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Russia / Ukraine (Kiev): The Dnieper - River Cruise Routes
Here is a sample itinerary for a river cruise on the river Dnieper in the Ukraine, in this case on the Viking Lomonosov with Viking. This cruise is 11 or 12 nights, starting in Kiev and finishing in Odessa. We took this cruise in August 2008 on the Viking Lavrinenkov going from Odessa to Kiev, and you can see a lot more details here: Ukraine river cruise
Viking River Cruises used to be the only Western company to own and operate ships along the waterways of Russia and Ukraine, but there are some other options now.
(Note: this river cruise is available either as an 11 or 12 day itinerary).
| Day 1 - Kiev: Board your ship & free time |
Day 2 - Kiev:: Coach & walking tour; visit St. Sophia Cathedral; Monastery of the Caves tour |
Day 3 - Dnieper River: Scenic cruising & stop in Kremenchuk for a City tour |
Day 4 - Zaporozhye: Tour Zaporozhye; visit Cossack Museum; enjoy Cossack horesemanship |
Day 5 - Kherson: Canal cruise to Fishermen’s Island |
Day 6 - Sevastopol: Coach & walking tour; free time; optional excursions to Chersonese or Concert of the Black Sea Choir |
Day 7 - Sevastopol: Bakhchisarai excursion to Palace & Gardens of the Khan; free time; optional Balaklava excursion |
Day 8 - Yalta: City tour & White Palace tour; free time; Nikita Botanical Garden or Anton Chekhov's home optional tour |
| Day 9 - Yalta: Free time or optional excursions to Aloupka Palace or Massandra Wine Cellars |
| Day 10 - Odessa: Coach & walking tour; free time or optional tour of Jewish Odessa; optional evening opera |
Day 11 - Odessa: After breakfast disembark and leave for airport. |
And this is what the Viking guys have to say about the places they visit. When you check out the different tour aggregators' or agents' websites, you'll notice that many of them use the same copy, this is usually because they're taking it direct from the riverboat operator's brochure. In fact, I've noticed that even the different operators have very much the same information, so to some extent it's a case of read one, read 'em all (the links go to photos in our Destinations Gallery):
Kiev
Ukraine's capital, Kiev, is called the "Mother of Cities" as it is considered one of Europe's oldest cities. Its history is traced back to 882 when the Kievan Rus Dynasty sprang from the infiltrations of Vikings. From the ninth century onwards, it was the trade centre on the Dnieper River route from Scandinavia to the Black Sea and on to Constantinople.The old section of Kiev retains many of its most historic buildings and monuments including the lovely domed St. Sophia Cathedral. Completed in 1037, it contains fascinating frescoes and mosaics and the marble tomb of Yaroslav the Wise. |
Dnieper River
At 2285 km, the Dnieper River is Europe's third longest. The Dnieper flows from Kiev to through Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to the Black Sea. Throughout history the river has served as an important commercial route for the Vikings, Slavs and Byzantines. Landscapes along the Dnieper River consist of gently rolling hills dotted with forest groves, ancient villages, wide lakes and reservoirs. |
Dnepropetrovsk
The old fortress settlement of Dnepropetrovsk is one of Ukraine's most important commercial cities and many parts have remained untouched for 150 years. Its Museum, housed in a beautiful old building, showcases the fascinating country's history. The area is known for its green hills, beautiful embankments, historic boulevards and lush parks. Nearby Monastryskiy Island is home to the monastery built by Byzantine monks. During free time, relax the river in one of the many cafés and take in some fresh air. |
Nova Kachovka
Home to the 18th century Korsun Monastery, the small town of Nova Kachovka offers a wonderful riverside promenade and folkloric performance in the Palace of Culture. |
Sevastopol
The terminus of the Moscow-Crimea rail line, the harbor city of Sevastopol is a treasure trove of architectural gems including the beautiful Byzantine St. Vladimir Cathedral set high on a hill above the city. Sevastopol Bay is a lovely natural harbor and the principal base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet since the early 19th century. Perhaps you'll visit Grafskaja Quay, a wonderful marble and columned wharf on the bay. Or, discover the city's maritime history in the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet. |
Yalta
Perched on the southern coast of Crimea, Yalta passed through many hands over the centuries until Russia took control in the late 18th century. The city centre stretches back from the eastern end of Yalta Bay, straddling the Bystra River. Everyone gravitates to the naberezhna Lenia, a vehicle-free waterfront promenade with jetties, palms, pebble beaches, snack bars and art markets. Some of Yalta's best beaches lie along Yalta Bay west of the mouth of the Bystra. Half way down the bay and just back from the naberezhna is a chair lift that deposits riders at Darsan, a temple-like lookout on the hill above the bay. Just north-west of the lift is the Alexandr Nevsky Cathedral, a beautifully composed piece of neo-Byzantine architecture built at the turn of the century. Fans of Anton Chekov will want to visit the Chekov House-Museum, where the great Russian playwright spent the last five years of his life. The house features numerous editions of Chekov's works, memorabilia like his pens and medical kit, and a garden. |
Odessa
A historically important Black Sea port, "The Pearl of the Black Sea" was built on the site of an ancient Greek colony, Odessos. It draws its rich history from the many different cultures that settled here including the Crimean Tartars, Turks, Russians and Germans among others. Odessa is particularly known for its beautiful architecture and popular beach resorts. A walk through the city reveals panoramic views and graceful historic buildings, including the beautiful Opera House. Another interesting attraction is the ornate Pasazh, a late 19th century shopping mall with rows of baroque structures. Enjoy one of the city's many museums such as the Archaeology Museum and the Museum of Maritime History. |
Kherson
Founded on the site of Fort Alexander-Schanz in 1778, Kherson is today an important industrial center specializing in shipbuilding. Visit the Kherson steppes, part of the ancient Scythian state in the eighth and seventh centuries B.C. This area has a rich and diverse history that is evident in its many archaeological excavation sites. |
Zaporozhye
Zaporozhye is more than 200 years old and stretches across both sides of the Dnieper River. The city encompasses the environmentally protected Khortitsa Island whose beauty, intrigue and charm have mesmerized artists, authors and poets for centuries. The impenetrable Khortitsa Island was an important defense for the Cossacks to protect themselves against invaders and was integral in the fight to reunite Ukraine with Russia. |
As you can see, the descriptions are a bit florid, but they give a pretty fair idea of the kind of experiences you can expect.
OUR ADVICE: concentrate on the ship you want to travel on and the route you want to travel, rather than the tour aggregator (of course, there's also price!). Be sure to check out our "Things to watch for" page too!
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