This hike is for those who want to try nights in the snow, long backpacking in the winter Carpathians, but are not ready to spend a lot of time on the hike in winter, or are not ready to get cold. In just 4 days you can: climb one of the highest mountains of Ukraine, look at the beauty of Chernogorsky and Marmaroshsky ridges (because this is where they are best viewed), to spend the night in a tent in the snow and try hiking in winter. This hike is excellent preparation for the upcoming season of ascents and long hikes!
The Carpathian winter resembles a fairy tale: the mountain tops are covered with snow caps, and a little lower there are forests of evergreen firs and pines. Still lower flow fast mountain rivers, only partially covered with ice. And somewhere quite far away you can see Hutsul villages, scattered in the river valleys. This is a typical landscape of the winter Carpathian Mountains. Definitely, it's worth a little frosty to see it!
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given permission to buy a ticket, you can buy it with confidence. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders will accompany the group on the whole route, will make your journey as memorable and safe as possible!
During the hike you will: climbing the mountain Pop Ivan Chernogorsky, picturesque winter landscapes of the Carpathians from the highest mountain range of Ukraine, the snow-capped mountains and mountain peaks, this overnight stay in a tent in the snow in the Carpathian valleys, Lake Marichik and much more:)
Manager, who will advise you before the trip, herself has been many times in the winter Carpathians and will tell you the details from personal experience!
More than 12,000 participants have already been with Kuluar, and 97.8% were satisfied. We're sure you will, too!
Do not overestimate the difficulty of winter climbing, but do not underestimate it either. Physically and technically the ascent is not difficult and is available to anyone. Much of the success of the event depends on the weather, we hope it will smile on us. In most cases it smiles :)
Gathering of the group in Ivano-Frankivsk at the railway station. Here you will see your guide and get acquainted with the other participants, who will become your friends at the end of the tour. We get acquainted, get on the bus and leave for Shibene. Upon arrival, passport control at the border checkpoint, as our hike will take place in the border area. Then we have lunch on the bank of the Cheremosh river and climb in the snowy forest to the Vesnarka valley. We will come to the Marichika lake and stay for the night in the hut in the forest. Tonight we have an evening of acquaintance.
Today we wake up early, get ready and quickly go out on the route. The crossing today is not long - 4 km, but we will need to gain altitude and reach the summit. During the day we will have the opportunity to admire the white pine trees and to feel the real Carpathian winter. At the top we set up a camp in the observatory and make a tree from the snow, we make a festive dinner. In a word, we are getting ready to meet the new year!
We go into the distance along the Montenegro Ridge. For some time we will walk along the main ridge, then turn to the rocky summit of Mount Smotrich. We will start a fairly steep descent from the summit to the eponymous valley. Crampons may come in handy here. After overcoming the descent, we will enter a beautiful spruce forest, and in the snowdrifts we will find a path to the Smotrich valley. On the hollow there is a summer house of shepherds, where they make cheese. We either stay there or camp on the edge of the forest. It's quite a cozy place, protected from the wind.
It will be quite early, we will meet the sunrise. We gather the camp and continue our descent down. After a rich winter holiday is good to get warm), so before lunch, we will go down to the village Dzembronya, where we will be waiting for a hot banya. Then we take a bus and go to the station of Ivano-Frankivsk through the village Verkhovyna.
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group the team leader has the right to make changes in the itinerary. Compliance with the instructions of the team leader is compulsory and is not subject to discussion.
To participate in the tour you must be free of diseases incompatible with active tourism: the list here.
On the first day we'll spend a night in the crib near the lake Marichajka. The second night we'll spend on the top of the mountain Pop Ivan Chernogorsky in the White Elephant Observatory. The third night we'll spend in tents in the valley Smotrich. If there is no free space at the planned overnight stays, we'll spend the night in tents on the snow.
As always, we recommend that you buy tickets in advance, although there are often vacant seats on trains a week before the start of the hike. You should buy your ticket so that you'll be at the train station in Ivano-Frankovsk by 10 a.m. on the day of the start of the hike. A slight delay is acceptable. Back you buy a ticket for the evening, best of all for 20-22 hours, then you'll have time to walk around Frankovsk and have a drink in one of its pubs. Buy tickets is worth it only after our confirmation of your participation in the hike. You can do this at the ticket offices at the railway station or online on the website "Ukrzaliznytsia".
Surely you are wondering what we will eat on a hike? Let's just say that you don't have to worry. Many participants say they eat better on the hike than they do at home. The basis of the menu is a simple meal of cereals and soups. You should not count on gourmet delicacies (although they can be).
If you do not eat any products, be sure to inform the manager so that the guide can slightly adjust the menu for you. We also recommend taking some yummies with you - nuts or sweets. Appetite on a hike is much better than at home.
Please note that the menu shown is indicative only. Guides usually have their signature dishes that they love to pamper participants with. And if you have dishes that you would like to receive on a hike, be sure to tell the manager about it, as the guide may have completely different preferences.
Features of nutrition for vegetarians - if you do not eat meat, be sure to read. We tell here how we will feed you and at the same time we give you a 5% discount to the hiking.
To participate in the hike you must be free of diseases that are not compatible with active tourism: the list here.
The meeting place of the group is the waiting room of the Ivano-Frankovsk railway station. The time is determined by the last arriving participant, usually it's 10:00 am. About 7 days before the hike we will send you an email with the exact time of the meeting and contacts of the team leader. Don't forget to check your mail!
Good weather conditions are one of the most important factors for a successful ascent. In fog or snowfall we won't see all the beauty of the Carpathians, but we will reach the summit. But if the wind blows, we may have to turn around. Remember! The mountains have stood and will stand, the most important thing is the health and safety of the group.
On the first day we will spend the night in the crib near the lake Marichika. The second night we will spend on top of the mountain Pop Ivan Montenegro in the White Elephant Observatory. The third night we'll spend in tents in the valley Smotrich. If there is no free space at the planned overnight stays, we'll spend the night in tents on the snow.
The program has mandatory additional costs for transfers. Their amount you can check with the manager, as it depends on the cost of fuel and is constantly changing.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy dried porcini mushrooms, souvenirs, and like to have dinner in a restaurant (for example, in the legendary "Ten"). Minimum recommend to take from 300 hryvnias. And the maximum is up to you.
We limit the number of participants in a group. To reserve a seat for you, we need to make an advance payment of 1200 UAH. The rest amount we surrender to the team leader at the meeting. Refund policy and payment methods =>>
