Glamping on the Kola Peninsula

Day 1 Road to the Barents Sea

After meeting at the airport of Murmansk you will travel to the glamping located on the shore of the Barents sea. The first part of the way to the checkpoint on the Titovka river will pass by minibuses (110 km).

Along the way, you will make a stop in the Valley of Glory — the memorial complex located on the right bank of the Zapadnaya (Rus. for "Western") Litsa river. During the World War II, the most fierce battles for the Arctic took place here. There are still traces of numerous fortifications and trenches preserved on the surrounding hills. It is the place, where the Soviet army, despite heavy losses, was able to stop the German offensive to Murmansk in 1941.

After visiting the Valley of Glory you will have lunch in a cafe and then continue travelling to the Barents Sea coast by expedition off-road vehicles (30 km off-road, 5-6 hours). First, the route will run along the picturesque Titovka river. Interestingly, initially it was called Kitovka (Rus.for "Whale"), because in the past the whales used to come to the river's estuary.

Further along the way, you will see a beautiful waterfall, drive through difficult off-road areas, and play an educational quiz to make the route even more interesting.

In the late afternoon, you will overcome the Musta-Tunturi mountain pass, which offers a magnificent view of several lakes that seem to hang in the air. In this place you will see something like "stone garden" — a few years ago, tourists began to leave here different figures made up of stones. You will also be able to take part in this tradition — create your pyramid of stones and take a photo for memory.

Futher you will pass along the picturesque "tank road". It is named so because military exercises are held here and sometimes you can see a real tank in the middle of the tundra. When you arrive to the glamping, you will relax and go to the sauna. For dinner you will try Northern cuisine prepared by the Chef.

Day 2 "Kola Geneva" and Avatar waterfall

After breakfast at the camp you will go for a walk to the Cape Ahkionyemi. German generals during the World War II called these places "Kola Geneva" due to the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. You will see picturesque waterfalls and small mountain lakes, will admire the sea views of Malaya Volokovaya (Rus. for " Small dragging"). Its name connected with the fact, that in the past vessels were dragged across the isthmus of this fjord along a system of lakes and streams. In 1977, as part of the experiment, a medium-sized fishing boat was dragged along an isthmus 5.5 km long, and it took a little more than 4 hours.

This walking route will not be tedious, because the ascents on high ground are very smooth, and the terrain is simple. During the walk, you will visit a memorial sign installed at the site of the death of the landing party under the command of the legendary Soviet intelligence officer Alexander Yunevich.

You will return to glamping for lunch. Then you will have a safety briefing, after which you will go on ATVs trip  to Avatar waterfall. This name was given to the waterfall by local guides for the deep narrow gorges that the water has cut through the rocks. You can view the waterfall from the top of the rock or go down and take spectacular photos on the bottom. In a small lake formed in the bowl of a waterfall, you can often see a school of salmon coming here to spawn.

The road to the waterfall will give you the opportunity to work out the skills of safe quad bike driving. You will also learn how to overcome properly stone mounds, fords and swampy areas. When you return to glamping in the evening, you will have dinner and relax in the sauna.

Day 3 The Sredny Peninsula

This day you will enjoy a circular route along the Sredny (Rus.for "Middle") Peninsula. The trip will take place on jeeps and ATVs (based on weather conditions and your wishes).

You will see "Two brothers" rocks — two stone giants up to 30 meters high on the shore of the Barents Sea, called Akka and Ukka. According to a legend, the ancient Sami performed ritual sacrifices at the foot of the rocks. Therefore, there is a belief that you can pass them only in one direction — from the sea to the mountain.

Then you will visit the picturesque coast of red stones where you are supposed to have a picnic. Next you will get to the coastal artillery battery, which during the World War II defended the Sredny Peninsula from enemy attacks from the sea. There are four "towers" with guns and underground casemates preserved on the territory. 

In the evening, you will go back to the glamping, where you will have dinner and rest after a long day. 

Day 4 Active program to choose

Today you can choose one of the active routes:

1. SUVs tour to Cape Nemetskiy (Rus. for "German")

Off-road vehicles will take you to the Rybachy Peninsula, which is one of the top 15 most beautiful places in Russia, according to Google Maps. You will reach Cape Nemetskiy, which is considered to be the northernmost point of the European part of continental Russia. On the way to the cape, you will see a stranded ship, abandoned garrisons and unique stone landscapes of the Arctic Ocean. You will admire huge waves crashing onto the rocky shore up to 100 meters high. If desired, you will swim in the ocean, and after that, have lunch on the beach. 

2. ATVs trip to the German support road

You will overcome the Musta-Tunturi mountain pass and ride quad bikes along the old support road, that was built by German army during World War II. Here you will see old military fire points, as well as will find old cartridges and other artifacts of the war. The scenery here is simply fantastic: endless Arctic tundra with numerous lakes, swamps and rocks covered with moss.

3. Trekking route along the Musta-Tunturi mountain ridge

With a professional local historian you will go hiking along the Musta-Tunturi mountain ridge.This is like a real open-air museum, where many military artifacts have been preserved. During the World War II, the Musta-Tunturi ridge became the only place where German troops were stopped on the first day of their offensive and subsequently failed to advance further into the Arctic.

If you wish, you can also go fishing on the lakes located within walking distance from the camp (fishing gear is available). In the evening you will have dinner and rest in the camp.

Day 5 Return to Murmansk

After breakfast you will say goodbye to the glamping team and drive off-road vehicles back to Murmansk. After passing the checkpoint on the Titovka river, you will have lunch in a cafe. Then transfer to minibuses and go to the airport, where you will take an evening flight to Moscow (after 8 pm). Along the way, you can stop at the fish market (if the group wishes).