Chernobyl/Kiev Trip recommendations

Zenduri

Zenduri

Zenduri

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Had a bit of a search but couldn't pull up any previous threads dedicated to the above. I've been talking with a mate and we decided we wouldn't mind a weekend jaunt somewhere and after talking it through we've decided visiting Chernobyl/pripyat to be one thing to cross off the list.

Alongside this we've been thinking about visiting a shooting range while there as both of us are keen to get our hands on an AK and an SVD just for the experience.

So I was wondering for those who have been before, do you have any recommendations on:

  • Time of year to go
  • Decent value/quality hotels to stay at
  • Tour company for Chernobyl/Pripyat (closer to the reactor the better)
  • Shooting range recommendations
 
Solo East is good for the Chernobyl tour and will take you to Chernobyl (the town), Pripyat and as close to the reactor shelter as it's possible to get. I'd recommend a private tour over the group minibus as waiting for the group to get on/off the bus (which you'll do at least ten times) is tiresome, but the cost might be a lot if it's just two of you.

Staro is my hotel recommendation. It's located in Podil, which has a lot of pubs and restaurants and a similar vibe to East Berlin, and the breakfast spread is top notch for the money.

I went in the summer and the weather was spot on - Kiev is sunny but with an almost constant breeze to take the edge off. Chernobyl is properly muggy so bring light trousers and a shirt as covering arms/legs is mandatory.
 
TJM said:
Solo East is good for the Chernobyl tour and will take you to Chernobyl (the town), Pripyat and as close to the reactor shelter as it's possible to get. I'd recommend a private tour over the group minibus as waiting for the group to get on/off the bus (which you'll do at least ten times) is tiresome, but the cost might be a lot if it's just two of you.

Staro is my hotel recommendation. It's located in Podil, which has a lot of pubs and restaurants and a similar vibe to East Berlin, and the breakfast spread is top notch for the money.

I went in the summer and the weather was spot on - Kiev is sunny but with an almost constant breeze to take the edge off. Chernobyl is properly muggy so bring light trousers and a shirt as covering arms/legs is mandatory.
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Cheers for the recommendations

Bounce said:
not sure why anyone would visit Chernobyl for risk of contamination, just watch the documentaries.
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A few hours isn't going to kill us plus its interesting
 
I go every year, Sept/Oct time. Have done since 2014 with same group. Only 6 weeks away.

We have a weekend in Kiev then move to Slavutych for a week. We take the workforce train direct into the power plant. From there we are in the zone all day Tuesday to Friday. Then back to Kiev on Saturday. Fly home Sunday.

The trip starts on the Monday proper but we choose to have a weekend in Kiev first as it's a great city.

Send me a trust if you want more info.
 
EddScott said:
I go every year, Sept/Oct time. Have done since 2014 with same group. Only 6 weeks away.

We have a weekend in Kiev then move to Slavutych for a week. We take the workforce train direct into the power plant. From there we are in the zone all day Tuesday to Friday. Then back to Kiev on Saturday. Fly home Sunday.

The trip starts on the Monday proper but we choose to have a weekend in Kiev first as it's a great city.

Send me a trust if you want more info.
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Why? I get going once or twice but what’s the reason for constantly going back to the same place?
 
Also isn't the shock and awe of it a little underwhelming now it is under a massive shiney metal structure?

If you want to go see abandoned towns just go up to the north east.
 
Bounce said:
not sure why anyone would visit Chernobyl for risk of contamination, just watch the documentaries.
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There is no significant risk of contamination, the exclusion zone actually has many people living in it. The zone is made massive in order to have a huge safety margin, but unless you actually enter the containment structure and go into the reactor building you aren't going to get any significant radiation effects on a visit to the place.
 
Ahleckz said:
Why? I get going once or twice but what’s the reason for constantly going back to the same place?
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Number of reasons really. I've seen new things every time I've been. I like photographing the place and using drones to make short video etc. I like the peace of the area. We saw a huge moose last year. Just wandering about. I've also made some good friends along the way so it's maybe more of a social event. Kiev as a weekend city break holiday is great.
 
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