When will I meet my tour guides and the group? How will I get to the starting point of the tour?
The starting point of the tour is railway station (main entrance) in Ivano-Frankivsk. There you will meet your guides and the rest of the group (you will get to know about exact meeting time before our trip start). The nearest international airport is located in Lviv city, which is 3hrs. drive or by bus from Ivano-Frankivsk. They have international flights from Italy (Milan, Rome), Germany (Munich, Frankfurt), Austria (Vienna), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Poland (Warsaw), Greece (Athens), Turkey (Istanbul), Russia (Moscow), Israel (Tel Aviv). Also most of international flights go to the capital city Kyiv, where you can always get another flight directly to Ivano-Frankivsk (1 hour flight) or night train or bus (12 hours). If you are travelling from Moscow, there is a train Moscow-Chernivci, stopping in Ivano-Frankivsk.
How difficult your tours are? Will I be able to go travelling? What age, sex and physical requirements do you have?
No matter what is your age or sex, if you are in good physical condition and you like walking (during the trip you will have to make 10-17 km (5-15miles) per day with a backpack) you should be able to successfully participate in all of our trips. And no worries if you do not have any prior experience. It’s always fun to try it at first time. Our tours are designed for all abilities, from leisure and moderate to challenging adventures. It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before taking part in adventure trip. Go for active tours, when you have any heart diseases or asthma is not recommended! Dnister River rafting tours also does not require special training or skills.
What should i bring? What should i wear?
We provide all the food and group cooking equipment. To get more information about gear and clothes you will need for your adventure trip, please visit "Equipment list" in detailed program of each tour.
What else, except individual equipment and clothes, will I carry in my backpack? How heavy will be my load?
Except for your personal items, such as sleeping bag and mat, clothes and others, you will carry some part of group equipment and food. So, when you are packing things into a backpack, place leave at least 35% of backpack free space for the group items and meal. And remember, your pack weight basically shouldn’t be heavier than ¼ of your body weight.
Do you provide tourist equipment rental?
Yes we do! Please visit our Equipment rental to get more information about gear you would like to rent and prices.
What is the average group size?
We prefer to keep our groups fairly small – 5-10 people. In this case we can provide each person with individual attention and care. The maximum number of people can be 10-15.
Do you take kids on your trip?
Some trips can accommodate young people who are accompanied and supervised by a legal guardian, and who can handle the physical and emotional requirements of the trip.
Do you offer private tours for small groups?
Yes! We are more than happy to create a custom trip for you and your friends or family. Please Contact us to discuss all details: time, special interests, preferences, number of people, price, group discounts or other requests you may have.
Do you cancel trip due to weather?
No. However we are responsible for your safety, so we can make a decision to change the itinerary or to stay on a campsite for a while.
How does a typical day on the trail looks like?
On the trail life is a little bit different. We spend night in the tent, we cook on the fire, we have dinner under stars and we enjoy it so much. The typical day starts at 7.30-8am – ”Wake up!” After we have time for a hot and energetic breakfast (30-40min) and 30 min to pack backpacks, so about 9.30-10 am we are off for the trail. Total time, we spend travelling per day is 5-8 hours including lunch break and short rest breaks. In the evening we stop at the campsite, help each other to break tents on, make a fire, cook dinner and share with new impressions. At 9-10pm – time to go to sleep – “Good night!”.
Healthy food, provided for the trip will guaranty good source of energy on your trail. The menu will contain soups, meat, pasta, rice, oatmeal, trail mix and dried fruits, chocolate, tea etc. For details See "Tour Menu" in detailed program of each tour.
Smoking and drinking alcohol, is it allowed during the trip?
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 you’ll get with you in your trip. Though, you have to remember of the next hiking day and stay fresh for a new adventure ahead! Dear smokers, please try to smoke away from others. Cigarettes and alcohol are not included in the price.
What is the typical weather for the region?
Sometimes Carpathians weather is rather changeable especially high in the mountains, where we spend most of the time. One day it could be warm and pleasant (+10…+15°C during spring or autumn and +20…+25°C in summer) and the next day it might get colder, raining and windy (+5…0°C in spring and autumn and +10…+5°C in summer). In the evenings and at nights the temperature drops down, it might be a little bit freezing even in summer. It is better to be well prepared for any weather surprises. So, do not forget to take on your trip warm and waterproof clothes. Weather conditions on the Dnister River are more pleasant. In summer daytime temperatures usually reach 25-30°C, but sometimes it could be short rainfall.
Do I need to worry about any wild animals we might meet on the trail?
There is no reason to worry about wild animals in Ukrainian Carpathians. Among dangerous mountain inhabitants we have brown bear, wolf and wild boar. Their population is poor though and recently these animals have been barely seen in the region. Besides, any wild animal 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 see something suspicious just easy, without noise step back and you’ll not get in trouble.
What about wild berries and mushrooms? Is it possible to go fishing somewhere?
We don’t recommend eating wild berries or mushrooms you find, even if they look familiar. Some of them can be poisonous. During your rafting trip you will get an opportunity to go fishing, so do not forget to take with you a fishing rod.
Will I be able to get mobile phone service during the trip?
Not everywhere. High in the mountains coverage is usually good enough on the summits. So, at least once a day you’ll have a chance to get in touch with your family or friends. On the Dnister River the mobile phone signal is so much better and coverage is almost everywhere.
How much money do I need to get in a trip? Is it possible to exchange currency, when and where?
The amount of money you’ll get with you is completely your decision. However the tips below might help you to determine better:
You can get your money exchanged in the currency exchange office at railway station in Ivano-Frankivsk. Try to do it before we start the tour.
After trip I'll stay in Ivano-Frankivsk. What to do, where to go?
Ivano-Frankivsk is a beautiful European city, one of the largest culture and tourist centers in the Western Ukraine. During your stay in the city you can enjoy few hours walk in downtown area. Go visit main tourist attractions such as The City Hall, The Greek Catholic Cathedral, Fortress wall etc. Please contact us before our trip starts and we will be more than happy to help you with useful information about Ivano-Frankivsk (hotels, restaurants, transport, interesting places, apartment rental etc.).
Where can I buy some souvenirs?
After our trip you can buy souvenirs in Ivano-Frankivsk. Also we can have an opportunity to stop by the local souvenirs markets on our way back to Ivano-Frankivsk (in Yaremche, Vorokchta or Bukovel).
Is it possible to leave somewhere unnecessary items I do not need for the trip?
Before we start the trip you can leave all unnecessary things at one of the storage facilities at the railway station in Ivano-Frankivsk. The cost for a safe deposit box varies depending on size. A minimum price is about 1$/24hrs.
I really liked my adventure. Can I leave a review for a trip?
After our trip, you can write and send us travel review with your impressions and photos. We always greatly appreciate you for taking the time to share your comments about the trip. Please send us fully completed review with your travel photos. After editing the content, your review will be posted on website.
Couldn't find the answer you're looking for?
You can always Contact us and we will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have.