WELKOME TO KYIV
08:30 Arrival in Kyiv. Meet-and-greet at the airport. You will obtain visa upon arrival by plane in Ukraine. We will provide a transfer to your hotel. Check in. Breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. Now, you have some free time to have a rest. Kyiv City Tour: we will start our City Tour from Taras Shevchenko Boulevard, going down to Bessarabska Square and Khreschatyk Street; then the tour continues to Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square (Independence Square), Dynamo Valeriy Lobanovskyi Stadium, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Mariyinskyi Park and Palace, the Square of Glory, Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra, Mykhailivska Square and St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, Saint Sophia's Cathedral, the Golden Gate of Kyiv and other attractions of Kyiv. What we are going to see next are Andriyivskyy Descent and St. Andrew's Church, which are the signatures of Kyiv. There are art galleries, exhibitions, theaters and art workshops in the buildings along the Kyiv "Monmartre". You will be able to buy authentic Ukrainian souvenirs in the numerous open air souvenir shops. Now it's time for lunch at an atmospheric Ukrainian café. We are ready to go to National Museum of Folk Architecture and Folkways of Ukraine "Pyrohiv". "All Ukraine in one day" – this is how we can say about a visit to this open-air museum. You are lucky enough to find out here, among the picturesque landscape, what is the difference between the Carpathians and Polissia, between Podillia and Zakarpattia (Transcarpathia) etc. You will see Ukrainian huts, mills, churches, household items and handicrafts of craftsmen, all this will reveal to you the soul of the Ukrainian people. You will have an opportunity to look at the spinning pottery wheel, to visit "shynok" or "kulishna" (a kind of authentic Ukrainian tavern), to ride a horse in the surroundings and, of course, to breathe the fresh air of Ukraine! You will also take unforgettable pictures for a long-lasting memories! We are ready to return to Kyiv. Time for a tasty dinner in a café in the city. Return to the hotel. Have a rest and good night.
THE "KYIVAN RUS PARK"
Breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. In the early morning, we are going to visit Ukrainian National Chornobyl Museum. On April 26, 1986, the largest man-made radiological and ecological disaster of our time occurred - a nuclear accident at the fourth power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The purpose of creating the museum’s exposition is to help humanity to comprehend the Chornobyl disaster as a real factor of the possible destruction of our civilization, to comprehend the lessons of this tragedy in all spheres of life, to prevent the world from forgetting these lessons, and to become a warning to generations of the next millennium. A lot of materials that are presented in the museum were published for the first time: documents, photographs and maps with the restriction stamp "confidential". All these unique exhibits, including relics from the exclusion zone (ancient icons, folk art, local crafts and household items of the inhabitants of Ukrainian Polissia), and also personal belongings of the disaster relief workers, make us think about the most painful problems of the present, including environmental, social, and spiritual losses caused by the accident. Then you will have an excursion to one of the most famous symbols of Kyiv and Ukraine – The Motherland Monument and the Museum of the History of Ukraine in the World War II. The colossal 62-meter statue of the Motherland, which is 102 m with a pedestal, was made of special stainless steel and assembled using a special crane. The memorial complex "Museum of the History of Ukraine in the World War II" covers an area of 10 hectares on a hill on the right bank of the Dnieper river. There is a giant bowl of "The Flame of Glory", the "Alley of the Hero Cities" and the exhibition with military equipment of the World War II as well as post-war years. Ceremonial alley goes to the gallery of the Main Entrance along the slopes of the Dnieper, leading to the square and the building of the museum. The sculptures in the gallery represent the heroic defense of the USSR’s border from the German attack, the horrors of the German occupation, the partisan struggle, the heroic deeds of the workers on the home front and the battle for the Dnieper. Lunch at a city café. In order to have the complete picture of today, we must also visit the "Kyivan Rus Park". Ancient Kiev in the "Kyivan Rus Park" is a unique recreation and construction in the history of mankind of one of the most famous and at the same time the most mysterious medieval city of Eastern Europe – Ancient Kyiv of the V-XIII centuries, the capital of the great medieval state – Kyivan Rus – in the size of its historical center, known as "Kyiv Detinets" or "the City of Volodymyr". Its architectural image is recreated in full 1:1 scale, taking into account the knowledge of modern science. The atmosphere of Kyivan Rus is recreated there too. Dinner at the Oriental café or Country Complex "Partizan". We will provide a transfer to your hotel. Have a rest and good night.
MEDZHYBIZH CASTLE
Departure from Kyiv by bus. Our first stop is Medzhybizh. Medzhybizh Castle is an old defensive structure at the junction of the Buzhok and Southern Bug rivers, hence the unusual name of the settlement. The fortress has been here since the 8th century. The length of the fortress is 130 m, The highest point is 17 m, and some walls are up to 4 m thick. We will continue to "the city on the stone" – Kamianets Podilskyi and the old fortress. An exciting photo quest awaits us in this amazing city. Being satisfied and happy we go to the hotel.
BAKOTA
This day will bring you a storm of emotions! We are going to visit Bakota with sleepover! This town disappeared from the map. On the way, we will have a unique photo tour with tasting. Then we will visit the cave monastery, go down to the shore and sail by boat to the camp "Teremky" *. The beautiful landscapes of the Dniester canyon are waiting for you (subject to additional payment of $10). The Dniester canyon is a geological natural wonder. As an option, you can choose the following program: a fish soup, shish kebab, swimming in the canyon, a photo tour in the beautiful nature around.
THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MLYNKY CAVE
Early departure for Mlynky. GREAT DEEDS ARE WAITING FOR US! :) We are going to enter the Northern district of Mlynky cave (duration about 3 hours). This is the route "North" of the first level of difficulty. You will learn the technique of movement in the cave, to distinguish galleries and halls, crystals and lamellar plaster, pass one of the most narrow places of the cave – the crawlway "Devil's Throat". Time to have lunch. Having collected unforgettable impressions we continue moving to Verkhovyna to have a good rest.
RAFTING ON THE BLACK CHEREMOSH
After a delicious breakfast, we are going to have active leisure! You are invited to a fascinating rafting on the Black Cheremosh (subject to additional payment of UAH 650). The rafting takes place on the most extreme section of the river with the main rapids of Black Cheremosh. Rafting will be an unforgettable memory from our trip. After a delicious lunch (self catering) we will have a spiritual rest. We will visit Roman Kumlyk Museum of Musical Instruments and Hutsuls Lifestyle. Then we will plunge into the atmosphere of unexpected bell tolls and frightening sounds of the creaking floor. We will also learn a lot of interesting things about the ancient culture of the Carpathian molfars. You will hear unique Hutsul stories about magic and molfars, their unusual abilities and secrets. And this is just the beginning… After all, we will have a meeting with a real molfar. You will remember this day forever! Return to the hotel.
BREBENESKUL LAKE
Early in the morning, we have breakfast and go to Rakhiv in search of adventure. We will go by truck GAZ 66! This is a kind of off-road truck for Carpathians, the locals call it "Hummer". We have a Brebeneskul Lake ahead. It is a high-mountain lake which is located in Ukrainian Carpathians 1801 m above sea level. During the way we will make a stop at a mineral spring and then in the Lemska Valley in order to see farms on the polonynas (highlands). We will go on foot from the polonyna to Brebeneskul Lake. The road runs along a picturesque stream with numerous cascades and a variety of high mountain greenery. We are a bit tired, so we will go to taste Transcarpathian dishes at a picnic in the mountains. After a busy but happy day, we go to the hotel.
GEOGRAPHICAL CENTRE OF EUROPE
After a good breakfast, we go on in search of adventure. We will stop in the village of Dilove. This is a geographical centre of Europe. Then we continue going for a tasting at the Rural Cheese Factory. We will visit the village of Nyzhnie Selyshche (Lower Settlement), where we will see how real Transcarpathian cheese is made. Get ready for delicious tastings! Moving to Iza. This Ukrainian village is known for its masters of weaving wicker products. You will be able to buy here a stylish wicker basket. One of the most interesting places in the Transcarpathian region is an Ostrich Farm. We are going to visit it. The birds are funny, they have chicks' heads, but long and very powerful legs and predatory beaks. You will be able to feed the birds, and they will look at you with their curious big black eyes. You can even pet the smallest of them. Ostriches are almost omnivorous, they will be happy to eat the grass growing around, as well as bread, apples and other simple products. After a busy day we will have a rest in cozy rooms of hotel in Mukachevo.
TRANSCARPATHIA
After breakfast, today we will have an all-inclusive rest. We start our morning as kings with a walk around the castle Palanok. The city is somewhere below, and the outpost is open to all eyes and winds, volcanic Carpathians rise behind to the north.
After a walk, we will go to the famous thermal baths Kosino (subject to additional payment). The thermal waters in Kosino have a unique composition and are therefore known for their healing properties. After thermal baths, we will diveinto the fascinating world of "Chisai" wines in Beregovo (subject to additional payment). You will be able to learn about Chisai wines, visit wine cellars, join the mystery of production of a noble drink and get acquainted with the products of winery in a specialized Tasting Hall. Have a rest and relax!
WELKOME TO LVIV
After breakfast we go to the mysterious city of Lviv! They call the city a gift, because, the King Danylo Halytskyi chose this city as a gift for his eldest son Lev for his wedding. The city is mysterious, because no matter how many times you've been here and how well you know the city, it is still keeping its secrets. However the most observant ones can discover the mysteries. We will try to do this today during the quest in this medieval city. We are overwhelmed with good emotions so we go to the hotel to have a rest. But after check in you can continue walking till the morning, because Lviv is beautiful in the night!
SHATSKI LAKES
After breakfast at the hotel we go to Shatski Lakes. We will have a safari there! You will take part in expedition and see the wildlife of the lake district. Everything will be like in a real rally, because the vast majority of the way will pass through dirt, forest roads and swamps. You should not be afraid – it will be very interesting, because you will get acquainted with a whole necklace of lakes, each of which will amaze you with unique landscapes. We guarantee good impressions, great photos and meetings with new friends! Pleasant memories will remain with you forever!
THE TUNNEL OF LOVE
Have breakfast and enjoy the rest of the holiday, which is coming to an end. If you wish, we would like to invite you to sail on the yacht "NOON" on Lake Svityaz. During the tour you will hear stories about the lake, legends, and some interesting facts about the island on this lake. You will also be able to take a walk around the island and enjoy the scenic views. The captain of the yacht is an experienced skipper with many years of experience, who has repeatedly gone to sea and ocean. After the tour we will have lunch and go home. On our way we are going to see the tunnel of love. This is the most romantic place in Ukraine. The green walls have been set in such a way that it seems that a landscape designer worked here. After visiting this tunnel you will be convinced that the best architect is nature! Ukraine is amazing! All of us take home a sea of unforgettable impressions, incredible adventures, as well as new and funny photos.