Russia Extension itinerary
| Date | Itinerary |
| 31 JAN 2023 | Kirkenes to Murmansk – This morning admire the winter landscapes and countryside as you cross the border to neighbouring Russia travelling by coach to Murmansk. On arrival check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel Azimut (or similar) D As you are in the Arctic Region for the next few days, the opportunity to see the magnificent Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) will increase substantially. You will be advised in the evening if the weather is optimal and you will go chasing the lights. Please note, this can happen on any evening when guides deem the weather is optimal to give you the best opportunity for magnificent pictures to capture the lights. |
| 1 FEB 2023 | Murmansk – The city of Murmansk is the largest city in the Russian Arctic and an important naval base. It was founded in 1915 as a supply port in WWI and was a base for the British, French and American forces against the Bolsheviks in 1918. Today, this sprawling and lively city has a wonderful charm, many great museums and a great fishing industry.
Join your local guide for a comprehensive city tour including a visit to the harbour and the first nuclear icebreaker, “Lenin”. After lunch, visit the Regional History Museum with its exhibitions of flora and fauna of the Kola Peninsula and learn about the history and culture of the Russian North, some of which you would have just travelled through. Another highlight of the city is the WWII War Memorial, “Alesha”. The majestic monument is for the Defenders of the Arctic. Return back to your hotel for dinner and overnight. |
| 2 FEB 2023 | Murmansk to Apatity – Today will present an opportunity to meet the ethnic Saami peoples that live in the Arctic Region of Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway and learn about their way of life and how they have adapted to living in a difficult natural environment, see their dwellings, costumes and try a traditional fish soup. Learn about their deep and close connection to reindeers and huskies.
After lunch proceed to a Siberian Husky Farm. Here you will meet the friendly dogs that play such an important part of life in the Arctic and take an exhilarating husky ride. In the afternoon continue your journey to Apatity with an evening arrival to check in to your hotel where you will have dinner tonight. |
| 3 FEB 2023 | Apatity – Today will present another opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region through participation in wonderful winter activities. Take an easy and very accessible guided tour by snowmobiles to the breathtaking natural wonders that include the Kukisvumchorr Pass which connects the south and north parts of the magnificent Khibiny Mountains, Serdtsevidnoe Lake and valley of Kuniiok River. Observe the ice around the lakes – an extraordinary sight and take the opportunity to slow down and marvel at your environment.
Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure to enjoy a sauna or swim in the hotel’s fitness centre. |
| 4 FEB 2023 | Apatity – Kirovsk
Today explore the nearby city of Kirovsk, famous for its magnificent mountain ranges before boarding the overnight train to Petrozavodsk. Overnight: on the train B, L, D |
| 5 FEB 2023 | Petrozavodsk to St Petersburg – Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia was created to enlarge the western borders of the Russian Empire. The city’s craftsmen and workers created art to send to St Petersburg to decorate the city’s palaces and its embankments which were made of Karelian granite. The region is remote, densely forested and filled with natural wonders.
Disembark the train and take a hovercraft for an exhilarating ride across the frozen Lake Onega to World-Heritage listed Kizhi Island. Here, with a local guide see the many traditional buildings including a peasant house and the famous 300 year old Church of the Transfiguration. These historic buildings form part of the outdoor Museum of Wooden Architecture on the island which will give you a great insight of traditional Russian way of life and building style previously used in much of the countryside. Enjoy tea and Karelian pies and cakes before returning to Petrozavodsk and returning to the train station for this evening’s journey south to Russia’s former grand capital. Join the high speed train “Lastochka” on a five hour journey to St Petersburg with dinner on the train. On arrival, check into your hotel. |
| 6 FEB 2023 | St. Petersburg – Today, join an insightful tour of St. Petersburg uncovering its wide boulevards and architectural wonders. See the famous Nevsky Prospect, the city’s meandering canals and Neva River. You will have the opportunity to visit the historic Peter & Paul Fortress and its Cathedral, which is the burial place of the Russian Emperors of the Romanov Dynasty from Peter the Great, founder of the city to Nicholas the Second, who was the country’s last Tsar.
Your tour continues to the spectacular Cathedral of the Spilled Blood with its colourful onion domes and magnificent mosaics covering its walls and open to the public after years of restoration. After, continue to lunch at the city’s Museum of Vodka, learning about the history of Russia’s national drink. Take an appreciation class to sample different varieties with traditional Russian snacks. This evening, enjoy a lively folklore show featuring Russian dances, traditional songs and musical instruments. |
| 7 FEB 2023 | St. Petersburg – Tour the renowned Hermitage Museum, the former Winter Palace of Catherine the Great, one of the greatest art collectors of all time, who began the collection. Nicholas 1, also greatly enriched it and opened the galleries to the public for the first time in 1852. Today you will have an introductory tour through some of the enormous collection, comprising over three million items of which only a fraction are on display in 360 rooms.
After lunch, continue to the magnificently restored Shuvalovsky Palace, home to the world’s largest collection of pieces manufactured by the Tsar’s famous jeweller, Peter Carl Fabergé, including nine imperial Easter eggs. |
| 8 FEB 2023 | St. Petersburg – Transfer to the airport for your flight home to Australia – B |
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