6-Day Highlights of the Western Ukraine Tour

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

Start your 6-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 – Shenbornov Castle – St. Miklos Castle – Uzhhogod

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 the walking tour of the city. Being the smallest regional center of Ukraine, Uzhhozod attracts travelers with it’s cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Strolling around the city, you will discover Uzhhorod Castle and learn its centuries-old history. Moreover, you will cross a picturesque Pedestrian Bridge over the Uzh River and walk in the shades of trees through a lovely Linden Alley.

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

Overnight in Uzhhorod.

Day 3 Uzhhorod – Mukacheve – Palanok Castle – Khust – Rakhiv (geographical center of Europe) – Yaremche  

Early in the morning, after breakfast and check-out, you will start a joyful trip from Uzhhorod to the Ukrainian Carpathians, which includes many interesting landmarks along the route.

After just an hour drive from Uzhhorod, you’ll arrive in Mukacheve, a cozy little town in the Trans Carpathians. During a walking tour of the city center, you will discover the Myru Square, the monument to St. Cyril and Methodius, the Town Hall and the Chimney Sweep Monument.

The main attraction of Mukacheve is, without a 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 tell you interesting stories and legends about the castle and you’ll be able to make a wish, holding an index finger of the count Koryatovich monument.

Our trip will continue as we drive from Mukacheve to Khust (66 km). The highlight of this place is a high Castle Hill with the ruins of the Khustskiy Castle on the top. It’s not so easy to reach the top, but if you do it, you’ll be amazed by the spectacular panorama around you. (Optional visit).

During the next part of our journey, we’ll drive 100 km along the Ukraine-Romania border, admiring the picturesque Carpathian Mountains. Then, we’ll 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 you may have lunch (optional).

On the half way from Rakhiv to Yaremche (80 km), you’ll 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’ll reach the final destination of the day – Yaremche. It is a cozy resort, surrounded with the Carpathian Mountains.

Overnight in Yaremche.

Day 4 Yaremche – Kolomyia – 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’ll make a trip to Kolomiya and 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 imagine how people used to live in Ukraine centuries ago and learn interesting facts from an expert guide.

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

Overnight in Yaremche.

Day 5 Yaremche – Maniava Skete and Waterfall – Buchach – Ternopil 

After breakfast and check-out, we’ll leave Yaremche and head to Maniava (48 km). The main attraction of this small Carpathian town is a secluded orthodox monastery – Manyava Skete, located in the coniferous forest and also known as “Ukrainian Athos”. Your guide will tell you the legend about the appearance of the monastery in 13^th century and you will see a “Blessed Stone” with a healing spring next to it.

Not far from the monastery, there is another must-visit sight – a beautiful Maniava Waterfall. You will enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and primeval nature of this place.

On the way from Maniava to Ternopil, will visit a cozy little town of Buchach, (120 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’ll head to the final destination of the day – Ternopil (71 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 6 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.