Slovenia

The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. No doubt about that. If you are in good shape, this trek shouldn't be a problem for you. Remember that during these treks in Slovenia you will be walking many hours in the mountains for several days. If you are worried that it might be too much, you can always train in advance, walking a few hours a day and climbing some stairs.

Tipping is not a must in Slovenia. However, if you got a good service from your guide and you want to thank him, it will always be much appreciated. How much to tip your guide is up to you. Our recommendation is to tip the tour guide/driver 5 – 6 Euros per day/person as it is an international practice to tip good service.

During this self-guided trips, there won't be a guide to tip at the end of your trek. However, private drivers will take care of your transfers and you will be eating at restaurants and mountain huts. Tipping is not obligatory in Slovenia, but it is always appreciated if the service provider did a good job. A tip of 5 to 15 percent is greatly appreciated in restaurants. The same percentage applies to the trekking guide if you decide to climb Mt Triglav.

Most meals and drinks in mountain huts have regular prices, but water, soft drinks and beer are more expensive than in the valleys. Here are some examples:

Coffee - 2 eur / 1,5l bottled water - 4,40 eur / Beer - 4 eur

Goulash - 8 eur / Veggie/meat stew - 6 eur / Sandwich - 4,50 eur

Please note that the huts don't accept credit card payments! Cash only.

Never underestimate extreme and unpredictable mountain weather. Come prepared for any weather conditions. Keep in mind that you will spend your days high in the mountains. Even in the hottest summer days, the weather in the mountains can change quickly. Thunderstorms are relatively common in July and August. They develop rather quickly, but usually build up in the late afternoons and evenings, so it is best to start hikes early in the morning.

The climbing season for hiking in the high Julian Alps is from July through September. Summer weather in the mountains is quite cool; when it’s pushing 30°C on the Slovenian plains, it may be just 10°C above 2000 meters. It often drops below freezing at night, and snow may persist in nooks and crannies throughout the year. Weather on the mountain is highly variable, bringing unexpected wind, rain, and even snow.

For your trek in Slovenia, we recommend you to pack light as you would have to hike for several hours a day. We suggest you take comfortable clothes for the hikes and just enough clothes for the days you are in the Julian Alps. 

Suggested packing list:
- Boots or shoes suited to the terrain
- Rainwear (jacket and pants in case of bad weather)
- Lightweight fleece or jacket for the summer, warm clothes during the winter
- Water container or proper bottle
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
- Personal Shampoo (for specific hair type)
- Pain Killer (headache or stomach ache)
- Personal Care Objects
- Camera for the beautiful memories :)

Appropriate footwear is an essential part of any hiking tour. There are a variety of models on the market designed to meet the needs of different types of hikers; the challenge is finding the one that works best for your purposes. You will often hike on rocky or uneven terrain that calls for a stiff boot with a higher cuff for ankle protection, for both preventing sprained ankles and blocking stony blows to the side of your foot.

Choose hiking boots that have good ankle support and are well protective on a rocky terrain. Hiking boots are typically heavier and have stiffer soles and sides as well as a reinforced, protected toe area. Those kinds of boots take time to break in. You should not go on multi-day trekking with brand new boots!! Before you hit the trail, make sure to break them in properly, to avoid serious blisters and other unnecessary pain.