Northern Lights Explorer
Northern Lights Explorer
Winter time is the right time to chase Aurora Borealis near the largest northern city in the world and discover St. Petersburg and Moscow!
Russia in the wintertime may be particularly beautiful, especially its Far North, that you will see during this epic journey! Cross the Arctic Circle and enjoy such winter activities, as getting through the snow village in Kirovsk, huskies and reindeer rides. Get to know the local people Sami, that have been populating this harsh but incredibly beautiful land from time immemorial. Chase the Northern Lights and see the largest northern port in the World. Explore Russia's main cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow, out of the high touristic season.
Scroll down for more details!
Scroll down for more details!
Highlights of the Journey
One of the most rapidly developing cities in Europe with the immense cultural heritage and great charm!
Sightseeing Tour
Visit of the Kremlin
Sightseeing Tour
Visit of the Kremlin
This incredibly beautiful city and the former imperial capital of Russia will impress you in any season with its splendour, embankments and art collections!
Sightseeing Tour
Hermitage Museum
Catherine Palace
Sightseeing Tour
Hermitage Museum
Catherine Palace
huskies and raindeer
Sami people
Snow Village
Sami people
Snow Village
Chasing Aurora Borealis in wild nature
Winter activities in the woods
Winter activities in the woods
2 categories of sleeping accommodation from Standard to Gold
Posible to book double and single accommodation on the train
Modern Gold sleeping cars with private lavatory, toilet, and shower en suite
Comfortable lounge area for lounge and entertainment
Lectures and films about Russia
Beautiful restaurant car
Safety and comfort
Long-term reputation of the organising company
Posible to book double and single accommodation on the train
Modern Gold sleeping cars with private lavatory, toilet, and shower en suite
Comfortable lounge area for lounge and entertainment
Lectures and films about Russia
Beautiful restaurant car
Safety and comfort
Long-term reputation of the organising company
English
Spanish (see the Spanish version of our site)
*other languages are also possible on request
Spanish (see the Spanish version of our site)
*other languages are also possible on request
Moscow, St. Petersburg 5*
Murmansk 4*
Kirovsk 3*
There are no 5* hotels in Murmansk and no 5 and 4* hotels in Kirovsk, the best available hotels for accommodation will be booked there
Murmansk 4*
Kirovsk 3*
There are no 5* hotels in Murmansk and no 5 and 4* hotels in Kirovsk, the best available hotels for accommodation will be booked there
Menu varies every day
Menu includes local blend of cuisines
Meals are served in restaurants on board of the train or in specially selected restaurants in the cities
Menu includes local blend of cuisines
Meals are served in restaurants on board of the train or in specially selected restaurants in the cities
Accommodation Categories on the Train
Standard Plus
1 or 2 guests per cabin
Standard Plus cabin are equipped with 2 lower beds and 2 upper beds each and, while the lower beds are used for sleeping, the upper beds may be either folded away or used for luggage. Standard Plus cars are equipped with 9 cabins and each cabin may be booked for double or single use. There are toilets and wash basins at each end of the car. The cars have air conditioning and heating system, it works when the train is moving. Thera are 220V sockets in each car. In hotels passengers will have either double or single rooms booked for them.
Standard Plus cabin dimensions:
Cabin 2,00 x 2,00 m = 4,0 sqm
Beds 65 x 185 cm
1 or 2 guests per cabin
Standard Plus cabin are equipped with 2 lower beds and 2 upper beds each and, while the lower beds are used for sleeping, the upper beds may be either folded away or used for luggage. Standard Plus cars are equipped with 9 cabins and each cabin may be booked for double or single use. There are toilets and wash basins at each end of the car. The cars have air conditioning and heating system, it works when the train is moving. Thera are 220V sockets in each car. In hotels passengers will have either double or single rooms booked for them.
Standard Plus cabin dimensions:
Cabin 2,00 x 2,00 m = 4,0 sqm
Beds 65 x 185 cm
Gold
1 or 2 guests per cabin
Deluxe Gold sleeping cars are the most spacious and comfortable on the train. Each cabin has private toilet, wash basin and a spacious shower cabin, 1 lower and 1 upper bed, a table at the window, a chair opposite the beds, a small wardrobe and storage space. Deluxe Gold cars are equipped with 5 cabins and each cabin may be booked for double or single use. The cars have air conditioning and heating system (individual control), it works when the train is moving. Thera are 220V sockets in each car. In hotels passengers will have either double or single rooms booked for them.
Gold cabin dimensions:
Cabin 2,00 x 3,50 m = 7,0 sqm
Lower bed 120 x 185 cm
Upper bed 80 x 185 cm
1 or 2 guests per cabin
Deluxe Gold sleeping cars are the most spacious and comfortable on the train. Each cabin has private toilet, wash basin and a spacious shower cabin, 1 lower and 1 upper bed, a table at the window, a chair opposite the beds, a small wardrobe and storage space. Deluxe Gold cars are equipped with 5 cabins and each cabin may be booked for double or single use. The cars have air conditioning and heating system (individual control), it works when the train is moving. Thera are 220V sockets in each car. In hotels passengers will have either double or single rooms booked for them.
Gold cabin dimensions:
Cabin 2,00 x 3,50 m = 7,0 sqm
Lower bed 120 x 185 cm
Upper bed 80 x 185 cm
Restaurant and Lounge Zones on the Train
Restaurant cars
In a comfortable restaurant car on board of the train breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served to all passengers of the Northern Lights Explorer. Local cuisine is part of the menu. During sightseeing tours in the cities local meals are served in specially selected restaurants.
In a comfortable restaurant car on board of the train breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served to all passengers of the Northern Lights Explorer. Local cuisine is part of the menu. During sightseeing tours in the cities local meals are served in specially selected restaurants.
Lounge Area
The most popular place on the train that is open to all passengers until late. Come, sit down, enjoy the stunning views from the window and relax while having a drink and listening to live piano.
The most popular place on the train that is open to all passengers until late. Come, sit down, enjoy the stunning views from the window and relax while having a drink and listening to live piano.
Itinerary
Moscow - Kirovsk – Murmansk – St Petersburg (10 Days/9 Nights)
Moscow - Kirovsk – Murmansk – St Petersburg (10 Days/9 Nights)
Arrival in Moscow. You will be met at Moscow airport and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation in Moscow.
Accommodation in Moscow.
Sightseeing tour with the visit of the magnificent Red Square, the Kremlin grounds and other highlights of Moscow. In the afternoon transfer to the railway station where you will come on board of the Northern Lights Express for a 2000 km long journey to the Arctic Circle and beyond .
Accommodation on board the Northern Lights Express.
Accommodation on board the Northern Lights Express.
You will get a feeling of how huge Russia is while passing through old settlements in the European part of the country, as well as numerous rivers, lakes and forests. You have the high probability to see them covered in snow, as the European part of the country normally enjoy frequent snowfalls in wintertime, while feeling cozy and warm in your cabin, restaurant car or bar-lounge. Our tour escorts will give you the lectures about history and culture of Russia. After dinner on board various sorts of the famous Vodka will be tasted.
Accommodation on board the Northern Lights Express.
Accommodation on board the Northern Lights Express.
At night you will cross the Arctic Circle and in the morning you will get to Apatity, the centre of one of the most beautiful nature and mountain ski resorts in Northern Russia. After the short transfer you will come to Kirovsk, where you will visit a Snow Village which is constructed from ice cubes. If weather permits, in the evening you will have an opportunity to chase Aurora Borealis outside the city. Snowmobiles will take you into the mountains where its best to chase the Northern Lights.
Accommodation in Kirovsk.
Accommodation in Kirovsk.
In the morning you will get to the Sami village by bus where you will get an introduction into the culture and life of the local people who have been living in the Peninsula for thousands of years (as well as in nearby Scandinavian Countries). You will see how they live and try a short sledge tour with charming reindeers.
After that you will come on board of the train and in the evening you will reach Murmansk, the most northern point of the tour. The second opportunity for an Aurora Borealis Hunting will be after dinner. Experienced local Aurora specialists will take you to the places where there are the greatest chances to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Accommodation in Murmansk.
After that you will come on board of the train and in the evening you will reach Murmansk, the most northern point of the tour. The second opportunity for an Aurora Borealis Hunting will be after dinner. Experienced local Aurora specialists will take you to the places where there are the greatest chances to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Accommodation in Murmansk.
Murmansk was founded only little over 100 years ago, in 1915, on the shore of the Barents Sea. The harbor is ice-free in winter thanks to the Gulf Stream. Murmansk is the biggest city of the world north of the Arctic Circle. In the morning you will see the most important places of the city on a panoramic tour.
The afternoon is free at leisure.
In the evening, there will be the third opportunity for an Aurora Borealis Hunting.
Accommodation in Murmansk.
The afternoon is free at leisure.
In the evening, there will be the third opportunity for an Aurora Borealis Hunting.
Accommodation in Murmansk.
You will be heading to the south, to St. Petersburg. While you relax, enjoy your meals with local specialities, listen to the lectures of our tour escorts, you will be enjoying the winter scenery and notice rapidly changing nature outside.
Accommodation on board the Northern Lights Express.
Accommodation on board the Northern Lights Express.
Before lunchtime you arrive to St Petersburg, Russia's "window to Europe" on the Baltic Sea. This stunning city was founded more than 300 years ago by Tsar Peter the Great on many islands linked to each other by bridges. On a panoramic bus tour in the afternoon you will see its most popular sights, such as the Winter Palace (Hermitage), St Isaac's Cathedral, Church of Our Saviours on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress, Nevsky Prospekt and Admiralty.
Accommodation in St Petersburg.
Accommodation in St Petersburg.
You will visit the Hermitage Museum, one of the major museums in the world, located in the Winter Palace, the former residence of Russian Emperors, and adjutant buildings. In the afternoon you will take a ride outside the city to visit the famous Catherine Palace with its remarkable Amber Chamber.
Accommodation in in St Petersburg.
Accommodation in in St Petersburg.
Transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home
Rates
All rates are in EURO, per person
Standard Plus
3980 EUR p/p with 2 persons in a cabin
*1200 EUR supplement for single accommodation in a train cabin
*420 EUR supplement for single accommodation in hotels
Gold
5680 EUR p/p with 2 persons in a cabin
*2200 EUR supplement for single accommodation in a train cabin
*420 EUR supplement for single accommodation in hotels
Services included in the tour price:
Train: 3 night's accommodation on board the private "Northern Lights Express"
Hotels: 6 night's accommodation (1 x Moscow, 1x Kirovsk, 2 x Murmansk, 2 x St Petersburg)
Meals: Full board 9 x breakfast, 8 x lunch, 9 x dinner
Local cuisine specialities: e.g. Russian Vodka & Pierogi Tastings, Russian Tea Ceremony
Sightseeing: All sightseeing tours in Moscow, Kirovsk, Murmansk, St Petersburg
Transfers: Arrival & Departure transfers airport-hotel or v.v. on day 1 and day 10
Shower facilities:
Gold cabins have private toilets and showers
Standard cabins have shared bathroom facilities, no shower facilities
Lectures on board:
Introduction to Russian culture, history, language, present life
Tour escorts:
English, Spanish speaking tour guides throughout the tour
*other languages on request
Tour Director:
English-speaking tour director throughout the tour
Optional (not included in the tour price):
Cultural events - Concert in Moscow and Ballet in St Petersburg
Services not included:
Flights to Moscow and from St Petersburg
Visa Russia
Tipping (Guideline: EUR 100 or USD 120 tipping budget recommended)
Cancellation Conditions
Up to 91 days before the tour = free cancellation
90-61 days before the tour 25 %
60-31 days before the tour 50 %
30-15 days before the tour 75 %
14-01 days before the tour 90 %
No Show 100%
Do you want us to create customised tour for you if you are going to stay in Moscow for longer and visit St. Petersburg? Contact us and we will be happy to arrange that!
For inspirations have a look at our private Moscow and St. Petersburg Tours !
For inspirations have a look at our private Moscow and St. Petersburg Tours !
Contacts
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