SLOVENIA PHOTO TOUR
Autumn Colors & Brown Bears 2027

This Slovenia photography tour combines two things most photo tours never put in the same week: the Julian Alps at peak autumn color, and wild brown bears photographed from professional hides.

We start in Ljubljana and go straight to work: day two is the brown bear session, an afternoon in purpose-built hides in the forests of southern Slovenia, one of the most reliable places in Europe to photograph bears in the wild. Then we move to Bled and the days fall into a photographer's rhythm - sunrise at the lake with its island church, Jamnik's hilltop chapel above the valley fog, the wooden walkways of Vintgar gorge, and over the Vrsic pass into the Soca Valley, where the river runs a green you will not believe until it is on your screen.

Slovenia gives you density. From one base in Bled, a dozen classic locations sit within an hour's drive - so October's short days go to shooting, not driving. And in early October the beech forests turn gold, the valley fog arrives, and the summer visitors are gone.

Join our Slovenia photo tour and spend the best week of the alpine autumn behind your camera.

Lake Bled, taken on our autumn in Slovenia photo tour

Trip Type

Photo Tour

Starts in

Ljubljana

Day One

October 6, 2027

Group Size

4-10 Participants

Activities

Landscape, Wildlife

Ends in

Ljubljana

Last Day

October 12, 2027

Fitness

Relaxed

From $4,795 - BOOK NOW

Vintgar Gorge - Autumn in Slovenia photo tour

Trip Enquiry

One autumn, two countries

This tour connects with our Croatia Photo Tour (October 14 - 23): a free morning in Ljubljana, an included transfer to Zagreb, and a $500 combined-booking discount when you join both. Full details in the FAQ.

More about our Croatia tour

Details

When: October 6 - 12, 2027.

Price: $4,795 US dollars
Single Room Supplement*: $595 US dollars

Deposit: $995 US dollars to secure your spot

Balance: Due 90 days before departure. Full terms and conditions in FAQ.

Who: Open to all skill levels; non-photographer spouses are welcome.

Group Size: Minimum 4 People, Maximum 10 People.

Where: This photo tour starts and ends in Ljubljana (LJU).

Fitness Level: Relaxed; most photo opportunities are within one mile from where we leave the vehicle. You may need to be able to stand and walk for long periods.

The tour is open to all levels of photographic skills, from beginner to experienced. However, there will be no formal workshops or critiques. We will share knowledge and skills along the way in the spirit of real adventurers.

*Tour prices are set for double occupancy, so unless you travel with a friend or spouse, you'll need the single supplement. If you're traveling alone and choose not to book a single supplement, we'll try to pair you with another participant who also seeks to share.

Roommate pairings are not guaranteed; we'll always pair you with someone of the same gender. However, the single supplement fee will apply if we can't match you with another guest.

Why join a photo tour to Slovenia?

Slovenia in October is a landscape photographer's season. The beech forests turn gold, morning mist settles over the valleys, and the crowds of summer are gone. Lake Bled with its island church, the emerald Soca River, hilltop churches above the valleys - the icons are all here, and in autumn they are at their best.

And then there are the bears. Slovenia's forests hold one of the largest brown bear populations in Europe, and photographing them from a professional wildlife hide is an experience few photo tours anywhere can offer. We include it on day two.

The country is compact, which works in a photographer's favor. From our base in Bled, the Julian Alps, three river valleys, and a dozen classic locations sit within a short drive - so we spend our time shooting, not driving.

Our Tour?

We built this Slovenia photography tour with a local professional photographer who has spent years working these locations, and we scheduled it for the window when fall color typically peaks in the Julian Alps.

This is one of the most photography-focused itineraries we run. On most of our tours, a local guide adds the history and the stories of each place; here, our local partner is a working landscape photographer, and the days are built entirely around image-making - where to stand, when the light comes, how each location works. You will still experience the country fully, but through the lens first.

The tour starts with two nights in Ljubljana: a welcome evening, the brown bear session on day two, and a morning photographing the old town before we move to Bled, our base for the rest of the week.

From Bled, each day is built around light: sunrise at the lake, at Jamnik's hilltop church, or at St. Thomas above the valley; late mornings in Vintgar gorge after the crowds thin; afternoons in the Bohinj Valley and across the Vrsic pass into the Soca Valley; evenings back at a viewpoint for golden hour and blue hour. October weather in the mountains has its own ideas, and we plan for that: the order of days stays flexible so we photograph each location in the best conditions the week gives us.

We keep the group to ten photographers at most, traveling in 9-seat vans with no more than five guests per van - everyone gets a window, and camera bags ride inside, not under your feet.

One autumn, two countries

Full Itinerary

This plan stays flexible. Fall colors peak at different times depending on weather and elevation, and mountain light has its own schedule, so we adjust day by day. If one location is ahead of season or the forecast shows better light elsewhere, we move accordingly.

Day 1 | Arrival in Ljubljana (LJU) | (D) | October 6, 2027

Arrive in Ljubljana and check into our hotel in the center. In the evening the group meets for orientation and a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel Slon or similar

Day 2 | Brown Bears | (B, D)

A possible morning session at Cerknica Lake or Rakov Skocjan, then the highlight many guests come for: an afternoon photographing wild brown bears from purpose-built hides in the forests of the Notranjska region, lasting until sunset. The hides are managed by local experts and reserved for our group well in advance. Bears are wild animals and sightings can never be promised, but these forests are among the most reliable places in Europe to photograph them. We return to Ljubljana late in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Slon or similar

Day 3 | Ljubljana & Transfer to Bled | (B, D)

A morning photo walk through Ljubljana's old town - the Triple Bridge, the riverfront, and the market streets - one of the prettiest small capitals in Europe. After midday we transfer to Bled, our base for the rest of the week, and end the day with our first sunset and blue hour session at Lake Bled with its island church.

Accommodation: Pension Mayer or similar (Bled, 4 nights)

Day 4 | The Julian Alps: Vrsic Pass & the Soca Valley | (B, D)

Sunrise at Lake Bled, then a full mountain day: Jasna Lake at Kranjska Gora, over the switchbacks of the Vrsic pass - Slovenia's highest mountain pass - and down into the Trenta Valley to photograph the Soca River at its most emerald. We stop for lunch in Bovec and return by the Predel pass, with a stop at Lago di Predil just across the Italian border.

Accommodation: Pension Mayer or similar

Day 5 | Jamnik, Vintgar, Bohinj & Mostnica | (B, D)

Before dawn we drive to Jamnik, the small hilltop church that, when conditions align, floats above a sea of morning fog - one of Slovenia's signature photographs. We continue to Vintgar gorge while the morning is still quiet, photographing the wooden walkways where the Radovna River runs glacier-green under the cliffs. The afternoon takes us into the Bohinj Valley and Mostnica gorge, staying for sunset.

Accommodation: Pension Mayer or similar

Day 6 | St. Thomas, Srednji Vrh & Laghi di Fusine | (B, D)

Another classic sunrise: the church of St. Thomas above Praprotno, rising from the valley mist. In the afternoon we photograph the alpine farmsteads at Srednji vrh and cross briefly into Italy for the Fusine Lakes beneath the Mangart massif.

Accommodation: Ljubljana's old town

Day 7 | Departure | (B) | October 12, 2027

After breakfast, transfer to Ljubljana Airport.

Guests continuing on our Croatia Photo Tour stay one extra night in Ljubljana and travel with us to Zagreb the following day.

Meals: Breakfast

One autumn, two countries

The price of the tour includes:

6 nights of accommodations on a twin/double sharing basis, as listed.
Meals: all breakfasts and all dinners, including the welcome dinner (non-alcoholic beverages included).
Brown bear photography session from reserved wildlife hides.
All entrance fees as per itinerary (Vintgar gorge, Mostnica gorge, and others as listed).
Photo tour leader, providing guidance and help throughout.
Local English-speaking professional photographer and driver.
Ground transportation in 9-seat vans, maximum 5 guests per van.
Daily bottled water.
Government tax and service charge.

The price does not include:

Your flight or other travel to Ljubljana.
Lunches, and meals or snacks not listed above.
Alcoholic beverages.
Tips for your guide and driver.
Personal travel and medical insurance (required).
Medical expenses.
Personal spending (souvenirs, spa treatments, laundry, etc.).
Optional activities: anything outside what's listed above.

Tour Leader

Daniel Korzeniewski

Photography is more than a passion for Daniel; it’s a golden opportunity to document the world and share unique cultures with people across the globe. Embarking upon his creative path at the age of 17, he has since shot assignments, commercial work, and lifestyle campaigns.

However, his primary focus is on travel and landscape photography. Daniel led photo tours in Morocco, India, Peru, Cuba, and Vietnam during the last few years.

Daniel is fluent in both Spanish and English.

FAQ

If you love landscape photography, this is one of Europe's great weeks: peak autumn color in the Julian Alps, classic locations like Lake Bled and Jamnik, and a wild brown bear session that very few photo tours include. The group stays small - ten photographers at most - and the pace is built around light, with sunrise and sunset sessions most days and a proper rest in between. All skill levels are welcome, and non-photographer companions enjoy this tour just as much.
The best time to visit Slovenia for photography is autumn. In early October the landscapes are vibrant with fall color, morning mist is common in the valleys, and the summer crowds are gone. The quality of light in autumn enhances the beauty of Slovenia's natural and cultural sites, making it an ideal season for photographers. That is exactly why we scheduled this tour for the first half of October.
Slovenia is widely recognized as one of the safest countries in Europe. It boasts low crime rates and a high standard of public safety. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the country has excellent infrastructure, making it easy and safe for tourists to navigate. As with travel anywhere, we recommend standard precautions such as safeguarding your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.
We have rated this tour as Relaxed. It is suitable for most people with a basic level of fitness. Expect some walking each day, sometimes on uneven terrain - the Vintgar gorge walkways and short trails to viewpoints - but nothing overly strenuous. We move at a relaxed pace, giving you ample time to set up your shots and enjoy the surroundings.
We photograph from professional wildlife hides in the forests of southern Slovenia, guided by the local experts who manage them. Sessions run from the afternoon until sunset, when bear activity is at its best. Inside the hide you shoot through openings designed for camera lenses, seated and quiet. Bring a telephoto lens of at least 300mm. Slovenia has one of the largest brown bear populations in Europe and these hides are among the most reliable places on the continent to photograph them - but bears are wild animals, and sightings can never be guaranteed.
Autumn in Slovenia typically brings mild weather with daytime temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). Mornings in the mountains are colder, and evenings can be cool, so dress in layers. Occasional rain is possible, so pack a waterproof jacket. The changeable weather is part of what makes the photography so good - mist, low cloud, and clearing storms are gifts in this landscape.
Slovenia in early October is mild by day and cold before dawn, with fog in the valleys, possible rain, and real chill at sunrise viewpoints. Layers are everything.
Clothing: base layers and a fleece or light down jacket for pre-dawn sessions; a windproof and waterproof outer shell; warm hat and lightweight gloves for sunrise viewpoints; comfortable walking pants; sturdy walking shoes with good grip for gorge walkways and viewpoint trails; lightweight shoes for the hotel and evenings; dark, quiet clothing for the bear hide - no bright colors, no strong scents.
Photography gear: a wide-angle zoom (16-35mm equivalent) for lakes, gorges, and mountain scenes; a mid-range zoom (24-70mm) for general work; a telephoto of at least 300mm for the brown bear session; a sturdy travel tripod for sunrise, blue hour, and the rivers; a circular polarizer and a basic ND filter for waterfalls and the Soca; a headlamp for pre-dawn starts; plenty of memory cards and at least two camera batteries; a laptop and external storage for image review and backup; lens cleaning kit and a rain cover.
Personal: sunglasses and sunscreen; personal medication; a reusable water bottle; a small daypack for shoots and town walks; a universal travel adapter (Slovenia uses Type C and F plugs, 230V); a little cash in euros for markets and mountain huts.
In the Dinaric forests of southern Slovenia, where the country's brown bear population - one of the largest in Europe - is concentrated. Purpose-built photography hides, managed by local experts, are the way it is done: quiet, safe, and positioned where bears actually move. Our tour includes a reserved hide session on day two, from afternoon until sunset, about an hour from Ljubljana. It is one of very few European photography tours with wild brown bears on the itinerary.
Slovenia is part of the Schengen area. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Travelers from the United States, Canada, and most of Europe do not currently need a visa for short tourist stays; entry requirements can change, so please verify current rules for your nationality before travel.
It is required that all of our guests have their own travel insurance, which should include evacuation for medical reasons.
Slovenia uses the euro. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are easy to find in towns. A small amount of cash is handy for markets and mountain huts.
In Ljubljana we stay two nights at a centrally located 4-star hotel (Hotel Slon or similar). In Bled we stay four nights at Pension Mayer or similar - a well-run, family-owned pension a short walk from the lake, chosen for its location over luxury: it puts us minutes from the sunrise spots that make this tour. Breakfast is included everywhere we stay. Final confirmed accommodations are provided about forty-five days before the trip.
Yes - and it was designed for exactly that. Our Croatia Photo Tour begins in Zagreb on October 14. Combined-tour guests stay the night of October 12 in Ljubljana, enjoy a free morning there, and travel with us to Zagreb on October 13 - the transfer is included when you book both tours, and a combined-booking discount applies. The in-between hotel nights are available as extra-night add-ons at booking; the discount more than covers them.
1) Booking procedure:
All prices for the tours are quoted in US Dollars.
We require a deposit to reserve a place on the selected photo tour. The deposit is due at the time of booking and can be paid online via credit card; ACH and Debit Cards are also accepted.
Other than the deposit, you must complete the registration form for you and your guests, if any.
If you are traveling solo and want to share a room, we will try our best to find you a match. However, if, for any reason, we don't find a suitable match, the single supplement fee will apply.
We will email you shortly after confirming your booking. Please do not book your flights at this time unless otherwise indicated by us. We will email you once the minimum number of guests to run the tour has been reached.
2) Balance of Payments:
The final payment for the trip is 90 days before departure. Such payment shall be made via credit card or wire transfer. Failure to meet the payment schedule will result in cancellation and forfeit of the deposit.
3) Cancellations and Refunds:
If DAK Photography Inc. must cancel the trip for any reason, 100% of paid deposits will be fully refunded. We reserve the right to cancel any trip/tour/group due to insufficient registration at any time. In the event of such cancellation, those with reservations shall be notified as soon as possible, and a full refund of the trip payment will be given.
Please note that deposits are non-refundable. However, they may be applied as a credit toward a future trip with us, provided the credit is used within 12 months of the original trip's start date.
If a guest needs to cancel, we must receive written notification. Email is accepted.
The following cancellation fees apply:
- 120 days or more before departure: no charge.
- 61 days to 119 days before departure: 50% of the tour fee.
- 60 days or less before departure: 100% of the tour fee.
In the event that you have to cancel, we will do our best to fill your spot. If we do so, we will refund 100% of the tour fee minus an administrative fee of $250.
Refunds will not be made for any other costs you may have incurred as a result of your booking.
Travel and medical insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, are mandatory for all participants. To safeguard your investment, we strongly recommend purchasing this coverage as soon as your trip is confirmed. We also encourage you to select an insurance policy that covers non-refundable deposits and other pre-trip expenses in case of unforeseen cancellations.
All refunds will be processed within 30 days of receiving written confirmation of your cancellation.