Tour details

To take part in the tour you’ll need to have valid foreign passport with you. Also, find out if you need a visa to enter the country you plan to visit. Get ready physically and mentally for your trip. Check your equipment and clothes before you go. Look up the region you plan to visit and its climate conditions. Book your flights ahead of time. You can always contact us and we will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have (airline tickets booking, tourist gear choosing, etc.). Before the trip, we'll give you all detailed information about when and where exactly you will meet your guide and his contacts.

The estimated amount of additional expenses during the trip is about 150-200$ (transfers, entrance fees, camping/hostels, souvenirs, etc.).

To guarantee your booking, we kindly ask to send us prepayment by bank transfer or Western Union service. It’s required to leave a deposit (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 euro currency. Before our trip starts, we will send you all payment details. After making a prepayment, do not forget to 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 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.

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.

Outdoor equipment and clothing list

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.

Backpack essential

The backpack is the most important item of equipment. For long hiking trips there are two main designs: internal frame backpack, which depends on support from metal or plastic stays incorporated into the pack and the external frame backpack, which consists of metal bars to which the bag attaches. The recommended size of your backpack for 3-7 days hiking trip is: for men – min. 75 liters (4600 cubic inches); for women – min. 50 liters (3100 cubic inches).

Tent essential

The best option will be three-season tent. What to look for in a tent: quality: good waterproof flysheet coverage and tent floor, two or more poles for stability in wind; size and weight: look for the lightest tent available, that meets your size requirements such as number of people and equipment. It’s a plus, when the tent has vestibule areas for gear storage. Winter camping tents have thicker walls, they are more durable and designed to shed snow and to protect hikers from the strong wind.

Sleeping bag essential

The proper sleeping bag can help you to sleep comfortable. The best option is three-season sleeping bag with the temperature of comfort +5 – -5°C (45 – 22°F). It will keep you warm in different weather conditions. For winter hiking you will need warmer sleeping bag with down or feather filling. Temperature rating must be -10 to -20*C.

Sleeping mat essential

An air or foam mat will not only help you to sleep more comfortable on hard or uneven ground, but will also provide insulation, preventing body heat from being lost through contact with the ground. It also acts as a barrier between your body and moisture that may have seeped inside your tent.

Sitting mat

Will help to keep you warm, dry and comfortable when sitting out during your hiking trip. You can use either air or foam sitting mat.

Kitchen set essential

Your kitchen set should contain: a spoon, a bowl and a cup, preferably heatproof, lightweight and robust. Choose heatproof plastic or metal. More expensive, but extremely durable and light is titanium material. Insulated cup will keep your drink hot in cold weather.

Water bottle essential

Carrying water during hiking trip is usually not a problem – you need only a lightweight water bottle (1-2L or 30-50oz will be enough). You can use plastic or aluminum bottles. More expensive but comfortable is hydration pack, that has a tube, which allows you to take a sip of water while the move. For cold weather travelling, it’s good to take thermos.

Knife essential

A good knife is only useful if it is sharp. Which one is better, normal (hunting or army) knife or multifunction tool? Many hikers prefer the second one. Usually, multipurpose pocket knife includes: blade, can opener, corkscrew, scissors etc. Around camp your knife handles many chores, from slicing cheese to cutting small pieces of wood for fire.

Flashlight essential

Flashlight is helpful on a hike and at a campsite when it’s dark. The best design for hiker is a headlamp that frees up your hands and allows you to direct your light where you need it. Always remember to take spare batteries for your flashlight.

Personal gear essential

Personal kit contents will vary and depend on your personal needs, the basic are: toothpaste and toothbrush, toilet paper, soap, small comb, face/hand cream, hygienic wipes, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, contacts/glasses, women: feminine hygienic products.

First aid kit essential

During hiking trip your safety is number one, that’s why proper completed First aid kit is essential to have with. Kit contents:

• bandage (gauze);
• medicine tape;
• rubbing alcohol for disinfection;
• moleskin (for blisters);
• cotton balls;
• scissors;
• pain killers;
• antibiotic;
• cold tablets;
• stomach medicine;
• personal prescription drugs.

Matches or lighter essential

Spending time outdoor you will need a fire to cook, to warm up in cold weather or just to sit around, relaxing and talking with your friends. Take with you small pack of matches or lighter. Do not forget to put them in a waterproof bag (ziplock). More expensive, but very helpful is special fire starter that can help you to make fire without any problems.

Dry sacks essential

To keep your extra clothes dry or to protect your electronic equipment, money, documents and food from moisture, you will need a waterproof sack. The best option – nylon dry sack with buckle. If you do not have one, you can use ziplock bags or just ordinary trash bags.

Mobile phone

Being out of home it is very important to keep in touch with your family and friends. So take your mobile phone with you. As addition you will get clock, alarm clock, music, camera, some phones have GPS. Before you leave home, make sure your phone battery is full charged, always keep your mobile phone in dry place. And do not forget Powerbank charger.

Watch

Always be in time! A watch will help you to organize your time during travelling. Better if it is waterproof. Some watches have timer, alarm clock, compass, time zones, which is very useful when you are travelling.

Camera

Taking photos is an excellent way to record the places you have visited during your hiking trip. To protect your camera you should carry it in a waterproof and durable camera bag. Always have spare batteries for your camera and extra film (for film cameras).

Passport (personal documents) essential

Travelling outside your country, you must have an ID (passport). You will need to present your photo ID at the airport, railway/bus stations, crossing national parks etc. Check with your embassy if you need a visa or special permission to visit Ukraine.

Money essential

You should have enough money for your travelling needs. Calculate all expenses that you might have during your trip: transportation, extra food, hiking tour, souvenirs etc.

Notepad and pen

Very useful to have a small notepad in your trip just in case you’ll have to note some information or even to write down phone numbers and addresses of your new friends.

Trekking poles

Hiking poles reduce the pressure on the back, legs and especially knees by transferring weight onto the arms, help to keep a balance when crossing the river or descending steep slopes. For winter hiking this is essential item.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses will protect your eyes from the bright sun. Make sure to have your glasses with you not only in summer, but in winter as well.

Hat essential

A baseball hat is great for keeping the sun off. Better if it’s synthetic than cotton. Get with you wool or fleece hat also to wear at cold night by the campsite. For winter hiking you’ll need warmer hats or balaclava, which protect your head and face from cold weather.

Jacket essential

More hikers prefer lightweight waterproof and wind resistance jacket. Very good if it has adjustable hood. Breathable fabric like Gore-Tex will be the best choice for hiker. This fabric keeps rain out and allows water to vapor from sweat to escape. For winter travelling take with you additional warm jacket that will keep you warm during the cold evening.

Rain cover (poncho) essential

For extremely wet weather you’ll need a rain cover with a hood. The best option is poncho that covers both hiker and his backpack.

Pullover essential

You will need pullover for cold weather or when resting in a camp. Choose insulating fabrics such as fleece or wool. Always make sure to have one, as even in summer it might be chilly at night. It’s a plus to have spare light pullover too to hike in during cold weather. For winter hiking you must have couple of pullovers.

T-Shirt essential

For your hiking trip you’ll need at least 2 T-shirts. Better synthetic, that wick away moisture and dry more quickly than cotton.

Pants essential

The best for hiking are lightweight nylon or polypropylene pants. They are comfortable and dry faster. Very useful are convertible pants with legs that zip off and convert into shorts, saves you from carrying a pair of both. Avoid jeans or any cotton pants – they dry longer and are very heavy and uncomfortable when get wet. You can take also an additional pair of fleece pants for camp site or to sleep in. In winter you’ll need warmer pants (something like pants for snowboarding) or just use two layers: polypropylene long underwear and nylon hiking pants on top.

Gaiters

For extra protection gaiters cover your boots and keep moisture and snow away from your feet. Better when they are made of waterproof and breathable material. A bag zip makes gaiters easy to get on and off. In winter this is essential item.

Shorts

When travelling in summer season make sure to have your shorts with you.

Underwear essential

If you have an option between synthetic and cotton fabric of your underwear, chose first one – it dries faster and keeps you warmer.

Shoes essential

Hiking footwear ranges from lightweight trekking sandals to fully fledged mountaineering boots. The best option for Carpathians are lightweight or middleweight boots. Choose waterproof leather or Gore-Tex. Hiking boots will support your ankles; they are very flexible and comfortable. Some people prefer to hike light, choosing lightweight trekking shoes or sneakers. It always good to take with you additional pair of sandals or sneakers for use on the camp site. Be sure that your boots are well broken in before your hiking trip will start.

Socks essential

Socks are an important part of your footwear system. Socks made from wool and polypropylene are smooth against the skin and are comfortable to wear if you have blisters. Thick wool socks will keep you warm in cold weather. Take with you at least 2 pairs of lightweight synthetic socks and 2 pairs of wool socks.

Gloves

For hiking you usually don’t need gloves but in a camp during cold and windy weather it’s good to have a pair of fleece or wool gloves. In winter it’s good to use two layers: fleece gloves and waterproof gloves on the top. And do not forget extra pair for camping.

 The group equipment below is provided:

• Group tarp;
• Cook stove and fuel canisters;
• Ax for firewood;
• Cooking gear.

If you do not have some of those items, there is no reason to cancel your trip! Please contact us if you have any questions about items on this list or you need to rent some equipment. We are always ready to help you with that and make your trip comfortable and safe!