A trip to Hutsulshchyna with Kulur is an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the Carpathian Mountains and the authentic culture of this region. We will walk along picturesque mountain trails, explore unique crafts, and get acquainted with the culture of local residents.
Our first stop will be Kosiv, the center of Hutsul crafts. We will visit the Kosiv Saturday market, where you can see and purchase products made by local artisans. From traditional ceramics to unique embroidered shirts, each exhibit demonstrates the connection between generations. We hope everyone will enjoy the market delicacies, and we will take them with us for evening gatherings.
The first hike will be to the Sokoline Oko and Protyate Kamennia rocks via the Smugarske waterfalls, a complex of small but charming waterfalls in the middle of the forest. Once we reach the rocks at an altitude of 750 m, we will see geological formations in the form of large stones, which are impressive for their unusual shape and size. The next day, our group will head to the high mountains. One of the best routes in Hutsulshchyna is the ascent to Mount Kostrycha, famous for its picturesque panoramas. From the top, you can see almost all of Ukraine's two-thousand-meter peaks, including Hoverla and Petros. And in spring, crocuses bloom on the mountain pastures.
We will conclude our exploration of Hutsulshchyna with a visit to the museum in the village of Babyn, dedicated to local culture. The museum introduces visitors to household items that reflect the life of the Hutsuls over the centuries. The exhibits tell about beliefs, crafts, and traditions.
A comfortable trip to Hutsulshchyna offers a balance between mountain recreation and immersion in culture. Each day of our journey will reveal new facets of the Carpathians and the lives of local residents, allowing you to see the Carpathians from the inside.
Explore Ukraine with Kuluar 💚!
Overnight stays in hotels, double rooms, most of which have separate beds - this allows you not to look for someone to travel with from your circle of friends. For families - rooms with a double bed.
This is a real exploration—local cuisine, visits to artisans and collectors recommended by locals.
The price includes access to the SPA: indoor pool, jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, hammam, tropical shower, Kneipp path, and relaxation area with sun loungers.
The trip takes place in a comfortable group—usually ~10 participants + a team leader. This allows us to allocate our time efficiently and focus on exploring places in depth.
During the hike, you will be completely immersed in the atmosphere of the Carpathians: spruce forests, rocks, and unforgettable views from the high slopes.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the consultant has approved the purchase of a ticket, you can go ahead and buy it. The program will not be canceled due to our fault.
The consultant who will advise you before your trip has been to the Carpathians many times and will tell you about the details from personal experience!
Over 25,000 participants have already visited Kulur, and 97.8% of them were satisfied. We are sure you will be too!
We meet in Ivano-Frankivsk in the morning. It is advisable to take the earliest train. We leave the city around 7:30. Why so early? Because we are in a hurry for the morning market that opens in Kosiv.
Kosiv Bazaar is a real center of Hutsul culture, where almost all Hutsul decorative and applied arts are presented. Here you can find unique, embroidered clothes, as well as iron, leather and fur products. The Kosiv market is known for its authenticity and diversity.
After the market, where we will at least buy some goodies and have a small snack, we go for a walk in the mountains. The group is greeted by a cascade of waterfalls on the Smuhar River - there are 8 of them! They are from 3 to 19 meters high. We will see the waterfalls closest to the trail and climb to the group of rocks shrouded in legends of the Stretched Stones and visit the outstanding natural monument - the Falcon's Eye rock.
A short drive separates the group from the trail to the house. But we have worked up a good appetite in the mountains, haven't we? So why not stop for dinner at a famous restaurant that has become known for its delicious Hutsul dishes?
Once at home, we'll heat up the stove and sit down with our new friends. Maybe it's time to open the goodies we bought at the market :)
We will walk in the mountains: ≈ 6 km, elevation difference: +320 / - 300 m, time on the trail: ≈ 4 hours
Let's wake up early today, because we have a lot of interesting things ahead of us. Taking everything we need, we set off towards the mountains. And the first location will be the so-called Insta-Book — an ancient and majestic tree that greets us on the way to the Kostrycha ridge. Here you can take some really cool photos. Passing Hutsul huts, we enter the forest. Gradually gaining altitude, we enjoy the forest kingdom. At times it will be difficult, our faces will turn red, and our breathing will become uneven. But nothing worthwhile comes for free. And then, through a clearing between the fir trees, we come out onto the Vesnarka mountain pasture. From here, we can see the full grandeur of winter Chornogora, a mountain range that includes the highest peaks of the Carpathians: Hoverla, Pip Ivan, Petros... In spring, there are many crocuses here. We climb further to the highest point of our hike, Mount Kostrycha. The last few meters and we're at the top! We capture the unique views once again in our minds and on our phones and begin our descent.
We will walk in the mountains: ≈ 13.5 km, elevation gain: +780 / -780 m, time on the trail: ≈ 7 hours
Today we don't have to wake up in the morning, but interesting places are waiting for us. We pack our things and leave the house. We make a short drive to the Bukovyna Mountains and visit Mr. Bohdan, a collector and researcher of Hutsul costumes who has collected a large collection of Hutsul antiquities and willingly gives tours of the museum. We spend a couple of hours here exploring the exhibits and talking to the master.
After returning to Ivano-Frankivsk, we finish our winter adventure in a restaurant that has already become a tradition after almost every hike.
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the team leader has the right to make changes in the itinerary. The fulfillment of the guide's instructions is compulsory and non-negotiable.
Breakfasts:
- English breakfasts on the second and third day will be organized in the lodge with the participation of the team leader. To reduce the cooking time, participants can join in and help;
- The first breakfast, after the train or upon arrival at the market, should be taken care of by the participant. For example, the market has a couple of interesting outlets with local products and a famous cheese horse;
Snacks:
A classic snack in the mountains will be organized on each of the three days. The team leader gives out the products to the participants in their backpacks;
Dinner:
We recommend having the first dinner in a restaurant. While walking in the mountains during the day, you can choose your favorite dishes online. Upon arrival, you will have your orders, and Kuluar will present a dish for the whole company. Your expenses may be +- 230 UAH;
The second dinner will be in the house - it will be brought by the hostesses from the neighboring village;
The third dinner - depending on the time of your departure from Frankivsk, you can go to the restaurant with new friends and the team leader.
The difficulty of this hike is not the lowest, you should be prepared for long but comfortable transitions. Since you stay in a lodge, the hike is a medium distance (13 km) without big backpacks with minor elevation changes (600 m), which cannot be compared to difficult hikes. Special feature: a combination of excursions and hiking along the Kostrycha ridge.
Ivano-Frankivsk city, 35 Mykhailo Mulyk Street. This is near the Gorgana store, and the warehouse is located there. The time is set according to the arrival time of the last participant. Approximately 7 days before the hike you will find out from the chat the exact time of the meeting and the team leader's contacts.
To participate in the tour you must have no illnesses, incompatible with active tourism: the list is here.
The program provides for mandatory additional costs for transfers. You can check the exact amount with a consultant, as it depends on the cost of fuel and the number of participants in the group.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy dried porcini mushrooms, souvenirs, and sometimes have dinner in a restaurant. We recommend bringing at least 1500 UAH with you. The maximum is up to you.
We limit the number of participants in the group. In order for a place to be reserved for you, you need to make an advance payment of 2500 UAH. The rest of the amount is given to the team leader at the meeting. Prepayment refund terms and payment methods =>>
