This private journey combines the history of Kulmhof — the first Nazi extermination camp — with a visit to the historic Radegast Station in Łódź. Together, these sites tell the story of deportation, isolation and the beginning of industrialized mass murder in occupied Poland.
Kulmhof in Chełmno nad Nerem was the first Nazi extermination camp created for systematic mass murder. Unlike Auschwitz-Birkenau, the killing process here relied mainly on mobile gas vans — sealed trucks where victims were murdered with carbon monoxide fumes during transport to nearby forest burial sites.
Thousands of Jews from the Łódź Ghetto were deported to Kulmhof and murdered shortly after arrival. Today, the memorial reveals the earliest stage of the industrialized extermination system later expanded across occupied Europe.
During the mass deportations of September 1942, the German authorities ordered the removal of children, elderly people and the sick from the Łódź Ghetto for transport to Kulmhof extermination camp.
At that moment, Rumkowski delivered his infamous speech remembered by the words: “Give me your children.” For many historians, it remains one of the most tragic and controversial moments in Holocaust history — symbolizing the impossible choices imposed upon Jewish leaders under Nazi occupation.
Radegast Station in Łódź became one of the main deportation points of the Litzmannstadt Ghetto — the longest-operating Jewish ghetto in occupied Poland. From here, tens of thousands of Jews were transported mainly to Kulmhof, and later to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The ghetto itself was transformed into a vast forced labor district. Its leader, Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski, believed that work for the German authorities might increase the chances of survival for part of the population. Today, Radegast Station remains one of the most symbolic Holocaust memorial sites in Poland.
Drive time: ~1h 50 min (Warsaw – Kulmhof) + 45 min (Kulmhof – Łódź) + 1h 30 min (Łódź – Warsaw)
Visit time: ~4–5 hours
Total tour duration: ~8–9 hours
Opening hours (museums):
9:00 AM / 10:00–3:00 PM / 4:00 PM
A private, unhurried journey
Your private driver-guide will pick you up directly from your hotel or apartment in Warsaw.
The journey toward Łódź and Kulmhof takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, offering time to introduce the historical background of the Łódź Ghetto and the first phase of the Holocaust in occupied Poland.
This private format allows for an unhurried, reflective experience focused on history rather than standard group tourism.
The visit to Radegast Station begins at the preserved railway platform from which Jews from the Łódź Ghetto were deported to extermination camps — primarily to Kulmhof, and later also to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Inside the museum complex, you will explore original freight wagons, memorial spaces and exhibitions dedicated to the tragedy of the Litzmannstadt Ghetto — the longest-operating ghetto in occupied Poland.
The museum presents the daily reality of life inside the ghetto: forced labor, overcrowding, hunger and the desperate attempts to survive under German occupation.
Part of the exhibition is dedicated to Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski and the controversial decisions of the Jewish Council. The visit also explores the tragic deportations of September 1942, remembered through the infamous speech:
“Give me your children.”
At Kulmhof (Chełmno nad Nerem), you will visit the museum exhibition and the nearby forest memorial area where victims were buried and later cremated.
Unlike Auschwitz-Birkenau, Kulmhof became the first extermination camp based on mobile gas vans — sealed trucks used for mass murder during transport to the forest execution site. Today, the preserved remains and memorial spaces reveal the earliest stage of industrialized extermination in occupied Europe.
What’s included
Everything is arranged for you — so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Not included
Ideal for couples or small groups seeking a quiet, private journey with full comfort.
A perfect solution for families or small groups traveling together, without compromising comfort.
We can also arrange transport and guiding services for larger groups, including minibuses and multi-day itineraries.
Please contact us for a tailored quote.
• Cash (EUR / USD / PLN)
• Credit & debit cards
• Secure online payment (on request)
No hidden fees. No prepayment required for most bookings.
Practical answers before your visit to Kulmhof and Radegast Station — planning, timing and what to expect.
Yes — advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during the spring and summer season.
This is a private historical tour with a long-distance itinerary, and museum opening hours must be coordinated in advance.
Kulmhof (Chełmno nad Nerem) was the first Nazi extermination camp, where mass murder by gas vans began in December 1941. It marks the beginning of industrialized killing that later expanded to other death camps.
Radegast Station in Łódź was one of the main deportation points of the Litzmannstadt Ghetto.
From this railway station, tens of thousands of Jews were transported mainly to Kulmhof, and later also to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Today, it remains one of the most important Holocaust memorial sites in Poland.
The tour includes the Kulmhof Museum exhibition, the forest memorial area and the preserved sites connected with the first extermination process.
At Radegast Station, you will visit the deportation platform, memorial tunnel, historical freight wagons and exhibitions dedicated to the Łódź Ghetto and Holocaust deportations.
The full private tour usually takes around 8–9 hours, including transportation, museum visits and time at the memorial sites.
The drive from Warsaw to the Łódź region takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes each way.
Yes — the tour includes a private guide at Kulmhof / Chełmno, where historical interpretation is especially important for understanding how the first extermination camp operated and how the mobile gas vans were used during the killing process.
At Radegast Station, we explore the museum and memorial exhibition together without a separate private museum guide. The exhibitions, descriptions and historical materials are available in English, making the visit accessible and easy to follow for international visitors. The memorial space itself is highly visual and symbolic, focused on deportations, the Łódź Ghetto and the personal stories of victims.
Absolutely.
This tour is especially valuable for visitors interested in Holocaust history, Jewish heritage, the history of the Łódź Ghetto and the origins of the Nazi extermination system developed before Auschwitz-Birkenau became operational.
Signature Experience
A comprehensive, multi-day experience designed for those seeking a complete historical perspective.
The most comprehensive WWII tour in Poland —
unmatched by anyone on the market.
5 to 7 days
Minimum: 5 full days of intensive touring
All major camps in Poland
Complete historical coverage
This tour is not offered
by any other company in Poland
For serious travelers, historians,
educators, and researchers