Hi all.
I FINALLY booked my dream trip to the Ukraine and am leaving the beginning of October.
I've been planning this trip for a LONG time and have done a TON of research, but was open to any and all advice from those willing to share.
Things to do and NOT do in Pripyat etc....
I'm doing a private two day tour of Pripyat and then I"m staying in Kiev for 5 days.
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I did 4 days in Pripyat and stayed at the only hotel in Chernobyl. Are you driving back and forth to Kiev? Are you going to just go and take fast shots or you into the photography aspect and will take your time? I see you posted this in the photography section so hopefully the latter.

That’s good you are doing a private tour and not with a bunch of people, should be able to get into buildings and hopefully be able to take your time taking photos.

I have seen on a couple YouTube videos I just watched from there, the guides where saying you can’t go into buildings anymore??? I went in 2010 so I’m sure stuff has changed.

I took a hard drive that I could download my memory card every night so I could start the day fresh since I did not bring my laptop. Also don’t forget your tri-pod and extra batteries and memory cards.

I went in March and it was snowing so I can not help you with oct. I think it will be good because hopefully the leaves will start to fall.

Have a great trip it is an amazing place to visit!!! Take a crap ton of photos and don’t get eaten by any mutations!!

Here’s a link to some of my photos
http://www.uer.ca/...urrpage=1&pp#post0

The guides will go over all the safety stuff when you're there.

You will be issued with a walkie talkie in case you go off on your own and/or run into the military who patrol the city.

You aren't technically allowed inside the buildings but most guides don't really care, and tend to look the other way.

The most important thing to remember is that whilst it's safe out in the open, keep out of the dense undergrowth as the radiation is a lot higher in those spots.

Sorry I'm just getting back to this thread.
But wanted to thank the both of you for responding and for the info.
(I still have to check out all your pics edsel).
I did indeed see the replies before I left.
I just got back about a week ago.
I did the 2 day private tour through Soloeast with Igor.
I stayed at the Chernobyl Cottage and rented the whole Cottage by myself, (I'm not a fan of people..haha).
I stayed in Kiev for 5 days as well. HIGHLY recommended!
What a beautiful City!

I brought half a suitcase full of tripods/filters/lenses etc....
When I got to Pripyat/Chernobyl, all my initial plans went out the window and I just decided to take my DSLR and shoot away, not over-analyzing everything and just experiencing it as a whole and not worry about getting the perfect picture.
One lens, one camera, that's it.
I was able to see and go pretty much wherever I wanted and it was a million times more than I expected.

I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone interested in going here to start planning and DO IT!
Pictures do NOT do it justice and cannot convey just have huge this City was and the severity of what happened is impossible to put into perspective through the lens, (at least for me).

Thank you both again for your help and replies.
I took countless pics and am still going through them.
This in my personal favorite.
Leaving the unfinished nuclear reactor cooling towers #4 this little guy followed us for a bit....