5-Day Grand Tour of the Western Ukraine

Day 1 Kiev – Kamianets-Podilskyi

Departure from Kiev early in the morning. Distance from Kiev to Kamianets-Podilskyi is about 438 km and takes approx.. 6 hours. You will enjoy beautiful landscapes along the route, travelling in a comfortable vehicle.

You will also visit a small town of Starokonstantinov and discover the main attraction of this city – miraculous Virgin’s face that has appeared on the castle wall.

After arrival in Kamianets-Podilskyi and accommodation in the hotel, you will have a comprehensive walking tour of the city, including a visit of the castle. Being one of the oldest cities of Ukraine, Kamyanets-Podilsky has more than one hundred historically famous monuments, which reflect the traditions of the different ethnic groups residing in the city. The main tourist attraction of the city is the Kamianets-Podilsky Castle, located in a picturesque canyon of the Smotrich River. This fairytale castle is especially photogenic at the sunset, and in the evening, it is illuminated.

The tour ends in the center of the city. You can have a dinner than at one of the city’s restaurants.

Overnight in Kamianets-Podilskyi.

Day 2 Kamianets-Podilskyi – Khotyn Fortress – Chernivtsi –Kolomyia – Yaremche

After breakfast and check out, you will continue a fascinating trip of the Western Ukraine. The first place of interest you are going to visit is Khotyn Fortress, situated 28 km from Kamianets-Podilskyi.

A well-preserved medieval fortress is located in a picturesque place near the Dniester River. Many famous historical movies were filmed there. You’ll explore its territory with your guide and learn interesting facts and legends about this place.

Our next destination is a charming city of Chernivtsi (62 km from Khotyn). During the city tour, you will discover the Town Hall and a splendid St. Nickolas Church, walk through the pedestrian O. Kobylyanska Street and explore beautiful architectural ensemble of the city center. The highlight of the tour is a visit of the UNESCO-listed Residence of Bukovynian Metropolitans, which is now a Chernivtsi National University.

Our journey will continue towards the Carpathian Mountains and we’ll visit a true gem of Western Ukraine – a cozy town of Kolomyia (1.5-hour drive from Chernivtsi).

Kolomyia is a town of rich historical and cultural heritage. It was founded in the 13^th century and quickly become an important cultural and trading center of the region. You will enjoy its narrow streets, stunning architecture, and charming city center.

The main attraction of the town is famous Pysanka Museum, dedicated to the traditional Ukrainian art of Easter Egg decoration. The history of Pysanka goes back to the pre-Christian times and each symbol and color has its deep meaning. During our visit to Kolomyia Museum of Pysanka you will find out more about the art of pysanka painting and discover the largest collection of Pysanka, created by Ukrainian and foreign artists.

Later we’ll travel to the city of Yaremche, placed in the heart of the Carpathians. In the evening you’ll be able to enjoy mouthwatering dishes of Hutsul cuisine and try local beverages.

Overnight in Yaremche

Day 3 Yaremche – Ivano-Frankivsk – Galych – Rogatyn – Lviv  

Following breakfast, you will have a fascinating Yaremche sightseeing tour and get acquainted with one of the most beautiful Carpathians resorts. Placed on the scenic Prut river, among picturesquemountains Yaremche boasts incredibly beautiful landscapes, fresh air, and favorable climate. During the tour, you will marvel at the beauty of the Probiy waterfall, visitauthentic wooden churches, and learn the history of the city.

Yaremche is famous center of the Hutsul culture. You will discover a lot of interesting facts about this ethnic group, their customs and traditions.

One of the largest craft markets of Carpathians is located in Yaremche. There is a wide range of souvenirs and handicrafts, including embroidered clothes, products of wood, leather and wool.

Today you will visit one more beautiful city of the Western Ukraine – Ivano-Frankivsk, located 60 km far from Yaremche.

Ivano-Frankivsk is a modern lively city with an ancient history and rich culture.

During sightseeing tour you’ll see the historical part of the city, discover its stunning City Hall and the Market Square, visit its beautiful park and The Holy Resurrection Cathedral. One of the most popular tourist spots in Ivano-Frankivsk is “Stometrivka” (“One-hundred-meter way”),a pedestrian street with a great number of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

After that we’ll continue our trip and travel to Lviv. Our path will run through beautiful Carpathian Mountains, the city of Galych, which is considered as one of the oldest Ukrainian cities, and the city of Rogatyn, famous for its ancient wooden churches.

As you arrive in Lviv, you’ll have free time for a dinner and a pleasant stroll around the evening city.

Overnight in Lviv.

Day 4 Lviv, sightseeing

Today you will see the best of Lviv during a fascinating Lviv City tour. Our guide will show you the panorama of the city from the High Castle Hill and you will take a bird`s-eye view of this extremely beautiful city. After that, we will visit the magnificent St. Yura Cathedral that is the most famous Baroque memorial in Ukraine. Than you will hear the history of the Lviv Polytechnic University, one of the first technical higher education institutions in the Eastern Europe. Not far from it, there is a Roman Catholic Church of St. Magdalene built and now in 1630 that nowadays hosts the House of Organ and Chamber Music.

You will have some free time in the city center to have a lunch and buy some souvenirs.

During the second part of the tour, you will discover Lviv Old Town, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You will see the Market Square that is a favorite place of tourists. The four corners of the Market Square are marked with beautiful fountains with statures of Greek mythological figures: Neptune, Amphitrite, Diana and Adonis. There is also the City Hall facing the square.

You have a free time in the evening to visit Lviv’s restaurants and to feel the welcoming atmosphere of the city.

Overnight in Lviv.

Day 5 Lviv – Tarakaniv Fort – Tunnel of Love – Kiev

After breakfast and check out, we’ll leave Lviv and continue our journey, visiting two must visit places of Ukraine – Tarakaniv Fort and Tunnel of Love.

A mysterious Tarakaniv Fort is located near Dubno, 160 km east from Lviv. This is an abandoned fortification complex, built in the beginning of the 20^th century with spectacular labyrinths and galleries made of stone. It attracts adventurous travelers with its unusual enigmatic atmosphere.

Later, we’ll head to the Tunnel of Love in Klevan’ (70 km from Tarakaniv Fort). This place is known all over the world as a must-see attraction that each person should see at least once in a lifetime. The trees that grow along the old railway track intertwine at the top forming a magical tunnel that seems endless, though is only 4 km. long.  You will have some free time to wander around this fairytale tunnel, take stunning pictures and enjoy breathtaking views.

After that, we’ll start our trip back to Kiev (351 km). There will be some stops at the comfortable gas stations, where you may have snack and coffee. In the evening, you’ll arrive in Kiev and your driver will drop you off at your hotel.