Hike across Yelnya : travel to a Belarusian space

Have you ever walked at the bog? It is worth trying! The bog is an absolutely unique ecosystem, which plays an important role in cleaning the air of whole Europe. Our tour will take you to the most picturesque bog in Belarus - Yelnya. During the hike, you will learn more about the “lungs” of Europe, their inhabitants, such as sundew, cotton grass, sphagnum, goddess and others. In summer, we strongly recommend you to have a swim in famous peat lakes: it is absolutely amazing! It will not only soft your skin and strength your health, but will also be an exciting part of your travel experience.

Depending on a season, we can watch waders or cranes. If you are interested in a specialized birdwatching tour at the bog - let us know, we can provide that as well.

Photo: Oksana Shyrei, Tatiana Leonovich

Check out the calendar of scheduled group tours

Contact us for your customized adventure

In the morning we leave Minsk at 08:00.

First we will visit the ecological class, which can be named as a visit center of the Yelnya bog. Then we are moving to the bog itself, where the tour will be accompanied by a local guide Valerij, wildlife photographer and expert in ornithology. We will walk the trails of local fishermen deep into the bog, to picturesque lakes. We will organize a picnic before going for a hike.

After the hike - a delicious dinner (made from farm products, cooked over a fire).

Arriving in Minsk at 23:00.

At Yelnya we will learn what is "ozeravka", and explore these mystical places by swimming in them! Peat lakes at the bogs are shallow and the water temperature is usually warm enough. Especially on a hot day, it's just an incredible pleasure to plunge into a lake with a peat bottom. Take our tourists' word for it: swimming at Yelnya is one of the most vivid impressions of the trip!

Very interesting and unusual way to spend time in Belarus and see the beauty of its nature. The guide was very attentive and knowledgeable, I would definetely recommend this tours to foreigners coming to Belarus. They can custom-make your experience and organize everything for you. And - this is a social project helping rural Belarus discover and use its many unique features!
Anastasiya Matchanka
We had such a great time touring the beautiful yelnya bog! Both our guide and tour organizer were very knowledgeable and passionate about the region. Highlights of the trip were getting to swim in two scenic bog lakes and having a delicious home-cooked meal at a homestead. I would definitely do this trip again and would love to try one of the other tours as well. Thanks again for the wonderful experience!
Olivia Knodt

Price:

Included in the price:
  • accompanying by a local guide;
  • food (picnic before the hike and lunch after);
  • transfer from Minsk and back.
from 200 BYN

The listed price is relevant to a scheduled tour or a group of 12+ participants

Are you going to travel with smaller children? We can either organize an individual tour for you, an easier one; or contact us and we will describe you more precisely the routes of this tour, so you decide if that is suitable for your kids.  Write us to make sure they would feel comfortable during the tour.

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