Aurora in Russia by Wacanza for 18 - 38 year olds (7 - 14 Dec 2024)
Day-wise itinerary specially designed by Wacanza for you!
Day 1: Dobro pozhalovat to Russia - Transfer to St. Petersberg
Upon arrival clear immigration and meet the group & your tour buddy. You shall then be transferred straight to St. Petersberg via train/flight. Upon arrival, you will be dropped at your hotel in St. Petersberg for some rest.
We will have dinner together followed by a night out at Dumskaya street whic is famous for its lively party scenes.
Overnight at St. Petersberg
Day 2: St. Petersberg City Tour
Post breakfast we shall do the city tour of St. Petersberg covering major landmarks. We will visit Palace square, Alexander's column, Winter palace, Isaac square, Peter and Paul fortress, Spit of Vasilievsky Island, Spilled blood church, Kazan cathedral, Arts square, Russian museum, Stroganov palace, Zinger house, Yeliseev shop, Architect Rossi’s Street, Academy of arts, The sphynx, Cruiser Aurora.
It is important to prepare yourself for the upcoming adventures up north. Get some local currency as we will be visiting the remote parts of Russia later & deck yourselves up with snow boots, heavy jackets & caps to withstand the harsh arctic climates.
Overnight at St. Petersberg
Day 3: Flight to Murmansk (Beginning of the Arctic Adventure)
Post breakfast to St. Petersberg Airport from where we will catch our domestic flight to Murmansk. Upon arrival, we will head to our hotel. We will go Aurora hunting in the evening. It is generally a night tour that can last 6/7 hours depending upon Northern Lights sighting, so be prepared for the extreme cold. The vehicle would be heated but to get the pictures you will have to step out. The guide will also have a high-resolution camera to capture the memories. You will be offered hot tea with light snacks (sweets, chocolates, cookies) while the guide explains the concept of Northern Lights & why it occurs.
Overnight at Murmansk
Please note: Starting time for Aurora hunting is dependent on weather and is subject to change and we will try our best to spot the northern lights but it is not guaranteed that you will be able to see the northern lights.
Day 4: Tour of Teriberka
Post breakfast we will visit Teriberka also known as Arctic Ocean Coast.
The first place to visit in Teriberka is the anchorage of abandoned wooden ships. You will have the opportunity to take beautiful photographs against the backdrop of local landscapes. Then drive to the coast of the arctic ocean with a rocky shore. Walk along the sandy beach of Teriberki bay, photo session near the huge swing.
Overnight at Murmansk
Day 5: Sami village
Post breakfast we will visit Sami village. Saami people are native people of the Murmansk region. They came to Murmansk from Siberia around 3500 years ago. They managed to settle down and develop their culture of Arctic nature. We will see typical Saami buildings, can try on local costumes, feed the reindeer from your own hands and take a ride on a sledge. The reindeers & the snow might make you wonder if even Santa lives nearby.
One can even spot raccoons, huskies, arctic foxes and rabbits apart from the reindeer.
Have Lunch with traditional salmon soup, reindeer goulash with garnish, traditional Sami tea, Lovozero bread. A representative from a Sami village will tell you about the traditions and culture of these amazing people.
Overnight at Murmansk
Day 6: Moscow
Post breakfast get dropped at the airport for your return flight to Moscow city, over here you will be taken to your hotel. Upom arrival checkin at hotel. Enjoy the relatively warmer weather.
We will head to explore the clubbing scene of Moscow which is one of the very best throughout the world.
Overnight at Moscow
Day 7: Moscow Kremlin & City Tour
There’s no such a word that would sufficiently express the magnificence of Moscow. Along with being the official capital, the city is rightly considered the heart of Russia. Magnificent palaces, medieval fortresses and golden domes - the spirit of antiquity here are combined with the newest technologies, modern society and freedom. In a 4-hour city tour, you will cover the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Novodevichy Convent/out, Sparrow hills (Moscow’s roof, overlooking the whole central district), Moscow’s State University/out, Victory Park, The highest Stella in Russia, Moscow Kremlin Wall, The State Duma/out, Bolshoi Theatre from outside, Red square, Saint Basil's Cathedral from outside, Spasskaya Tower (Moscow’s BigBen), The Kremlin Old Clock “Kuranty”, Lenin's Mausoleum, Nikolskaya Street, Alexander Garden, The Grave of the Unknown Soldier and The Eternal Flame, Trinity and Kutafya towers of the Kremlin etc.
Kremlin Tour Crowds of people from all over the world come here to see the Kremlin - the Residence of the Great Russian Kings, the very heart of Moscow. The ancient wisdom of Russia tells that if one has not seen Kremlin, he has not been to Moscow at all.
Overnight at Moscow Hotel
Day 8 Goodbyes & Airport Drop
Post breakfast we will checkout and head back to the airport for our flights back to India.
NOTE: Normal Check-in and Check-out time is 03:00 PM and 12:00 noon respectively in hotels. Early check-in / Late Checkout is available at an extra cost.
NOTE: Airport transfer is at fixed time (depending on the majority of arrival and departure time of the group) - Any early or late transfer will be charged extra.
Northern Lights in Russia with Soni Saloni
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Accommodation on double sharing basis in 3-star hotels / Backpacker hostels
- Moscow City Tour
- Moscow Kremlin Tour
- Chasing Northern Lights
- Visit Tereberka
- Wacanza Tour Buddy
- Visa Assistance
- English Speaking Guide
- Airport transfers as per Itinerary
- St. Petersberg Tour
- All entry tickets as per itinerary
- 1-way domestic bus / train ticket from Moscow to St. Petersberg - depending on logistics
- Meals as menttioned below under "Meals Included" segment
