Advice on International Flights

We suggest you book your international flight to arrive into and out of Boryspil International Airport, Quito (KBP) in Ukraine (although you can use Zhuliany International Airport if it is more convenient) and that you arrive in Kyiv one day before the expedition departure so you are well rested before the start of the journey.

There are domestic flights to from all major cities to Kyiv. Drop off at the end of the expedition at the airport will be 2 hours prior to earliest flight time among the team.

Health 

Health 

There are some important considerations in order to reduce the β-radiation. You must wear long-sleeved clothing, and lots of it. Your body should be covered as much as possible, even in the hot weather, and especially when you are at the 10-kilometer zone.

• No T-shirts, tops, shorts, skirts, etc. will be allowed. It is imperative that you choose clothes made of durable fabric, that are comfortable, can withstand tough conditions, and will not rip when trekking through dense vegetation.

• The minimum requirement for garments is a thick long-sleeved shirt and jeans long enough to cover your shoes 1-2 cms.

• In the dry season, some participants wear "Tyvek" suits, that are lightweight and comfortable enough and meet all the requirements set out above.  When traveling in the wet season it is reasonable to have a waterproof jacket and trousers.

• Practical and appropriately tough footwear are essential when exploring in the Zone, the best shoes for all parameters are military or hiking boots.  Ground surfaces include gravel, stones, branches, rusty metal, barbed wire and other unstable surfaces.  In the summer it is hidden with grass and in the winter with snow. Inside buildings there is a lot of broken glass, tiles, bricks and with the frequent rain, it may turn to sticky mixture of mud, clay and plaster.

• Additionally, it can be contaminated with radioactive substances.

• Remember during 2-day trip you will have to walk about 15km.

• We recommend you bring a spare pair of shoes.

• If you do not meet the correct requirements, entry denied for entry to the Zone at checkpoint.

• It is a good idea to have at least basic means of personal protection against dust:  cheap cloth gloves, dust mask, protective gloves.  Normally, there is no need to wear all of this, but sometimes that may be handy in case of contact with high-contaminated objects.

• We recommend to bring a pack of wet wipes to clean your hands.

The average radiation exposure per one day stay at the Zone roughly equates to the same amount the average human can get during regular flight. It is around 2 μSv (or 200 μR in microRoentgens).  Just for comparison, it is less than an X-ray.

All our routes are planned in such a way to avoid contamination of visitors. However, you have to clearly bear in mind that visit to Chernobyl Zone means a visit to the territory of nuclear disaster which followed by radiation exposure and/or physical contact with radioactive sources.

If you will follow safety rules and recommendations by your expert guide, your risk will be reduced.

Logistics

Contrary popular beliefs, the Chernobyl NPP Exclusion Zone is not a simply abandoned barren land, but a strictly regulated secured area under the rule of Ministry of Ecology of Ukraine, where numerous nuclear facilities are still operating.

Therefore, you must confirm that you have read and agree with rules described below:

1. You must be at least 18 years old in order to obtain permission to enter

2. You accept all the risks related to your visit of your own will.  Additionally you will be asked to sign appropriate written confirmation on arrival to the Zone.

3. You must follow designated route, orders and recommendations of your guide;

4. You must follow the rules of nuclear safety regardless of weather conditions:

   • You must wear long-sleeve clothes that covers your body. Any kind of t-shirts, skirts, shorts are strictly forbidden. You have to wear appropriate footwear that cover your feet and have no holes (hiking or military boots is the best option.  Sandals, casual women shoes are forbidden);

   • You must not drink or eat outside the bus or structures;

   • Smoking within the Zone is not forbidden, but not recommended;

   • Drinking alcoholic beverages during the tour, as well entering the Zone under the influence of alcohol is strictly forbidden;

5. You must not remove anything from the Zone, ("nuclear souvenirs") e.g. debris, things from structures, stones, etc. This is illegal and can cause criminal responsibility.  You may purchase safe souvenirs in the gift shop on site.

6. You must not enter structure at the city of Pripyat;

7. Photos and videos are welcome, however, there are some objects or locations that are strictly forbidden for shooting or filming:

   • Any checkpoints and their staff (police, guards, etc.), as well any security systems, structures or vehicles

   • Chernobyl NPP main structures and security systems, except in the case of:

     • From a distance

     • From the Main Observing point of Object Shelter (the "Sarcofagus") in a forward direction

     • V and VI units’ site and cooler towers;

     • Open-air power grid transmitting field (ORU).

     • The Arc construction yard.

Violation of these rules can result in an immediate tour termination for entire group of visitors (without any refunds), and/or legal responsibility.