The former USSR, now present-day Ukraine holds one of humanity’s top dark tourism destinations in the world. Chernobyl and Pripyat and the surrounding areas have been off-limits due to the human-made nuclear disaster in 1986.
Dubbed the “Chernobyl Exclusion Zone,” this destination has been on my bucket list for the better part of a decade. I’ve watched and read every documentary about the events that led to the disaster and the devastating after-effects.
I landed in Kyiv and embarked on a fantastic journey that took me through the history of the events of April 23, 1986 and into ground zero. Radioactivity is invisible, odorless, and tasteless; a genie that should never be allowed to escape. I had concerns over radiation exposure; honestly, no one wants to cut years off our lives or come back glowing.
What I found in the exclusion zone was a snapshot in time that has remained untouched for the past 30 years. The animals run wild; all tagged to track their population and buildings decaying and collapsing as nature begins to reclaim the ghost town that was once a bustling city.
Chernobyl tourism destinations
Chernobyl Power Plant
Pripyat
Duga Radar Station
Ridiculously frequent flyer, world traveler, travel blogger and photographer. I’ve explored 40+ countries across 6 continents. 1+ million miles flown and counting. Masters degree in blanket fort engineering and double minor in Netflix and nachos.
