Marmots and Chamois of High Tatra Mountains

A trip to observe high altitude species of High Tatra Mountains

The High Tatras or High Tatra Mountains are the smallest alpine type mountain range on the planet with a unique endemic fauna. Among these, the most prominent examples are Tatra alpine marmot and Tatra chamois that became a symbol of Tatra National Park (TANAP).

The Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) is an endemic subspecies of the chamois of the Rupicapra genus living only in High Tatra and Low Tatra Mountains (where it was artificially introduced between 1969 and 1976). Like all mountain goats, chamois are also well adapted to life on steep rocky terrains. Adult males are taller (70 – 80 cm) than slightly more gracile females. Chamois horns are short and the tip pointed slightly backwards. Their dark fur becomes lighter in winter times. Facial fur is light with prominent dark stripes below eyes, black strip along the back and whitish buttocks. They graze mainly on herbs and lichens. Their life span is approx. 20 years. Females and with calves create small herd, while adult males prefer solitary life throughout the whole year.

The Tatra alpine marmot (Marmota marmota latirostris) is an endemic subspecies of the Alpine marmot. This rodent lives mostly in the area of high altitude clearings and open alpine meadows with rock debris above dwarf mountain pine zone. Their colonies consist of 5 to 15 individuals. It is a stocky rodent of 42 to 84 cm (without tail) in length and weighs up to 8 kg (especially in late autumn when preparing for hibernation). Marmots live in dens excavated using their powerful legs with strong claws. Their senses are well developed, especially sight, hearing, and smell. In case of danger, marmots warn their neighbouring area by their typical piercing whistles. Their diet consists of alpine vegetation. Among their predators, there are eagles, foxes and lynxes. Marmots can live up to 15 years.

Ticha dolina Jan Dobsovic panorama

characteristics: Our trip will take us to Tatra National Park (TANAP). The oldes national park in Slovakia, established in 1949, protects the area or Slovakia’s highest mountain range – High Tatra Mountains, which is also the highest part of Carpathian Mountain Range. We will be situated at the altitude of approx. 1250 m, walking in spruce tree, alpine pine and alpine meadow level. Because many parts of the Park suffered from 2004 tempest, we will, between chamois and marmot observation, talk also about broader ecological relations of TANAP’s nature.

points of interest of the area: glacial relief, waterfalls, glacial lakes, calamity area

protected areas visited: Tatra National Park, Protected bird sanctuary Tatras

target species: mammals: Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica), Tatra alpine marmot (Marmota marmota latirostris), red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Capreolus capreolus), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), area also provides sanctuary for red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and brown bear (Ursus arctos)

birds: golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), common buzzard (Buteo buteo), black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), water pipit (Anthus spinoletta), white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus), Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), dunnock (Prunella modularis), alpine accentor (Prunella collaris), robin (Erithacus rubecula), goldcrest (Regulus regulus), common firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus), coal tit (Parus ater), European crested tit (Parus cristatus), willow tit (Parus montanus), Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), Eurasian nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes), common siskin (Carduelis spinus), red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)

Trip duration: 3 days

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Moderate (1st day up to 11 km walk, superelevation 850 m; 3rd day up to 12 km, superelevation up to 940 m)

Difficult (2nd day up to 15,6 km, superelevation up to 1045 m)

Route is of moderate difficulty up to a difficult one with length of maximum 15,6 km and superelevation of maximum 1045 m. It will lead on walking paths throughout the whole time. Trip may be adjusted according to snow thickness and actual animal occurrence.

Accommodation: at mountain lodges on two different places, shared bathroom with hot water.

Important notifications and conditions: Participants undertake the trip at their own risk. Tour operator does not provide participants with specific tourist insurance. Tour operator provides professional guiding and gear to observe chamois, marmots and others. Chamois and marmots will be observed only from, or close to, footpaths. Because of their conservation status (endangered species), it is very important NOT to disturb them beyond a very limited level. We do not recommend participants to be accompanied by children below 10 and/or dogs.

Required accessories: warm clothes, food and drinks for the entire trip (eating and drinking possible also in park lodges), ideally also own binoculars and/or camera

Day 1: Morning departure from Bratislava, short break for lunch (at participant’s expense), cable car (included), easy walk up to the lodge (3 km, superelevation 230 m), accommodation, short trip to Tatra valley (walk does not exceed 8 km, superelevation 600 m). Return to lodge in late afternoon hours.

Day 2: Early morning possibility (before check-out) to observe marmots in Tatra valley (walk does not exceed 8 km, superelevation up to 600 m). Check-out, walking transfer to second accomodation (walk does not exceed 8,6 km, superelevation up to 710 m). Trip to place for observation chamois (walk does not exceed 7 km, superelevation up to 340 m). Return to lodge in evening.

Day 3: Check-out, possibility to go to the place for observation of chamois and then continue walking down (walk does not exceed 12 km, superelevation up to 950 m) or you can choose to go down, where the bus will pick us up (walk does not exceed 7,8 km, superelevation up to 660 m). Departure to Bratislava, short break for lunch (at participant’s expense). Departure to Bratislava in late afternoon hours.

Tour operator reserves all rights to change program in relation to actual animal occurrence or actual terrain conditions.

Point of departure and arrival: Bratislava. Possibility to pay extra for Vienna Schwechat airport pick-up.

Recommended tour date: June – September

Price per person with English speaking guide:

595,-€ / 1 participant

355,-€ / 2 participants

295,-€ / 3 – 5 participants

265,-€ / 6 – 10 participants

Price includes: transportation, 2 night accommodation, full guiding service, binoculars, spotting scope, one-way cable car ride and corporate insolvency insurance

Price does NOT include: food, individual travel insurance

If interested in participating on this tour at your specific date(s), contact us by e-mail on info@watching.sk or by dialing +421 948 495 111. We’ll send you an application form after discussing a specific tour date.

Date: June 19 – 21, 2015 Because of no interest, this trip was CANCELLED. But we are preparing 1 day trips in High Tatras to observe mammals and birds.

Price: 230,-€

Price includes: transportation, 2 night accommodation, full guiding service, spotting scope, one-way cable car ride and corporate insolvency insurance

Price does NOT include: food, individual travel insurance

No. of participants: 3 – 10 participants

Application form:

Marmots and Chamois 2015

The deadline for registration and payment is May 25, 2015.

Please send the application forms to info@watching.sk, in case of any questions, you may call us +421 948 495 111.