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 – Dzhurinsky Waterfall – Ternopil

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.

Later, we’ll explore a scenic Dzhurinsky Waterfall (74 km from Chernivtsi).  The waterfall is hidden in an extremely picturesque ravine, near the ruins of the Chervonograd Castle. This area is beautiful at any time of the year. It is possible to swim under the cascade of water falling from a height of 16 meters during the summer months.

After that, we’ll drive 118 km north and reach our final destination of the day – Ternopil. After accommodation at the hotel, you’ll enjoy a pleasant walk around the city center and discover it main attraction – a charming lake.

Overnight in Ternopil

Day 3 Ternopil – Castles of Lviv Region (Zolochiv, Olesko, Pidhirtsi) – Lviv  

After breakfast and checkout, you will set off on a joyful tour of the castles of Lviv region. Our first stop will be at the Olesko Castle, the famous architectural and historical memorial of the 13^th – 18^th centuries. The castle is surrounded by a charming park with sculptures and a lake. Nowadays, the museum exhibits unique works of art.

The next stop will be at the Zolochiv Castle. The castle ensemble consists of the Great Palace of late Renaissance and the Chinese Palace with oriental attributes. There are two magic stones in the territory of the castle (dating back to the 13^th – 16^th centuries) with a manuscript that nobody has ever managed to read. According to the legend, it is a stone of happiness where you can make a wish, but this wish will only come true if it can bring peace and happiness to people.

The last castle we are going to visit is the Pidhirtsy Castle, a masterpiece of the late Renaissance architecture. Ramparts and ravines, including great entrance gates and a park with ancient linden trees of the 18^th century, surround it.

In the evening you will arrive in Lviv and after accommodation in the hotel, you’ll have a free time.

Overnight in Lviv.

Day 3 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.