Arrive Kyiv. Transfer to the hotel and check in for 2 nights - we can quote on different hotels should you prefer a different grade of hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Today enjoy a morning city tour of Kyiv including Kreschatyk, the Golden Gates, the St. Sophia's and St. Michael 's Cathedral. After lunch, explore on your own or we can offer excursions to visit the Cave Monastery (Pecherska Lavra) or the Great Patriotic War Museum. Spend the evening at leisure. (B)
Depart Kyiv and drive towards Chernobyl during which your guide will give you an introductory presentation on the history of the area and an overview of the itinerary. On arrival at the outer boundary of the exclusion zone go through the control checkpoint, before entering the zone. Visit the first of the abandoned villages before heading further into the zone, visiting the exterior of Reactor No. 4, and take in an extended tour of the ghost city of Pripyat. Explore the ruined city, visiting numerous sites such as the school, sports centre, swimming pool and the fairground (please note that it cannot be guaranteed that you can enter these buildings). Return to Chernobyl for dinner and an overnight stay at the Chernobyl Hotel. (B,L,D)
This morning continue the tour of Chernobyl visiting further sites in and around Pripyat, including the Cooling Reservoir. If local conditions permit you will also visit the top secret military base containing the Duga 3 early warning missile radar. Meet with some re-settlers who have, despite government warnings and laws, decided to return to live inside the zone. In the later afternoon return to Chernobyl (after being checked for radiation exposure!) and return to Kyiv. On arrival check in to the Hotel Rus for an overnight stay. (B,L)
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*Please note, under 18s are not permitted to visit Chernobyl.
From £195 per person we can include a visit to the control room of Chernobyl's Reactor 4, the scene of the world's worst nuclear disaster. The control room is still highly radioactive so you are required to wear a full protective suit, helmet and mask. You cannot stay here longer than 5 minutes.
Follow in the footsteps of Ben Fogle as he spent a week inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone as featured on Channel 5.
The control room of Chernobyl's Reactor 4 was damaged in the explosion and obviously the reactor was operated from here and on the day of the explosion, many of the decisions were made from here. The control room sits under the new containment arch but outside of the original sarcophagus that contained the radiation of the reactor itself.
Hotel Bristol in Yalta was good all round, central and fab breakfast buffet.
Hotel Odessa in Odessa phallic monstrocity blocking sea view for town but excellent room and breakfast!
Hotel President in Kiev - was very brown and much as described but the staff were very friendly and helpful.
Our drivers were excellent and punctual - particularly appreciated being met at 1am in Kiev at our carriage. We arranged extra tours to Bakhchisarai and our driver took us to a great restaurant. All in all I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Regent Holidays. Thank you for making a dream come true.
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