Krakow (3 centrally located meeting points)
Your tour begins with transportation from Krakow (chosen meeting point). Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is located in the town Oswiecim, about 1h15min in one way (65km). Every driver we cooperate with has all required by EU permissions for passenger transport. An English-speaking and friendly leader of the group will assist you at any time you need. After arriving in Oswiecim, have a short break to grab a coffee or keep an eye on outdoor exhibitions. Then be kindly introduced to your local and professional guide who is licensed by Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
Auschwitz I Museum & Memorial
Start your tour by walking through the gate to the first camp - Auschwitz I - originally conceived as a concentration camp, to be used as a detention centre for the many Polish citizens arrested after Germany annexed the country in 1939, with the most recognizable sign Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Makes You Free).This part usually takes 2 hours and you will be using a headset to hear your guide clearly. The group according to the Museum’s rule counts up to 30 people making the visit comfortable and accessible for every participant. Visit the original wooden buildings, fortified walls, barbed wires, gas chambers and crematoria - all of those leave a shocking impression allowing to imagine the scale of Holocaust.
Auschwitz II Birkenau Museum & Memorial
After the 1st camp short break up to 15 minutes is planned. You will be taken by us to visit the second part of the tour - Birkenau (Auschwitz II), only 3 minutes away, which is the largest camp built and operated for the specific purpose of making Europe ''Judenrein'' (free of Jews). The same guide continues a poignant lecture about the camp in the village Brzezinka (Birkenau) which was constructed in 1941 on the order of Heinrich Himmler (SS commander) and could hold some 90 000 prisoners.You will be told about terrible stories of unimaginable living conditions as well as cruel selection and pseudo-scientific medical experiments made by prominent Nazi doctors including Josef Mengele. A history about soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, which meant the final liberation, ends your tour with a feeling, both this genocide should never have happened and it can not happen again.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
The tour starts with a descent of 64 meters by stairs. You are then led through a number of chambers and shown underground lakes, shrines and salt monuments. The trip finishes at the level of 135 meters below the surface and the return to the surface is by lift. A standard guided tour through the Salt Mine lasts 2-3 hours and visitors walk through a 3.5 kilometres long tourist route.
Krakow (drop off)
When the tour ends, you are not rushed by us. Take a few minutes break which you can spend in a bookstore, grocery store or just rest. After another 1h15min on the way, you will be taken to a predetermined address in Krakow.
