What should I do, if I want to visit Chernobyl
exclusion zone with GAMMA TRAVEL?
You need to choose the desired date of your tour and send an application for the participation.
Please note, that the permits processing time is about 4 working days. So, stay on the safe side and book your tour in advance.
What kind of tours do you provide?
There are private and scheduled tours to Chernobyl. We provide one- and two- day scheduled tours, when you are a part of a group max
12 people. Please check available dates for those tour
here. Private/photo trip is our specialty. You may book
1-2 day private tour,
or
3-5day private tour. 1-2 day private tours are for those who want to see maximum locations in their own pace based on their own
preferences, on date that is good for them and just themselves or with friends/colleagues. 3-5 day private/photo tour is for
photographers, exlporers, and people, who have visited Chernobyl and now want to experience it in depth. We provide
Kyiv sightseeing
and
Missile base tours as well.
What is behind the price of the tour?
The price includes: a full package of documents allowing visits to the exclusion zone, permission for photo/video shooting,
transportation Kyiv-zone-Kyiv, English speaking guide, accommodation in the town of Chernobyl (the nights before and after the
tour are not included in the tour cost as you stay in Kyiv), insurance, dining and maximum safety. We want you to relax and
experience the unique world of Chernobyl, and we will take care of everything. All you need is to just book a
tour.
Is it safe to go to Chernobyl?
Please learn more about this
here. But in brief, if you follow all rules and regulations concerning behavior in contaminated areas as well
as instructions of your guide, your trip will be absolutely safe. All tour roots are far away from badly contaminated areas, therefore
personal irradiation dose received during one day in the zone is 2 microsieverts. It’s equal to a 1 hour flight and 3000 times less than a CT scan.
What kind of document is needed for the tour?
It is obligatory to have your passport with you (NOT ID!) (the data of which you sent us). It is impossible to enter the zone without your passport.
We are not responsible for your failure to enter the zone because of wrong passport number/name/ date of birth/ nationality or a wrong passport on
the day of the trip. If you changed your passport number or name after registration for a tour, please let us know about it not later that one week
before the date of your tour.
Where people stay overnight during the multiple day tours?
We do our best for you to stay in a new hotel called “ Desiatka”, but it may be fully booked on the days of the tour. In such a case, you will stay in
a hostel “Polissia”, or authentic hotel “Prypiat” but have breakfast/dinner in “Desiatka”. Keep in mind, this is Chernobyl so don’t expect a 5-star hotel,
but that’s not what the trip is about.
(Attention! There is a 10 p.m.curfew, at which time the hotel is locked. You are also not allowed to walk around
Chernobyl without your guide.)
The hotel in Chernobyl is twin accommodation. If you require a single room please let us know in advance. Single room
supplement is €40 extra.
Where could I have a meal during my tour to Chernobyl zone?
We usually have lunch at the canteen of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Breakfast and dinner (on a multi-day tour) - at café “Desiatka”, which is in the town of Chernobyl. Ukrainian cuisine, all products are delivered from Kyiv. Vegetarian meal is available upon request. Please note, that you shouldn’t drink and eat your snacks in the open air, only inside the bus.
From what age is it permitted to visit the Chernobyl
exclusion zone?
According to Ukrainian law people under 18 are not allowed to visit the zone.
Do I need a dosimeter?
Since none of our five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste or smell enable us to detect poisoning radiation, we suggest to get an appropriate instruments such as a
Geiger counter for your tour. You can rent it or purchase when you apply for you tour.
What should I wear in the zone?
You don't need any special outfit, but please dress appropriately and cover all skin apart from your hands and face. No sandals, shorts or T-shirts are allowed. Mind weather conditions as well. Ukrainian winters are very severe. It’s highly recommended to all of you to bring as many layers as you can. Hat/gloves is a mandatory thing to have on the trip! With 10 inches of snow everywhere, warm trousers and high boots will make your trip a lot more comfortable.
Very often people underestimate the weather and can`t experience the zone properly simply because they freeze once they come out of the van.
But Ukrainian summers are rather hot. Please make sure you have got enough water to drink. We recommend you to have a sunhat with you as we spend a lot of time on the sun. And the last, but not least is a repellent. There a lot of annoying mosquitoes in the zone.
Are there any restrictions of taking photos in the zone?
Photo and Video in the zone are allowed with a few exceptions: - you are not allowed to take photos of the police officers, checkpoints and security installations.
Photos in the industrial site of the ChNPP are allowed only in certain directions.
Drone shooting requires special permission. Drone permits cost: 50€