Day 1 | Arrival in Moscow: Red Square and the Kremlin

We land at Moscow Vnukovo Airport (VKO) after approximately 3 hours of flight from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK419 at 06:25. After passport control and baggage claim, our guide meets us. Please keep your e-visa approval document printed or digital with you; you can use the e-visa pre-check lane at customs. At 07:30, we transfer to our 4★ Edge by Seligerskaya hotel or similar; due to early arrival, rooms may not be ready yet, so we leave our luggage in storage and relax in the lobby.

At 10:00, we embark on a panoramic Moscow tour by car: Moscow State University skyscraper, Novodevichy Monastery (exterior view), and the area around Arbat Street. At 12:00, we walk through the historic Red Square, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site: St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, the Minin and Pozharsky Monument, and the facade of the State Historical Museum greet us. In the historic GUM arcade with its glass roof, operating since 1893, you can taste the famous GUM ice cream, or take shelter from the cold in the three-story Okhotny Ryad underground shopping mall opposite the Kremlin.

At 14:30, we visit the heart of Russia, the Kremlin, with entry included: The Annunciation Cathedral, the Archangel Cathedral, and the Assumption Cathedral, the 40-ton Tsar Cannon, the 202-ton Tsar Bell, and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Large bags must be left in storage at the Kremlin entrance; comfortable walking shoes are recommended. In the evening at 19:30, we have our first dinner featuring borscht, pelmeni, and Russian salad (drinks not included). Tomorrow we will wake up early for checkout, a metro tour, and our flight to Murmansk, so please pack your suitcases tonight.

City: Moscow · Accommodation: 4★, 1 night · Meals: Dinner included · Kremlin entry: Included · Weather: -10 / -20°C in January · Luggage: Thermal clothing for Murmansk

Note: The hotels mentioned in the program are not definitive; accommodation is provided in these or similar hotels, which may vary.

Day 2 | Moscow Metro Tour and Flight to Murmansk

After the buffet breakfast at 07:30, we check out of our rooms; please pack thermal clothing for Murmansk in the top compartment of your luggage. At 09:00, we visit the historic stations of the world-famous Moscow Metro, each serving as an art gallery filled with marble, mosaics, and chandeliers. We look forward to the baroque ceiling frescoes and crystal chandeliers of Komsomolskaya, the mosaic panels depicting Ukrainian culture at Kievskaya, the 32-colored stained glass panel at Novoslobodskaya, and the 76 bronze statues at Ploshchad Revolutsii (with the tradition of touching the nose of the soldier dog).

At 11:30, we transfer to the domestic terminal by air-conditioned vehicle; check-in is done collectively with the guide’s assistance (baggage limit 23 kg). At 14:00, we fly to Murmansk, located 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, on a flight lasting approximately 2 hours. In January, the sun never rises; the polar night creates ideal conditions for the Northern Lights. In Murmansk, the world’s largest Arctic city, temperatures range between -15°C and -30°C.

At 16:00, our English-speaking guide meets us at the airport, and we take a short city tour: the 35-meter World War II monument Alyosha, the Kola Bay coastline, and the city center. At 17:30, we check into the 4★ Cosmos Murmansk hotel; this will be our accommodation for 3 nights. At 19:00, we enjoy dinner featuring selections from Barents Sea products and traditional Northern cuisine (drinks not included). At 21:30, we set off on our first Northern Lights Hunt (3 hours): the guide monitors the KP index in real-time to select the most suitable dark location; we recommend tripods and night mode. Aurora is a natural phenomenon, and no guarantee of sighting is provided; the 3-night hunt increases this probability.

Route: Moscow → Murmansk · Accommodation: 4★ Murmansk, 1st night · Meals: Breakfast + dinner · Domestic flight: Included, 23 kg · Aurora hunt: 1st night, 3 hours · Weather: -15 / -30°C

Day 3 | Sami Village, Husky Park, Reindeer and Snowmobile

We prepare for the day’s most intensive program with a full breakfast (mandatory) at 08:00; we will be outdoors all day. Thermal underwear, a -30°C coat, snow boots, thick gloves, and a balaclava are required; inadequate clothing poses health risks. At 09:30 (included, valued at €150), we meet the Sami, an ancient people of the Kola Peninsula with 3,000 years of history: we learn about Arctic life, handicrafts, joik music, and shamanistic culture in a traditional tent.

At 10:30, we feed Siberian huskies and take a 15–20-minute sled ride (single or double). At 11:30, we feed reindeer and go on a tour using a traditional Sami wooden sled (pulka). At 12:15, we ride powerful snowmobiles across the tundra; a short training session is provided, and helmets and overalls are supplied. At 13:00, we have lunch at a wooden cabin in Husky Park, featuring hot Russian/Sami cuisine such as soup, meat dishes, local bread, and hot drinks.

At 14:30, we stop for photos in front of Lenin (1959), the world’s first nuclear icebreaker (visiting the ship’s museum is optional and subject to an additional fee). At 15:30, there is an optional Ice Floating experience for those interested: swimming in the Arctic waters of the Kola Bay for approximately 1.5 hours in a special drysuit; no swimming skills are required, minimum age is 12, and prior reservation is necessary. This activity is not included in the tour price (€130); please inform us of your decision before departure. Dinner in Murmansk at 19:00 (drinks not included), and at 21:30, the 2nd Northern Lights Hunt (3 hours): the guide may try a different location; if the KP index is favorable, we will go to a darker spot further away.

City: Murmansk · Accommodation: 4★ Murmansk, 2nd night · Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner · Included: Sami + Husky + Reindeer + Snowmobile · Aurora hunt: 2nd night, 3 hours · Weather: -15 / -30°C

Day 4 | Full-Day Teriberka Tundra Tour

Breakfast at 07:30 and early start: the itinerary is finalized at 08:00 based on road conditions. The route to Teriberka may close due to winter storms; if it does, the Kirovsk alternative will be implemented (the guide will provide information at 08:00 in the morning): Snow Village built from snow, an ice bar and sculptures, a cable car offering panoramic views from the peak of the Hibiny Mountains, and optional, extra-fee skiing/snowboarding at the Hibiny Ski Resort.

We depart at 08:30 for a journey of approximately 80 km (1.5–2 hours) along the Arctic tundra via the R-21 highway to the coast of the Barents Sea, heading to Teriberka; endless white plains and frozen lakes accompany us along the way. At 10:30 (included, valued at €120), we arrive at Dragon Egg Beach: giant stones rounded over thousands of years, ice sculptures, and frozen waves offer unique photo opportunities (stones can be slippery, so do not get too close to the shore; the sun is low between 10:00 and 14:00, providing golden hour light). At 11:30, we visit the Ship Graveyard, where the rusted skeletons of abandoned ships from the Soviet era are located (passengers are not allowed to board the ships for safety reasons). At 12:15, we tour the Frozen Waterfall, which is partially or completely frozen and transformed into ice sculptures. At 13:00, lunch in Teriberka at a local restaurant or as a packed lunch: hot soup and fresh Barents fish.

We return to Murmansk at 14:00 (1.5–2 hours); you can rest in the vehicle and organize your photos. At 19:00, our final dinner in Murmansk (drinks not included); since checkout is tomorrow, please pack your suitcases tonight. At 21:00, our 3rd and final Northern Lights Hunt (3 hours): if KP conditions are suitable, the guide selects the most distant and darkest location; as it is the last night, more time is dedicated to individual photography support. Aurora guarantee is not provided.

Route: Murmansk ↔ Teriberka · Accommodation: 4★ Murmansk, last night · Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner · Distance: ~160 km round trip · Aurora hunt: 3rd and last night · Weather: -20 / -35°C

Day 5 | From Murmansk to St. Petersburg: Transition to the Cultural Capital

We have our final breakfast in Murmansk at 07:30, vacate our rooms, and load our luggage onto the vehicle. At 09:00, we transfer to the airport; check-in is done collectively with the guide (baggage limit 23 kg). At 11:00, we take a domestic flight of approximately 2 hours from the Arctic Circle to Russia's cultural capital; the climate, architecture, and pace change completely. Founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter I, St. Petersburg, known as the "Venice of the North," served as the imperial capital for over 200 years with its canals and baroque architecture.

We arrive at Pulkovo Airport at 13:30 and depart for a panoramic city tour by air-conditioned bus with our Turkish-speaking guide (at 14:30): along the Neva River, the city's main boulevard Nevsky Prospekt spanning 4.5 km, the facade of the Winter Palace, the main building of the Hermitage, and Palace Square with its victory column, Kazan Cathedral with its semicircular colonnade inspired by San Pietro in Rome, and views of the frozen river and historic bridges from the Neva embankment. We check into the 4★ Cosmos Pulkovskaya at 17:00 (2 nights accommodation). At 19:30, we enjoy our first dinner featuring more diverse and European-influenced flavors of St. Petersburg (drinks not included).

Route: Murmansk → St. Petersburg · Accommodation: 4★ SPB, 1st night · Meals: Breakfast + Dinner · Domestic Flight: Included, 23 kg · City Tour: Panoramic, 4 points · Weather: -5 / -12°C

Day 6 | Catherine Palace, Amber Room and Hermitage Museum

Today we will visit two major cultural sites; comfortable shoes are mandatory as the walking distance at the Hermitage can reach 8–15 km. Large suitcases stay on the bus or in the hotel; take only a small bag with you and keep your camera charged. Breakfast is served buffet-style at the hotel at 08:00; we recommend a hearty breakfast to prepare for the museum marathon. At 09:00, we travel to Pushkin town, located about 30 minutes south of St. Petersburg (25 km), formerly known as Tsarskoye Selo ("Tsar's Village"); the town is home to Catherine Palace and the school of the famous Russian poet Pushkin.

At 09:30 (entry included), we tour the stunning Catherine Palace, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dazzling with turquoise, white, and gold colors. The palace was built in the 18th century in the name of Empress I Catherine and later expanded by Great Catherine (II Catherine) to achieve its current magnificence; it suffered heavy damage during the Nazi occupation in World War II and was rebuilt close to its original state through decades of restoration. The most special room of the palace is the Amber Room, covered with approximately 6 tons of amber, gold leaf, and mirror pieces, gifted by King I Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia to Tsar I Peter: known as the "lost treasure," this room was dismantled and taken to Germany during the Nazi occupation, and was restored and reopened from 1979 to 2003. Photography inside is strictly prohibited.

The Grand (Mirror) Hall, stretching over 300 meters, offers a sense of infinite depth with its tall windows on both sides and large mirrors between them; it is adorned with gold leaf and crystal chandeliers. In the private apartments of the Tsar's family, there are uniquely decorated spaces such as the Chinese Room, Picture Gallery, and Green Dining Room. In the French-style palace park, which is enchanting even when covered in snow, you can photograph the frozen pond and snowy statues (garden tour is optional). Entry fee is included in the tour price; there may be waiting times during peak periods, but the group has priority entry. The visit lasts approximately 1.5–2 hours; photography is allowed inside the palace except in the Amber Room.

At 12:00, we return to central St. Petersburg in our air-conditioned vehicle, taking a short break before the Hermitage and lunch. At 13:30 (entry included), we tour the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. The museum was established in 1764 as the private collection of Empress II Catherine and opened to the public in 1852; it consists of six historic buildings and displays over 3 million artifacts; seeing everything takes months. On our guide's optimized route: the white marble, gold-leafed, and frescoed Jordan (Grand Staircase) Stairs; the Malachite Hall, the Empress's official reception room with green malachite columns; the Renaissance Gallery, featuring works by Raphael and Michelangelo alongside two paintings by Leonardo da Vinci (Madonna Litta and Madonna Benois); the Impressionists and Modern Art section comprising Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, Matisse (famous for the "Dance" painting), and Picasso; the Ancient Greek and Roman Halls; and the Rembrandt and Dutch Gallery, which houses 26 original works from one of the world's largest Rembrandt collections. Entry fee is included; waiting time is minimal as a specific time slot is allocated for large groups. Photography inside the museum is largely permitted (flash is prohibited in some special exhibitions, separate permission may be required for professional equipment); the museum is very large, there is an internal cafe, and large bags must be checked in.

At 17:00, there is an optional ballet performance for those interested (price varies by date, not included in the tour price, ticket price depends on seat category; please inform us of your decision before departure). Depending on the repertoire at the Mikhailovsky or Mariinsky Theatre, Tchaikovsky works such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty can be watched; smart casual attire is preferred, hats and large coats should be left at the cloakroom. Dinner at 19:30 (adjusted for ballet participants according to the ballet time; drinks not included), final overnight stay at the hotel at 22:00. Since the return flight is at 02:10, you must be ready at the airport at 23:00; pack your suitcases tonight.

City: St. Petersburg · Accommodation: 4★ SPB – last night · Meals: Breakfast + dinner · Catherine Palace (including Amber Room) and Hermitage entry: Included · Weather: -5 / -12°C in January

Day 7 | St. Isaac's Cathedral, Church on Spilled Blood, Nevsky and Farewell

Our return flight TK404 departs at 02:10; you must be at the airport no later than 23:00. Dinner is at 19:30, departure for the airport between 21:00–21:30. Please pack all suitcases the night before; today take only a day bag. Check-out is at 08:30 with an open buffet breakfast at the hotel; large suitcases will be kept on the bus.

At 10:00 (entry included), we visit St. Isaac's Cathedral (Izaiakievsky Sobor), the largest and most majestic Orthodox cathedral in St. Petersburg. Construction began in 1818 and lasted 40 years, completing in 1858; with its height of 101 meters, it is one of the city's tallest structures. The construction utilized some of the most complex engineering techniques of the era. Over 100 kg of gold was used to clad its dome, making it visible from every corner of the city on sunny days. Inside, there are 16 malachite and lapis lazuli columns, over 600 m² of mosaic surface, and massive ceiling paintings. An optional extra-cost visit to the Colonade (dome gallery) offers a 360-degree panoramic view of St. Petersburg. Photography is largely free both inside and outside; however, restrictions may apply in areas where religious services are held.

At 11:30 (entry included), we see the Church on Spilled Blood (Spas na Krovi), built at the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated on March 1, 1881. The cobblestones where the victim's blood flowed are now preserved under glass inside the church. As the only example of Russo-Byzantine architecture in the city, the church resembles Moscow's Saint Basil's Cathedral with its colorful onion domes. Over 7,000 m² of the interior surface, including the floor, is covered in mosaics, which can be fully photographed; the best exterior view is obtained from the embankment of the Griboedov Canal, for which extra time is allocated.

At 13:00, we have completely free time on Nevsky Avenue. This 4.5 km boulevard is ideal for last-minute shopping, a café break, or a walk. Recommended stops include: the Singer Bookstore (Dom Knigi), originally built for Singer in 1904 and now a bookstore, offering views of Nevsky and Kazan Cathedral from its upper-floor balcony; the historic luxury grocery Eliseyev Emporium (est. 1903) featuring Art Nouveau decor, Russian chocolates, jams, and souvenirs; the Anichkov Bridge over the Fontanka River, adorned with four bronze groups depicting horse tamers; the Literaturnoe Café, open since 1816, said to be where Pushkin had his last meal before his duel; souvenir shops selling matryoshka dolls, amber jewelry, Palekh miniatures, and Gzhel porcelain; and a walk along the Fontanka and Moika canals, which create a special atmosphere in winter with their frozen surfaces. Your guide will inform you of the meeting point and time in the morning.

At 19:30, we enjoy the Farewell Dinner (drinks not included), concluding our journey covering Russia's two great cities and the Arctic tundra. At 21:15, we transfer to Pulkovo Airport in our air-conditioned private vehicle (approximately 20–30 minutes); check-in, baggage drop, and passport control are conducted with the guide's assistance; arriving at the airport 3 hours before departure is recommended. Customs declaration may be required for those carrying significant amounts of souvenirs, amber, or valuable goods. We depart from Pulkovo (LED) at 02:10 on Turkish Airlines flight TK404; after a flight of approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes, we arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) at 06:15; we recommend planning your local transportation in advance.

A note from Holitera Turizm: From the historical heart of Moscow to the Arctic magic of Murmansk, from the artistic treasures of St. Petersburg to the unique dance of the Northern Lights, you have witnessed experiences that were a privilege for us to share with you. We hope to see you again on your next journey.

Route: St. Petersburg → Istanbul · Meals: Breakfast + farewell dinner · St. Isaac's and Church on Spilled Blood entry: Included · Return flight: TK404, 02:10 · Istanbul arrival: 06:15 · 3 cities, 6 nights, 4 flights, 3 aurora hunting nights, 12+ included venues, €755 extra tour savings