Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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Myths, guesses, legends, hypotheses, theories are just dots on the historical map of Solovki. But, looking into the mirror of Solovetsky history, you begin to notice how distinctive features become expressive, the repetition of events suggests logic, the flicker of facts is connected to the network.

From August 19 to 23, 2024.

Location

G. Kem

Sightseeing tours

Tour highlights

Tasting of White Sea mussels

Perhaps it is you who are lucky enough to find a real White Sea pearl in one of them

Boat trips

We will explore the Solovetsky Islands on high-speed boats in search of unusual angles

The Mysteries of Zayatsky Island

We will visit the largest pagan sanctuary of the II-I millennia BC, stone labyrinths and a complex of religious buildings

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival
19.08.2024
Arrival in Kem by train No.092 (Arrival 08/19.24 20:55), 286C (Arrival 08/19.24 21:15), No.016 (Arrival 08/20.24 01:27).
Independent accommodation in a hotel (adjacent building from the railway station).
Rest.
Day 2 - Top Island and the history of the Solovetsky Archipelago
20.08.2024
06:00 Meeting with the guide at the hotel reception.
Transfer to the port.
Breakfast in the restaurant.
Boarding the ship.
08:00 Transfer to the Solovetsky Islands (2 hours).
Shooting from the ship.
10:00 Arrival at Solovki.
Meeting with the tour leader.
12:00 Lunch at the cafe.
13:00 Excursion “Top Island" (duration 2 hours).
Connoisseurs of serenity, tranquility and silence, as well as photographers – this sea trip is for you!
In half an hour, a high-speed boat will take you to the tiny island of Bolshoy Top in the middle of the boundless sea, where there is a lighthouse marking the dangers for large ships.
On the neighboring Small Top, far from the standard tourist routes, pomeranians and terns nest, and seals, ringed seals and sea hares rest in good weather.
The islands are covered with a tundra carpet, the "northern ginseng" grows here and the largest quartzite slab on the White Sea is located – sparkling milk crystals covered an area of about 30 square meters.
And don't forget: the main principle of communication with untouched wildlife is "don't touch anything!".
In the absence of unrest at sea, disembarkation takes place on an unequipped shore!
When planning to participate in this excursion, please count on your strength to be able to jump off the bow of the boat onto land.
15:00 "Small Muksalma" (duration 3-3.5 hours).
Malaya Muksalma Island – a separate world behind the tourist facade of Solovki – has always been closed to the mass tourist.
But we have opened this route!
We will take a speedboat along the coast of Bolshoy Solovetsky Island to the southern part of the Solovetsky Archipelago.
Maneuvering among the rocky shoals, we will pass the huge Muksalom reef, covering the approaches to the Small Muksalma.
This reef is one of the reasons why the island is inaccessible.
Even among the local White Sea captains, only the most experienced and reliable know this route.
Finally, we will disembark at the pier of the village of algae harvesters – this is the purpose of our excursion – a unique place not only on the scale of the White Sea, but also, perhaps, the whole of Russia.
Here, from June to October, algae is extracted manually, as it was 100 years ago, on traditional White Sea carbine boats.
We will see how kelp is harvested and dried before being sent to Arkhangelsk, from where the algae will return to Solovki again in the form of cosmetics and dietary supplements.
And of course, we will learn a lot of details about the life and work of local fishermen, and about what and how they make algae.
The fishing village is a "non—tourist" place.
No sleek "Potemkin" huts and animators imitating traditional crafts.
Tourists are not expected here – there is a lot of work.
We will also have the opportunity to observe the harsh life of the White Sea fishermen and feel the peculiar brutal spirit of this place.
18:00 Walking tour "The history of the Solovetsky Archipelago" (duration 3.5 hours).
The main natural and geographical features of the archipelago, information about the local flora and fauna, rare phenomena observed on the islands – that's where we start and what first of all makes Solovki unique.
Next, you will see the monuments of the village of Solovetsky with a story about the main historical epochs of Solovki: from the appearance of the first people on the islands in the VI millennium BC (stop at Cape Labyrinths) to the events of our time.
"Solovki as a mirror of Russian history" – this idea "runs through the guide's narrative like a red thread.
The fascinating story unfolds the secret scroll of the Solovetsky chronicle, which tells about the regular participation of the islands in significant events for the Fatherland and their influence on their course.
Builders of mysterious labyrinths, harsh Orthodox ascetics, prisoners of Solovetsky prisons are the main characters of this story.
Placement.
Supper.
Rest.

1 more photo
Day 3 - Solovetsky hermitages. History and legends. Solovetsky Dam
21.08.2024
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion "Solovetsky skeets. History and legends" (duration 4 hours).
A bus tour of the northern part of the Bolshoy Solovetsky Island with a tour of well-known places and iconic, but rarely visited monuments of Solovki.
The first stop is the Holy Ascension Skete with its controversial history and the Axe Mountain – the "fortress of light and darkness", where the lighthouse church stands, which became a penal isolation ward during the time of the ELEPHANT.
From the Axe, the forest road leads to the Savvatievsky monastery – the first settlement of the Solovetsky monks, which at the beginning of the 20th century became the ELEPHANT business trip and the site of the first execution of political prisoners on Solovki.
Further along the route, Jung Alley is the remains of the dugouts of the Solovetsky Jung School – this is where the elite of the USSR Navy was raised from 14–year-olds during the war years.
From there, the route leads to the Red Lake, where the famous lake and canal systems of Solovki originate and there are material traces of the Solovetsky history.
The dam of the 16th century – the realized idea of "turning back the rivers" – centuries later still performs a whole range of functions that changed the practice of economic activity of the monastery and the Solovetsky landscapes.
Worthy objects of display are worship and commemorative crosses – examples of cross-cutting skills.
A trip full of meanings will also allow you to enjoy the scenery and experience the beauty of northern nature.
Lunch.
"Solovetskaya dam" (duration 2-2.5 hours).
The most grandiose construction of Solovki after the Solovetsky Kremlin is the famous man–made dam – a boulder road laid by sea to facilitate transportation between Bolshaya Muksalma Island and the monastery.
From the very beginning of construction in the middle of the XIX century, the dam aroused great interest among visitors to Solovki.
The new route allows you to approach the dam from the southern side of the archipelago, revealing completely unknown views of the famous monument to tourists.
Take a look at the arch of the dam and pay attention to the transparency of the water and the amount of algae!
Supper.
Free time for self-shooting of the village of Solovetsky (Kremlin, Holy Lake, etc. objects).
Day 4 - The archipelago of the Body. Bolshoy Zayatsky Island
22.08.2024
Breakfast at the hotel.
"The Archipelago of the Body – the world of ancient man" (duration 5 hours).
Get ready to experience a storm of emotions: sea crossing on speedboats, landing on the rocky shore of the German island and climbing to the highest point of the White Sea water area.
You are in the heart of the Archipelago of the Body nature Reserve!
On the rise, climatic zones change from taiga to tundra, the outline of the rock looks at the traveler like a frog, then a shaman, and from the top an impressive panorama opens: Solovki, Karelian skerries and placers of the White Sea archipelagos.
During the journey, you will get acquainted with the archaeological heritage of the island and the ancient sanctuary – the mysterious Seid plateau – a "collection" of megaliths, mysterious stones of the North, left to us by the first inhabitants.
Among this splendor, enjoy the serene silence and the endless expanses of the sea, feel the special energy of the Bodies.
In the absence of civilization, the world freezes and gives you the opportunity to feel and hear yourself... You can reach the heavens here!
Lunch.
Excursion "Sights of the Big Hare Island" (duration of the tour is 3 hours).
Boat trip to Bolshoy Zayatsky Island.
Tourists will visit the largest pagan sanctuary of the II-I millennia BC, see stone labyrinths, a complex of religious and funerary structures, Russia's first stone harbor, monuments of St. Andrew's Hermitage.
Free time for self-shooting of the village of Solovetsky (Kremlin, Holy Lake, etc. objects).
Day 5 - Long Lip
23.08.2024
Breakfast at the hotel.
Work with a guide in the village of Solovetsky, Solovetsky Kremlin, Cape of Labyrinths, the best angles and places.
Lunch.
Excursion "Long Lip" (duration – 4/5 hours).
An exciting ecological boat trip along the Long Bay – the "inner sea" of Solovki, where even in stormy weather there are rarely disturbances.
A carbureted boat with a motor, driven by a fresh salty wind, will run past sandy beaches, countless islands and rocky ridges crashing into the water.
On one of them there is a bird family, and on the other, it seems, a seal is basking in the sun.
Shallow depths allow you to see the underwater world: starfish are buried in the sandy bottom, translucent ultramarine jellyfish are floating in the water, algae are waving and stretching somewhere along with the sea currents.
The price of the tour includes a bus transfer to Long Bay and back, as well as tasting of White Sea mussels – perhaps you are lucky enough to find a real White Sea pearl in one of them.
Supper.
19:00 Departure to the mainland by ship.
21:00 Arrival at the port.
Transfer to the railway station.
22:00 Arrival at the railway station.
01:35 Departure by train 225A.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel.

Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 40 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

G. Kem

Included in price

single accommodation in a hotel;
meals according to the program;
participation in excursions;
assistance and support of a tour guide;
transfers according to the program.

Paid extra

railway tickets to and from Kemi;
meals not specified in the program.

It's important to know

1. Medical preparations for individual needs.

2. Documents: passport, insurance policy (medical).

3. Comfortable sports shoes:

sneakers or moccasins, but not new, but familiar and comfortable;
replacement shoes (light sneakers or sneakers).

4. Sportswear for hot and cool weather:

The jacket is windproof, waterproof;
raincoat;
warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants);
T-shirts with long (from sunburn) and short sleeves;
sports trousers;
shorts;
socks.

5. Headdress: cap, panama hat (with visor).

6. Bathing suit.

7. Personal hygiene products.

8. Useful equipment:

small backpack (20-30 l);
flashlight with spare batteries;
sunscreen (required);
sunglasses.

9. For photo and video equipment, take care of an airtight package in case of rain.

Recommendations for participants of ecological excursions: be sure to have warm clothes for sea trips, mosquito repellents, a bathing suit and a camera if desired.

Solovki – own view