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Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi is very well-known among tourists and enjoys great popularity. It ranks third among Ukraine's two-thousanders and is especially beautiful in winter. At the very top of the mountain stands an old Polish observatory, which in winter becomes so covered with snow and ice that from afar it resembles a huge white animal, hence its name “White Elephant”. From the mountain, a stunning panorama opens up over the Carpathians, Maramureș, and the Romanian mountains. In just three days, you will immerse yourself in a winter mountain fairy tale that you will remember forever.
This program has been replaced with a more optimal and scenic route - Chernogora party, whose main goal is also to climb to the summit of Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If a manager has given the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can safely purchase it. There will be no cancellation of the program due to our fault.
Experienced Kuluar team leaders will accompany the group along the entire route, making your hike as safe and unforgettable as possible!
During the winter trek, you will experience: an ascent of Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi, picturesque winter landscapes of the Carpathians from the highest mountain range in Ukraine, and much more :)
The manager who will consult you before the trip has been to the winter Carpathians many times and will share details from personal experience!
Over 12,000 participants have already traveled with Kuluar, and 97.8% were satisfied. We're confident you'll love it too!
You shouldn't overestimate the difficulty of a winter ascent, but you shouldn't underestimate it either. Physically and technically, the ascent isn't challenging and is accessible to anyone. Much of the trip's success depends on the weather, and we hope it will smile upon us. In most cases, it does.
The meeting point of the team leader with the group is the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. We all get acquainted, gather, and travel together to Verkhovyna, from where we transfer to another bus and head to the Hutsul village of Shybene, where our hiking route will begin. There is a Romanian border checkpoint here, so you must have your passport with you. On this day, we'll need to walk a bit to our overnight stay - a shepherd's hut on the Vesnyarka mountain pasture, which serves as an excellent shelter for tourists in winter. We'll light the stove, prepare dinner, and go to sleep.
Today is a big day for us - the winter ascent of Mount Pip Ivan. The path is a bit challenging but interesting. Walking along snowy trails higher and higher, we'll see beautiful views of winter Chornohora opening up before us. At the summit, the legendary "White Elephant" awaits us, where you can wander around, and of course, you must try to capture in your memory the landscapes and beauty that open up to us from the mountain. After a bit of rest and enjoying the views, we start descending to our hut, where we'll light the stove again and share impressions of the eventful day over a delicious dinner.
Today, pleased with ourselves, we pack our backpacks and head towards the village of Shybene to catch a bus to Verkhovyna, from where we continue on to Ivano-Frankivsk and home. Mission accomplished!
Depending on weather conditions, the group's condition and general wishes, the team leader has the right to make changes to the route. Following the team leader's instructions is mandatory and not subject to discussion.
To participate in the hike, you must not have any illnesses incompatible with active tourism: list here.
We spend the night in a shepherd's hut on Vesnyarka meadow or near Marichejka Lake, which serve as a shelter for tourists in winter. The hut has a stove to keep warm. Please note that it is not possible to book spots in advance, and if the hut is occupied, you will have to spend the night in a tent on the snow.
As always, we recommend buying tickets in advance, although often there are still seats available on trains even a week before the start of the trek. The "there" ticket should be bought so that you arrive at the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station by 10 a.m. on the start day of the trek. A slight delay is acceptable. You should buy tickets only after we confirm your participation in the trek; you can do this at the ticket offices at the railway station or online on the Ukrzaliznytsia website. Please note! When buying a return ticket, we advise leaving one or two spare days in case of unforeseen circumstances. It may happen that the road gets snowed in and we can't make it back to Ivano-Frankivsk on time, or a snowstorm may prevent us from reaching the summits. Having a couple of spare days allows you to go into the mountains with peace of mind, and you can spend the rest of the time strolling through Carpathian villages or skiing.
You're probably wondering what we'll eat on the trek? We can tell you right away that there's no need to worry. Many participants say that on the trek they eat better than at home. The base of the menu consists of simple food - porridges and soups. Don't count on exquisite delicacies (although they may happen too).
If there are foods you don't eat, be sure to let the manager know so that the team leader can slightly adjust the menu for you. We also recommend bringing some pocket snacks - nuts or sweets. Appetite on the trek is much better than at home.
Please note that the menu shown is approximate. Team leaders usually have their own signature dishes they like to treat participants with.
Dietary features for vegetarians - if you don't eat meat, be sure to read this. We explain how we'll feed you and offer a 5% discount on your own products.
Citizens of Belarus need an internal or foreign passport to visit Ukraine - whichever is more convenient for you;
To participate in the trek, you must have no illnesses incompatible with active tourism: list here.
The group meeting point is the waiting hall of the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. The time is set according to the arrival time of the last participant, usually 10 a.m. About 7 days before the trek, we will send you the exact meeting time and the team leader's contacts by email. Don't forget to check your email!
Good weather conditions are one of the most important factors for a successful ascent. During fog or snowfall we won't see all the beauty of the Carpathians, but we'll still reach the summit. However, if there's furious wind, we may have to turn back. Remember! The mountains have stood and will keep standing - the health and safety of the group matter most.
We spend the nights in a shepherd's hut on the Vesnarka meadow or near Lake Maricheika, which serve as shelters for tourists in winter. The hut has a stove to keep warm. Please note that it's impossible to book spots in advance, and if the hut is occupied, we'll have to spend the night in a tent on the snow.
The program includes mandatory additional transfer costs. You can check the amount with the manager, as it depends on fuel prices and changes constantly.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy dried porcini mushrooms, souvenirs, and sometimes have dinner at a restaurant (for example, at the legendary "Desyatka"). We recommend having at least 300 UAH with you. The maximum amount is up to you.
We limit the number of participants in the group. To reserve your spot, you need to make a prepayment of 1200 hryvnias. The rest of the amount is paid to the team leader upon meeting. Prepayment refund terms and payment methods =>>
