anyone been to Pripyat?
Discussion
Thanks for the pictures. I'm taking my camera gear but not expecting to get anything different to everybody else who goes. In more looking forward to the history and impact it has on me in just being there. I'm only 35 so was very young when it happened but it's an event that's always fascinated me.
We booked through tourkiev.com (solo east travel). They seem to work alongside lupine here in the uk. We dealt with Natasha in the Kiev office. Prompt replies to our many questions and a reasonable price - cheaper than our quote from lupine direct.
Worked out sat $1030 for both of us including:
Flights
Studio in Kiev for 2 nights
Chernobyl tour
Transfers
Military tour and weapons package
Taxes etc.
The exchange rate didn't help £1 was $1.24 so more than it would have been a few months back but it's still not bad. Lupine, although they use solo east was about £500 more.
We booked through tourkiev.com (solo east travel). They seem to work alongside lupine here in the uk. We dealt with Natasha in the Kiev office. Prompt replies to our many questions and a reasonable price - cheaper than our quote from lupine direct.
Worked out sat $1030 for both of us including:
Flights
Studio in Kiev for 2 nights
Chernobyl tour
Transfers
Military tour and weapons package
Taxes etc.
The exchange rate didn't help £1 was $1.24 so more than it would have been a few months back but it's still not bad. Lupine, although they use solo east was about £500 more.
I went through SoloEast, and Natasha, also. They seemed pretty professional and everything was in order.
I went through by bike, from Belarus, so just paid for the tour and stayed in their cottage about 10km from the checkpoint. In hindsight I should have stayed in Kiev but I was struggling to find a hotel with secure parking for the bike.
I went through by bike, from Belarus, so just paid for the tour and stayed in their cottage about 10km from the checkpoint. In hindsight I should have stayed in Kiev but I was struggling to find a hotel with secure parking for the bike.
jock mcsporran said:
I went through SoloEast, and Natasha, also. They seemed pretty professional and everything was in order.
I went through by bike, from Belarus, so just paid for the tour and stayed in their cottage about 10km from the checkpoint. In hindsight I should have stayed in Kiev but I was struggling to find a hotel with secure parking for the bike.
High points? Low points?I went through by bike, from Belarus, so just paid for the tour and stayed in their cottage about 10km from the checkpoint. In hindsight I should have stayed in Kiev but I was struggling to find a hotel with secure parking for the bike.
I've read that lots of water is a must, along with snacks as lunch will be late. Anything else to bear in mind?
The day kind of went like this.
Kiev folks picked up at 0830 I think (I was further north so was picked up about 0945). It's about an hour or so to the checkpoint. Minibus is modern and comfortable.
Pass through checkpoint at 30km exclusion zone. Make sure you take the passport that you have given her in your booking as you will be registered in advance and it needs to match up. I've got two passports and I didn't know this, luckily I had the right one with me. Checkpoint can be quick or slow, depending on how the guards feel.
Head to the Radar Array. You don't really believe the size of the thing until you see it.
Stop at the Kindergarten in one of the villages
Head through Chernobyl and pass the 10km zone checkpoint. This one is no big deal as they just hand over a list, they might get on and count the numbers or look at your passport.
Head up the to river and reactor, you'll probably go into the workers canteen for a toilet break
You don't spend too long close to the reactor (10-15 mins maybe) as you're within 150-200m of the building at a guess.
Head off to Pripyat for a wander. See the sights that everyone knows about and a few other bits and pieces. It was surprising how much nature has taken over even having seen plenty of pictures before going. You'll spend a few hours going to various places. I think if I was doing it again I would maybe do a private tour or just a group of two so that we can get a wander around in some of the less popular parts of the town.
Late lunch in Chernobyl at the hotel, food is pretty normal russian type stuff but decent.
Few more pictures on the way out and head back to the checkpoint for Kiev.
The guide was good and answered a lot of questions and told you a lot with information about various events or places.
It's a long day and there's a lot to see so, to a certain extent, you feel as if you've only scratched the surface of the place. It's quite surreal just walking around, you can see that some items have been staged in a position, possibly even years ago in the early days of people going back, but a lot of it looks like it's been fairly untouched for the last 30 years.
There's a few hotspots in unusual places but the guide will point them out.
You're going at the right time because the new sarcophagus is planned to be installed later in the year or early next year so you would only see a nice new shiny shell after that.
Get a window seat on the bus. 50/50 what side is best for views, I sat at the back of the bus so could get a view out of both sides as I was on my own.
I only done the one day as I had been away for three weeks touring and had to get back for work. I liked the look of some of their other tours so would probably go back at some point.
Kiev folks picked up at 0830 I think (I was further north so was picked up about 0945). It's about an hour or so to the checkpoint. Minibus is modern and comfortable.
Pass through checkpoint at 30km exclusion zone. Make sure you take the passport that you have given her in your booking as you will be registered in advance and it needs to match up. I've got two passports and I didn't know this, luckily I had the right one with me. Checkpoint can be quick or slow, depending on how the guards feel.
Head to the Radar Array. You don't really believe the size of the thing until you see it.
Stop at the Kindergarten in one of the villages
Head through Chernobyl and pass the 10km zone checkpoint. This one is no big deal as they just hand over a list, they might get on and count the numbers or look at your passport.
Head up the to river and reactor, you'll probably go into the workers canteen for a toilet break
You don't spend too long close to the reactor (10-15 mins maybe) as you're within 150-200m of the building at a guess.
Head off to Pripyat for a wander. See the sights that everyone knows about and a few other bits and pieces. It was surprising how much nature has taken over even having seen plenty of pictures before going. You'll spend a few hours going to various places. I think if I was doing it again I would maybe do a private tour or just a group of two so that we can get a wander around in some of the less popular parts of the town.
Late lunch in Chernobyl at the hotel, food is pretty normal russian type stuff but decent.
Few more pictures on the way out and head back to the checkpoint for Kiev.
The guide was good and answered a lot of questions and told you a lot with information about various events or places.
It's a long day and there's a lot to see so, to a certain extent, you feel as if you've only scratched the surface of the place. It's quite surreal just walking around, you can see that some items have been staged in a position, possibly even years ago in the early days of people going back, but a lot of it looks like it's been fairly untouched for the last 30 years.
There's a few hotspots in unusual places but the guide will point them out.
You're going at the right time because the new sarcophagus is planned to be installed later in the year or early next year so you would only see a nice new shiny shell after that.
Get a window seat on the bus. 50/50 what side is best for views, I sat at the back of the bus so could get a view out of both sides as I was on my own.
I only done the one day as I had been away for three weeks touring and had to get back for work. I liked the look of some of their other tours so would probably go back at some point.
jock mcsporran said:
You're going at the right time because the new sarcophagus is planned to be installed later in the year or early next year so you would only see a nice new shiny shell after that.
According to EBRD website, scheduled for November this year, which means there is a good chance it will probably end up being spring/summer next year.pidsy said:
Lupine, although they use solo east was about £500 more.
It's a small world and as with shirt, the lad that runs Lupine is a good mate of mine. If he has been a bit tardy with responses it might be because he got married on Saturday, but he loves what he does and would do everything in his power to make sure you had a good trip. He's normally right on the ball but wimmin! Etc.moleamol said:
pidsy said:
Lupine, although they use solo east was about £500 more.
It's a small world and as with shirt, the lad that runs Lupine is a good mate of mine. If he has been a bit tardy with responses it might be because he got married on Saturday, but he loves what he does and would do everything in his power to make sure you had a good trip. He's normally right on the ball but wimmin! Etc.Should we get proper walking boots?
We are back.
What in incredible few days away! So many photos to edit over the coming days but it was a great trip and huge thanks to tourkiev and particularly to Constantine- our guide for the whole trip.
I'll write up something more in depth later but it really is somewhere people should go.
What in incredible few days away! So many photos to edit over the coming days but it was a great trip and huge thanks to tourkiev and particularly to Constantine- our guide for the whole trip.
I'll write up something more in depth later but it really is somewhere people should go.
pidsy said:
We are back.
What in incredible few days away! So many photos to edit over the coming days but it was a great trip and huge thanks to tourkiev and particularly to Constantine- our guide for the whole trip.
I'll write up something more in depth later but it really is somewhere people should go.
Glad you had a good trip, I saw some recent pictures including drone work around and above the 'arch' so that apparently is progressing well, still scheduled to slide in Nov, apparently.What in incredible few days away! So many photos to edit over the coming days but it was a great trip and huge thanks to tourkiev and particularly to Constantine- our guide for the whole trip.
I'll write up something more in depth later but it really is somewhere people should go.
pidsy said:
The arch itself is finished but there is still interior work to be done. The workforce if much bigger than I thought it would be. We were told that late Jan/Feb would be sliding time but it could be longer.
If it doesn't slide in Nov, I can't see it happening until March/April - too cold. Latest piccies I saw the tilting panels being checked, not sure if the crane is finished, but got to be done soon if it has not! Not sure what current work force is, but I know it was 1000+ during earlier phases, including night shifts.There are about 2500 there currently working on the project, 24hrs. Considering it was meant to be in place this time last year, I think they're just throwing timescales out there now.
It's such a shame that the old "traditional" view of reactor 4 will be gone. The new dome is stunning in its size but won't win any design awards. The planned work due to go on once it's in place is impressive too.
Did you visit the Russian woodpecker? I was blown away by it. To think they thought they could hide it by marking it on maps as a children's summer camp!
The photo editing starts tonight.
It's such a shame that the old "traditional" view of reactor 4 will be gone. The new dome is stunning in its size but won't win any design awards. The planned work due to go on once it's in place is impressive too.
Did you visit the Russian woodpecker? I was blown away by it. To think they thought they could hide it by marking it on maps as a children's summer camp!
The photo editing starts tonight.
I think most of the work on the NSC project is now centred on the facilities building - a large concrete block taking shape in front of unit 4 if you're looking at it from the visitors centre, not seen a view in the right direction recently to see if the shield wall is still there. I suspect that total will include the separate tasks: different project to modify the turbine hall etc to match up to the arch once in position.
Yeah, the arch isn't iconic in any way!
Never actually visited the Woodpecker myself, saw it driving in and out loads of times, but sadly when on a schedule + often with others, not always easy to go off-piste and sightsee. It was weird, sometimes it was easy to spot as you left site, other times remarkably hidden, the suddenly pop into view.
Some aspects of the work once they start to dismantle the shelter and wreckage could be exceedingly 'interesting' and challenging. Although I suspect the first challenge will be working out who will do it and who will pay for it!
Yeah, the arch isn't iconic in any way!
Never actually visited the Woodpecker myself, saw it driving in and out loads of times, but sadly when on a schedule + often with others, not always easy to go off-piste and sightsee. It was weird, sometimes it was easy to spot as you left site, other times remarkably hidden, the suddenly pop into view.
Some aspects of the work once they start to dismantle the shelter and wreckage could be exceedingly 'interesting' and challenging. Although I suspect the first challenge will be working out who will do it and who will pay for it!
couple of pictures from our trip:
couple of pics of the new containment...
Chernobyl reactor 4 new containment by dave and jodi piddington, on Flickr
Chernobyl new containment by dave and jodi piddington, on Flickr
Duga:
Duga whole array by dave and jodi piddington, on Flickr
and the obligatory pool shot:
Pripyat swimming pool shallow end by dave and jodi piddington, on Flickr
couple of pics of the new containment...
Chernobyl reactor 4 new containment by dave and jodi piddington, on FlickrChernobyl new containment by dave and jodi piddington, on FlickrDuga:
Duga whole array by dave and jodi piddington, on Flickrand the obligatory pool shot:
Pripyat swimming pool shallow end by dave and jodi piddington, on Flickrpidsy said:
Not too warm and no mosquitoes which was a bonus.
There was so much to see that we didn't get a chance to see more - looks like we're going back in Feb for 4 days.
I expect it will look quite different then, especially if they do slide the arch before then. Wrap up warm - probably the depth of winter still; lowest temperature I saw out there was minus 32 C!There was so much to see that we didn't get a chance to see more - looks like we're going back in Feb for 4 days.
just watched a piece on Sky news on the containment being moved over at the moment. the guy they had on there being interviewed was pretty excited.
quite sad that we were some of the last people to see Reactor 4 in its (almost) original state.
they said it should be covered in the coming days.
quite sad that we were some of the last people to see Reactor 4 in its (almost) original state.
they said it should be covered in the coming days.
pidsy said:
just watched a piece on Sky news on the containment being moved over at the moment. the guy they had on there being interviewed was pretty excited.
quite sad that we were some of the last people to see Reactor 4 in its (almost) original state.
they said it should be covered in the coming days.
To be fair, I found the actual reactor the least interesting bit of our tour (relatively speaking)quite sad that we were some of the last people to see Reactor 4 in its (almost) original state.
they said it should be covered in the coming days.
Two half days in exploring buildings and rooftops in Pripyat, climbing Duga 1&2, the abandoned holiday park, and drinking homemade vodka with a 90-year old grandma that she made with water from her well inside the 30km exclusion zone were far more interesting to me!
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