SHORT ITINERARY :

DAY 1 : LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

Today we will reach Murmansk : The biggest city in arctic circle located at city in the extreme northwest of Russia. As its a long flight , today we will do only basic chores & just get to know each other and the town a bit. We will procure sim , needed winter apparels and some food for the onward journey.

DAY 2 : VISIT HUSKY FARM, & NORTHERN LIGHTS HUNT

Following is going to be the most beautiful 24 hours of your recent months . We start with a visit to the husky farm . We will playing with them & go for a short ride in a husky sledge .

We have professional local guides who keep a close look on the upcoming nights for several weeks . This increases our chances to get much better views.

Tonight , after an evening quick-nap , we will head out for the northern lights ( Aurora Borealis) hunting.

DAY 3 : ENDS OF THE EARTH: TERIBERKA

This is an optional activity but I highly recommend you do this . It’s the last point after which arctic ocean starts , so basically the end of main land as we know it. It takes about 8 hours to go and come back. People who opt to not do this chill at the hotel.

DAY 4 : GLASS IGLOO HOTEL

As I was planning, I thought about how to make this an insanely memorable trip and that’s how the idea of Igloo hotel came into picture. They usually don’t provide food but they have a basic grill and oven where we can prepare our own food . What this means is , we are on our own out there with amazing northern lights over our head . Let the pictures speak . Each cabin will have 4 people staying in it.

DAY 5 : VISIT HOT SAUNA BATH IN MOSCOW

After the cold days in Murmansk, this sauna bath will hit the right spot . It’s a lot fun.

The process Is usually this , you start with extremely hot sauna bath . Then get showered with a bucket

full of ice cold water . You probably will scream here . Go the cafeteria, get a few shots of vodka and get little tipsy . Now the fun begins . You head back to the sauna , this time you will be beaten up by an old man for guys and old women ( Babushka ) for girl.

DAY 6 : RED SQUARE AND NUCLEAR BUNKER

Today we will visit the most iconic place in Russia : the red square. There are few streets around here that needs to be seen. If you are game, we can take electric scooters too to move around. Mind the cold though.

By evening we will head out to a nuclear bunker- 40 metre under earth. It is so well hidden that even when you a re standing in front of it, you won’t realise the grand scale of it. We will reach back to Red square at night for its a place to be as they lit up the whole area.

DAY 7 : HEAD TO VLADIMIR AND SUZDAL

We will head out from Moscow on a morning train to Vladimir. Only carry couple of pairs of clothes as we will only spend a night in Suzdal. We will be commuting by public transport to Suzdal from Vladimir, and back. Out of the entire Russia trip, you will remember Suzdal the most

It turns out that the Soviet Union decided to avoid building any modern buildings in Suzdal in order to preservei t s tourist appeal, banning buildings over two stories high – except for cathedra ls , of course. So today Suzdal has none of the tall apartment blocks that characterize other former Soviet towns and cities, but is instead filled with beautiful churches and wooden houses!

DAY 8 : FLEE MARKET & BOLSHOY THEATRE

You will find Jewellery, clothes, old electronics , hats , coins, cards , uniforms and a lot of other things from USSR time in this market.

We will try to finish this by evening 5pm so that we can head to hotel , do a quick freshen up and head out to Bolshoy theatre. People who are booking the flight mentioned in the itinerary will head to airport today by 7pm.

DAY 9 : HEAD BACK FROM MOSCOW

Book any flight today back home. There is nothing planned for today even if your flight is in the evening. Feel free to explore the city or do some last minute shopping. I usually get some vodka and Camel cigarettes for friends. If you have leaves you can even book a flight on 22nd night ( Air india ) . You just need to inform me about extension while applying for visa.

HOW TO APPLY FOR VISA ( NOW )

Since VFS Russia is not functioning now, you have to go through an agent and he charges around 12-13k. Sadly this is the only way now. Once you make the trip payment, I will pass needed details to the agent and you can deal with him directly.

HOW TO APPLY FOR VISA ( PRE COVID )

RUSSIA SPECIFIC FAQs

1) What is the payment schedule if I want to book this trip?

ANS: Bookings close by Dec 20th

2) What would be the group size and approximate age group of co-travelers?

ANS: We will be about 10 people aged from 20-40

3) Would you help to book flights at discounted prices courtesy your tie-ups with any travel agent partners or group bookings? If yes, what would be the approximate round trip ticket cost?

ANS: I can’t promise this. But do ping me before bookings. I might have a deal for you 🙂

4) Would we need transit visa to fly via Moscow to Murmansk as I see most of the flights going this route.

ANS: No. Your immigration will happen here only .

5) How much do you think would be the approximate food expense for the entire trip in Russia?

ANS: It very subjective. You can of course cook in the hostel which is what most people would do. Then cost would not be more than 4-5k for food. But if you are eating outside all the day , it would reach 10-13k. With a mix of both , we can get it down to 10-15k.

6) Will a travel reservation (hold) of flight tickets(ex% from Yatra.com) be enough for the Visa process?

ANS: Yes. This also will work.

7 ) What are the chances of my visa rejection ?

ANS: It usually does”nt get rejected considering our relation with Russia. You will loose the LOI charges and hotel cancellation charges .

8 ) What are the cancellation policy ?

ANS: Cancellation policy :

Before 45 days of trip, there will be 10% cancellation charge.

Before 30 days and within 44 days of arrival, there will be 25% cancellation charge.

Before 15 days and within 29 days of arrival, there will be 50% cancellation charge.

Within 14 days of trip there will be 100% cancellation charges.

Note :You will not get the Visa charges back once it’s applied