Arctic Russia
Best for
Couples, Photographers
Duration
9N/10D
Season
November–March
Difficulty
Easy
Vibe
Wintry, Scenic
A Tibro Journey
Moscow's domes, then a flight to Murmansk above the Arctic Circle for husky sleds and the aurora, and south again to St Petersburg's Hermitage. Nine winter nights, north and back.
Extravagant Russia with Aurora is a 9N/10D snow & aurora journey through Russia. Highlights include Hermitage Museum, Aurora hunting in Murmansk, Husky park & Saami village.
Signature Moments
Three Mornings You'll Remember
No. 01
Hermitage Museum
Hermitage Museum
No. 02
Aurora hunting in Murmansk
Aurora hunting in Murmansk
No. 03
Husky park & Saami village
Husky park & Saami village
No. 01
Hermitage Museum
Hermitage Museum
No. 02
Aurora hunting in Murmansk
Aurora hunting in Murmansk
No. 03
Husky park & Saami village
Husky park & Saami village
Day by Day
9N/10D, in order
Day 1
Arrive Moscow
Upon arrival at Moscow International Airport, you will be greeted by your designated driver who will assist you with your luggage and escort you to your private transfer vehicle. Enjoy a comfortable drive through the historic city as you head toward your hotel. Once at the hotel, complete the check-in formalities. Please note that the standard check-in time is 14:00 hrs. If you arrive earlier, you may choose to relax in the hotel lobby or explore the nearby surroundings while your room is being prepared. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Unwind after your journey, enjoy the hotel amenities, or take a short walk to get your first glimpse of the vibrant capital city. Overnight stay at your hotel in Moscow.
Day 2
Half Day Moscow City Tour + Radisson River Cruise
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. At 10:00 hrs, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin a Panoramic City Tour of Moscow. This half-day orientation tour provides an excellent introduction to the city, taking you through its wide boulevards, historic squares, and iconic landmarks. Drive past the impressive Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the largest Orthodox church in Russia, admire the beauty of the New Maiden Convent, and see the White House of the Russian Federation, a symbol of modern governance. Continue to Sparrow Hills, one of the highest points in Moscow, offering stunning views over the city skyline, and visit the grounds of the prestigious Moscow State University, one of the city’s most renowned architectural landmarks. After enjoying this immersive overview of Moscow, return to your hotel by 14:00 hrs. In the evening proceed for 2.5-hour cruise which offers a unique opportunity to admire Moscow’s most famous landmarks from the water while sailing along the Moskva River. Relax in the main hall of the modern and comfortable riverboat as you pass by architectural highlights, historic monuments, and the city’s impressive skyline, capturing beautiful views along the way. After the cruise, return to the hotel. Overnight stay at your hotel in Moscow.
Day 3
Moscow to Murmansk – Flight
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, enjoying your last morning in Moscow. After breakfast, complete the check-out formalities and meet your private driver in the hotel lobby for a transfer to Moscow Airport. From here, board your internal flight to Murmansk (flight not included). Upon arrival at Murmansk Airport, you will be greeted by your local driver and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax and unwind after your journey. Overnight stay at your hotel in Murmansk.
Day 4
City Tour of Murmansk
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and set out for a city tour of Murmansk, the largest city located beyond the Arctic Circle. During the tour, you will discover the unique character of this northern city and its cultural and historical significance. A highlight of the day includes a photo stop at the Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker, the world’s first surface vessel powered by nuclear energy. Once a pioneering craft of its time, the icebreaker now serves as a fascinating museum, preserving the history of Arctic navigation and exploration. After the tour, return to the hotel for some rest. Later in the evening, between 21:00 hrs and 00:00 hrs, embark on an exciting excursion for Aurora Hunting, where you will have the chance to witness the magical Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky (weather permitting). Overnight stay at the hotel in Murmansk.
Day 5
Saami Village + Husky Park With Dog Sledding + Aurora Hunting
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before meeting your guide to begin an exciting day in Murmansk. First, visit a traditional Saami Village, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and lifestyle, and enjoy a lunch experience with authentic Saami cuisine. Afterward, proceed to a husky park for a thrilling adventure of dog sledding, experiencing the excitement of gliding through the snowy landscape with these energetic and friendly dogs. In the evening, embark on a Northern Lights (Aurora) Hunting excursion, where you will have the chance to witness the spectacular natural phenomenon lighting up the Arctic sky. Overnight stay at your hotel in Murmansk.
Day 6
Murmansk to St. Petersburg - Flight
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, enjoying your last morning in Moscow. After breakfast, complete the check-out formalities and meet your private driver in the hotel lobby for a transfer to Murmansk Airport. From here, board your internal flight to St. Petersburg (flight not included). Upon arrival at Murmansk Airport, you will be greeted by your local driver and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax and unwind after your journey. Overnight stay at your hotel in St. Petersburg.
Day 7
City Tour of St. Petersburg
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, preparing for an immersive exploration of Russia's cultural capital. After breakfast, meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and set off on a guided city tour of St. Petersburg, renowned for its elegant architecture, imperial history, and vibrant streets.
Day 8
Visit to Hermitage Museum
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, and at 10:00 hrs, meet your guide in the hotel lobby to begin your cultural exploration. Proceed to the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world, housing an extraordinary collection of art, artifacts, and historical treasures. Explore its magnificent halls, admire masterpieces by renowned artists, and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture preserved within its walls. After a fascinating visit, return to your hotel by 14:00 hrs for some leisure time. Overnight stay at your hotel in St. Petersburg.
Day 9
Free Day for Leisure
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.
Day 10
Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel, soaking in the last moments of your tropical getaway. After breakfast, complete the check-out formalities. You will then be transferred to Pulkovo International Airport for your flight back home. *** END OF TOUR ****
Where You'll Stay
Hand-Picked Hotels
Moscow
Holiday Inn Safmar Sushevsky Hotel
Murmansk
Azimut Hotel
St. Petersburg
Holiday Inn Moskovskye Vorota
Moscow
Holiday Inn Safmar Sushevsky Hotel
Murmansk
Azimut Hotel
St. Petersburg
Holiday Inn Moskovskye Vorota
Honestly
Things most travel sites won't tell you.
On-the-ground details your designer wishes every guest knew before they landed.
Things to Look Out For
The White Nights
For a few weeks around late June, St Petersburg barely gets dark. The sun dips and the sky stays a luminous dusk past midnight. The city throws festivals and the bridges over the Neva lift at night to let the ships through, a spectacle people gather for. It is the most magical time to be there, and also the busiest; book early.
The Moscow Metro as a museum
Moscow's metro stations are palaces underground. Chandeliers, mosaics, marble, bronze. The grand ones cluster on the Circle line: Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Novoslobodskaya. Buy a single ride and treat half a day as a museum tour. Signage is in Cyrillic, so screenshot your stops in Latin script before you go down.
The Hermitage is too big for a day
The State Hermitage in St Petersburg holds three million works across the Winter Palace and beyond. You cannot see it all, and trying will exhaust you. Pick a route in advance: the Rembrandts, the Impressionists, the state rooms. Go at opening or in the last two hours to dodge the cruise crowds, and book the ticket online.
- №1
The White Nights
For a few weeks around late June, St Petersburg barely gets dark. The sun dips and the sky stays a luminous dusk past midnight. The city throws festivals and the bridges over the Neva lift at night to let the ships through, a spectacle people gather for. It is the most magical time to be there, and also the busiest; book early.
- №2
The Moscow Metro as a museum
Moscow's metro stations are palaces underground. Chandeliers, mosaics, marble, bronze. The grand ones cluster on the Circle line: Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Novoslobodskaya. Buy a single ride and treat half a day as a museum tour. Signage is in Cyrillic, so screenshot your stops in Latin script before you go down.
- №3
The Hermitage is too big for a day
The State Hermitage in St Petersburg holds three million works across the Winter Palace and beyond. You cannot see it all, and trying will exhaust you. Pick a route in advance: the Rembrandts, the Impressionists, the state rooms. Go at opening or in the last two hours to dodge the cruise crowds, and book the ticket online.
The Details
What's Included
Included
- 02 nights’ accommodation inclusive breakfast at Moscow
- 03 nights’ accommodation inclusive breakfast at Murmansk
- 04 nights’ accommodation inclusive breakfast at St. Petersburg
- Private minivan according to the itinerary
- Registration Fee
Not Included
- 5% Government Service Tax is an applicable addition to the total invoice.
- 5% / 20% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) – claimable
- Tips for the guides and drivers
Plan Your Timing
When to Go
Russia's western cities are at their best from May to September, when the days are long, the parks and palace gardens are open, and the weather is mild. Late June brings St Petersburg's White Nights, the peak of the calendar. Winter, December to March, is cold and dark but has its own pull: snow on Red Square, the ballet season, and, far north at Murmansk, the aurora and the husky-sled country. April and October are muddy shoulder months between the two.
Your Memoir
Here's how you'll remember it.
Vol. 2, A Tibro memoir, printed on archival paper, shipped after you return.
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