Almost 95% of the Prykarpattia residents are of Ukrainian origin. This is one of the highest rates among all the regions of Ukraine. Indigenous ethnographic regions of Opillya, Boikivshchyna, Hutsulshchyna and Pokuttya form the authentic side of Ivano-Frankivsk. Their residents preserved Old Ukrainian flair with its rich material and spiritual culture, as well as a number of distinct differences in rituals, folk architecture, clothing, way of life and crafts. Ivano-Frankivsk region is traditionally famous for carving, furriery, egg painting, ceramics, weaving, and embroidery, cheese-making and so on. Flamboyant and colorful clothes, original music and song culture of Hutsuls is the achievement both of Ukrainian and world culture. Wooden Hutsul and Boiko churches and grazhdas are world-renowned, mostly due to their architectural style, which is characterized by high aesthetics level and harmonious combination with the environment. Kosiv, as well as its local fair, is a prominent center of Hutsul art, filled with a variety of artistic choices.
Lviv-Rohatyn-Halych-Ivano-Frankivsk-Kosiv-Verkhovyna-Bukovel-Yaremche
Day 1
Lviv was founded in the 13th century. The first kings built it in the standard medieval European style of the time. Today, this portion of the city is under the protection of UNESCO. We also recommend that you visit Shevchenko’s Grove - an open air museum of Ukrainian architecture and culture. There you can find over 200 original wooden structures.
Day 2
Today we will go to 12th century town of Rohatyn for visiting the oldest wooden church (1598). It is one of the most refined examples of Galician folk wooden architecture, it is one of the most valuable sacred structures in the world and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage. The next stop for today will be 10th town Halych. Now it’s a small town not far from Ivano-Frankivsk which used to be the mighty capital of the Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia a few centuries ago. You will have a tour around the national reserve – Ancient Halych.
Day 3
Our destination today will be the centre of Hutsul arts and crafts – the town of Kosiv. Hutsuls are the indigenous people of the Carpathians –the Ukrainian highlanders. On our way there, we will also visit the 13th century town of Kolomyia for its famous museums.
Day 4
Today, we will continue exploring the Hutsul region by visiting the neighbouring villages – Verkhovyna and Kryvorivnia, each of them located in the valley surrounded by the mountains and having many interesting museums.
Day 5
We will go to the Bukovel Ski Resort, one of the best in the Eastern Europe. Though we cannot ski in summer, there are other relevant activities available on site – a climbing wall, downhill and cross-country cycling tours, trout fishing and horse riding – all of these are at your disposal. We will have lunch in the restaurant, located on the top of mount Bukovel that will fill you with irresistible desire to visit this lovely spot or at least tell you friends about it.
Day 6
Today, we are going to visit Yaremche and their Museum of Local Lore, take photos at the background of the fast and furious Probiy Waterfall, drop in to a little Carpathian Zoo and finally look for Oleksa Dovbush’s Treasure, a famous Ukrainian national hero.
Day 7
Departure