Highlights of Belarus
Highlights of Belarus
Highlights of Belarus
9 Days Starting and ending in Minsk
Visiting: Minsk, Khatyn Memorial Complex, Niasviž, Mir, Brest, Bielaviežskaja pušča National Park, Grodno
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WMSZ
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Castles, cathedrals, rich forests and soviet structures – Belarus is a diamond, shining with post-war intrigue. While much of the country has been shaped in some way by conflict, the result is a modern country where Soviet, Polish, Orthodox and Jewish influences meet in each city to create architectural wonderlands. In contrast, the sprawling medieval forests of Belovezhskaya Pushcha remain unravaged by man and just as full of curious history, riddled in the growth rings of the towering ancient oak trees. From marsh to metropolis, Belarus’ appeal lies in a tranquillity that needs to be experienced firsthand before it can be fully understood.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Minsk
Location: Minsk
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Welcome to Belarus! Your journey begins in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. 80 per cent of the city was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt with a Stalinist aesthetic, favouring grand buildings, wide avenues and sprawling squares. Time has been kind to Minsk, and while this open city plan is still prevalent, it’s currently characterised by a great mix of historical Soviet places of interest scattered around the modern cafes, restaurants and nightclubs. Do keep in mind that English is rarely spoken in Minsk – you would do well to either learn some key phrases in Russian, or keep a handbook of these phrases with you just in case you arrive early.
Day 2 : Khatyn / Minsk
Location: Khatyn Memorial Complex, Minsk
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Three million Belarusians perished during WWII, or as it is known here, the Great Patriotic War. The Khatyn Memorial is a tribute to all the dead, though the site has a particularly sombre significance. German forces descended on the small town of Khatyn in March of 1943, following the death of a German officer in a nearby skirmish. The 149 inhabitants – including 75 children – were rounded up and murdered, and only one man survived. A bronze tribute to the survivor, Joseph Kaminsky, stands six metres tall in the centre of the complex. The 80-kilometre journey to Khatyn will take about an hour, and a guide will be waiting to escort you around the memorial upon arrival. Later, return to Minsk and continue exploring. Perhaps check out the imposing and sand coloured former KGB headquarters.
Included Activities:
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Day 3 : Nesvizh
Location: Niasviž
Accommodation: Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head to Nesvizh (sometimes also spelled Niasviz) this morning in a private vehicle. Following a two-hour journey, arrive at the Nesvizh Castle, a grand palace that combines modern and classical architecture styles surrounded by manicured gardens. Your accommodation for the night will be within the halls of this crucially important castle. You’ll stay in a wing of the castle that has been converted into a hotel. There’s a restaurant on the property as well with a menu full of European cuisine should you wish to dine like a noble. You may wish to spend the afternoon wandering the grounds, pretending to be an errant royal who has escaped their dreary duties. If you would prefer to get outside the complex, there is plenty on offer in Nesvizh town. Maybe visit the Corpus Christi Church, where a rather unassuming facade hides a stunning baroque interior.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4 : Mir / Brest
Location: Mir, Brest
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Make the 30 minute journey to 16th century UNESCO World Heritage listed Mir Castle, where you can explore the grounds that encircle this prime example of Belarusian Gothic architecture. Make sure you also check out the courtyard. If you would like to learn more about the castle perhaps visit the museum inside the castle (optional). After lunch continue on to the railway station at Baranovichy where you will board a local train to the city of Brest. Use the evening however you wish in this historic town. Perhaps check out Sovetskaya Street, a pedestrian street with plenty of little points of interest, from yellow domes to old-fashioned street lights.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5 : Brest / Rural Village Homestay
Location: Brest
Accommodation: Village stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning head straight to the pock-marked red brick fortress the town is known for. A symbol of Soviet resistance due to its service during WWII, it’s also the site of a sculpture that once topped a CNN list of world ugliest monuments. Called ‘Courage’, the artwork depicts a looming, stubborn face carved from grey rock over 30 metres (100 feet) tall. It’s undeniably impressive, though you can make up your own mind about its beauty. Enjoy a guided tour of the Brest Fortress, gaining insight into Belarusian identity and history. Enjoy some more free time in Brest, so perhaps head to the quirky Museum of Confiscated Art. In the afternoon, transfer to our home stay in a small village. You’ll be staying with our local friends in a rural setting where life has remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. In the evening enjoy a hearty home cooked meal that will likely include potatoes in some shape or form.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6 : Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park
Location: Bielaviežskaja pušča National Park
Accommodation: Village stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast head to Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park (pronounced 'beh-low-veshs-kaya push-cha') where you can survey the sprawling canopies and hidden greenery from the back of a bike. The forest is full of stunning, motionless scenery and stands as a preserved part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bialowieza Forest, the last primeval forest fragment of Europe’s woodlands. Many of the trees here have been standing for generations – some pines are aged around 300 years, while some of the oaks are as close as 600. Wildlife in the forest is abundant too as over 55 different species reside in the park. This includes the European bison, the continent’s largest land mammal, which was bred back from the brink of extinction through a successful zoo breeding program. Enjoy a picnic lunch and then return to the village in the afternoon. Perhaps relax in the sauna before another home cooked meal from your hosts.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7 : Grodno
Location: Grodno
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A private transfer through scenic forested countryside will deliver you in Grodno (approx. 3 hours). One of the few Belarusian cities that avoided bombing during World War II, Grodno (sometimes also spelled Hrodna) is full of pre-war architecture, giving it the feel of a ‘big village’ despite being one of the country’s major cities. Begin your explorations with an orientation walk around town. From the cyan spires of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral to the golden towers of the Bridgettine Convent, Grodno’s mix of medieval and baroque buildings scattered across the city means a surprise could lurk around every corner. Spend the afternoon at your own pace. Perhaps ask your leader where you can grab a draniki (stuffed potato pancakes), and don't miss checking out the interesting looking facade of the drama theatre.
Optional Activities:
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Day 8 : Grodno / Minsk
Location: Grodno, Minsk
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the morning at your own pace. Don't miss checking out the interesting looking facade of the drama theatre, and make sure you visit both the old and the new castle. The Great Choral Synagogue is just opposite. Return to Minsk by public bus in the afternoon. Arrive in the evening and do as you please in Minsk. As tonight is the last night of the trip, maybe head out with your fellow travellers for a final dinner at one of the cozy restaurants across the river in the Trinity Hill area, the oldest surviving suburb in Minsk. It’s a leafy, picturesque part of town that lies on the bank of the Svisloch River.
Day 9 : Minsk
Location: Minsk
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Belarusian romp comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Minsk has a lot to offer so it is recommended you extend your stay in this fascinating city. There are tonnes of optional activities on offer, from churches galore to the National Arts Museum. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Bike Ride in Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park with Picnic Lunch
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Nesvizh Castle
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Khatyn Memorial Site with Local Guide
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Brest Fortress with Local Guide
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Mir Castle Gardens & Courtyard
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 2 dinners
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Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Village stay (2 nights), Castle (1 night)
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Transport
Train, local bus, Private vehicle, Taxi, Bicycle
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- Train , Local bus , Private vehicle , Taxi , Bicycle
Accommodation
- Hotel (5 nights), Village stay (2 nights), Castle (1 night)
Included Activities
- Khatyn Memorial Site with Local Guide
- Nesvizh Castle
- Mir Castle Gardens & Courtyard
- Brest Fortress with Local Guide
- Bike Ride in Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park with Picnic Lunch
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
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