For those who don’t like being in a rush, running between spots, risking to miss something really interesting. 2 day tour to Chernobyl will show the most important places in a calm pace. Chernobyl two day tour offers you a wonderful chance to see the location where the infamous nuclear disaster occurred and feel the post-apocalyptic empty atmosphere of Prypiat with its surroundings.   

What should I expect on a 2 days tour in Chernobyl:

First of all, you will be going in a small group (5 to 12 visitors), which means you will get more comfort for yourself during the day. This journey is operated in small minivans, equipped with AC, TV, USB chargers and, of course, WiFi connection. You can charge your devices on the way, take as many pictures as you want, and even immediately post them to your social media! 

This tours’ list of locations is considerably bigger than on a full day tour and includes:

  • Chornobyl town (city center, Lenin statue, river port with sinking boats, old streets with Jewish houses and half-abandoned buildings, the town’s museum)
  • Panoramic view of the power plant and the cooling towers. Reactor 4, Chernobyl’s most famous part, will be only around 200 meters away! By the way, it is really safe in 2020 to stand so close to it, because a New Safe Confinement was finished just a year ago and is now protecting the outside world from the tonnes of radioactive particles.
  • Abandoned villages and a visit to self-settlers (unique people who came back to their houses despite all warnings and measures). Another name these settlers have is: “Chernobyl babushkas”. It is a really amazing experience to visit them and see how they live in those conditions that they have. It makes you value your life so much more!
  • Soviet secret military base with a huge antenna – the monument to a silent so called “cold war”.  Soviet government kept it as a top-secret object and to keep it this way they even built the whole town in the middle of the forest, just for those people who worked on this base.
  • The mysterious ghost-town of Ukraine - Pripyat city, you get to see more than 10 different locations in it – let these be a small surprise.
  • Staying at Chernobyl town in one of the three hotels. Would you dare?

Sounds great, right? 

What am I paying for? 

There is no need to pay any extra charges or hidden commissions because in Gamma Travel tours everything’s included in the price. The Chernobyl tour cost includes the following: 

  1. Perfect English speaking Chernobyl tour guide who can not only tell you lots of stories about the zone and Ukraine but is ready to answer any queries.
  2. Paperwork for Chernobyl zone
  3. Transportation in a modern minivan with facilities: TV, WIFI, AC, USB charges
  4. Health insurance: we value your safety and comfort!
  5. Lunches (both days) in the old soviet style canteen where power plant workers used to eat back in 80s
  6. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel where you’re staying
  7. 1 bed in a twin room in Chornobyl hotel (single room is available for extra price)

Basically you’re only required to have a bit of cash for the souvenirs in case you want to buy them, water, snacks, etc. 

What do I need to bring with me on a Chernobyl tour from Kiev

In brief: a passport, good clothes and good mood is required. All other things are optional. We promise to take care of all other concerns on your 2-day Chernobyl zone tour.  

In full:

  1. The passport (not an ID, not a driving license, not a student card) that you used when applying for a permit (instructions will be given on your email once required)
  2. Clothes that cover all parts of your body (also keep in mind that Ukrainian winters can be extremely cold, as well, our summers can be scorching). No shorts, dresses, sandals, etc. You will be denied to enter the zone if you don’t follow this rule. However, it will be possible to buy a special costume in the souvenir shop, but it’s not very comfortable or cheap, though it looks cool on the pictures ☺
  3. Comfortable shoes (definitely not high-heels, likewise white colour isn’t a great idea)
  4. Money for the tour (unless you paid the full amount online) and other expenses

Phone chargers, clothes, bath supplies – everything you need for an overnight stay (please keep in mind: it won’t be a luxury hotel, it’s an area where things are kind of frozen in time, including the hotel interior. It is fair to say though, that it has retro appeal). There will be some shops on the way for wet wipes, water or snacks, so no worries. 

When can you tour Chernobyl?

Seasonal restrictions about visiting the zone do not exist – it is open for the visitors whole year-round. There’s one day in the year when you cannot visit - 26th of April. It’s the anniversary of the tragic event. That’s why former region citizens come to honour the memory. Also, some government officials visit on this day as well.  

As for the season when it is better to visit – not for us to say. Summer weather is considerably warmer, with longer days, that’s why on the other hand there are more tourists. During spring the trees are “bald” and you can see more buildings that can be totally covered behind greenery in summer. The “Golden” autumn is an amazing time of year in Polissya (area of Northern Ukraine). Every part of the year has its advantage, so it’s for you to decide. 

FAQ

What is Chernobyl like today?

The town of Chornobyl is a half-abandoned extended village with about 3000 people (workers) who are not allowed to permanently live here, but stay on shift 15 days of 30. There are 3 shops in town, a few hotels, and one bar. On a 2 day tour you will stay in one of these hotels. There’s a curfew in town and you are not allowed to leave a hotel without your guide. 

Where did Chernobyl happen

Chernobyl nuclear power plant, to be exact – reactor number 4. If you’re asking about the country – the answer will be not in one word. At that time, this was in the former Soviet Union, but now this land belongs to modern Ukraine. 

What is the Chernobyl disaster exactly?

This is the name of the nuclear explosion that took place in the Soviet power plant in 1986. Not only was the explosion per se dangerous to the world. During the next few months a lot of land in ex-Soviet Union (and not only) received a big amount of radio nuclides. There is some land that is considered to be forever contaminated. Thousands of people got cancer related diseases and died shortly after the accident. 

When did Chernobyl explode?

On the 25th of April 1986 a safety test took place on the power plant. For this reason the reactor for slower down, and it was the beginning – when the things went wrong. Technically, on the next day the explosion happened. No one can say the exact time though, because even the workers of the control room cannot recall – to be rough it was at night, on the 26th, between 1.20 and 1.30 am.   

Where is Chernobyl located?

Northern Ukraine, Nearly 2 hours’ drive from the capital, Kyiv. There is no public transport to the Exclusion zone. If you are a foreigner who wants to visit this territory the best option for you is to book a tour. Gamma Travel offers a big variety of options for each taste. 

How safe is Pripyat?

Humans can never live here, but visiting is allowed. It is completely safe on a tour if you don’t try to get into the buildings (it is forbidden to go inside) and follow your guide at all times. Every visitor agrees with these rules before coming into the zone with Gamma Travel. Areas with a very high radiation are not visited by tourists. Even the red forest is passed by with our transport without making a stop. 

How long is Pripyat uninhabitable?

The following day after the accident a full evacuation took place. People were told that they will be back soon but it never happened. The liquidators, however, stayed here up to 1997 (not in the whole town, but in some central buildings). Since then, no one have been or will be able to live here. 

How long will Pripyat be uninhabitable?

Estimated answer is 24 000 years – the amount of time needed for the half decay of Plutonium. This is one of the elements that is still wandering around the streets and objects of Pripyat and surrounding areas. Not only is the radioactive part the reason. The buildings have not been maintained for several decades and now they are in a horrible condition because they have been taken over by nature.