This 10-day tour from/to Krakow covering highlights of Western Ukraine such as the Carpathian mountains and the Dniester River Valley as well as places of cultural interest such as Lviv, Chernivtsi and Kamianets-Podilskyi. We follow the course of the Dniester from the Carpathians to Podolien through beautiful green countryside. Where distances permit you will be cycling between the historical cities. Apart from the first and last days only one bus transfer will be necessary during the cycling legs of the tour.
Day 1: Krakow - Ustrzyki, 245km by bus
Individual arrival in Krakow. We meet at the Bird Service office in the old town at noon, and leave by bus at 2:00 pm in the direction of Ustrzyki Dolne (a small town at the Ukrainian border), where we will also be having dinner.
We would advise those not able to book a morning flight or the night train to Krakow to come a day earlier and to book an additional night.
Day 2: Terlow - Sambir, 35km
After entering Ukraine we will be stopping at the first village after the border, Terlo, to get on to our bicycles. We follow the creek valleys and cycle through the colourful villages of the Carpathian mountains to arrive at the upper Dniester River Valley in Staryj Sambir. Following the river brings us to Sambir, where we check into the recently renovated hotel at the market square.
Day 3: Sambir - Drohobych, 46-60km
This ride shows a rapid change of scenery. We ride through a flat plain, where the Dniester River once flowed through large swamps and then along old avenues lined by trees onto Drohobych, once the centre of the salt mining industry. Though the second largest city in Lemberg province, this sleepy and provincial city is small but impressive with numerous historical monuments that can be admired on bicycle. We will be staying in the brand new three-star hotel at the outskirts of the city.
Day 4: Drohobych -Truskavets - Dovgoluka, 30km
Our first destination today is the well developed Truskavets health resort with over a dozen mineral springs. We then cycle through dense oak forests to the remote village of Dovgoluka. We will be staying at Shepilska, a modern tourist center, located "in the middle of nowhere
Day 5: Tovste – Zalischyky, 230 km by bus, 50km by bike
We spend the day in Podolia and get to see a particularly spectacular natural formation of this large region, the "Yar". The word literally means "gorge", and is a brook or river canyon cutting deeply into the red sandstone. After following the course of the Dshuryn River for a while, we cycle past the ruins of Cherwonograd, a former Polish fortification, to reach the Dniester River, which flows through a particularly deep "Yar" here. There was a settlement of Saxons in the large Dniester-Loop once known as "Hinterwalden" (Backforests). They had been naturalized by an erstwhile Polish king. The name of the settlement was translated and later on known as "Zalischyky".
Day 6: Zalischyky - Chernivtsi, 65 km
Up until now we were in the former Kingdom of Galicia. Now we find ourselves in an old border area where the Polish Aristocratic Republic, the Russian Empire and Osmanian Empire once met. The land south of the Dniester, where we will be cycling today, belonged to Romania until 1939. In earlier days it belonged to the historical region of Bukowina, integrated into Austria by Empress Maria Theresa. The capital city of Chernivtsi is an attraction without par. Its stone monuments go back to the "Golden Age" of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy when Chernivtsi (named Czernowitz) was the pulsing capital of the area belonging to the Crown with the eastern-most university of the West.
Day 7: Chernivtsi - Kamianets Podilskyi, 60km by bus, 25km by bike
We return to the Dniester Valley via wine villages and fruit plantations. In Khotyn one can see a castle up on the cliffs that watched over the former Polish-Turkish border for centuries, high above the dammed river. Our final destination is Kamianets Podilskyi. It is one of the oldest cities of Ukraine and is remarkably located. Smotrych River meanders through a 60 m deep gorge in the limestone of the Podolian Upland. One of its serpentine curves is around a large mountain on top of which the historic town was constructed with heavy fortification walls. Entry to this strategically favourably situated city was made even more secure by a fortress.
Day 8: Kamianets Podilskyi - Lviv, 280km by bus, 15km by bike
We take the bus to Lviv, one of the most important cities of Western Ukraine as well as a former capital of Galicia. It is a town dotted with cultural monuments. After a short ride through the green areas on the outskirts there will be a guided tour through the historic centre of town.
Day 9: Lviv - Krakow, 320km by bus
We start on the return journey in the afternoon and expect to be in Krakow, where we will be spending our last night, by early or late evening depending on the situation at the border.
Day 10: Departure from Krakow
Departure from Krakow after breakfast.
A cycling tour of easy to medium difficulty. We follow the creek valley in the Carpathian mountains and then cycle through the flat Dniester Valley and Podolien, which is also quite flat to slightly hilly. Height differences of 50-100m occur only a few times when crossing the river gorges.
Total distance cycled: 265-280 km
Route Map (for guidance only)
Our Krakow and Poland holidays routes may be subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX files are available for most of the cycling tours in Poland we offer.
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Krakow
We recommend flying to Krakow airport to reach the starting point.
The hotel is located in the centre next to the old town and not far away from the city’s main railway station ‘Krakow Glowny’ please see enclosed map.
Getting there from the main railway station (Krakow Glowny): If your luggage is not too heavy you can get there on foot (10-15 minutes’ walk). Otherwise a taxi is a good option (cost approximately 10zl = 2.5 GBP). If you do not have any zlotys you can find both currency exchanges and cash machines near the railway station.
Getting there from the Airport: Travelling by train is the fastest way to get from the airport to the city center. The new Kraków Airport train station is located near the passenger terminal, at the rear of the multi-storey car park. Trains depart every half hour and bring you to the main railway station in just 17 minutes for only 8 zl (1,50 GBP). The usual cost of the taxi will be approximately 70 zl (14 GBP) but please set the price with the driver at the beginning. Please do not exchange all of your money at the airport because of unfavorable exchange rates.
Getting there by car: Driving in the centre is really complicated so if you decide to come by car, use GPS-navigation. The best way is to take the following route: Pasternik - Opolska - al. 29 Listopada - Warszawska (do not miss it the turn after the bridge over the railway!) - Basztowa - Westerplatte - left to Kopernika st. where you will find the gateway to the hotel parking. It is a secured parking where you can leave your car for the whole week for approximately 50zl/day (12 EUR, 10 GBP). Cheaper parkings are near the Airport, prices starts from 90 zl = 19 GBP per week.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport, or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday to Warsaw has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Krakow to Warsaw cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (subject to confirmation):
Not Included:
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Each bike is equipped with a comfortable, gel saddle, Shimano components and puncture-proof Schwalbe tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, bottle holders, computer meters, adjustable seats, aluminium frames with mudguards and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
Bike are maintained systematically in the workshop on a regular basis. You will receive an accessories package including a bicycle pannier bag repair kit, lock, key, and air pump when you collect your bike.
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.
Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike frame size is matched up accordingly.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary):
Men's Bike (Colour may vary):
E-Bike (Electric Bike) Upgrades:
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each electric bike features a detailed LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 80 km for each full charge depending on usage.
Electric Bike (Colour and specification may vary):
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide.
We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 04/06/2021 - 16/07/2021 - 13/08/2021 | Friday |
Season | Prices per person including bike hire |
Season 1: | £950.00 |
Single Room Supplement: | £135 |
Standard Bike Hire: | £55 |
Electric Bike Hire: | £125 |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category A: | 1 x pension. 5 x 3 * hotels. 1 x 4 * hotel |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
04 June 2021 | 13 June 2021 |
16 July 2021 | 25 July 2021 |
13 August 2021 | 22 August 2021 |