Exclusive Small-Group Tour of Belarus: Live like a Local, Dive into Culture, Connect with Nature and Indulge in Home-Made National Cuisine

Hosted by

Viktoria

Guided trip
What's special?
special Delicious home-made national meals
special Stay with a local family
special Off-the-beaten path destination
This is not your average trip! Explore a destination that is truly off the beaten path, Belarus! I am looking for 4 adventurers to join me on an exclusive 7-day trip around my home country. It is probably the most mysterious and misunderstood European country. This is your unique chance to gain an in-depth understanding of its rich culture, guided by a local expert. You will stay with a local family, discover the country's long history and controversial present, indulge in mouth-watering national cuisine, and recharge in the natural places of power. For this trip, you will NOT* need to get a Belarusian visa. I will arrange a travel voucher with a local agency for you that will let you stay in the country visa-free up to 15 days. HIGHLIGHTS: - STAY WITH A LOCAL FAMILY: for a few days, you will get immersed into the life of a local family, in a comfortable country house surrounded by magnificent nature. - VERSATILE ITINERARY: the itinerary I designed will take us through cities and villages, castles and palaces, and forests and rivers. It will include all the essential Belarusian pastimes, such as sumptuous family dinners, forest bathing with optional mushroom picking, and banya (Belarusian wooden sauna). - TRADITIONAL HOME-COOKED FOOD: my mom, who is an excellent cook, will prepare traditional breakfast for us in the mornings. And on two nights we will also enjoy a home-cooked traditional dinner in our home stay. On other days, we’ll explore local restaurants and cafes. - IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF CULTURE AND CONTEXT: you’ll have a unique chance to gain first-hand uncensored information about the situation in Belarus. During our time together, I will put the country's history in the regional and European context for you, so that you leave with a much deeper understanding of what's going on in Eastern Europe today. - RETREATING INTO PURE, PEACEFUL NATURE: Belarus is a country of endless forests, rivers and lakes. October is one of the most beautiful times to explore it with the explosion of colours and autumn smells. We’ll spend plenty of time appreciating the peaceful beauty of nature.

About me! A few words about myself, your guide! I grew up in Lida, in the west of Belarus - which is going to be the base of our trip. After I left home at the age of 18, I've lived and travelled across continents, exploring more than 90 countries on the way. I am an experienced traveller and I know what makes a trip a truly meaningful and memorable experience. Travelling the world made me appreciate Belarus in a new way, and now I want to show the world its beauty. I’ve hosted guests from India, Spain, Argentina, Lithuania, and they all shared that Belarus surpassed their expectations. On a personal level, I have a very wide range of interests, from surfing to scuba diving, freediving, hiking, formulating my own cosmetics, yoga (in the mornings, I will invite you to join me for a guided pranayama and yoga practice and a meditation!), Buddhism, alternative states of consciousness, and so much more! I am an open-minded and curious person, and my default attitude to any human being is that of kindness and respect. If you have any questions (e.g. about how safe Belarus is to visit), feel free to text me, and I'll be happy to address any concerns in the Q&A section on this trip!

Details about the accommodation: What makes this trip special is that you’ll get a chance to stay with a local family. We will spend most nights in my parents' home stay (if you've been to South-East Asia, you'll know the concept!). Located in an authentic peaceful Belarusian village, it is surrounded by magnificent nature and is within an easy reach of the city centre. You can expect amazing home-made food, spacious comfortable rooms, a yard, a shared bathroom, and of course, unbounded hospitality and the feeling of being part of the family. We have animals (cats, dogs, and hens) so you should keep that in mind. On other stops, we will be staying in rented apartments. This trip will work best for people who love to get a deep understanding of a cultural and historical background of the country through the lens of locals, who like to spend time in nature and enjoy the comfort and intimacy of travelling in a small group of like-minded people. I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO JOIN MY TRIP and explore Belarus together with me!

What's included?
Accommodation (Shared rooms)
Transport (bus) to and from Lida
Transport around Belarus
Visa and insurance
5 x home-cooked traditional breakfast
2 x home-cooked traditional dinner
Morning Yoga
Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations.
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Travelling shaped me into who I am today in magical ways. Now I want to inspire YOU to connect with the world, meaningfully & authentically.

5 based on 1 reviews

Yong Hwa

5/5
Viktoria is a very passionate and responsible person, I am very happy to have her as my guide in Belarus. It was a truly once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend everyone to book with her because you are guaranteed to have a great time! P.S Her mom will overfeed you when you visit so make sure you are hungry! Everything is homegrown, very tasty and comes from the garden beside the house. I learnt a lot more about Belarus than I knew and left the country with only happy memories and a positive experience. Thank you again Viktoria, you were amazing!
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You can chat with Viktoria once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1

Vilnius

Day 1-2
Our first stop is Vilnius. Yes, the Lithuanian capital! Lithuania and Belarus share a long history as both countries formed part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for centuries. Vilnius, a former capital of that state, is home to places, stories and people who played a huge role in the formation of Belarusian identity. Even if you visited it before, you’ll see a side of Vilnius you never knew existed, through stories and places important for Belarusians. Accommodation: AirBnB Activities: city tour focused on Vilnius’s Belarusian heritage, welcome dinner in a Belarusian restaurant, exploration of the beautiful historical centre. Meeting Belarusians currently living in Vilnius and learning about the complexities of modern geopolitics in Eastern Europe through their stories.
2

Lida

Day 2-3
Today we’re entering Belarus, exciting! We’ll take a morning bus all together and cross the border, 80km journey that will take approximately 4 hours. I’ll be there with you to handle any questions at the border! Usually, it’s a hassle-free experience, and border guards are polite and welcoming to foreign guests. Upon arriving, we’ll settle in our home stay, have late breakfast, and head out to explore my hometown with its 14th-century castle, cozy city centre, and beautiful Catholic and Orthodox churches. Lida is the capital of Belarusian beer-brewing, in the evening we’ll visit a museum dedicated to the craft on the territory of the actual factory. Dinner either at home or in “Lida bar”. Accommodation: homestay
3

Niasviž

Day 3-4
Our first road trip, yay! We’ll jump in a car to explore the cultural, natural and historical heritage of the country. We have several options for today’s itinerary, which we can discuss and choose as a group. Either we visit the most famous castle and palace of Belarus (Mir, Nyasvizh - both UNESCO sites) or we do a route that will cover small typical villages with well-preserved churches and castle ruins that span centuries of Belarus’s history. Either way it’s going to be an epic day! In the evening, we’ll be back home in Lida. Dinner either at home or in a karchma (typical eatery) on the way. Accommodation: homestay
4

Grodno

Day 4-5
Another morning yoga and meditation, another delicious breakfast - and we are heading to Grodno! A true jewel among Belarusian cities. The city of majestic churches, fabled old town, and the mighty Neman river, Grodno will not leave you disappointed. We’ll have a guided tour of the city centre, after which we’ll be free to explore the hidden corners of Grodno at our own pace. Cosy coffee shops, vibrant bar scene, local handicrafts - Grodno has it all! Accommodation: rented apartment
5

Augustów Canal

Day 5-6
We’ll have a rich breakfast in one of the cute cafes to prepare us for an active day outdoors. Today we’re exploring a true engineering marvel of the 19th century, the channel of Augustow. It is a historic waterway constructed to connect the Vistula River (Poland) with the Neman River (Belarus). Stretching 102 km, it comprises a network of lakes, rivers, and channels, renowned for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. Once vital for trade, the canal now serves as a popular tourist destination, surrounded by lush forests and natural reserves, and is a protected cultural and historical monument, celebrated for its cultural and natural significance in the region. It can be explored by bicycle, canoe, a boat or on foot - it will be up to us what we feel like doing! Each way will offer an opportunity to immerse ourselves into pristine nature. On the way back, we’ll visit small villages surrounding the canal, and then stop for dinner in one of the agrotourism complexes next to Grodno. Finally, we’ll reach our homestay for a well-deserved rest after this long day! Accommodation: homestay
6

Lida

Day 6-7
Today is the day to relax, Belarusian style! Which means nature, banya (Belarusian wooden sauna) and shashlyk (BBQ)! There is nothing like jumping into ice water after a proper session in banya with venik (a birch tree “broom” to stimulate blood flow). We’ll conclude the day and the trip with dinner in a traditional Belarusian restaurant right inside the Lida castle! Accommodation: homestay Departure Sadly, every adventure comes to an end. On day 7, after one last breakfast at home, you’ll take a bus back to Vilnius.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Apartments & Bed & Breakfast
7 days trip
Vilnius, Lida & 4 more
Transportation
Car
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What's excluded?
International flights to Vilnius
Meals not mentioned in Inclusions
Guided tours of attractions
Banya (Belarusian wooden sauna)
Misc costs (entrance fees, souvenirs)
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