We invite you to try kayaking down the Czarna Hańcza river.

We invite you to take an unforgettable journey with the nature, interesting people, active rest and exciting water sports. Kayaking in the region of the  Wigierski National Park and Augustowski Forest is the time of meetings with the wild nature and interesting history of  Suwałki region. This is the best place to rest from civilization with having fun during evening campfires or meeting new people. The most interesting and picturesque camping places by the lakes will help you to learn windsurfing. Each kayaking trip in the comfort option is finished with a strong accent: exciting water skiing in Augustów. It is so rich and refined offer at a reasonable price that you will not find on other kayaking trips.

Framework of organized kayak camping in 2010 season

The schedule for the kayaking can be changed because of the atmospheric conditions and external factors independent of the organizer.

• On the way we do necessary shopping, after the departure we put up the tents and make acquitances
  ( the campsite by the picturesque Wigry lake, so swimming is recommended)
• about 4 p.m. we invite for a guided tour to the complex of Kameduły`s monastery on the peninsula in Wigry, where we can see church catacombs and the Pope's apartments
• about 6 p.m. information meeting, next kayaking equipment allocation and introductory instructions classes called kayaking for begginers
• for people with excess energy we offer using windsurfing facilities
• after 8 p.m. integrating campfire

Individuals can choose Tryton ship cruise, which follows the Pope Route on the Wigry lake ( it lasts 1,5h, starts at 2.30 or 4 p.m., the ticket is 20 zloty/ person).

Information about the campsite : the campsite is  in agrotouristic household with a shelter,
fully equipped bathroom, showers for additional charge, close to a shop and few gastronomy units, a car park additionaly charged for the time of kayaking

Day 2 : Sunday
Jez. Wigry - Buda Ruska (ok. 14 km)



• we wake up without any rush, volunteers can participate in the morning mass
• from 10.30 a.m. we start packing the luggage and at 11 a.m. we set out to admire the other parts of the Wigierski National Park
• we stop in Maćkowa Ruda to relax and do shopping
• about 3 p.m. we reach the campsite, put up the tents, eat dinner free of charge .
• not far from our campsite in Buda Ruska there is a location of the famous and outstanding Polish photographer. We will take the chance to watch the slideshow with his comment in his original
  `Pigpen Gallery` presenting the most beautiful parts of Suwałki region ( the visit depends on the artist's mood)
• after returning we will have Finnish sauna and refreshing swimming in the river
• campfire to finish the day in a pleasant way.

Information about the campsite :the campsite is  in agrotouristic household with a shelter,
fully equipped bathroom, showers for additional charge,a room for volleyball, shop in a distance

• about 11 a.m. we kayak down from Buda Ruska to Frącki
• on the way we might buy home-made products such as milk directly from the cow, still hot bakings, marinades, etc. It all depends on the goodwill of the housewives selling their products directly from the river banks and bridges.
• about 4 p.m. after the departure and putting up the tents, then we will have dinner - Lithuanian dumplings called `kartacze` this time.
• after dinner deserved relax, then volleyball match and the mission titled ` a pub - our friend or our enemy`.

Information about the campsite : tent field by a riverside hostel, , fully equipped bathroom, showers for additional charge, bar, a room for volleyball.

• after tiring previous day( or rather evening) we set out at about 11 a.m. (strongly meandering, crystal clear river part. After leaving the wilderness the riverbed winds through many sunny meadows).
• in a half of the way we will have a longer break in Okółek, where the gastronomic specialty are hot potato pancakes with sugar
• about 4 p.m. reaching the campsite and putting up the tents, dinner*, an excursion for wood for a campfire and in the evening dry sauna with refreshing bath in the river and continued sequence of strengthening the relations

Information about the campsite : the campsite is  in agrotouristic, showers for additional charge, sauna, close to a shop.

Day 5 : Wednesday
Dworczysko - Jez. Paniewo (ok. 20 km)



• we start earlier today, because a difficult stretch awaits us . It is the longest one, so we set out at 10 a.m. (we go through the wilderness of Augustowski Forest, the most beautiful river part with high, under-washed banks overgrown with old trees such as spruces, pines and 400 -year old oaks).
• about 1 p.m. we reach the first water- gate on our trail: Sosnówek water -gate, then Mikaszówka
  water -gate, then a short break for lunch and shopping.
• later crossing the beautiful Mikaszewo lake finishing with Perkuś water- gate
• about 5 p.m. we kayak to the most attractive lockage on the canal: the two-lockPaniewo water- gate
  ( the most attractive one, because it compensates 6.5 m  decrease of the water level with walls height up to 10 m and the total length of two chamners of  88 m)
• about 6 p.m. we departure and put up the tents by the Paniewo lake. Dinner* and desired and awaited windsurfing - for willing and with strength
• in the evening Starożyn Inn expedition and a campfire for persistent

Information about the campsite : the campsite is  in agrotouristic, showers and sauna for additional charge.

• about 11 a.m. we continue crossing Augustowski Canal. The section from Płaska to the Studzieniczne lake ( we cross the highest canal point in Sucha Rzeczka - the outflow from the Serwy lake supplying the channel where we cross the Neman watershed and kayak on the Vistula watershed).
• about 12 o'clock a break for the lockage on Gorczyca water-gate, time for food supplementation and other necessary shopping in Płaska , sending post available as well
• about 4 p.m. the lockage on Swoboda water-gate
• about 5 p.m. we departure and put up the tents by the Studzieniczne lake, dinner* and volleyball match
• in the evening dry sauna with refreshing bath in the Studzieniczne lake
• in the evening last campfire

Information about the campsite : tent field by a riverside hostel, fully equipped bathroom, showers for additional charge, sauna, bar.

• we set out at about 11 a.m.
• after crossing the lake we take a break on the peninsula in Studzieniczna, where the sacral complex is located: a wooden church, the chapel of the miraculous image of Blessed Virgin Mary and a well with the healing water
• in Przewięź the next lockage, and then the Białe lake ( owes its name to the color of water)
• in the afternoon a water ski lift in Augustów is booked for us, which is the real culmination of our trip ;]
• unfortunately, this is the end of our kayaking trip, all good things come to an end, so see you next year

!!! We pick up the drivers to the cars left on the car park !!!

If you want you can individually stay till the end of the weekend in Augustów, where you can find many attractions: Augustów clubbing and famous Albatros, a ship or gondola cruise, modern aqua park with an impressive slide, Augustów nights, weekends concerts, cultural events, the possibility of renting any equipment and taking part in water extreme sports.

* Two course dinner for volunteers - delicious, regional dishes for 20 zloty (dinner is delivered to the camping place when ordered in the morning or the previous day).

Czarna Hańcza rafting (comfort option) -the price of kayaking includes:


• kayaking down the river from Saturday to Friday
• new, comfortable equipment ( kayaks with profiled seats and soft backs, with compartment for hand luggage, buoyancy vests, paddles)
• windsurfing equipment used during camping ( the first, fifth and sixth day)
• the participants will be transported by bus from Suwałki stop to the departure place
• everyday transportation of luggage and equipment
• guided tour in the complex of Kameduły`s monastery in Wigry with visiting catacombs and the Pope's apartments
• 1 hour water skiing on professional water ski lift by the Necko lake in Augustów
• participation in three saunas on the rafting trail
• the slideshow with Piotr Malczewski`s comment in his original `Pigpen Gallery` presenting the most beautiful parts of Suwałki region ( the visit depends on the artist's mood)
• delivery of regional, two course dinner directly at the camp, ( the first meal is free, the rest 20 zloty each) if there are minimum 10 people - you can choose your dish each time
• everyday shopping can be done on special request of the participants
• full access to gas kitchen for the participants
• paid campsites and lockages fees on Augustowski Canal
• entry fee to the Wigierski National Park
• volleyball and other matches, integrating parties suggested by the participants and personnel
• for the time of kayaking you get the kayak with Pascal`s guidebook and a map
• dry bag for personal things ( wallet, mobile phone, etc.) for the time of kayaking
• accident compensation insurance NNW

Not included in the price :


• car park fees for the time of kayaking
• charges for using showers and toilets ( when sleeping on a campsite)
• catering ( except dinner offered during the second day), food for the evening campfires
• personal camping equipment ( tent, sleeping bag, foam mattress pad). Please take your own tents or report the need of renting them ( before the kayaking starts) , double/triple tent - 60 zloty per rafting trip
• fees for night accommodation in agrotouristic households 300 zloty/ per person
  

We ask interested people who are registering to fill in the entry form with  chosen accommodation option

Remember to take with you:

A tent, a sleeping bag, a mattress or a foam pad, a swimming suit, lot of sunbathing lotion, sunglasses, something to protect your head from the sun, slippers or shoes to walk in water or mud, warm clothes ( sometimes nights are cold in the early morning), a raincoat ( just in case), gloves without fingers ( to make paddling easier), insects repellents, a torch, a plate, a knife, a fork, a spoon, a mug, a dinner-pail, some cash
( cash machines in Suwałki and Augustów only)

Accommodation in agrotouristc households:

The participants choose  option 2 at the end of the day they are transferred to the accommodation place located nearly to the next day route.
You should report chosen option at least 7 days before the beginning of kayaking trip or arrange vacancies by telephone.
The P.T. Rospuda company is not the owner of the houses and agrotouristic households.

The terms - CZARNA HAŃCZA (WERSJA KOMFORT) - Summer 2010

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