Undiscovered Russia: 10 ways to see the world's most beguiling country
How does one start to visit a country as vast as Russia? Read on for 10 ideas, spanning from Europe to the Far-East.
1. A cruise on the wild side
Summer 2020 sees the inaugural expedition to the Russian Arctic National Park and the far-flung islands of Franz Josef Land for Arctic specialist Aurora Expeditions. Departing from Murmansk, the new ship Greg Mortimer will voyage across the Barents Sea for sightings of polar bears, whales, walruses and seals. Further cruise highlights include tundra walks to view the rich variety of birdlife including fulmars, kittiwakes and little auks.
Franz Josef Land Explorer from £8,950 for 14 nights including transfers and all meals on board. Excludes flights. Departs July 12 2020. Aurora Expeditions (auroraexpeditions.co.uk).
2. Battlefields of Borodino
Napoleon’s Russian campaign and his retreat from Moscow after the 1812 Battle of Borodino is the focus for an autumn tour offered by escorted specialist The Cultural Experience. As well as Borodino, a couple of hours outside Moscow, the itinerary takes in several other sites from Napoleon’s eventually disastrous campaign including Smolensk and the nearby battlefield of Valutino. The tour coincides with the battle re-enactment, where thousands congregate in period uniform to relive the bloody events.
Napoleon in Russia Tour from £3,695 for nine nights including flights, transfers and some meals. Sept 5 2020. The Cultural Experience (theculturalexperience.com).
3. Flavours of a nation
Escorted tour specialist Intrepid Travel reveals the diversity and seasonality of Russia’s traditional dishes on a rail journey departing from St Petersburg. Learn the secrets of making borscht in Suzdal and taste Tartar dishes including laghman (noodles with meat and vegetables) and chak-chak (deep-fried dough sweetened with honey) in Kazan. Sample Crimean wines and kvass and take a vodka tasting tour in Moscow.
Russia Real Food Adventure from £1,301 for nine nights including some meals. Excludes flights and transfers. Departs April, June, August and September. Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com).
4. Herd reindeer in the Arctic
Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula, above the Arctic Circle, is home to the Nenet, a nomadic tribe of reindeer herders. Imaginative Traveller offers an escorted trip to this frozen tundra, a 45-hour journey from Moscow on the Trans-Polar railway, with four nights among the Nenet in basic yurts in the Langot Yugan valley. Activities include sledding, net fishing and traditional crafts.
Russian Expedition – Footsteps of the Reindeer Herders from £2,605 for 14 nights including some meals. Excludes flights and transfers. Departs July 30 and Aug 20 2020. Imaginative Traveller (imaginative-traveller.com).
5. Culture in St Petersburg
Few cities rival St Petersburg when it comes to outstanding artistic treasures. Cultural specialist Martin Randall Travel offers an in-depth, expert-led look at its extensive art museums and contrasting architectural styles. Accompanied by art historian and lecturer Dr Alexey Makhrov, the itinerary includes two visits to the Hermitage, a full-day excursion to the rococo Catherine Palace and the neoclassical Great Palace in their landscaped parks, plus a tour of the main city sights.
St Petersburg – Pictures and Palaces in the Imperial Capital from £3,290 for seven nights including flights, transfers and some meals. Departs May 8 2020. Martin Randall Travel (martinrandall.co.uk).
6. On track in Siberia
Travelling the 6,152 miles between Moscow and the eastern outpost of Vladivostock on the Trans-Siberian railway takes seven days. Regent Holidays can tailor-make a longer itinerary taking in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg for ice-fishing and rafting and an overnight stay in the historic city of Ulan Ude, formerly a Cossack garrison.
Moscow to Vladivostok Trans-Siberian Railway from £1,695 for 11 nights including transfers and some meals, based on a second-class, four-berth compartment (first class, two-berth compartment upgrade available). Excludes flights. Departs year round. Regent Holidays (regent-holidays.co.uk).
7. Discover Lake Baikal
Close to the Mongolian border in Eastern Siberia, 400-mile long Lake Baikal is a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the world’s deepest lakes. Steppes Travel offers bespoke trips to the region which include a tour on the Circumbaikal railway, a visit to Selenginsk St Trinity Monastery and an encounter with the Semeiskiye people in their village of Tarbagatay.
Lake Baikal Adventure from £1,620 for six nights including transfers and some meals. Excludes flights. Departs January to March and May to October. Steppes Travel (steppestravel.com).
8. High life in the Caucasus
The highest peak in the Caucasus range is Mount Elbrus at 15,554ft and an ascent takes eight to 10 hours by the easier southern route. However, the climb still requires basic mountaineering skills and knowledgeable guides, as altitude, icy ground and unpredictable weather can make it hazardous. The itinerary offered by Adventure Alternative includes three days in a two-star village hotel for acclimatisation before moving on to the higher mountain huts with experienced guides.
Mount Elbrus South Route from £1,595 for 10 nights including food and transfers but not flights. May to August. Adventure Alternative (adventurealternative.com).
9. Tigers in the taiga
Notoriously elusive, the endangered Siberian tiger roams the remote taiga forests of eastern Russia. Wildlife specialist Naturetrek leads a trip to this snowy region focusing on the Durminskoye Forest Reserve, four hours from Khabarovsk. Travelling by four-wheel drive, skidoo and on foot, sightings are not guaranteed but camera traps are set to record tigers’ movements. There is also a chance of spotting wild boar and Siberian roe deer.
Realm of the Siberian Tiger from £5,895 for eight nights including flights, transfers and most meals. Feb 29 2020. Naturetrek (naturetrek.co.uk).
10. An Orthodox Christmas
Russia’s Christmas season – svyatki – runs from Christmas Day (which falls on Jan 7) until Jan 19, and is one of the most atmospheric times to visit. A small group itinerary offered by Ace Cultural Tours takes in the magical Winter Festival in Moscow’s Revolution Square and the ice sculpture exhibition at Poklonnaya Hill. Staying at the five-star Hotel National, the tour is lead by art historian Dr Alex Koller.
Orthodox Christmas in Moscow from £2,395 for six nights including flights, transfers and some meals. Departs Jan 5 2020. ACE Cultural Tours (aceculturaltours.co.uk).
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