Since ancient times magnificent Moscow has been Russia’s political and economic center and witnessed numerous historical events that have shaped this stunning city in the form we see it today.
Welcome to the fabulous Russian capital, Moscow! Upon arrival, your driver meets you and takes you to your central hotel for check-in.
The rest of the day is free for you to relax in your comfortable room or explore the city center on your own.
No meals included.
Today is colored with wonderful Moscow exploration! Finish your breakfast and meet your private guide in the hotel lobby to set off on a fascinating 8-hour city tour around the most outstanding Moscow landmarks.
On tour, you discover the iconic Red Square with the outstanding and colorful St. Basil's Cathedral, which you get to enter and explore from inside as well, see the famous GUM and enjoy one of the best city views at Sparrow Hills.
After lunch in a city restaurant, you explore an incredible Moscow must-see icon - the Kremlin. Inside the Kremlin walls you visit the famous Armoury Chamber with a unique collection of crown jewels, stunning coronation finery, hand-forged armor and weapons, royal carriages and sleighs, and world-famous Fabergé eggs.
After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast and lunch included.
After a delicious breakfast, you check out from your hotel and go on an exclusive cooking class to experience the authentic Russian culture.
Go to a local market to buy fresh products together with a professional English-speaking chef and then have a cooking class, where you learn the secrets of making perfect Russian borscht, traditional pelmeni dumplings, and thin blini pancakes.
After the tour, you are transferred to the train station where you board a modern high-speed Sapsan train that takes you to St. Petersburg in comfort and safety in just 4 hours.
When you arrive, your driver meets you at the train station and takes you to your centrally located hotel.
Breakfast is included.
We carefully select hotels to ensure amazing stay and experience for you.
Enhance your visit to the vibrant Russian capital by staying in one of the most remarkable accommodations in the city, the Courtyard by Marriott. Boasting a fantastic location right in the city center (not far from such striking Russian landmarks as the iconic Kremlin and Red Square), the property invites you to enjoy impeccable comfort, top-class service, and, of course, great accommodations.
Have a ride on a comfortable high-speed Sapsan train. Onboard you will find all the needful amenities and services for a pleasant ride. Have a rest in your cozy seat while having a 4-hour journey between the two Russian capitals.
Russia is definitely among the most unique countries. The second capital of this immense country, Saint Petersburg, is often called Russia's "cultural" heart.
Grab a bite of the morning breakfast, then meet your guide and go to explore the most outstanding attractions of St. Petersburg.
You'll see the gorgeous St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood which stands on the site where Russia's great emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded, and the Peter and Paul Fortress - a burial place of almost all the Russian emperors and empresses from the Romanovs destiny.
After sightseeing, you have an afternoon tea in Astoria with a wide choice of Russian sweets, crapes with sauces, traditional Russian meat pirozhki, sandwiches, and cookies.
After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
- Optional tour: Evening banya
Today we invite you to one of the oldest banyas in the historical center of Saint-Petersburg. Enjoy a Russian sauna on firewood and learn about the customs of a bathhouse, use “veniki” (birch branches), and try “kvas”.
Breakfast is included.
See the riches of St. Petersburg to Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo) on today's tour to the city's outskirts. After breakfast, you meet your guide and driver who take you there to explore the brilliant Catherine's Palace. It is a striking example of baroque architecture gifted by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I.
During the tour, you take a walk through the lavish parks and gardens of this outstanding palace and enjoy its gorgeous interiors, including the replica of the world-renowned Amber Room.
Later this day you enjoy a traditional Russian amusement - a famous Russian troika ride.
Next, you visit the famous Russian Vodka Museum - the first museum in Russia and in the world dedicated exclusively to Vodka. Learn interesting facts about the drink's history, culture, and drinking traditions and get the taste of different types of vodka.
After the tour, you return to St. Petersburg and have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast and lunch included.
Legendary Hermitage Museum is your today's destination! Have a delightful breakfast and then meet your guide at the hotel lobby to set off on a fascinating exploration. The museum houses the unique collection of world art, including the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, El Greco, Francisco Goya, and Thomas Gainsborough. Find them all in the halls of the Winter Palace!
After lunch in a local restaurant, you are taken to the railway station where you board a train that in 5.5 hours takes you to Sortavala, a town in the strikingly beautiful region of Russia, the Republic of Karelia.
Upon arrival, your driver meets you at the train station and takes you to a wooden style hotel located far away from the city. You are invited to have dinner in the hotel.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
We carefully select hotels to ensure amazing stay and experience for you.
Boasting an excellent location in the heart of renowned Russia's second capital, mesmerizing Saint Petersburg, the Corinthia hotel is a perfect place to stay for those who appreciate style and comfort. It offers spacious and stylish guestrooms, equipped with everything you need for a nice stay and a good night's sleep.
Enjoy a comfortable train ride from stunning Saint Petersburg to the wonderful Karelian region. During your 5-hour ride, you'll get a chance to observe beautiful views of the Russian countryside.
The Karelian gem, Sortavala perfectly combines the natural beauty of surroundings and city spirit which makes it a perfect destination on your Russia itinerary.
This day is about exploring Russia's natural wonders. In the morning after breakfast, you check out from the hotel and meet your guide to set off to the stunning Ruskeala Mountain Park.
Ruskeala Mountain Park is one of the brightest and most amazing places of the North Lagoda, visited by thousands each year. During your exploration, you see the park and learn its 200-year history of marble excavations. You get to see the park's highlight, Marble Canyon, as well.
After lunch in a local restaurant, you are transferred to Petrozavodsk. Upon arrival, you check in your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast and lunch included.
We carefully select hotels to ensure amazing stay and experience for you.
Get ready for a scenic journey through fascinating Karelia. While your private driver is taking you to the next destination, enjoy spectacular views of the countryside and Russian natural wonders.
Petrozavodsk is one of the great places to enjoy the beauty of Russia's land. Situated on the banks of Lake Onega, this city provides numerous activities and historical sights.
Аfter having breakfast and checking out from the hotel, you meet your guide and together you board a hovercraft that in 1.5 hour takes you to the breathtaking miracle of wooden architecture - Kizhi Island.
After arrival, you have a tour of the Open Air Museum Kizhi. Explore the famous settlement Pogost including the dazzling 22-domed Transfiguration Church built without a single nail, stunning windmills, and ancient Russian wooden houses. After a short lunch, you visit a local carpentry restoration center.
In the afternoon after the tour, you're taken back to Petrozavodsk on a hovercraft. Upon arrival, you are transfered to the railway station where you board an overnight Arctica train to Murmansk.
Breakfast included.
- Please note: the trip to Kizhi Island is a subject to weather conditions.
We carefully select hotels to ensure amazing stay and experience for you.
If you are looking for a great place to stay during your Russia holiday, have a closer look at the Piter Inn Hotel, nestled right in the heart of Petrozavodsk. The property houses 180 en suite stylish guestrooms, equipped with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Get ready for a long trip to the north of Russia! Don't forget to bring an interesting book or a game to relax with during your 18-hour train ride. You can also make new friends with other passengers to shake up the journey.
Ever dreamed of discovering the Russian Arctic? Seto off on a journey to the magnificent Murmansk to explore Russia's north, learn about the country's war history, and hunt the Northern Lights!
After arrival in Murmansk, your driver takes you to your central hotel. In 2 hours you meet your guide to have a wonderful city tour of Murmansk.
During the tour, you visit the memorial complex Alesha commemorating the defenders of the Soviet polar region during the Great Patriotic War. You get to rise to the observation platform, opening incredible views of the Murmansk city center. The next point is the monument "Zhduschaya" which symbolizes a woman waiting for her sailor husband. Also, you visit the memorial complex dedicated to the tragic events that took place on the Kursk Submarine, see the Spas on Water church and the lighthouse. A definite highlight is a 1-hour guided visit to the famous Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker.*
After the tour, you return to the hotel. And later in the evening, you set sail for a mesmerizing activity, the hunt for Northern Lights**. Beautiful winter sceneries together with the colorful Northern Lights will be remembered for a lifetime! At about 2 a.m. you return to the hotel.
*Note: a tour of Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker is not guaranteed and may be unavailable during your visit.
**Depending on the weather conditions, the Northern Lights seeking tour can be rescheduled for the next day with a higher possibility of witnessing the Aurora Borealis.
No meals included.
In the morning, have a delicious breakfast and meet your guide to start a tour to the Snow Village located in the foothills of the Khibiny Mountains. You'll have about 2 hours to explore the unique Snow Derevnya Complex on your own. The place is huge and its territory encompasses a snow labyrinth, beautiful snow, and ice sculptures, as well as a visitor's center and a gift shop. You have about two hours to explore the village on your own.
The next part of today is the part where you need energy. After exploring the Snow Village, you go on a 25-km (15 mi) snowmobile tour. In about 1.5 hours you travel along the glacier valley of Kukisvum to the Kukisvumchorr Path that connects the South and North parts of Khibiny. The finish is at the Serdtsevidnoye Lake, from where one can get a good view onto the Kuniyok River valley. On your way back you do a speed circle on the thick ice of Maly Vudyavr lake.
After the wonderful pursuit, you have lunch in a local restaurant and then are transferred back to Murmansk by car and have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast and lunch are included.
In the morning, treat yourself to an appetizing breakfast, then meet your guide in the hotel lobby and go to the wonderful Husky Park. Here you are provided with an exciting opportunity to meet the beautiful blue-eyed dogs and learn more about the breed. As well as enjoy a refreshing 5-km (3 mi) Husky dog ride.
In the afternoon you get to know the Saami people: learn about the daily life and history of the Saami culture and visit the enchanted alleys idols of four elements - fire, earth, water, air, and five magical icons of love, happiness, luck, fate, and health. Then you are invited to have a traditional meal in a national cafe and try local dishes. Get familiarized with the Saami reindeer, huskies, foxes, and rabbits and even get a chance to feed a deer. Experience reindeer sledding, traditional Saami games, and take pictures in the national clothing of the Saami people.
After the tour, you are transferred back to the hotel.
Breakfast and lunch included.
This is the last day of your wonderful Russia Northern Lights adventure. In the morning you have breakfast and then check out from your hotel. Your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight back home. We hope you've enjoyed your trip to Russia and return home with unforgettable memories and lifelong impressions. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!
Breakfast is included.
We carefully select hotels to ensure amazing stay and experience for you.
What's included
- Accommodation at remarkable 4-star hotels in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sortavala, Petrozavodsk and Murmansk;
- Breakfasts at the hotels;
- Other meals as per itinerary;
- Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
- Rich sightseeing tours with professional English-speaking guides;
- Economy class high-speed Sapsan train tickets from Moscow to St. Petersburg;
- Regular class train tickets St. Petersburg - Sortavala;
- Roundtrip hovercraft tickets Petrozavodsk - Kizhi Island - Petrozavodsk;
- 1st class tickets for the Arctica train Petrozavodsk - Murmansk;
- Full Russian visa processing service for US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens and visa support service (invitation) for customers from all other countries;
- Support line during the trip.
Note: we include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.
Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses.
Tour Highlights
- A fully tailor-made program according to your interest;
- Your professional local guides and drivers;
- Touch history in the red-walled Kremlin of Moscow and cobblestone Red Square with your experienced guide in the capital of Russia;
- Take part in a cooking class of the authentic Russian borsch, traditional pelmeni (dumplings) and thin blini pancakes;
- Feel as a true Russian on a troyka ride around the scenic winter park, followed by a vodka tasting in the Vodka museum;
- Witness the untouched beauty of the Karelia at the Ruskeala Mountain Park and the Marble Canyon;
- Experience the unforgettable trip on the hovercraft over the frozen lake on your way to Kizhi Island;
- High likelihood of seeing the Aurora borealis dancing over your head in the Nothern lights seeking tour.
What To Know
- Usual tip size in restaurants is 10% of the check. Recommended tips for guides and drivers is $8-12 per day for a great level of service
- Bringing a water-resistant jacket, umbrella, and warm clothes are a must
- Russian climates are unpredictable and weather can be quite harsh even during summers
