Skip to main content

Explore the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone on an Exclusive Bessarabia Tour

Chernobyl Pripyat
Francescadani/Getty Images

We’re living in strange times. Male rompers are a thing (not really), and Instagram is a driving force behind many a traveler’s bucket list. Some are even paying good money to visit the world’s most impoverished and disaster-hit destinations, just for the ‘gram. Atlas Obscura is adding one more bizarre, yet fascinating tour to the mix — one that guides curious travelers through the nuclear wasteland of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

The exclusive Kyiv, Chernobyl, and the Borders of Bessarabia tour is a whirlwind road trip through Ukraine, Transnistria, and Moldova — a region collectively known as Bessarabia. The 11-day journey starts in Kyiv, Ukraine, with a deep dive into the region’s complicated history. Tour-goers hit the ground running on day two with a fully guided excursion inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The bus tour visits the nuclear reactors at the heart of the disaster, plus satellite facilities around the power plant and the newly installed containment structure. Lunch is served in the original Chernobyl workers’ canteen amid working engineers and scientists currently onsite. Travelers eat dinner and overnight in town within the Exclusion Zone.

Recommended Videos

The following day includes an exploration of Pripyat. Nearly 50,000 workers called the town home before the disaster forced them to evacuate. Today, it’s among the world’s most infamous ghost towns where tour-goers can explore deserted schools, homes, hospitals, and theaters. Beyond the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the tour also includes key stops throughout the Bessarabia region. The Odessa Catacombs (the largest catacomb system in the world), the Pechersk Lavra monastery, and the home and exotic car garage of former Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych are all on the itinerary.

For decades, the Chernobyl disaster site attracted a particular brand of extreme traveler. Although local “tour guides” (We use that term loosely) were known to accept a bribe or two to take foolhardy visitors inside, the area was, until recently, off-limits. HBO’s Chernobyl miniseries proved to be an unexpected boon for tourism to the region. With it, tourists have flooded social media with smiling, peace-sign selfies taken amid the ruins of one of humanity’s greatest modern disasters. The show’s writer/producer, Craig Mazin, recently took to Twitter to remind travelers, “If you visit, please remember that a terrible tragedy occurred there. Comport yourselves with respect for all who suffered and sacrificed.”

Per-person rates for Atlas Obscura’s Kyiv, Chernobyl, and the Borders of Bessarabia tour start at $4,225 for a shared room, with single rooms available for a fee. The 2019 trip is already sold out, although travelers can place their names on a waitlist.

If creepy, off-the-beaten-path travel is your thing, check out these bizarre guided tours from real-world dungeons to a la carte visits to Chernobyl.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Sunny skies or quiet shores? How to pick the best time to visit St. Lucia
A seasonal guide to visiting St. Lucia
St Lucia

In my opinion, St. Lucia easily ranks among the best Caribbean islands to visit. It’s a destination that truly has it all, from dramatic volcanic beaches to incredible rainforests to charming fishing villages to top-tier luxury resorts. Whether you’re the kind of traveler who loves zip-lining through the jungle or lounging poolside with a cocktail, St. Lucia delivers.

But if you're thinking about planning a trip, you’re probably wondering: When’s the best time to visit St. Lucia? Like many tropical destinations, the answer depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Here’s a season-by-season guide to help you decide the best time to pack your bags and soak up the magic of St. Lucia.

Read more
Mailena brings adults-only wellness to Loreto, Mexico in 2026
Mailena is Loreto's first-ever adults only resort
Mailena

A new era of wellness is coming to the Baja California coast. Set to open in late summer 2026, Mailena will be Loreto’s first-ever adults-only wellness resort, offering a tranquil, elevated escape where the desert meets the sea. The resort is situated within the 741-acre Danzante Bay community between the Sierra de la Giganta mountains and the Sea of Cortez and is designed to nourish mind, body, and spirit with its holistic experiences and high-touch hospitality.

Mailena represents the next chapter in Danzante Bay’s evolution,” said Luz Maria Torres, developer of Danzante Bay. “Our vision is to create a holistic sanctuary where guests can prioritize their wellbeing while connecting with the area’s magical qualities and breathtaking natural beauty through thoughtful design, cutting-edge wellness technology and curated destination experiences.”

Read more
Norwegian Cruise Line cuts dozens of sailings — are you affected?
The cruise line cut over 41 sailings in 2026 and 2027
Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced the cancellation of 41 Caribbean sailings scheduled for the 2026-2027 winter season due to a significant fleet redeployment. The cancellations include all 21 voyages aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, which were originally set to depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico, between November 8, 2026, and March 28, 2027. In addition, all 20 scheduled sailings on the Norwegian Prima, planned to operate out of New Orleans from November 15, 2026, to March 28, 2027, have also been canceled.

According to a letter sent to guests and travel partners on Monday, this move is part of a strategic reshuffling intended to better match ship homeports with passenger demand and route capacity. As part of the redeployment, the Breakaway will relocate from San Juan to New Orleans to focus on Western Caribbean itineraries. Meanwhile, the Prima will reposition from New Orleans to San Juan to serve the Southern Caribbean routes.

Read more