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Everything you need to know before going to Chernobyl and Pripyat
Every tourist that wants to go on an extraordinary journey to the place of nuclear disaster will have a lot of questions regarding safety, documents, which agency to choose, what to wear and take, what season of the years is perfect for exploring the territory. The first advice for foreign guests will be to plan the whole trip carefully. Coming to the capital city of Ukraine, think of a date you want to go to Chernobyl and book it in advance. But before you do it, get acquainted with rules of safety. Knowing what to expect from such an excursion, you will have a chance to prepare yourself and enjoy it fully without any discomfort. So the following information will be useful for the lovers of extreme tourism.
Choosing an agency. Numerous companies propose an unforgettable experience, guarantees, and quality. But try to examine the offer of specialists. What to look for when selecting an agency:
- make sure that a tour includes informative stories by qualified guides, communication with plant workers, or people who still live there; an educational side is crucial for those who want to learn more about the events of 1986, the history of the catastrophe, and the Soviet Union itself;
- agencies, offering Chernobyl tours from Kiev, must explain in detail where the pickup point will be;
- check what maximum number of people in one group; it will be uncomfortable to be in a big group of more than 12 tourists; some companies even offer individual trips, so you can spend time with your relatives or friends;
- positive reviews are an indicator of quality, as nobody wants to use the services of an agency without opinions on its web page or with negative ones;
- check what inclusions you will get by paying a particular sum: food, staying in a hotel, some fees, safety measures like a respirator mask, or a personal dosimeter;
- find out if you will strictly adhere to the schedule or your tour is flexible, so you will have an opportunity to slow pace and spend more time in some places.
Analyzing the experts according to the given criteria, you will be able to book the best Chernobyl tours and get a well-organized excursion around the exclusion zone.
When to go? It is worth saying that the zone is a unique area without signs of civilization but with a spirit of the Soviet past (slogans, architecture, secret objects). Nature flourishes there, half-destroyed buildings create a post-apocalyptic atmosphere of emptiness and silence. And no matter what season of the year you will choose, you get incredible emotions and experience. But still decide what you prefer more: gentle landscapes of winter when well-known objects and animal tracks in the snow are better visible on a white background; foggy autumn that makes abandoned places even more gloomy; spring when warm and pleasant air gives hope; or summer with predominantly stable but hot weather. The choice is yours.
What to see? Each location and object is worth your attention. The number of attractions you will see depends on the type of tour you prefer. The most common and sought-after are one-day group trips, two-day overnight stays at the hotel, a photo tour of breathtaking locations, and the previously mentioned individual tour. Of course, Pripyat is the reason why thousands of tourists from all over the world are ready to visit Ukraine. Some travelers want to see the Russian Woodpecker with their own eyes — over-the-horizon radar system. The impressively big construction was one of the achievements of Soviet military developments and served to detect ballistic missiles. During the arms race, it was a breakthrough. In our time, it is the main decoration of the exclusion zone.
Are Chernobyl tours dangerous and how to protect yourself from a hazard?
Today, Pripyat is a ghost town. And only in neighboring villages, you can still meet people who are quite brave to return to the polluted areas. In Chernobyl, the plant staff also live on a rotational basis. Some excursions include meetings with these people. But life in the 30 km zone cannot be restored. The Red Forest, polluted lakes, the vehicle cemetery are still dangerous, and no adequate guide will bring you to these locations. But the radioactive background is not high everywhere. In the cities themselves, the level does not exceed the norm. If you follow elementary rules, you will not harm your health.
What do safety rules include?
First of all, you cannot deviate from the route developed by experts. It is vital to follow the instructions of the guide strictly. Do not touch anything, do not eat outdoors, do not pick berries. If you are lucky, you will meet some animals. Foxes can live even in Pripyat. It is recommended to be careful with them. However, you can feed them some goodies. It is not prohibited. Check out the dress code. Long sleeves, comfortable shoes, pants are safety precautions. What to do with the temptation to take a souvenir like an old children’s toy, a battered book, or an old piece of paper? Immediately get rid of these thoughts. You cannot take anything out of the zone.
What is dosimetric control?
Before and after the trip, each tourist is required to pass dosimetric control. This measure is needed to check if there are particles on your clothes. In the entire history of the Chernobyl tours, there have not been cases of recording a dangerous amount of radiation. There were rare cases when tourists had to leave their shoes. Perhaps contaminated dust was on the soles. But it is not fatal. The main thing is to detect and eliminate it. For especially doubtful people, some agencies offer respiratory masks or dosimeters. But in fact, tourist locations are safe and it is not necessary. Therefore, buying a mask or a dosimeter, you will get a great keepsake.
Now you are armed with essential information about the zone and tourism here. Just choose an agency and book a date. Go2Chernobyl specialists are an ideal option for those who want a safe, impressive, and educational trip. Passionate people who are in love with what they are doing will provide you with everything needed. And as a result, every tourist is satisfied not only with the trip but also with the services.
