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KEY THINGS THAT YOU WILL SEE
- Sightsee Kyiv, the mother of Ukrainian cities, the modern yet ancient capital: golden-domes of St. Sophia Cathedral, St. Andrew’s Descent and its crafts market, city’s main Independence Square and Khreshchatyk street, beautiful Kyiv parks and majestic Dnieper River
- Meet Tatar community in Crimea
- Visit the palaces around Yalta resort and hang out at the beaches of the Black Sea
- Visit Odesa, Ukraine's largest sea port – vibrant and young city, with eclectic mix of architecture and unique cosmopolitan feel
- Go birdwatching in Dniester Delta National Park, one of the few preserved and intact Black Sea wetlands
- Discover Lviv – Ukraine’s most charming and romantic city
- Join the simple life of Hutsuls, Ukrainian highlanders in Carpathian Mountains – cook traditional Hutsul dishes, visit Hutsul shepherds and taste their delicious cheese, and learn about the craft of egg-painting from one of the local artisans
Enjoy the ultimate vacation in Ukraine – 11 days across the country and its most special landmarks. Visit the traditional tourist highlights, and wander away to some off-the-beaten track places, rarely seen by outsiders. Meet Ukrainian cities: Kiev, Odessa, Crimea and Lviv. Discover favorite coffee shops in Lviv, take photos with unusual monuments in Odessa, hang out at the beaches of the Black Sea and explore the rich history and UNESCO-listed heritage of Kiev.
Visit Ukraine’s off-the-beaten track: tiny villages in Carpathian Mountains, full of traditional crafts, centuries-old customs and authentic lifestyle of Hutsul highlanders; stunning nature and bird life in Dniester Delta National Park, and tour in Kiev green parks, merely few metro stops away from the busy city center.
Explore Ukraine like no one before!
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HOW YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
At Active Ukraine we travel responsibly and encourage others to do so as well! Check out how this particular trip is helping you make a difference and bring positive impact to Ukrainian community.
- You contribute to the economic well-being of Ukrainian artisan community and help promote their unique products
- You interact with local people and get to know the real country
- You learn about environmental challenges that Ukraine is facing
- You take trains, instead of cars, and help minimize your environmental footprint
- You contribute to the economical well-being of local communities by eating your meals at locally owned restaurants
- You stay at small guest-houses and camping-style accommodations that bring direct economic benefit to the local people
- Your guides are local and give you in-depth knowledge about Ukraine
- You eat meals with local families and understand the real lives of Ukrainian people
Check more photos on Our Photo Gallery
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STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO YOUR TRIP
Day 1- Welcome to Kyiv
Pick-up and Welcome. Meeting with your Active Ukraine guide. Hotel check-in.
Take a guided tour along city's major landmarks and attractions. Visit the UNESCO-listed St. Sophia Cathedral with its beautiful frescoes; take a walk at St. Andrew’s Descent – street of writers and artists; learn more about the environmental challenges at National Chernobyl Museum, stroll along the main street Khreshchatyk, and sip delicious tea at the Orange Revolution famous Independence Square.
In the evening relax in the greenery of Kyiv Mariyinsky Park and enjoy the stunning views of majestic Dnieper River.
Overnight in a 3 star hotel
Day 2- Nature Escape
Enjoy the day out, exploring beautiful surroundings of Kyiv parks. Relax in the greenery of trees or take a stroll along the eco-walk.
Transfer to Crimea in a sleeper train.
Overnight in a train (2nd class compartment)
Day 3- Discovering Crimea
Start your Crimea visit with a day in Crimean Mountains - arrive to Bakhchisaray and explore the famous Khan's Palace. Enjoy traditional Tatar lunch with a local family.
Transfer to the southern coast and Ukraine's most famous seaside resort – Yalta. Take on a tour around Greater Yalta. Your private English-speaking guide will take you to the Palace of Count Voronzov in Alupka designed by Edward Blore, one of the architects of Buckingham Palace. In 1945 the palace was used by Winston Churchill who stayed here during Yalta Conference.
Next you will continue to: the Livadia Palace, the former summer residence of Czar Nicholas II. In February, 1945, world famous Yalta Conference was held in Livadia Palace. You'll see the White Hall where the historic meeting between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill was held. Make a photo-stop on the observation platform, overlooking the graceful Swallow's Nest castle located on the rock overhanging the sea. This castle with towers and spires has become a true symbol of the Crimea.
Overnight in a 3 star hotel
Day 4- A Day at the Black Sea
Spend your morning chilling out at the pebbled beaches of the Black Sea.
Afterwards, go sightseeing in Sevastopol, where you can explore the ruins of ancient Greek settlement Khersoness, as well as visit the world-famous Panorama "The Defense of Sevastopol, 1854 - 1855", which is considered to be a unique masterpiece of battle-painting. In Balaklava (12 km from the city downtown) we'll visit the former Soviet top-secret underground military complex (submarine pen) located in one of the local rocks. Transfer to Odessa
Overnight in a train (2nd class compartment)
Day 5- Odessa – The Pearl at the Sea
Enjoy your morning breakfast in Odessa, the Pearl of the Black Sea. The city is Ukraine's fourth largest and a major sea port. Founded in 18th century, it has an enchanting mix of Italian, French and Russian architecture. Odessa is a vibrant city, energetic and fun, with plenty of activities for all.
After checking in to your hotel, you will enjoy 3 hour guided-tour around the main sightseeing landmarks of Odessa. After the marvels of the city, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of its beach-side restaurants.
Overnight in a 3 star hotel
Day 6- Dniester Delta National Park
This day you will spend at the Dniester Delta National Park.
Northern part of Dniester Liman is a wetland of international importance. The area is home to many endangered species, both plant and animal, which are included into the Red Data Books of Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the Red List of Threatened Species maintained by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The bird community, nesting in the wetlands, is especially valuable and includes the glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), its most endangered species.
You will have a unique chance to observe and experience the wildlife of Dniester Delta National Park, together with our nature experts at Glossy Ibis campsite. With enormous passion for nature conservation, and intensive knowledge of the local area, our guides will take you to the farthest places in Dniester Delta (Beloe Lake, Turunchuk, Strelka). To top that, enjoy a lovely fresh fish home-made lunch!
Transfer to Odessa. Take a train to Lviv
Overnight in a train (2nd class compartment)
Day 7- Coffee and Jazz
Explore Lviv – Ukraine's most charming and romantic city. Walk along the hidden valleys of its cobbled streets: full of coffee shops, street musicians, and art galleries. Wander around Rynok Square – UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to city's magnificent and world-class Opera Theater (optional)
Overnight in a 3 star hotel
Day 8 -Exploring Lviv
Continue exploring city on your own. Take a walk in one of city's beautiful parks or simply relax in one of the coffee shops.
Overnight in a 3 star hotel
Day 9 - Ukrainian Carpathians
Take a morning train to Kolomyia. Town of Kolomyia is the cultural center of Hutsuls. Hutsuls are an ethno-cultural group of highlanders in Ukrainian Carpathian mountains, and has retained its distinctive culture and traditions.
Explore town’s famous Easter Egg Museum, with over 6,000 beautifully decorated Easter eggs from all over the world! Get introduced to the lifestyle of Hutsuls and unique Hutsul cultural heritage at the Hutsul Museum.
Transfer to the village of Kosmach in Carpathian Mountains. Spend your afternoon visiting famous Hutsul artisans, skilled in traditional crafts such as egg-painting, embroidery, wood carving and weaving, observe their work and enjoy their beautiful creations. Sit down for a master class in your craft of choice and make your own handmade souvenir!
Overnight at a rural guesthouse
Day 10 - A Day with Hutsuls
Take a short hike to visit traditional highlanders' huts. Every summer Hutsuls still take herds of sheep from all over the villages and spend three months in the mountains, looking after the animals and preparing delicious cheese brynza. You'll have the chance to witness this old tradition, learn about the lives of Hutsul shepherds and try their famous cheese brynza.
In the afternoon join your host family in preparing delicious traditional dinner: pick up mushrooms for the soup, collect some vegetables from the farm fields, and practice making your own banosh - traditional Hutsul staple dish.
Transfer back to Kolomyia. Take a train to Kyiv.
Overnight in a train (2nd class compartment)
Day 11 - Farewell and Departure
Farewell and departure
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DETAILED TRIP INFORMATION
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