Punkva (Punkevní) Caves - Visiting Rules
ENTRY TO THE CAVES
- The tour of the caves takes approx. 60 minutes
- Maximum permitted number of visitors in one group is 54 adults or 70 children
- If a pre-booked group does not present itself at the ticket office at least 40 minutes before its visit, it loses its priority over other groups.
- Visitors are to wait at the entrance to the caves at the booked time with their tickets.
- The caves may be partially or completely closed for security or other reasons.
- Wheelchair users can visit the route leading through the dry part of Punkva Caves (Tunnel Corridor) to the bottom of Macocha Abyss and back. The total length of the route leading to the bottom of the Macocha Abyss (and back) is 930m.
- According to the fact, that this route does not fulfill the strict conditions of barrier free access (incline up to 16%), the wheelchair users can visit the route only with an able-bodied accompanist and only on a basis of a previous reservation (first tour or last tour of the day)!
- Parking of wheelchair users´ cars is allowed near the Punkva Caves entrance building (access from the Skalní Mlýn).
TOUR OF THE CAVES
- It is forbidden to take dogs and other animals to the cave. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- During the visit of the caves, visitors must follow the guide´s instructions and those of the boatman. They must not interrupt their tour information.
- Visitors have to pay attention and follow the guide´s instructions throughout the tour, and in particular on stairways and in narrow spaces, or those with low ceilings. Do not put their hands over the side of the boat while on the boat ride.
- In the event of the unexpected (e. g. power cuts), visitors must stay where they are, keep calm and follow the instructions of the guide.
- Visitors must report, without delay, any injury or indisposition to the guide.
- Visitors taking pictures may not separate from the group or otherwise delay or restrict other visitors. For taking pictures it is not permitted to use tripods, selfie sticks and flash. Taking pictures during the boat ride is not permitted. Pictures and video recordings may not be used for commercial use unless it is permitted by the Cave Administration
- Due to the cold, high air humidity and demandingness of the route, entry to the caves is not recommended for children under the age of 3, or people who are seriously ill. The temperature in the caves is approx. 8°C. Warm clothing is recommended.
Entry to the caves is forbidden to:
- People under the influence of alcohol
- Unaccompanied persons
- Children under the age of 10 without their parents or other responsible person (teacher, etc).
NATURE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE CAVE EQUIPMENT
In the caves it is forbidden to:
- Touch, snap off or in any other way damage dripstone and sinter decorations and walls in the caves
- Enter any rooms beyond the limits of the marked routes, or to detach yourself from the group led by the guide.
- Dump rubbish or in any other way despoil the interior of the caves.
- Carry bulky packages, sporting equipment, walking sticks, umbrellas, tripods and similar items into the caves.
- Smoke, drink or eat.
- Touch any of the electrical or other equipment.
- Disturb bats
CONCLUSION
- Any breach of these rules can lead to early termination of a visit without refund of the entrance charge.
- Criminal proceedings will be started against anyone who commits a serious breach of these rules (particularly by damaging dripstone decorations).
- Visitors can write down their wishes, praises, remarks, complains into the complaints book which will be put forward on demand at the ticket office. Complaints, comments and other remarks can be included in the visitors´ book which is available on demand at the ticket office.
The caves are a part of a special area protected by law ČNR Nr.114/1992 on the preservation of nature and natural landscapes. ‘For this reason, all visitors must respect its requirements both on the surface and underground, must not damage natural phenomena (rock formations, tree species, plants etc.) and must only use paths open to the public.
Breach of the preservation or damaging specially protected parts of nature is liable to a penalty of up to 100,000 CZK.
Ing. Jakub Gabriš
Manager of the Cave Administration of the Moravian Karst, Manager for other mining activities
Hynek Pavelka
Manager of Punkva Caves
Ing. Lubomír Přibyl
Director of the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic
Průhonice 14. 8. 2023