This wasn't my first trip with Kuluar, so I have something to compare it to. Unfortunately, the organization left me with mixed feelings this time.
This is the first time I've had to write a review with some criticisms.
We’re very sorry that we didn’t meet your expectations this time. We’ve reviewed your feedback and spoken with Denis. We’ll be posting a comment from Kuluar in the form of a quote below the comments.
It was the organizational aspect that was the biggest disappointment.
First of all, the final cost of the trip was calculated incorrectly.
This led to an awkward situation in which my husband and I were even criticized for allegedly miscalculating the costs, even though the mistake wasn't on our part.
The calculation error was indeed our fault: a consultant miscalculated the final amount for two participants, and the team leader provided the corrected amount while they were already on the route. We’re sorry that this conversation left you with an unpleasant feeling.
I was very surprised by the lack of a group first-aid kit. The day before the hike, I specifically asked what was included in the team leader’s first-aid kit so I wouldn’t duplicate those items in my own kit and wouldn’t have to carry extra weight.
The irony is that during the hike, the guide himself injured his leg, but he didn't have even a simple elastic bandage—one of the group members provided it. In my opinion, this is a safety issue, not a minor detail.
The group first-aid kit was in the team leader’s backpack. When Denis sprained his ankle, one of the participants simply reached for his own bandage first, since it was within easy reach, and Denis later returned the bandage to him from his own first-aid kit.
Safety and first aid are critical issues, and all team leaders take them seriously.
I’d also like to mention the distribution of supplies. The general supplies were distributed very unevenly: some people ended up with heavy or overly bulky items. Large cardboard boxes of cookies seemed completely out of place on a mountain hike.
We understand that everyone carries a share of the shared equipment and food, but we would like to see a more thoughtful and even distribution.
Denis distributed the food evenly by weight, so some people ended up with light but bulky packages, like cookies. They were in boxes—to keep them from breaking or crumbling. But the box’s shape is really inconvenient for packing a backpack. We’ll think about how to solve this; thanks for pointing it out.
Another point I’d like to mention is the menu. Breakfasts and dinners were quite good: porridge and soups—simple, but tasty and nutritious. Lunches, on the other hand, consisted mainly of dry rations—bread with the same spreads every time.
To be honest, most of them didn’t taste good at all, and they also looked like the cheapest options available. On top of that, the hike took place in the heat, and not all of those foods, in my opinion, were stored under proper conditions.
It’s a good thing that no one had any stomach problems this time. I’d like the organizers to review the menu and make the lunches more varied, nutritious, and safe, taking weather conditions into account.
Thank you for mentioning the breakfasts and dinners. Lunch during our hike in the Carpathians is indeed quite simple: sandwiches with various spreads and sausages, tea, cookies, energy bars, and waffles. That way, we don’t waste time cooking in the middle of the day. Denis buys a variety of spreads, sausages, ham, and cheese, but we’ll take your feedback on the taste into account.
Another unpleasant incident was that the backpacks got stained with motor oil during the transfer.
We apologize; this shouldn't have happened. We discussed this in detail with the carriers, and they promised that nothing like this will happen again.
As for the team leader’s performance, unfortunately, I got the impression that he lacked experience specifically as a group leader. As a person, he is very pleasant, open, and a military man who deserves respect.
But as a team leader this time, his performance did not make a good impression. It was his first time on the route, so he answered many questions with, “I don’t know.”
I would like the team leader to be a source of information and confidence for the group, especially when there are many newcomers among the participants.
There was also no sense of teamwork. Responsibilities weren’t assigned, the group didn’t come together, there were inappropriate jokes, and some organizational details were overlooked.
It felt as though the team leader was guided by the principle that “everyone is an adult,” but it is precisely the team leader who should help build a team, especially when there are people in the group with no hiking experience.
He barely even tried to remember the participants’ names. Sure, it’s understandable that dozens of people pass through his hands every month. But for the participants, there’s only one team leader, and it’s he who largely shapes their memories of the hike.
Thank you for your kind words about Denis. Every morning and evening, he would tell the group the plan for the day, where we’d be spending the night, and the weather forecast, and he’d take turns assigning kitchen helpers. When he said, “I don’t know,” it usually sounded like a joke in response to the constant “How much further do we have to go?”—and it had already become something of an inside joke for the group. Although, perhaps there were certain questions that Denis genuinely didn’t know the answers to. We’ve updated and created an internal document with facts about the route so that the team leaders have more information. As for names, you’re 100% right—a team leader needs to get to know the group.
Another disappointing thing was that we couldn’t reserve a table in advance at “Desyatka.” After finishing our hike, we wanted to celebrate and relax in peace. My husband and I arrived a little later than the rest of the group, and just half an hour later, we were asked to vacate our table.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to fully enjoy the end of the hike.
Denis called “Desyatka” on the fourth day of the hike, but there were no tables available. The group was only able to be seated at a free table in the basement dining room until 6:30 p.m., which is why you were asked to give up your seat. It’s a shame that you and your husband, who arrived later, ended up with the least amount of time. We’ll think it over and look into booking a table at Desyatka even earlier next time.
On a positive note, I’d like to mention the new Kuluar Hub. It’s really nice that there’s now a place where you can relax, have a cup of coffee, and take a shower after a hike.
My only suggestion is to keep in mind that there’s only one shower, and there are a lot of people who want to use it after finishing the trail, so you end up having to wait a long time for your turn.
Thank you! We opened Kuluar Hub specifically so that hikers would have a place to relax after their hike. We had planned to install more shower stalls (at least two), but unfortunately, we were unable to find plumbers who could complete the work before the start of the busy season. So we decided that for this season, one shower is better than none.
Despite all the organizational shortcomings, the hike itself left us with wonderful memories.
We were very lucky with the weather; the route through the Gorgany and Svidovets was incredibly beautiful, and watching the sunrises and sunsets in the mountains is exactly what makes us want to come back again and again.
Perhaps this is a sign for us that it’s time to start going on independent hikes. But I’d like to believe that Kuluar will learn from this experience, because it was precisely thanks to our previous positive experiences that we’ve chosen you time and time again.
This review isn’t meant to criticize, but to draw attention to areas that truly need improvement. After all, your team has enormous potential, and we’d like the level of organization to match the beauty of the routes you show people.
Thank you for visiting us again and for sharing such a detailed and honest review. It helps us improve. See you again soon!
