Signature journey · Murmansk
The Polar Route
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Groups of 10-35 guests
- Winter season
The Arctic in four days: the “Lenin” icebreaker, northern lights hunting, the tundra and Barents Sea coast at Teriberka, and a Saami village with reindeer and huskies.
Price on request: we quote for your group size, dates and hotel category.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Murmansk
- Meet your guide in the arrivals hall at Murmansk Airport or the railway station
- Transfer to the hotel (1h) and check-in
- Lunch or dinner of local or European cuisine at the hotel, depending on arrival time
- Free time
Day 2
“Arctic Panorama” tour, the “Lenin” icebreaker and the northern lights
- “Arctic Panorama” sightseeing tour: the city centre, the Seamen memorial, the commercial and sea ports, the lighthouse, an observation deck and the “Waiting Woman” monument (3h)
- Lunch of local, Arctic or European cuisine (1h)
- The “Lenin” nuclear-powered icebreaker (1h)
- In the evening, northern lights hunting with a professional guide-photographer, starting around 20:00-21:00 when the weather allows
Day 3
Arctic tundra and the wild ocean coast of Teriberka
- Drive to Teriberka through the Arctic tundra, a wild village on the Arctic Ocean coast (2.5h, depending on weather and road conditions)
- The Silent Giants of Teriberka: the history and magic of the ship graveyard (0.5h)
- Lunch of local, Arctic or European cuisine (1h)
- Teriberka Nature Park, a protected area on the Barents Sea coast
- Walk to the Dragon Eggs Beach, where waves have shaped boulders into giant eggs over centuries (1h)
- Sleigh ride behind a snowmobile to the icy Batareysky Waterfall and its granite canyon (1h)
- Return to Murmansk; if the northern lights were missed the night before, the hunt may take place on the way back
Day 4
An authentic Saami community and local wildlife
- Drive to the Saami Village, an open-air museum where an authentic Saami community welcomes guests (1.5-2.5h)
- Traditional dwellings, chums and kuvaksas, and the Alley of Enchanted Idols
- Reindeer, raccoons, huskies, arctic foxes and rabbits: hand-feeding the reindeer and photos with the animals
- Saami outdoor games, a reindeer sleigh ride, a snowmobile banana ride and sledding
- Lunch of traditional Saami dishes
- A photo session in traditional Saami attire and charm souvenirs (3h in total)
Day 5
Departure or onward journey
- Check-out
- Transfer with your guide to Murmansk Airport or the railway station (1h)
- Departure flight or train to another destination in Russia
Included
- Meet-and-greet and see-off at the airport or railway station, porter service
- Transport throughout: a minibus, with a second minibus for groups over 19
- Licensed English-speaking guide every day, a second guide for larger groups
- A professional guide-photographer for the northern lights hunt
- The “Lenin” icebreaker, Teriberka Nature Park with the waterfall and the Dragon Eggs Beach, the Saami Village programme
- Lunches as per programme, with traditional dishes at the Saami Village
- Headphones for excursions
- 4* hotel in the city centre with breakfast
- Passport registration and tourist tax
Optional extras
- Husky Park and a dog-sledding ride in Teriberka (1h)
- Boat trip and whale watching in Teriberka (2h): peak season April to September, slim chances in winter
- Ice-floating in the Kola Bay: a relaxing float on icy water in a sealed dry suit with instructors from the Murmansk Surfing Federation (1h)
- Arctic snowmobiling “There and Back” across snow-covered lakes and hills (1.5h)
- Souvenirs: Saami charms, minerals and gemstones, a whale keychain
- Extra transfers and additional transport hours
Good to know
- Lunches include a three-course menu, dessert and a drink. Ethnic cuisine on request: Indian, Chinese, Halal, Turkish.
- The first and last days are arranged around your arrival and departure times.
- The northern lights depend on the weather: we head out on the evening with the best forecast and try again on the following days if needed.
- Museums have weekly days off, so the order of days is adjusted to your dates.
- Optional services extend the guide's and transport working time or replace a visit in the programme.