7-Day Highlights of the Western Ukraine Tour

Day 1 Kiev – Tunnel of Love – Tarakaniv Fort – Lviv

Start your 7-day journey of the Western Ukraine from the pick-up from you Kiev hotel. Travel in comfort by the air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy the landscapes along the route.  The distance from Kiev to Lviv is 550 km and we will have two interesting stops before we arrive to the final destination of the day.

The first sight you going to discover is a magical Tunnel of Love in a small village of Klevan, near Rivne. This unbelievable place attracts travelers from all around the world with its magical beauty. The trees that grow along the old narrow-gauge railway form a tunnel that seems endless. You will have an hour of free time to walk through this fairytale tunnel and take great photos.

The second attraction of the day is a mysterious Tarakaniv Fort near the town of Dubno. Built in the end of the 19^th century on the border of Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires, Tarakaniv fort today is a desolated complex of labyrinth and hidden passages. It’s a real adventure to wander through its abandoned grounds.

Later, overwhelmed with emotions, we’ll continue our way to the final destination – Lviv. In the evening, after the accommodation in your hotel, you will set off on a Panoramic Lviv City Tour. Your expert guide will tell you all about the history of the city and its famous people and will be glad to answer all your questions. The main attractions of this tour include the High Castle Hill, Baroque St. Yura Cathedral, Chapel of the Boim Family and Opera House. Moreover, you will visit UNESCO-listed Lviv Old Town, and its highlight – a magnificent Market Square, where you will feel the festive atmosphere of the city.

Overnight in Lviv.

Day 2 Lviv – Sightseeing tours

This day, 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 exceptionally beautiful city. After that, we will visit the magnificent St. Yura Cathedral that is the most famous Baroque memorial in Ukraine. Following, 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 in 1630,it nowadays hosts the House of Organ and Chamber Music. Lastly, 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 Squareand the City Hall that is a favorite place of tourists. The four corners of the Market Square are marked with beautiful fountains with statues of Greek mythological figures: Neptune, Amphitrite, Diana and Adonis.

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

Day 3 Lviv – Shenbornov Castle – St. Miklos Castle –Uzhhogod (with wine tasting)

After breakfast and check-out, get on board and set off on a fascinating tour of the Trans Carpathian region. The distance from Lviv to Uzhhorod is 268 km and we’ll explore two interesting castles along the route.

Our first stop will be at the Shenbornov Castle, built in the 19^th century as a hunting lodge of the counts Shenbornov. It is a beautiful example of Baroque and Neo Gothic architecture with a charming park around it. Today, a sanatorium “Karpaty” operates in this castle.

Not far from it, there is another point of interest – St. Miklos Castle in Chinadievo, famous for its legends and myths. The guides wear ancient costumes that make you will like travelling in the Middle Ages. You will learn the history of the castle, including an interesting love story of Ilona Zrini and count Emre Tekeli.

Then you will arrive in Uzhhorod where, after check-in in the hotel, we invite you on a walking tour of the city. Being the smallest regional center of Ukraine,Uzhhozod attracts travelers with its cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Strolling around the city, you will discover Uzhhorod Castle and afterwards, you have a unique opportunity to visit the WINE TASTING HALL.The unique object of Uzhgorod castle is situated in the castle basement. The combination of refined medieval interior and maximum preservation of constructive singularities make up the magnificent atmosphere. Consisting of the best collection of Transcarpathian wines, it is the perfect place for wine tasting.

Later, you will explore the center of the city and its main street – Korzo. During exploration of the street, you will find a lot of gift shops, cafés and restaurants so when the tour is over, you may visit them in your free time.

Overnight in Uzhhorod.

Day 4 Uzhhorod – Mukacheve – Palanok Castle – Iza (Cheese factory and willow weaving) – Rakhiv (geographical center of Europe) –Yaremche

The main attraction of Mukacheve is, without doubt, an amazing Palanok Castle. Situated on a high hill on the outskirts of the city, this fabulous castle offers a wonderful view of the city from the observation deck. Your guide will enlighten you with interesting stories and legends about the castle, even better;you will be able to make a wish, holding an index finger of the count Koryatovich monument.

The journey continues as we drive from Mukacheve to Iza (72km). The landmark of the Carpathians is its cheese. You have an opportunity to immerse in local culture of cozy Iza village and see every step of the process of the high quality cheese making. After the tour, you will enjoy the premium cheese tasting.

The next step is to discover traditional Ukrainian art of willow weaving and learn the basic techniques of making products of osier. Willow weaving dates back many years and is used for household items, hats, baskets and even fences. Experiencing the making of the characteristic weaving is a perfect opportunity to see Ukrainian culture in its true colors.

The next part of the tour is a 100 km drive along the Ukraine-Romania border, where admiring picturesque Carpathian Mountains is irresistible. Then, we will reach an interesting landmark near Rakhiv – Geographical Center of Europe. You will see a special sign, located there and take memorable photos. Right next to that place, there is a restaurant-museum Kolyba, where lunch is an option.

On the half way from Rakhiv to Yaremche (80 km), you will discover a beautiful natural wonder – a 36-meter Trufanets Waterfall, the highest waterfall of the Carpathians. You will contemplate scenic cascades of water and the genuine nature around you.

Late in the evening, we will reach the final destination of the day – Yaremche. It is a cozy resort, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.

Overnight in Yaremche.

Day 5 Yaremche – Verhovyna (visiting Hutsul locals)–Yaremche

After breakfast at your hotel, you will start exploring the wonders of Yaremche on a walking tour around the city. With a local guide, you will discover the picturesque Probiy Waterfall and a colorful Hutsul souvenir market. There is a wide choice of hand-made cloth, woolen goods, ceramic, which may be a good gift for your family and friends.

In the second part of the day, you will make a trip to Verhovyna- the Hutsul capital.

This part offers an authentic insight in the life of Hutsul locals and their households. It is a unique chance to experience their lifestyle and see their wooden houses, kitchens, cellars, stables, gardens, barns and farm animals. You will get the chance to milk cows, feed farm animals, prepare vareniki and visit the local cheese making facilities. The owners love to show visitors around their houses and tell about their lifestyle. Visiting the traditional Hutsul locals is a great opportunity to see the Hutsuls in their true and authentic colors.

In the end, you will return to Yaremche and relax in a peaceful atmosphere of the Carpathians.

Overnight in Yaremche.

Day 6 Yaremche –Kolomyia– Buchach – Ternopil 

After breakfast and check-out, we will leave Yaremche and head to Kolomyia where you learn more about customs and traditions of Hutsuls. Kolomiya is a cultural center of Carpathians, famous for two museums – Pysanka Easter Egg Museum and the Museum of Art of the Hutsuls and Pokuttya.

The first one is located in a building in the shape of a giant Easter egg and hosts a valuable collection of pynankas, made by the artists from different parts of Ukraine.

The Museum of Art of the Hutsuls and Pokuttya consists of 18 exhibition halls that represent different aspects of the Hutsul culture. You will see traditional costumes, music instruments, icons, household items and much more. You will experience how people used to live in Ukraine centuries ago and learn interesting facts from an expert guide.

On the way from Kolomyia to Ternopil, will visit a cozy little town of Buchach, (110 km). During a short city tour, you will discover the Basilian Monastery, the Town Hall and the ruins of the Buchach Castle.

After that, we will head to the final destination of the day – Ternopil (70 km). After accommodation in the hotel, you will have a pleasant walk of the city with your guide and discover a beautiful lake, which is the main attraction of the city.

Overnight in Ternopil.

Day 7 Ternopil – Zbarazh – Kremenets – Pochayiv – Dubno – Kiev 

The final day of our wonderful 8-day journey will start from the visit of an ancient town of Zbarazh (24 km from Ternopil). You will visit a well-preserved Zbarazh Castle with various exhibitions of weapon, clothes, paintings, etc., and learn the most interesting facts from the history of this place.

Next, you will explore the town of Kremenets (53 km from Zbarazh), where you will discover Jesuit Monastery and Collegium and see a picturesque Castle Hill with the ruins of the castle.

From Kremenets you will drive 23 km to Pochayiv, where an important orthodox shire, Pochayiv Lavra, is located. You will appreciate a peaceful aura of this monastery and its beautiful territory. Moreover, you will discover miraculous icons and water springs that are believed to have the healing properties.

After exploring the picturesque territory of Pochayiv Lavra, we will start our return trip to Kiev. There will be one more interesting stop in a small town of Dubno, where you will see a beautiful castle.

Then, travelling back to Kiev (distance from Dubno to Kiev 375 km), you will relax after such an informative and fascinating trip, recalling the most memorable moments of your journey. In the evening, once you arrive in Kiev, your driver will drop you off at your hotel.