Essential Ukraine

• Shared accommodations as noted in the itinerary. Contact MIR for hotel upgrade prices.
• Meals, as noted in the itinerary.
• Restaurant tips for included meals.
• One arrival and one departure transfer. Additional arrival and departure transfers available at additional cost.) MIR will arrange for travelers to be met upon arrival and seen off on departure, whether or not we make your air arrangements.
• Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private vehicle (Type of vehicle depends on number of travelers in your group).
• Services of experienced, English-speaking local guides, drivers, and other staff, as noted in the itinerary.
• Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees, as outlined in the itinerary.
• Special events, excursions, and cultural performances, as outlined in the itinerary.
• Complete pre-departure information, including detailed packing list, reading list, and Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
• Final document packet, including luggage tags, final updates, and more.
• Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements, on request. (Please note that international airfare is not included in the land tour cost).

• International airfare and taxes/fuel surcharges.
• Internal airfare. (Internal airfare is quoted separately and subject to change by airlines).
• Meals and drinks not specified as included in the itinerary.
• Single supplement if requested or required.
• Baggage handling.
• Gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters, and other service personnel.
• Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification, or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR’s control.
• Travel-related insurance including cancellation, medical, and evacuation insurance.
• Visa fees, excess-baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination and other medical costs.
• Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.
• Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, email, laundry, and alcohol.

Level 2: Moderate, but Customizable

This ‘Essential’ itinerary, which is designed for private travel, features long days walking and standing, and some possibly long days in the touring vehicle. Only those fit to travel and who accept the local conditions should consider joining this program.

There is a significant amount of touring on foot, and those travelers planning to take the program as written should be able to walk one to two miles a day comfortably. Footing can be an issue and travelers should be able to negotiate cobblestones, uneven surfaces (possibly steep and/or wet), and deal with situations without handrails or ramps. In the hotels, you may find that showers/baths have steep steps up or ledges, which can become slippery and require extra caution. Some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases. Museums rarely have elevators, and hotels may not have elevators as well.

Past travelers have also encountered challenges with plumbing, bureaucratic service, variety of locally available foods, and availability and quality of public restrooms.

Accommodations in the basic program are generally three- to four-star hotels, some quite small with basic amenities and services. Upgrades may be available, please call for details.