Trip duration
1 day
Distance
15 km
Difficulty
Moderate
Price
20 $
Available Dates

This one day hike will take us into the heart of Ukrainian Carpathians. We’ll ascend Mt. Khomyak 1542 m and visit one of the most popular local waterfalls – Zhenetskyi Huk. It also gives you the opportunity to visit Carpathian alpine meadow and enjoy wonderful mountain wilderness, which you will discover on this trail. You will not believe how scenic some portions of this trail are.

Detailed itinerary

At 7 am you will meet your guides and the rest of your group at the railway station (main entrance) in Ivano-Frankivsk. There we will get a shuttle bus to the starting point of our hike – mountain village Tatariv. We start our trip by hiking the old serpentine trail that leads us up to the summit of Khomyak Mountain. The reward for this 3 hours workout is an eye-popping panorama of Ukrainian Carpathians. In a good weather you will enjoy the view of Chornohora mountain range and Hoverla, rocky summits of Gorgans and picturesque valley of mountain river Prut. Our path leads down to the lovely alpine meadow Khomyakiv where the group will stop for the lunch break. Here, from local shepherds, you can buy ecologically clean milk products such as traditional Bryndza or Vurda cheese. From the alpine meadow we hike down to the mountain river Zhenets, where we will visit Huk waterfall. The water is falling down from the rock 11 meters high into the small and deep canyon, which was created by the river during millions of years. Our final stop is village Mykulychyn, which is the biggest one in Ukraine. Here we will get a shuttle back to Ivano-Frankivsk.

Walking time – 8 hrs.
Arriving time to Ivano-Frankivsk – 8 pm.

 

Pay attention! The price of the tour does not include the transfer from Ivano-Frankivsk to the start point of the hike and back. It will depend on the size of the group and vary from 350 to 400 UAH/person. Additional expenses, that may have place during the trip: souvenirs, raincoat, additional meals, other entertainment, that is not included in the tour price.

* If you like this itinerary, but can’t find it in the tour schedule or you would like to join this trip on another date, please contact us and we will be more than happy to arrange this tour at your most convenient time.

Tour details

The tour price includes:
  • All meals and snacks;
  • Guide service;
  • Entrance fees for national parks;
  • Cooking equipment;
  • Group first aid kit.
The tour price does not include:
  • Transfer (from/to Ivano-Frankivsk - about 15-20$);
  • Equipment rental;
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, hotels and restaurants service, saunas etc.);
  • Gratuity for your guide.

 

Booking term

Please, make your reservation not later, than 3 days before the trip starts.

 

Method of payment

To guarantee your booking, we kindly ask to send us prepayment by bank transfer or Western Union service. Required deposit amount is 30% from the tour price. The rest of the amount you will pay in cash at the meeting point before we start our trip. We accept Ukrainian currency (hryvnia), US dollars and Euros. Before our trip starts, we will send you all payment details. After making a prepayment, please send us a scan/photo copy of the deposit slip.
Your prepayment is non-refundable. If you cancel your reservation no later, than 10 days before the tour starts, you can switch it for another tour or date.
If a prepaid reservation is cancelled by us (due to the small number of tourists or bad weather conditions), the deposit will be refunded in full.

 

Discounts
  • kids under 14 years – 25% off
  • teenagers 14-18 years old – 7% off
  • students – 7% off
  • people over 60 – 10% off
  • honeymooners – 10% off
  • group reservation for 4-6 people – 5% off
  • group reservation for more than 7 people – 10% off

* Only one discount can be used per booking. Discount does not apply to equipment rental. Please, make sure to have your ID (passport), student card, or any other document, that can confirm your age or status.

 

Please note!

In case of any kind of emergency (bad weather, serious health problems etc.) for group safety our guide has a right to slightly change the itinerary or decide to stay in a campsite for the day.

 

Age requirements

Minimum age for tourist is 18 years. People under 18 can also go hiking but they must be accompanied and supervised by a legal guardian. 

 

Minimum group size

Minimum number of tourists in a group should be 5 (or 7 for one day tour). The trip can be arranged for a smaller group as well. In this case, the group will pay total price like for 5 people (or 7 for one day tour).

 

Getting off the trail, earlier than planned

If for any reason you’ll have to get off the trail before the trip finishes, you will be charged for the days you were travelling with the group plus 1 day to compensate all the expanses for organization: food, guide service etc. Also, unplanned return transfer is not included in the price of the tour.
We count each new day in the morning (from 7am).
If you want to get off the trail on one-day trip, in that case the payment for the tour is non-refundable.

What to take on a trip

Deciding what type of outdoor gear you need can be a hard task to take up. The most important rule is to take on your trip only essential items, which are truly necessary. You can travel more quickly and cover greater distances with a lightweight backpack. Of course, the equipment you need to carry will vary according to the type of outdoor trip, you planned (hiking, rafting, combitour). Here is a sample-packing list to help you remember what things you might bring with you on your 1-day adventure.

Required Gear checklist:
  • Backpack (30-35L);
  • Trekking footwear;
  • Clothes: wind jacket, lightweight comfortable pants (avoid jeans or any cotton pants), T-shirt, shorts, hat, pullover, socks. Dressing for a winter hike: long underwear, warm fleece pullover, pair of wool socks, gloves, face mask/balaclava, waterproof and windproof jacket and pants.
  • Rain cover (poncho);
  • Personal First aid kit;
  • Personal gear: sunscreen, lip balm, hygienic wipes.
  • Water bottle 1-2L;
  • Kitchen set, knife;
  • Sunglasses;
  • Electronics (mobile phone, camera, watch, Powerbank charger);
  • Documents;
  • Money (cash);
  • Additionally: trekking poles, gaiters, sitting mat, thermos.

For colder or rainy weather, it’s good to have additional set of changing clothes. Bring with you: t-shirts, sweater, lightweight pants, socks, underwear and extra shoes (sandals or sneakers).

Preparing for hiking

Hiking on uneven ground or climbing and descending long inclines is more physically demanding, than walking on pavement, especially while wearing hiking clothing and boots, and carrying a backpack. To prepare adequately, you need to try out your gear and get your body in shape.

Some useful tips for those of you who are getting ready for the first hiking experience:

Conditioning your body for hiking. Your pre-hike training should include both aerobic exercise and weight training (look for exercises, that work the quads, thighs and hamstrings), as well as stretches for your leg, arm and back muscles.

Test your gear and clothing. Prevent equipment problems by ensuring that it is in good condition. Check your equipment before you go and be sure, that old gear is still functional and new gear, especially boots, fits properly and is broken in.
Try your clothing on. Note the weather expected on your hike, whether the clothes, you are wearing, will be comfortable at specific temperatures and conditions.
Break in your hiking boots. Wear your boots around the house to double check they  fit before breaking them in. Go on short hikes to soften your boots and toughen your feet. Walk on uneven ground, that forces your feet to bend in different directions. But be sure to take blister treatment along just in case your boots still rub. To prevent blisters you can also apply a tape on commonly potential blister spots (the back of the heel, side of foot, toes) before you start your hike.
 

Pack your backpack. There are few important principles you should keep in mind when packing your backpack. It should be well organized, comfortable, and water protected. Here are some recommendations about how to pack your backpack: 
Keep items you might need during the day handy. Water, lunch food, raingear, maps, flashlight, pocketknife, first-aid kit, extra shoes, pack cover, and other emergency supplies all go in external pockets or try  to put them on upper side of your backpack. Clothes go deep inside. Sleeping bag inside lowest compartment. Depending on the configuration of your pack and the weather, the tent can go inside or outside. Same with sleeping pad, you can strapp it on outside or just roll it and stuff into the pack body.
Heavier supplies as food and cooking gear try to keep as close to your back as possible. It’s more comfortable to carry a backpack when the weight is in line with your body. Remember! The heavier your backpack is – more difficult to hike with it. Your pack weight basically shouldn’t be heavier than 1/4 of your body weight.
Try to keep all gear well protected from water and moisture. In addition to pack cover use waterproof stuff sacks or just trash bags especially for your clothes, sleeping bag and food.

Hiking safety rules

 

  • Always pay attention when your tour guide gives you some recommendations. Stay with your group, don't split up and take different trails.
     
  • On the campsite and along the trail do not create dangerous situations. Never climb on waterfalls. A high number of injuries occur on waterfalls and slippery wet rocks. Do not smoke inside tents and never use open fire in or near a tent. Never use your mobile phone during a thunderstorm, better to switch it off.
     
  • You must be very careful on the trail. Do not step on the wet, slippery stones or woods. Steep and rocky areas and slippery stream crossings require extra attention and careful footing. Always try to find more safety ways to cross these places.
     
  • Participants must inform the guide if: they feel not good or got injured, they need extra stop for the rest, etc.
     
  • Usually there are no special toilet facilities along the trails. Try to choose the toilet place at least 200 feet from any open water and your campsite.
     
  • Local wild animals will always try to avoid people. There are several kinds of snakes, but only one is poisonous – it’s “Vipera berus” – will never attack first. You’ll just have to be careful and watch your steps.  If you meet a wild animal while hiking – don’t panic slowly without noise step back and you’ll not get in trouble.
     
  • Leave local plants and animals alone. Don’t eat berries or mushrooms you find, even if they look familiar. Do not break trees. Leave everything as you found it. Take your trash with you.
     
  • Travelers must respect the local people, culture and environment they are visiting.
     
  • Drinking alcohol on the trail is not permitted. However it is not strictly prohibited. In the evening you can relax and enjoy our dinner with a glass of wine or any other drink. Dear smokers, please try to smoke away from others.
     
  • In case of any kind of emergency (bad weather, serious health problems etc.) for group safety our guide has a right to slightly change the itinerary or decide to stay in a campsite for the day.

Hiking menu

If hikers have anything in common, it is the appreciation of a good meal. Right selection of food, taken in a journey, is very important in preparing for a few-days hike. And it’s no wonder, as regular and healthy food here is a good source of energy, needed on the trail, positive spirit and, the most important – guaranty of a great time, spent outdoor. Our menu can range depending on how long is the hike. On day hikes we offer lunch and snacks. Examples of good foods on short trips include sandwiches, cheese, meat, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate and energy bars.  For overnight hikes in addition to the lunch and snacks we provide breakfast and dinner. During the trip we cook our food on the fire or using the tourist stove.

Our hiking menu:

Breakfast (at 8:00). Our breakfast must provide a good source of energy. We eat cereals, oatmeal, wheat porridge or rice with dried milk, sugar and dried fruits. After the main course we have also tea and crackers. 

Lunch (at 1 pm). Our midday meal should require no preparation or cooking. Usually we have tasty sandwiches with salami, cheese, eggs, canned fish, beans and meat, paste and different sauses.

Dinner (at 7 pm). Dinner is the biggest meal, the most filling, and usually the tastiest. There are few main choices of food for an evening meal: meat and vegetable soups, pasta with canned fish or meat, buckwheat porridge or rice with meat. If you like, you can also add some other products to your dinner menu: bread, ketchup, garlic, onion and others. After dinner we usually enjoy a cup of hot tea and crackers.

Snacks. We need to eat also small amounts of food throughout the day to keep our energy and blood sugar up. Chocolate, dried fruits, nuts and different energy bars are the most delicious treats for hikers.

Local food. During our hike you can enjoy local products such as berries and mushrooms. Also it might be interesting for you to buy milk and traditional cheeses from locals. 

Alcohol. It’s not allowed to drink alcohol on the trail! However it is not strictly prohibited, in the evening. After long day hiking you can relax and enjoy our dinner with a glass of wine or any other drink you’ll get with you on your trip.