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INFAMOUS
BELARUS

The Lenin statue outside Government House, MinskPhoto — Minsk

The country Europe forgot. In overland from Warsaw on a night train, out through Soviet boulevards, tank ranges and the half of the Chernobyl exclusion zone nobody visits. Application only.

31 Jul–7 Aug 2027Dates
8 DaysDuration
$1,999All-in
8 SpotsGroup Size
By ApplicationJoining
Itinerary

Day 1 — Warsaw to Brest

A bus out of Warsaw and across one of Europe's strangest borders, the old-school way. Brest fortress and a city tour once we are through, a proper welcome dinner, then the overnight sleeper east to Gomel: bunks, tea in glass holders, and the whole carriage swaying through the dark.

Overnight: Night train

Day 2 — Gomel

Roll into Gomel with the sunrise. Check in, strong coffee, then Belarus's grand second city on foot: the Rumyantsev palace and its park above the river, golden-era Soviet boulevards, and a proper dinner before the strangest day of the trip.

Overnight: Gomel

Day 3 — The silent zone

The day the whole trip points at: into the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve, the Belarusian half of the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Abandoned villages being swallowed by forest, bison and wolves where people used to live, geiger counters clicking. No crowds, no tour buses. The quiet half of the most infamous place on earth.

Overnight: Gomel

Day 4 — Slutsk

West across the flatlands into the Belarus nobody writes guidebooks about. Check into a proper Soviet hotel, then Slutsk: the market, the monuments, the I love Slutsk sign, and an evening with our friend Dennis, the bartender at the only bar in town, who has been expecting us.

Overnight: Slutsk

Day 5 — Minsk

An early start north to the capital. Check in, then a city tour through the greatest open-air museum of Soviet architecture on earth: Independence Avenue, Victory Square, the KGB headquarters (photos from the outside only, trust us). Kolduny and kvass for dinner.

Overnight: Minsk

Day 6 — The Stalin Line

Out to the Stalin Line fortifications for the day you will not believe until you are in it: ride a Soviet tank through the mud and fire the weapons your history teacher only had pictures of. Back to Minsk in the evening with your ears still ringing.

Overnight: Minsk

Day 7 — Minsk Maxxing

The capital with the lid off: ride the ornate Soviet metro, hunt down the mosaics, take the National Library's viewing deck for the skyline, and haggle for dinner at the Komarovka market. A last proper night out in Minsk to send it off.

Overnight: Minsk

Day 8 — Out through Lithuania

One last Belarusian breakfast, then the short road north and across the border into Lithuania together. Goodbyes on EU soil, with Vilnius right there for cheap flights home or one more night out if you are not done yet.

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The Route

BELARUS POLAND LITHUANIA UKRAINE RUSSIA WARSAW START BREST GOMEL CHERNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE SLUTSK STALIN LINE MINSK VILNIUSEND BY ROAD BY RAIL
Saluting under the Stalin Line banner, AK in hand
The I love Slutsk sign
The night train east, somewhere before the border
Soviet-era mural, Minsk
The red bridge over the Svislach at night, Minsk
The National Library of Belarus

What's Included?

  • Visa support
  • 7 nights: Minsk & Gomel hotels, a proper Soviet hotel in Slutsk + the sleeper train
  • Warsaw to Brest bus & all transfers
  • Stalin Line day: tank ride & shooting
  • Chernobyl exclusion zone permit
  • Welcome dinner in Brest
  • Hosted by George start to finish

What's Not?

  • Visa fees (where applicable)
  • Flights home from Vilnius
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals & drinks beyond those listed
  • Tips

FAQ

Is Belarus safe to visit?
We run trips to places with scary headlines and warm welcomes, and Belarus is the textbook case. George has travelled every step of this route himself (the photos on this page are from his scouting trip), the itinerary avoids anything sensitive, and he hosts it start to finish. Read our Safety page for how we run places like this.
What about the Chernobyl exclusion zone day?
We visit the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve, the Belarusian side of the Chernobyl exclusion zone, with the official permit arranged in advance. A full day there is comparable to the radiation dose of a long-haul flight. Nobody visits this side, which is exactly why we do.
Do I need a visa?
UK and EU passports: no — this trip runs on Belarus's visa-free entry programme, and if Belarus does not extend it into 2027, every traveller receives a full deposit refund, no questions asked. US passports: the visa-free scheme does not cover the land border we cross, so we arrange a Belarusian e-visa with you before departure — one online form, and the same refund guarantee applies. Everyone else: apply and we confirm the exact requirement for your nationality. Visa support is included for all.
What's your cancellation policy?
Deposits are non-refundable. More than 90 days before departure: everything except the deposit refunded. 31–90 days: 50% refund. 30 days or fewer: non-refundable. All cancellations subject to a $50/€50 admin fee. Full details in our Terms & Conditions.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical cover and repatriation is required for all trips.
Are flights included?
No. You arrange flights to and from the start point; we handle everything on the ground.
Who travels with Infamous?
Small groups of around 10, mostly solo travellers in their 20s and 30s. You'll leave with friends.

Join the Adventure

$1,999 all-in if accepted. 31st July to 7th August 2027. No payment with your application — we read every one and reply within 48 hours.

Apply to Join

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