Tour programme

Day 1.

Lviv – Rohatyn – Halych – Ivano-Frankivsk – Kolomyia – Kniazhdvir

In the morning – meeting at the airport or at the railway station in Lviv.

An excursion Lviv – Rohatyn “From the town of Lion to the town of Roksolana”.

Observation excursion trough the town of Rohatyn and a visit to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the church was built in the 12-14^th centuries and is one of the oldest religious buildings of Ukraine) and the Church of the Holy Spirit (1490s).

Moving from Rohatyn to Halych; a visit to the village of Shevchenkove and one of the oldest churches of Ukraine – the Church of St. Panteleimon.

Dinner in Halych.

Observation tour through the modern Halych and its monuments:

-         The Market Square of Halych, the monument of Danylo Halytskyi;

-         The Nativity Church (the 14-16^th centuries);

-         The ruins of Halych Castle (the 12-17^th centuries);

Observation tour through the territory of the detinets of the ancient Halych in the village of Krylos and the main historical monuments.

Moving from Halych to Kolomyia and then to Kniazhdvir.

In the evening – settlement in the farmstead “Kniazhyj Hrad” in the village of Kniazhdvir www.k-grad.if.ua. The farmstead is located in the picturesque historical area near one of the biggest in Europe yew tree reserve in Kniazhdvir. The tourists are provided with everything that is needed for an active rest: a gym, a billiard table, a pool, quadracycle rentals, and a playground.

Day 2.

Kniazhdvir – Kolomyia – Kniazhdvir

Breakfast.

Moving to from Kniashdvir to Kolomyia.

Observation tour “Kolomyia ‒ the heritage of ancestors” trough Kolomyia making a visit to the museum of “Pysanka” and the National museum of folk art of Hutsulshchyna and Pokuttia. The calling card of Kolomyia is the museum of “Pysanka”, which exhibits more than 600 pysankas, from Ukraine and abroad.

One of the oldest and the most famous museums in Ukraine is the National museum of folk art of Hutsulshchyna and Pokuttia. The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (1587) is one of the pearls of Hutsul wooden architecture. There one can see an ancient iconostasis, the Gospels and the works of the famous Ukrainian icon painter of the 19^th century Teofil Kopystianskyi.

Moving from Kolomyia to Kniazhdvir.

Dinner at the restaurant “Kmiazhyi Hrad”.

A visit to Kniazhdvir yew tree reserve, or an excursion to the old saltern.

“Kniazhdvir” Botanic Reserve of state significance is the largest reserve of yew tree. In the reserve with the territory of 208ha, there is a great number of yew trees, which occupy the territory of 70ha.  

A walking tour to the cossack saltern “Chumatskyi Shliakh” (Milky Way).

Supper in the refectory “Dlia hostei Kniazhykh”.

Passing the night in the farmstead “Kniazhyj hrad”.

Day 3.

Kniazhdvir – Sheshory – Kosiv – Yavoriv – Kryvorivnia – Verkhovyna

Breakfast.

Moving from Kniazhdvir – Sheshory – Kosiv.

An excursion “Silver Waterfalls” in the village of Sheshory.
Observation excursion through the town of Kosiv, making a trip to the mountain of the town (450m above sea level).

An excursion to the museum of Hutsul folk art, private art museums: Malyarski family, the museum of Hutsul art of Korneliuk family.

Dinner in Kosiv.

Moving from Kosiv to Yavoriv.

Master class in making lizhnyks (woolen blankets) from the best lizhnykars of Hutsulshchyna.

Moving from Yavoriv to Kryvorivnia Verkhovynskyi Museum.

Observation excursion “Kryvorivnia ‒ open air village-museum and a visit to the museum of Ivan Franko and the Museum of Hutsul architecture “House-Hrazhda”.

Ivan Franko literary-memorial museum is situated in the former house of Vasyl Yakibiuk, where Ivan Franko stayed during 1906-1914. Since 1960 the house functions as a literary-memorial museum of Franko. Its exposition is situated in 5 rooms. The museum exhibits memorial things, which Franko used: a bed, a chair, a table, a clock, a bench. There is also a folding chair, which was used by M. Kotsubynskyi.

Hutsul household «House-Hrazhda» Museum is a historical and architectural monument. The first record about this house was made in 1858. From the end of the 19^th till the end of the 20^th century Paliy and Parasca Haruk lived there. Ivan Franko, Mykhaylo Hrushevskiy, Volodymyr Gnatiyk, who came to Kryvorivnia to collect ethnographic materials, often visited Harouks. In 1964 House-Hrazhda was used during the filming of the «Shadows of Forgotten Forefathers» movie. In 1993 the building was restored and in a year the museum was opened.  

Moving to Verkhovyna.

An observation excursion “Verkhovyna (Zhabie) – Hutsul capital” and a visit to Roman Kumlyk Hutsul musical instruments private museum.

Roman Kumlyk‘s private museum is located in his own house in Verkhovyna. It took 30 years to collect the exhibits; they are household goods, ancient Hutsul clothes, money bills of different periods etc., which all together give a general idea of the Hutsuls’ life. The host’s pride is a collection of musical instruments.

Mr Kumlyk carries out excursions and plays all the instruments, among them there are violins, cymbals, kozas, drymbas, trembitas, horns, he can also tell excitingly about every instrument. The violin is Mr Roman’s favourite instrument. In his collection there are hollow violins as well as a rectangular violin. The host performs national Ukrainian and Hutsul songs. Every single excursion is an improvisation, and even if you visit the museum for a few times, you will still get lots of new and curious details about the Hutsuls’ life, their hard everyday life and bright holidays, their sharp wit and original art.

Settling in the cottages of rural tourist in Verkhovyna.

Supper in the art-kolyba of hotel-restaurant complex “Hostynets” in the village of Stojishche.

Day 4.

Verkhovyna – Vorokhta – Yablunytsia – Lazeshchyna – Kvasy – Rakhiv – Dilove – Kostylivka

Breakfast.

Moving from Verkhovyna – Vorokhta – Yablunytsia – Lazeshchyna – Kvasy – Rakhiv.

Taking pictures from the Kryvopilskyi Pass (1031m above sea level), one of the highest mountain passes in Ukraine.

Taking photos from the Yablunytskyi Pass (931m above sea level). Going to the souvenir market.

Visiting the village of Kvasy. A walking tour to the springs of natural carbonated water and Trufanetskyi Waterfall (36m).

Dinner.

Arrival in the village of Dilove, the center of Europe.

The spire, installed to mark the geographical center of European Continent, appears unexpectedly on the mountain path. The first monument was installed here at the end of the 19^th century. The Latin inscription on the marble table says that that is the place where conventional lines, which connect the most remote places of our continent, intersect.

A visit to the wooden Assumption Church (1750) in Dilove Village.

Moving from Dilove to Kostylivka.

Settling in the private farmsteads.

Supper on the bank of the river Tysa, cooking bohrach over an on fire.

Day 5.

Kostylivka – Solotvyno – the border – Sighetu Marmatiei – Sapanta– Sighetu Marmatiei – Ocna Șugatag 

Moving to Kostylivka – Solotvyno – the border Sighetu Marmatiei – Sapanta. The route ends in the village of Sapanti, which is situated near the border of Ukraine. Sapanta is a unique village, known in Romania and the whole world for its Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel). The cemetery and its tombstones were made by the local artist Ioan Stan Patras, who sculptured the first wooden tombstone cross in 1935. The tombstones are unique. Each one of them has funny epitaph and paintings describing scenes from the lives of the people who are buried there.

The group returns to Sighetu Marmatiei, dropping in the village of Tisa (9km).

Dinner in Tisa.

Sighetu Marmatiei is a small border town, with which tourists can get acquainted only in a few hours. 

An observation excursion through Sighetu Marmatiei, visiting the famous Sighet prison, Elie Wiesel Memorial House, Maramures Ethnographic Museum and other prominent monuments of Sighetu Marmatiei.

Moving to Sighetu Marmatiei – Ocna Șugatag.

Bathing in thermal pools.

Supper in Popasul din Deal.

Day 6.

Ocna Șugatag – Viseu de Sus – Vaser Valley 

Breakfast.

Moving to Ocna Șugatag - Viseu de Sus – Vaser Valley.

Steam train in Vaser Valley.

The tourists have a wonderful chance to take part in a unique journey down the Vaser Valley, which is situated in the territory of Maramures Region. Tourists will travel by a steam train, one of the last in the world.

Travelling by steam train “Mokanita” is like travelling to the past: there is no cell phone coverage in the valley, no shops and other services. Tourists will have to buy food and other products beforehand. The valley is located on the Ukrainian border, so the tourists will have to take passport or identification document.

The length of the river Vaser is 62km. It forms a wonderfaul valley with mineral springs.

The trip to Vaser Valley starts in the town of Viseu de Sus. The stam train “Mokanita” is the only means of transport in the valley. It was built in 1930-1932 for the transportation of timber. The train is still used for this purpose, which drags attention of a great number of tourists from all over the world.

There are several functioning trains in Vaser Valley: the oldest one was built in 1910 («O&K»), another one was built in 1921 («Krauss») and 5 Romanian trains, built in the town of Reziti in 1953-1955.

At the railway station, there are a few diesel locomotives (built in 1960-1970), as well as other means of transport.

Moving to Viseu de Sus – Ocna Șugatag.

Bathing in thermal pools.

Supper in Popasul din Deal.

Day 7.

Mt. Farcau – Vindirel Lake – Mt. Mihailescu.

Breakfast.

Moving from Ocna Șugatag to Viseu de Sus.

This reserve district is situated in the territory of Poienile de Sub Munte, at 1700m above sea level and covers an area of 150,00ha. This natural reserve was created in 1994 as a geological fauna reserve, controlled by Maramureş Mountains Natural Park.

The reserve is a mountain range with two famous peaks (Mt. Farcau and Mt. Mihailescu).

An excursion to Vindirel Lake. Vinderel Lake is situated in the anticline of the mountain. It is the biggest lake of the Eastern Carpathians, situated at 1 684m above sea level.

Moving to Viseu de Sus – Ocna Șugatag.

Supper in Popasul din Deal.

In the evening or in the morning – moving from Ocna Șugatag to the border and then to Solotvyno.

Day 8.

Ocna Șugatag – the border – Solotvyno – Rakhiv – Yasinia – Tatariv – Yaremche

Breakfast.

An excursion to the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve and a visit to the Museum of mountain ecology (Rakhiv).  CBR belongs to the biggest and the most interesting objects of nature reserve fund of Ukraine. Since 1993 it belongs to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

During a walking tour through forest park to the mineral spring (0.5km, 200m up)  one can get acquainted with the leading scientific institution of the region – Carpathian Biosphere Reserve; visit the Museum of mountain ecology and a collection area, where one can see a great number of exotic, typical for the Carpathians, and rare species of plants.

Dinner in a café on the territory of the reserve.

Observation excursion through Rakhiv “Hutsul Paris”.

Moving from Rakhiv to Tatariv.

The village of Tatariv is a mountain resort situated at 750m above sea level. Local climate helps to cure lung diseases. In the 18^th century, Tatariv was first mentioned as a village. Owing to the unique microclimate, the village is considered to be a health resort. A lot of people visited Tatariv to cure asthma or allergic diseases. It is located not far from Bukovel ski resort (12km), which attracts many tourists in the wintertime. 

Settling in the private farmstead “Anastasia” and “Fainyi” cottage.

TIC Tatariv, farmstead “Anastasia” www.tatariv.info. Tourists are provided with comfortable rooms in the cottage, 2-3 meals a day. For additional payment: access to the Internet, laundry, nurse services, sauna, massage. Transportation services (a car), including transportation to the railway station and ski lifts. Tourists also have an opportunity to climb the highest mountains of the Carpathians, take trips to mountain lakes, and visit museums.

“Fainyi” cottage, mini-hotel “Prutets” http://prutets.karpaty.info.

A modern two-storey cottage with 6 rooms (for 12 people). Fpr additional payment: laundry and ironing service: individual use of kitchen. Sauna, ski equipment rentals, quad bike rentals are situated near the cottage. Tourists also have an opportunity to visit Vorokhta, Yaremche, Kolomyia, Kosiv, Rakhiv, Maniava Skete, Solotvyno salt lakes, Mt. Hoverla and other places. They can also take a trip to the mountains, and gather mushrooms and berries. The nearest ski trails with ski lifts are situated in Yablunytsia, Vorokhta and Bukovel ski resort (Polianytsia Village).

Traditional Hutsul supper with the degustation of local drinks and liqueur in the front room of farmstead “Anastasia”.

Drymba master classes and photo shoots in the national costumes.

Day 9.

Tatariv – Yaremche – Maniava – Ivano-Frankivsk

Breakfast.

Moving to Yaremche.

The town of Yaremche is a tourist capital of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, located in picturesque lowland between the mountains along the river Prut. In 1787, Yaremche was first mentioned as a town. The town began to develop after the construction of the railroad Stanislav – Yaremche – Vorokhta – Rakhiv in 1894. The railroad runs through the mountains with numerous stone bridges and tunnels, and is a monument of the art of engineering. Starting from the 19^th century, Yaremche develops as a resort town, visited by people from Kraków, Lviv, Vienna and other European cities. 

The territory of the town belongs to balneological resorts of Ukraine with beautiful wooden landscapes and clear mountain air. Yaremche is situated in the central part of the Carpathian Mountains, including a part of Horhany, Pokytsko-Bukovynski Carpathians and Chornohory. The main river is Prut, which has its source at the north hills of Hoverla at 1750m above sea level. There is also a couple of sources of mineral water (“Naftusia” and “Myrhorodska”).

There are also unique monuments of wooden architecture: the Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary (17^thcentury) in Vorokhta, the Church of the Holy Trinity (1868) in Mykulychyn, Church of St. Ilya the Prophet (1930) in Dora. The territory of Yaremche belongs to Carpathian National Park.

Dinner in a traditional Hutsul kolyba in Yaremche.

A tour through the town of Yaramche visiting Probij Waterfall, souvenir shops, and the visitor-centre of CNNP.

Probij Waterfall with the height of 8m. It is a picturesque corner of nature on the river Prut with the cascade of waterfalls. From a 20m high bridge, one can watch how Prut falls into a narrow stone bowl, created by nature.

Dovbush Stone. The accumulation of boulders creates interesting forms with terraces and caves. It was named in honour of national hero Oleksa Dovbush, who was a leader of the opryshky movement.

The route “Dovbush Path” begins in urochyshche “Drybka”, runs through the rocks “Komory Dovbusha” to the top of Horhany range and makes full circle and leads to the beginning of the route. It takes 3-4 hours to follow the route with the length of 4km. Especially interesting are the Dovbush stones on both sides of the motorway.

Ecotourism visitor centre in Yaremche. The visitor-centre presents an exposition of natural exhibits and cultural artefacts of the Carpathian Region. There is also a souvenir shop, an electronic information kiosk, as well as a room equipped to hold conferences and show films.

Carpathian National Nature Park (area: 50.3 ha). The aim of the park is to preserve natural mountain and river complexes, valuable historical, architecture and ethnographic monuments.

 (www.cnnp.yaremcha.com.ua, www.carpathians.org.ua)

The Church of St. Ilya the Prophet in the village of Dora. The church was built at the beginning of the 20^thcentury and belongs to monastery Studite Brethren.

Dinner in kolyba.

Moving to Yaremche – Maniava.

An excursion to Maniavskyi Skyt Monastery and Blazhennyi Kamin (Blessed Stone).The most prominent place in Maniava is ancient Maniavskyi Skyt (17^th century), the founder of which is Ivan Knyahynytskyi, a monk.

Approximately in one kilometer north-east to the monastery, there is Blazhennyi Kamin (Blessed Stone). There exists a version, that in the 13^th century the first monks came to that place and settled there. According to the legend, the monks were running away from mongolo-tatars, and searched for the place to stay. They could not find it for a long time, because the water from the new place had to have the same taste as the holy water, which they took with them from the previous monastery. Such a place was found only near Blazhennyi Kamin.

Moving to Maniava – Ivano-Frankivsk.

The ending of the tour programme.

№

Route

Distance

Duration

1

Lviv ‒ Rohatyn

75,4

1.30

2

Rohatyn ‒ Halych

36,6

0,45

3

Halych ‒ Ivano-Frankivsk

25

0,30

4

Ivano-Frankivsk ‒ Kolomyia

59,1

1,30

5

Kolomyia ‒ Nyzhniy Verbizh

6,2

0,15

6

Kolomyia ‒ Kosiv

34,1

1.00

7

Kolomyia ‒ Kniazhdvir

11,6

0.20

8

Kniazhdvir ‒ Kosiv

40,4

1.00

9

Kosiv ‒ Yavoriv

14,00

0,30

10

Yavoriv ‒ Kryvorivnia

14,00

0, 20

11

Kryvorivnia ‒ Verkhovyna

8,1

0, 15

12

Verkhovyna ‒ Vorokhta

30,2

1.00

13

Vorokhta ‒ Tatariv

8,3

0,15

14

Tatariv ‒ Yablunytsia

9,3

0,15

15

Tatariv ‒ Lazeshchyna

18,6

0,30

16

Lazeshchyna ‒ Yasinia

3,7

0,10

17

Yasinia ‒ Rakhiv

31,1

1,00

18

Rakhiv ‒ Dilove

18,6

0.30

19

Yaremche – Ivano-Frankivsk

65

1.30

20

Yaremche ‒ Maniava

49,8

1,00

21

Maniava ‒ Dolyna

66,5

1.30

22

Maniava – Ivano-Frankivsk

44,0

1,00