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Ways to explore Ukraine

Discover our Ukraine Tours

From visiting the historic cities of Kyiv, Lviv and Krakow, to going back in time on a Chernobyl tour, our hand-picked local tour leaders will share first-hand knowledge and unique insights on our small group tours to Ukraine. 

Enter the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone to wander the eerie streets of Pripyat and uncover abandoned houses, crumbling factories and rusting fairgrounds in this mysterious forgotten land. Or, for a more colourful side of Ukraine, join an adventure to Ukraine's Odessa on the coast of the Black Sea where sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and tree-lined boulevards await.

Considering a trip to Ukraine but new to Explore? We've answered some of the most-asked questions about our small group tours

Our most popular Ukraine tours

Ukraine Short Breaks Trip code KCY
5 Days
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Ukraine Discovery Trip code UKA
13 Days
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Moldova, Ukraine Discovery Trip code UAM
16 Days
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5 Days
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Ukraine tour highlights

 

Ukraine is a vast country, but very little is known about it. Its larger cities, such as Lviv and Kyiv, are fabulously ornate and have more than a hint of Parisian elegance and Russian ostentation, while the countryside is as rustic and wild as you might imagine. No visit to Ukraine is complete without a trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the mostly-uninhabited area surrounding Reactor 4, where you can walk among the eerie abandoned city of Pripyat and the slowly encroaching forest.

 

Kyiv

Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv is a wonderful introduction to a country that feels like one of Europe’s last frontiers. Set on the banks of the Dnieper River, the city is easy to explore by metro yet thanks to the near-impenetrable language – Ukrainian and Russian are both widely spoken – travelling around  still feels fantastically adventurous. Kyiv is one of Europe’s most underrated capitals, with its mix of centuries-old religious architecture, wide boulevards and gilded domes. While exploring, you might like to visit the warren of underground malls to pick up a hot corn on the cob (a local delicacy) or traditional ceramics to take home. In the evening, visiting a traditional restaurant is a great opportunity to sample the varenyky dumplings, which come filled with meats and vegetables, or try a sweeter version with cherries. On our Ukraine In Depth tour your guide can recommend the best Soviet-style canteens and fast-food places where you can get a dough-encased deep-fried sausage (much better than it sounds!) perhaps with a chaser of nastoyanka liqueur, made from honey and herbs.

Ferris Wheel at Pripyat Fairground, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine


Chernobyl

After the explosion of the Number 4 nuclear reactor in 1986, the area surrounding Chernobyl was evacuated and became an eerie, abandoned place where nature reclaimed the towns and vehicles left behind. In 2011 the area was declared safe to visit, and since tours have commenced leading intrepid travellers into the Exclusion Zone. Our Discover Chernobyl tour gives you two days to explore the Exclusion Zone, including the city of Pripyat which affords perhaps some of the most haunting photographs of the disaster. Built three kilometres from the nuclear site, the city was built to house the plant’s workers and families; now it all lies abandoned, including the fairground, hospital, hotel and sports centre. During the trip you’ll even get to stay within the Exclusion Zone at a small hotel, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Ukrainian meal.

 

Strategic Missile Force Museum, Pervomaysk

Join a local guide for a tour of the Strategic Missile Force Museum on our Ukraine Discovery Trip. Descend into the depths of this decommissioned military base to discover the original control room of the most powerful Cold War Soviet missile, the R-36M2 'Governor' bomb, which was nicknamed 'Satan' by the Americans. Part of a 150-metre subterranean tunnel network, take a seat in the commander’s chair and push the red button that would have once launched fatal missiles from their underground silos located within the museum’s grounds. Today, we are grateful that only alarms and lights are activated from this nerve-centre, no weapons. But this is a stark visualisation of the grave power that this former USSR republic once had.
 

Solo travel in Ukraine

 

Travelling solo doesn’t mean travelling alone, as you’ll discover on our small group holidays to Ukraine. Each of our trips is designed to suit solo travellers and on most trips, you’ll find that around half of all guests are travelling solo. Visiting Ukraine as part of a small group means you’ll get to explore with the guidance of an experienced tour leader to illuminate all the fascinating highlights of the country, while enjoying the company of like-minded fellow travellers.

An adventure travel company you can trust

There's a reason why 98% of customers say they'd book an adventure with us again.

Unforgettable experiences

From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.

Expert tour leaders

Chosen for their great knowledge of your destination and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

Small group tours

Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

Responsible at heart

How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

Ukraine tour reviews

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Independent service rating based on

 

 

reviews.

Discover Chernobyl

Reactor visits to 3 and 4.

Margaret - 3 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

The reactor tour was great as the buildings were run down and atmospheric

David - 3 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

Words do not adequately describe the experience of visiting the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and ta...view more

Kurt - 3 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

Unreal!!..Alex was passionate and informative!

Daniel - 3 years ago

Ukraine in Depth

The underground missile site, the varied cities and the two days in Chernobyl

Trusted Customer - 3 years ago

Ukraine in Depth

I guess the visit to a missile silo base, which is unique. The mix of beautiful architecture in Odes...view more

Philip - 3 years ago

Ukraine in Depth

Lviv, Odessa, Kyiv, Chornobyl, strategic Missile forces museum.

Trusted Customer - 3 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

The guide that Explore booked for us in the exlusion zone was excellent.

Sarah - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

Peter - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

This is an excellent trip! The itinerary is perfect, including all the places we wanted to see in an...view more

Michael - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

The two days in the exclusion zone - very well organised and such a wonderful guide who brought ever...view more

Hilary - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

I was not disappointed with this trip. The Explore guide Mariana was very knowledgeable and with her...view more

Trusted Customer - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

Peter - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

Walking round the abandoned buildings of Chernobyl. Awesome. Seeing a Soviet town frozen in time.

Richard - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

The guides were exceptional and accommodation was average but they state that in the itinerary so it...view more

Brianna - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

V Good all over. Well done to all

Trusted Customer - 5 years ago

Discover Ukraine and Moldova

Very good trip. Chernobyl was the definite highlight. Some very long travel days. Would be good t...view more

John - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

On the Tuesday, instead of the rather boring museum of Ukraine go to the WW2 museum.Also does the ho...view more

David - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

The trip to the exclusion zone was very interesting, the days are very full and there is very little...view more

Emma - 5 years ago

Discover Chernobyl

All the time spent at Chernobyl and Pripyat was exceptional. We explored the beauty, the horror and ...view more

Carole - 5 years ago

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