with stories about the region and its traditions.
60 min
Healing waters -
The spa waters in Szczawnica are known for their healing properties, rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. They are used in the treatment of respiratory, digestive, and rheumatic conditions. Taste each one and experience their unique benefits.
60 min
Palenica Mountain Chairlift -
The chairlift ride to Palenica is one of the main attractions in Szczawnica, taking tourists to an altitude of 722 meters above sea level. The lift offers spectacular views of the Pieniny Mountains, Beskid Sądecki, and the Dunajec Valley. At the top, there is a viewpoint and a restaurant where you can enjoy a drink while admiring the beautiful scenery.
60 min
Main square - the heart of Szczawnica -
The main square in Szczawnica is the vibrant heart of the town, featuring numerous restaurants, pastry shops, and souvenir stalls. It is the perfect place for a stroll, where you can try local delicacies, buy handmade souvenirs, and enjoy the charming atmosphere of this picturesque spa town. The square is surrounded by historic buildings, adding to its unique character and ambiance.
150 min
Transfer to Kraków -
Relax on the ride back to Krakow in the afternoon, where the tour concludes with drop-off back at your original departure point.
Highlights
Hotel pickup & drop off
Spare time on main square in Szczawnica
Visiting the oldest traditional mountain hut. Highlander cheese & regional alcohol tasting
1,5 hours Dunajec rafting
Ticket to Palenica Mountain Chairlift
Entrance ticket to the hidden castle - Czorsztyn
Visit to the spa water drinking hall with tasting
Transfers (Krakow-Szczawnica-Krakow)
English - speaking driver
What's included
Included
Hotel pickup & drop off
Spare time on main square in Szczawnica
Visiting the oldest traditional mountain hut. Highlander cheese & regional alcohol tasting
1,5 hours Dunajec rafting
Ticket to Palenica Mountain Chairlift
Entrance ticket to the hidden castle - Czorsztyn
Visit to the spa water drinking hall with tasting
Transfers (Krakow-Szczawnica-Krakow)
English - speaking driver
Not included
Dinner
Drinks
Tips
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up information: Your pick up point may change due to pedestrian-only zones and limited parking space in the city center. Our driver will contact you to arrange the convenient spot. Thank you for your understanding. The time given in your reservation is approximate. Our driver will contact you one day before the tour around 8PM to confirm the exact pick up time which you can expect at 08:30 - 09:30 AM
Traveller Ratings
5.0
188 reviews
5
184
4
4
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
We recommend bringing your own headphones to listen to the Audioguide during the Dunajec River rafting. If you don't have them, you will be able to listen directly from your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Krakow: Traditional Dunajec River Rafting with Mountain Chairlift lasts about 11–12 hours. The itinerary has 9 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $82 per person for this Krakow experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pick up information: Your pick up point may change due to pedestrian-only zones and limited parking space in the city center. Our driver will contact you to arrange the convenient spot. Thank you for your understanding. The time given in your reservation is approximate. Our driver will contact you one day before the tour around 8PM to confirm the exact pick up time which you can expect at 08:30 - 09:30 AM Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyE6R4ZrPz0Mfi4hN3qHMupY=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyAtPF/D5KcKurC35xPsyPH8=.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in NO, DE, RU, EN, IT, PL, FR, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 22 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(188)
M
M7804JHmatthews
September 4, 2026
A brilliant day out
We were the only people on the tour today. Peter looked after me and my wife brilliantly. We had great conversations, and he is so knowledgeable about Poland and its history and language, we learnt so much. Because there was only 2 of us, Peter had time to show us a couple of extra things that we might not otherwise have seen. All in all it was a really worthwhile experience.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are very glad Peter looked after you and your wife so well during the Dunajec tour. It is great to hear that his knowledge of Poland, history, and language made the experience even more valuable, and that you could enjoy a few extra places along the way. We will gladly pass your kind feedback to him.
Kind regards,
Roman.
L
LynnS646
September 4, 2026
Great tour - Definitely recommend!
Fantastic experience! Peter our guide was fun and very informative. Went out of his way to make our day enjoyable.
The castle, the river cruise and the chairlift were my highlights, however, the cheese tasting was interesting and so was the mineral water tasting. I would thoroughly recommend this tour.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are very glad you had a fantastic experience and enjoyed the castle, river cruise, chairlift, cheese tasting, and mineral water tasting. It is great to hear that Peter was fun, informative, and went out of his way to make your day enjoyable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and will gladly pass your feedback to him.
Kind regards,
Roman.
W
W5390EUmarcd
September 2, 2026
Walk in very beautiful natural settings
Very good guide and very beautiful excursion.
Pawel shares his knowledge with us insightfully and provides the additional information necessary to be perfectly informed.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your lovely review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the excursion and appreciated Paweł’s knowledge and guidance. We’ll be happy to pass your kind words on to him!
We hope to welcome you again on another adventure in the future.
Kind regards,
Karolina
8
838amh
August 30, 2026
Perfect!
A mega cool day 🤗 with our driver Pawel🤩 Love everything about this trip 😍 - everything was planned and on time👍
Good time for all the good experiences we have had on this trip.
Very kind, funny, and server-minded tour guide Pawel.
Our best recommendations,🤗🤩
Operator response
Thank you so much for the lovely review! We’re really happy to hear that you enjoyed every part of the day and that everything ran smoothly and on time. Pawel will be very pleased to hear your kind words — it sounds like he helped make the trip even more fun and memorable. Thanks for the recommendation!
Best regards,
Thousand Miles Team
A
alessiacO877MO
August 30, 2026
rafting
everything was amazing, we had a great time. Thanks to Pawel, our guide.
Operator response
Thank you! We’re really happy to hear that you had such a great time. We’ll make sure Pawel sees your kind words — thanks for spending the day with us!
Best regards,
Thousand Miles Team
4
497zbigniews
August 29, 2026
Fantastic day trip from Krakow
What a fantastic trip, made all the more enjoyable by Maciek
He was informative, engaging & funny
We really enjoyed the raft ride down the Dunajec River cheese & vodka tasting, fabulous scenary
This is the best day out from Krakow
Would defo recommend
5 stars
Operator response
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the trip and had such a great time with Maciek. We really appreciate your 5-star recommendation! 😊
Kind regards,
Karolina
3
31koralw
August 26, 2026
Great trip in countryside Poland
I went with my mother and we had a great time. Amazing views and our guide was great! Maciek was thoughtful, knowledgeable and knew to recommend us about whatever we asked. You’ll be lucky to travel with Maciek.
Overall I would recommend doing this trip, you’d get the best of both worlds; the comfort of A/C in the car and the rafting and chairlift.
Operator response
Dear Koral,
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted that you and your mother enjoyed the beautiful scenery, rafting and chairlift. It’s great to hear that the attentive, knowledgeable guidance and useful recommendations made exploring the Polish countryside even more enjoyable.
Taras
Thousand Miles
A
alberth670
August 22, 2026
Best tour in Poland!
Best tour in Poland!
We have enjoyed our day trip with our guide & driver Piotr ("Peter"). This day trip has been full on hidden gems as well as traditional sites. We plan to book ALL our future vacation tours in Poland thru Thousand Miles! (And hopefully we will get Piotr, again!
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are very glad you enjoyed your day trip with Piotr and that the mix of hidden gems and traditional sites made the experience special. It means a lot to hear that you plan to book future tours in Poland with Thousand Miles. We will gladly pass your kind feedback to Piotr.
Kind regards,
Roman.
A
andrewbR1839VP
August 22, 2026
Really great adventure!
Peter was fantastic. I highly recommend this trip. Everything we did was fantastic!
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are very glad everything was fantastic and that you highly recommend the trip. It is great to hear that Peter made such a positive impression. We will gladly pass your kind feedback to him.
Kind regards,
Roman.
A
alberth670
August 22, 2026
Nice family/friends experience.
Nice family/friends experience. A lot to see and enjoy!
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your kind review. We are very glad you had a nice experience with your family and friends, and that there was a lot to see and enjoy.
Kind regards,
Roman.
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