This winter tour of Russia includes Moscow and St Petersburg but also takes you above the Arctic Circle to Murmansk to give you a real taste of a Russian winter.

  The tour starts in the Russian capital and you will have guided tours of some of the most iconic sites in Moscow, including of course Red Square, the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral, but also the wonderful Moscow Metro and its beautiful stations reminiscent of museums. From Moscow, you will also have a day tour to Sergiev Posad - a city of the Golden Ring tourist route - where you will visit the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, one of the holiest places in the whole of Russia and an architectural masterpiece.

  You will then go on a real adventure to the largest city north of the Arctic Circle: Murmansk, which is a two-hour flight from the Russian capital. You will explore the city and learn about its military past, before heading even further north to the very coast of the Arctic Ocean in the fishing settlement of Teriberka. If you are lucky enough you might even get a glimpse of the Northern Lights, but this, of course, all depends on solar activity and cloud cover. 

  While in the Far North you will also go on a sleigh ride pulled by huskies to further explore the local tundra landscapes - a real highlight of winter Murmansk - and learn about the Sami people who live across the northern extremities of European Russia and Scandinavia. 

  Finally, you will visit the Northern Capital of Russia: St Petersburg. Whereas Moscow is the political, financial and business capital of Russia, St Petersburg is undeniably the cultural capital, and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe often called the Venice of the North due to its canals. Although only 700km apart (a small distance for Russia), Moscow and St Petersburg completely differ in terms of architecture, people and attitude. Moscow is quick-paced and hectic with many buildings from the Soviet period which are striking in their size and scale. St Petersburg is a little calmer and more elegant, famous for its museums and palaces. In terms of style, it is the most European city in Russia and the country’s biggest tourist destination.

  While in St Petersburg you will have a guided tour of the Winter Palace, which was once the residence of the tsars and now home to the State Hermitage Museum, one of the best art galleries in the world. In addition, you will also have a day trip to Pushkin, historically known as Tsarkoe Selo, and a guided tour to the Catherine Palace located here. One of the benefits of visiting in winter is that there are fewer tourists, allowing you to enjoy the famous Amber Rooms in more peace.

DAY 1 / ARRIVAL TO MOSCOW

Arrival in Moscow and transfer to your hotel. Free time in the city.

Night in Moscow.

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DAY 2 / TOUR OF MOSCOW

  Breakfast in the hotel.

 Today you will explore the capital of Russia and its main sights such as:

• Red Square - the oldest part of the city and the focus point for some of the most significant events in Russian history, including the annual Second World War Victory Day Parades.

• Viewing Platform on Sparrow Hills - from here you can get the best view of central Moscow and, in addition, behind you is one of the seven Stalin skyscrapers: the main building of the Moscow State University.

• Christ the Saviour Cathedral - Russia’s main cathedral, it was built on the site of an earlier version that was blown up on the orders of Stalin. In Soviet times there was a giant open-air swimming pool here.

• Gorky Park - this is one of the most popular places in Moscow and thousands of Muscovites come here to relax and stroll along the River Moskva and into the forest of Neskuchny Gardens.

• Victory Park - the largest memorial complex in Moscow dedicated to the Soviet Victory in the Second World War, but it also has a few memorials to the fallen of the First World War.

• Novodevichy Convent (exterior) - Moscow’s most beautiful convent, it was founded in 1524 and built in the architectural style known as Moscow Baroque. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 Guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin and its Cathedrals - the Moscow Kremlin is one of the largest fortresses in Europe and today still functions as the residence of the Russian head of state, although today instead of a grand prince or tsar there is now a president. The central square inside the Kremlin is called Cathedral Square as it is surrounded by beautiful cathedrals, where Russian royalty were once baptised, coronated and buried.

 Guided tour of St Basil’s Cathedral  - with its unusual decorated domes, this cathedral is perhaps the main symbol of Russia and you can’t help but be in awe when you first see it. The cathedral consists of 11 separate churches inside its 10 domes all connected with narrow passages ways and staircases.

 Guided tour around the Moscow Metro - the stations of the Moscow Metro are truly underground palaces decorated with beautiful sculptures, mosaics, frescos and stuccos worthy of display in a museum.  During this tour you will visit the very best stations. 

 Duration: 8 hours |  Transportation: by car and by foot

Night in Moscow.

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DAY 3 / SERGIEV POSAD

 Breakfast at the hotel.

  Excursion to the Troitse-Segieva Lavra in Sergiev Posad - this is the main monastery complex in Russia, its name translates from the Russian as St Sergius’ Monastery of the Trinity, named in honour of the Holy Trinity and its founder - St Sergius of Radonezh.  It is located 75km from Moscow and for centuries tsars, nobles and peasants have travelled here on pilgrimage from Moscow to pray at the shrine of St Sergius, who is interred in the 15th century Trinity Cathedral - itself considered an architectural masterpiece. You will also see the 16th century Dormition cathedral, which was built on the orders of Ivan the Terrible, using the Moscow Kremlin’s Dormition Cathedral as an example. 

After the excursion, you will have time for lunch and buying some souvenirs.

 Duration: 5-6 hours |  Transportation: by car

Night in Moscow.

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DAY 4 / FREE IN MOSCOW

 Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Moscow

Night in Moscow

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DAY 5 / MURMANSK

 Breakfast at the hotel.

  Morning transfer to the airport. Murmansk is 1500km from Moscow and it takes about two hours to fly there. On the flight you will fly over the Vologda and Arkhangelsk regions, the White Sea and of course the Arctic Circle.

Upon arrival in Murmansk, you will have a transfer to your hotel.

 City tour around Murmansk - Murmansk is the world’s largest city north of the Arctic Circle. During this tour you will see the main sights of the city:

• Lenin Atomic Icebreaker (interior) - this was the first nuclear-powered ship in the world (nuclear-powered submarines came first though). The ship’s prestigious status is matched by its interior design finely decorated with wood. It also hosted several honoured guests, including Yury Gagarin and Fidel Castro. Today it retains its wonderful Soviet-style interiors, having never been reconstructed or renovated over 60 years of service. 

• Alyosha Monument - this statue is a real symbol of the city. Murmansk was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and to commemorate these difficult years this gigantic monument depicting a Soviet warrior was unveiled in 1974. It is visible from most points of the city. 

• Kolsky Bridge -  with a total length of 2.5km, it is the largest bridge north of the Arctic Circle. 

• Memorial to Sailors who died in Peacetime - this is in memory of the sailors who never returned from the ocean and was created in 2002. In includes a 17.5m lighthouse and a memorial hall containing tiles engraved with the names of sailors who died. 

Duration: 2-3 hour | Transportation: by car 

Night in Murmansk.

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DAY 6 / TERIBERKA

 Breakfast at the hotel.

  Day tour to Teriberka - this is like a trip to the end of the earth as it is not possible to travel north from here by land. Teriberka is located 120km from Murmansk, but the journey itself is part of the adventure as you will see how the landscape changes from forest to until you get above the tree line and there are no trees at all, just frozen tundra until you reach Teriberka, a settlement of 1000 people, on the coast of the Barents Sea of the Arctic Ocean.

The coastline creates an unforgettable impression whatever the weather, but it is especially striking in winter when the rocks are covered in a layer of ice and the white of the snow is contrasted by the dark grey sky and dark blue sea continuing up to the horizon. 

Duration: 8 hours | Transportation: by car

Night in Murmansk.

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DAY 7 / HUSKY KENNEL AND SAMI VILLAGE

 Breakfast at the hotel.

  Visit to a husky kennel - this is the largest breeding centre for Alaskan huskies in the Kola Peninsula. The dogs bred here are real athletes and take part in many sporting events. They are also very affectionate towards humans and like being stroked and posing for photos with tourists. During the visit, you will have an excursion around the centre and the opportunity to go on a dog sleigh ride around the local tundra.

 Visit to a Sami family - the Sami, who were historically known as the Lapps or Laplanders, are one of the least populous ethnic groups living in Russia. They have never had a state of their own and today live in the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. In total there are an estimated 80,000 Sami with around half of them living in Norway, while approximately 1,800 live in Russia. During the visit you will learn about Sami society and ‘sieidi’ sacred rocks. You will see traditional Sami rituals and dances in the winter tent made of poles and reindeer skins, which is called a ‘lavvu’ or ‘vezha’ in Russian. You will also be able to feed reindeer their favourite food of moss and have your photo taken with them, before warming up with a cup of herbal tea and pies made using local berries. Over tea, your host will tell you about Sami traditions and culture and you can even try on traditional Sami costumes. You will also have the opportunity to have a short trip around the local area in a snowmobile trailer.

Duration: 8 hours | Transportation: by car

Night in Murmansk.

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DAY 8 / FLIGHT TO ST PETERSBURG

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 Transfer to the airport.

Flight to St Petersburg. The flight takes about two hours. Upon arrival, you will be met by our driver who will transfer you to your hotel.

Night in St Petersburg.

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DAY 9 / TOUR OF ST PETERSBURG

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 City tour of St Petersburg – this tour will take you to the main sights of St Petersburg including:

• Palace Square - the main square in the city, in its centre rises Alexander’s Column commemorating the Russian victory against Napoleon during the reign of Emperor Alexander I. It was erected on the orders of Alexander’s brother Emperor Nicholas I, who chose a French architect, Auguste de Montferrand, to oversee the work.

• Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral - one of the city's most famous landmarks with its instantly recognisable semi-circular colonnade consisting of 96 columns.

• Peter the Great Monument (The Bronze Horseman) - the most famous monument in St Petersburg and one of its most recognisable symbols. It was a gift from Catherine the Great to the city and later written about in Pushkin’s poem the Bronze Horseman.

• Battleship Avrora (exterior) - this battleship fired a shot signalling the start of the storm of the Winter Palace and the beginning of the October Revolution.

• Strelka of Vasilevsky Island - one of the most popular places in St Petersburg, as from this tip of the island, known as the Strelka, you get a great view of both the Winter Palace and the Peter and Paul Fortress. Once there was a port here and its famous lighthouses date from this period. The old stock exchange building here was built in the style of an ancient temple.

• St Michael’s Castle (exterior) - this castle is one of the most mystical places in St Petersburg with lots of legends connected to it. It was built by Emperor Paul I, who hoped that this castle would protect him and ease his paranoia. However, he lived here for just 40 days before being murdered in a plot that his son and successor was probably aware of.

  Guided tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress - the place where St Petersburg was founded. Most Russian monarchs after Peter the Great are buried inside the fortress’ cathedral. 

 Guided tour of the Cathedral on the Spilled Blood - this cathedral was built as a memorial on the site where Emperor Alexander II was fatally injured by a terrorist’s bomb - this is the spilt blood referred to in its name. It's Russia gothic style is more fitting for Moscow and stands out among the predominantly classical style preferred in St Petersburg. The cathedral’s interiors are one massive mosaic, with over 6500 square metres of mosaics depicting scenes from the bible, the lives of saints and Russian history.

Duration: about 5-6 hours.   | Transportation: by car

Night in St Petersburg.

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DAY 10 / HERMITAGE

 Breakfast at the hotel.

  Guided tour of the State Hermitage - this is one of the world’s most famous museums and holds masterpieces by various celebrated Western artists, such as Rembrandt, De Vinci and Raphael, as well as statues and monuments of Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. In addition, the museum is housed in the Winter Palace, which served as the official residence of the Romanovs from 1762 up to the Revolution. They often just spent winter here in the city, preferring their suburban palaces in the summer months. The palace’s luxuriously decorated interiors sometimes even eclipse the stunning pieces of work exhibited here. In total there are 1084 rooms with 1945 windows, and it will take you more than a lifetime to look at everything here in detail.

 Guided tour of St Isaac’s Cathedral -  another of St Petersburg’s famous cathedrals and one of the largest in the world. It is a striking example of Russian classical architecture. The whole scale of the construction project is impressive:  it has one of the most iconic domes in the world, is 101.5 metres tall and it can hold up to 12,000 people. 

Transportation: walking tour | Duration: about 5-6 hours

Night in St Petersburg.

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DAY 11 / CATHERINE PALACE

 Breakfast at the hotel. A day outside St Petersburg.

 Guided tour of the Catherine Palace – one of the architectural masterpieces of the style known as Russian baroque which was popular in the mid-18th century. It is one of the most stunning imperial palaces located outside St Petersburg (over 100kg of gold was used to decorate its interiors). It is widely known for its Amber Room which is decorated entirely with amber, although the current version is a replica; since the original was lost in the Second World War.

 Duration: 5-6 hours  | Transportation: by car

Night in St Petersburg. 

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DAY 12 / DEPARTURE

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 Transfer to the airport.

If you are leaving Russia via a return flight from Moscow, we can also organise for you your transport from St Petersburg to Moscow (either on a high-speed express train or a night train) and a transfer to the airport in Moscow.

• The best time to travel along the route is from the end of November to April. 
• The road to Teriberka can get blocked by snow in the winter and in this cases, cars can only travel there behind the snowplough which clears the roads. We don’t recommend travelling to Teriberka on the last day of your trip to Murmansk as you might get delayed if the weather is bad.
• From autumn to spring, layers are the key to keeping warm in the Russian North. You should wear a good coat with a hood that protects you from the wind and also have a raincoat, good hiking boots, warm trousers, thermal underwear, hats, gloves, scarves, thick warm socks (you might even need to wear two pairs at once).  You should also bring a spare warm sweater and spare socks in case the ones you are wearing get wet. 

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