Please be at NEWARK AIRPORT at least 3 hrs prior to flight departure time. Scope representative will assist you with check-in. Your baggage must be checked to your final destination KYIV (code KBP). If you have more than one piece of checked baggage, a surcharge of $50 will apply to the second piece and $100 to the third.

At Frankfurt Airport you board your non-stop flight to Kyiv. Lunch on board. Expected arrival at your hotel is 4-5:00PM. Dinner at hotel followed by a short Dnipro River cruise.

Morning panoramic city tour of Kyiv includes: Khreshchatyk Boulevard, Volodymyr’s Hill, Kyiv National University, the Opera House, St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral and the 11th century Golden Gate. The highlight of this tour is St. Sophia’s Cathedral constructed in the 11th c. by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Its construction reflects a strong Byzantine influence, and its interior is a unique harmonious union of mosaics and fresco paintings. Directly opposite St. Sofia (about 500 m.), you will visit the newly (1999) reconstructed St. Michael’s Sobor. Afterwards we leave you in the Uzviz artisan section for an afternoon of shopping in an open air bazaar of more than 100 kiosks. Lunch under own arrangements in one of the new restaurants of Uzviz. Afternoon free to discover Kyiv on your own. Visit one of the many cafes or just enjoy a stroll through Kyiv - its promenades, Majdan, where the Orange Revolution took place, and its new underground shopping malls. Dinner at hotel.

Today we begin with Mass at the newly constructed Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. Located on the left bank, it is the main cathedral of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and is one of the few churches in Kyiv that is not located on the right bank. Lunch under own arrangements.

Early afternoon we continue our sightseeing of Kyiv with a tour of Pecherska Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), an active monastery founded in the 11th c. and center of Christianity for Kyivan-Rus. Its complex of churches reflects a unique Ukrainian baroque style which is only surpassed by the beauty of the newly reconstructed Uspenskyj Cathedral (1998), destroyed by Soviet mines in 1941. The labyrinths of the “near” and “far” caves hold over 115 burial niches containing remains of St. Antoniy, Nestor the Chronicler, and many religious and political leaders. World-renowned Scythian Gold treasures are exhibited within its walls. A short stop at Hanchar Museum before the tour ends with dinner at hotel.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel early and join our touring bus for a full day trip to Kaniv to visit the gravesite of the Bard of Ukraine, Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko. He was a Ukrainian poet, artist and humanist. His literary heritage is regarded to be the foundation of modern Ukrainian literature and to a large extent, the modern Ukrainian language. Shevchenko left many masterpieces as a painter and illustrator, some of which you will see in his museum in Kaniv. After a short stop for lunch, we proceed to one of the best beaches on the Dnipro River for an afternoon of rest/frolic before returning to Kyiv for dinner and our sleeper train to Ivano Frankivsk.

Morning arrival (about 8AM) in Ivano Frankivsk – the gateway to the Carpathians. Breakfast at a local restaurant, and we proceed on a short city tour of this 17th c. city once controlled by the Potosky, a wealthy Polish family who named this town after their firstborn, Stanislav. The Soviets changed the name to Ivano Frankivsk in honor of the Ukrainian poet and scholar. Today it is the capital of the Ivano- Frankivsk oblast.

We continue to Yaremche, the main entrance to the Carpathian National Park and a base for hikers into the Chornohora Mt. Range. Free time to enjoy its many kiosks or have a short meal at a shashlyky stand. Take photos of the Prut River or have a drink at the famous Hutsulshchyna folkloric restaurant.

We end our day’s journey in Tatariv, a short ride from Yaremche and further into the Chornohora Mt. range. Tatariv, situated on the banks of Prut River, marks a real departure from the 21st c. – horse-drawn carts, single pole haystacks and wooden cottages and churches make this one of your most enchanting stops on our tour.

Bukovel, Ukraine’s flashiest ski resort, lies in western Chornohora, just above the village of Polyanytsia. The snow is one of the best in the country. Modeled after world class ski resorts like Aspen and St. Moritz, Bukovel has set a new standard of skiing in Ukraine. We will enjoy a ski lift ride to one of the highest mountain peaks, and after lunch “on top”, we will climb down the Carpathian trails to Polyanytsia. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your cameras!

We rejoin our touring coach for a drive through some of the most enchanting Carpathian villages before arriving in Kolomyja, famous for its master-ceramists and woodcarvers. Guided tours will take place at the Pysanka Museum and the National Museum of Hutsulshchyna – housing the most beautiful woodcarving. Don’t forget to visit the Vintoniaks shop – across the street from the museum for contemporary jewelry, costumes, tapestries and wood carvings. After lunch, we proceed to Chernivtsi, the capital of Bukovyna. It’s a beautiful and mysterious town with narrow streets and hidden views and some incredible architectural gems which we will see on our city tour: The National University of Chernivtsi, Kobylanska Museum, Opera House, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and the two churches of St. Nikolai. Late arrival in Kamianets Podilsky for dinner.

Today will be one of the most spectacular days on your trip. You will be transferred to the river port where you will board your kayaks for the trip downstream. Kamianets Podilsky - the “museum city” is renowned for its diverse historic architecture, but the real “wow” is the immense canyon that completely encircles the old city. The rocky island is high and inaccessible, except for one very small road leading to the site of Podilia’s largest medieval fortress – the object of our tour and the only stop on our downstream venture. The castle was built in the 11th c., but most of what we will see was added between the 14c and the 18c. After a midday guided tour, we rejoin our kayaks and proceed downstream to the pickup point. Return to hotel for dinner.

This morning we go caving! Our first stop is the Kryshtaleva Pechera (Crystal Cave). There are over 100 caves in the region of southern Ternopil oblast. The Optimistic Cave is considered the longest in Europe (about 200km), but the most beautiful is the Kryshtaleva Pechera. The caves are long and maze-like and extremely difficult to navigate…so stick close together!

We rejoin our touring bus for a short visit to Zarvanytsia, followed by lunch prepared by the sisters. Zarvanytsia is considered the Lourdes of Western Ukraine. It houses a miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin with Christ Child, a spring of healing water, and an active monastery and church. Late arrival in Lviv- where we first drop off all PLAST MEMBERS who will be participating in ETAP 2 at the Ukrainian Catholic University grounds. Others will proceed to Lviv hotel.

Situated in the western part of Ukraine, Lviv, the “City of Lions”, is its heart and soul. Founded in the 13th c. by King Danylo Halytckyj, it was named in honor of his son Lev (Leo). Through centuries of Polish, Austrian and Soviet occupation, Lviv was the gateway to “the East”, but with independence in 1991, Lviv is finally free to develop its own Ukrainian identity. PLAST Ukrainian Scouting Organization was founded in Lviv 100 years ago – hence it was chosen to host the Centennial Celebrations in 2012.

Please note – persons who do not want to participate in ETAP 2 (camping at UKU grounds) may choose to stay in PERLYNA HOTEL** or upgrade to  George Hotel *** in the heart of Lviv.  Your stay in Lviv from Aug 18 to 25th will include two basic city tours, breakfast daily and 4 lunches or dinners.

Hotel/Airport transfers will be provided for Scope group members.

Rates are subject to minor changes, pending number of participants on tour/excursion and US $ fluctuation.