Tourists reviews of vacations in Russia

Before this trip, the farthest point in Russia my wife and I had visited was a cape on Russky Island. Now we found ourselves 220 km farther from home, with Cape Aniva lying 6,794 km away in a straight line. Enough of the numbers—let’s get back to the trip itself. First of all, I’d like to mention that the weather on the island was just fine, with only the last two days being cloudy. This didn’t dampen our experience in the least, largely thanks to the excellent organization and the care shown by our guide, the drivers and the rest of the staff. For instance, we never imagined that meals in the open field could be so varied and beautifully presented (other agencies we know of often make do with instant noodles and sandwiches). But here, we enjoyed cedar plank redfish (!), a dish worthy of a fine restaurant. The team's chef prepared it right there on the shore of Silent Bay. Our thanks also go to the managers for arranging our stay in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The Mega Palace Hotel was comfortable, with high-quality service in both the hotel and its restaurant. As for our impressions of Sakhalin itself, the island’s natural beauty made a lasting impact on us. The stunning coastal cliffs, green hills veiled in mist that drifts down to the sea, and, of course, Cape Aniva with its legendary lighthouse, seals sunbathing on the rocks and flocks of seagulls. Even though St. Petersburg is also a seaside city with plenty of seagulls, on Sakhalin they are just so big and so... loud. One vivid memory is the trip to Birds Cape along a narrow forest road. Honestly, I was wondering what we’d do if we met an oncoming car on such a path, which to my experienced driver’s eye seemed barely wide enough to pass. Yet, not only did we manage, but our massive Land Cruiser even overtook another car, cheerfully flashing the hazard lights as we passed. In general, Sakhalin is a land of used, right-hand-drive Land Cruisers and Pajeros—a very practical choice for off-road drives and coastal trips, and they’re easy to find with Japan so nearby. An unexpected surprise: on the second day of the tour, we went oyster gathering at the oyster banks on Lake Busse. We didn’t just collect oysters, we ate them fresh on the spot—with lemon and champagne! Right on the shore! Afterwards, we enjoyed a rich and delicious lunch, topped off with some 'klopovka' liqueur from Dmitry, the captain of the excursion. Our trip to Sakhalin was a fantastic experience!

A fantastic tour that truly showcases Lake Baikal. It had everything—steppes, forests, a boat trip from the east coast to the west, and a visit to the Ivolginsky Datsan. It covered everything I wanted to see.

From July 16 to 22, 2024, we took part in the Kamchatka Express tour. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone. I think it’s perfect for a first introduction to Kamchatka.

A wonderful tour to Karelia! The excursions were interesting, informative, and never boring. We were also very lucky with the weather. We highly recommend visiting these beautiful places in this vast country. For anyone planning to go, remember to follow the tour operator’s recommendations! :)

The route takes you through breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, leaving you with vivid, unforgettable impressions of nature. It’s not always easy terrain—sometimes it’s downright challenging—but the views make it all worthwhile. Any difficulties you encounter are part of the location’s unique character, not drawbacks of the tour. Definitely bring sturdy waders. :) We traveled with Tatiana, who was fantastic—bright, open, interesting, and a wonderful guide. I’d love to cross paths with her again someday. The pace was comfortable, the meal schedule kept us satisfied, and the starts weren’t too early. After considering many options, I think this tour strikes the perfect balance of duration, experience, cost, and physical demand. It’s ideal if you’re not an athlete but enjoy a good adventure.

We took a tour to the Kola Peninsula and spent a long time choosing a tour operator — eventually finding Big Country almost by accident. The program was great, and we booked the tour with accommodations included. Everything was very convenient; the transportation was included, the food was great and everything matched the program perfectly! We are completely satisfied with the trip 🙂 The guides also delivered on the itinerary 100%. In the future, we'll definitely book more tours across this vast country with this provider. Highly recommended!

I was on this tour from 07/19/24 to 07/21/24, and it surpassed all my expectations. The landscape was incredibly varied: from temperate forests to northern woods, boreal forests, and open tundra. The beauty of this place is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. The tundra, so complex and mysterious, defies capture in any photograph—it truly has to be experienced firsthand :) I was captivated by the raw, majestic power of the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. The water is freezing, crystal clear, and a stunning sea-green 😊. The vast, gentle hills and rocky landscapes sometimes make you feel like you’re on another planet. And the smells! :) The tundra and ocean carry scents as vibrant as the colors around them—it’s unforgettable :) The polar day was something I’d never seen before :) The sun doesn’t set at all, which feels so unusual but amazing :) And of course, the animals and sea life! :) Meeting whales and watching them in their natural habitat was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure :) The soft noses and kind, gentle eyes of the reindeer will stay with me forever. I also have to mention the local cuisine, especially the fish. Normally, I’m not a big fan, but this trip made me rethink that entirely :) If you want to immerse yourself in another world and experience something truly unique, you absolutely need to visit the north.

An unforgettable tour!🔥 My dream of seeing whales finally came true! It was incredible 💫 Besides the whales, I got to see seals, visit a traditional village with reindeer, and even feed deer, yaks, and donkeys. The goats really made my day—they’ll give you a ‘paw’ for a carrot! 😂

Kamchatka! This word always sounded so mysterious, enticing, almost unreal to me. I’m so glad I happened to see on social media that people actually travel there—it's possible! My first tour, 'Water and Flame,' was just the spark I needed. The idea of exploring Kamchatka through this very program lit me up, and I have no regrets! The itinerary is thoughtfully planned for balanced activity levels and variety. There’s no overload, but never a dull moment either. The tour also offered different accommodation options to fit any budget, which was super convenient.

Good afternoon! We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all the organizers of the “Taste of Lake Baikal” tour, which we enjoyed from July 15 to July 18. The entire experience was flawlessly arranged, with every detail thoughtfully considered! Special thanks to manager Kirill, who was always available and took excellent care of us throughout the trip. Our group was small—just five people—which was a real advantage for us as travelers! We felt like VIPs in Irkutsk! Our guides, Alyona and driver Roman Kondratiev, shared so much about the history of Irkutsk and the incredible places we visited. Their laid-back storytelling kept it interesting, giving us insights that most tourists don’t get. The choice to use a car for such a small group was perfect—flexible, comfortable, and easy to hear everything. From the initial greeting to our final departure, we were so well looked after. The program was rich and engaging without a single wasted moment! Irkutsk is a beautiful city, full of amazing people and historic sites, and we were fortunate to have enthusiastic guides who truly love what they do. We highly recommend this tour to everyone! It left us with the very best memories.

It was an amazing trip! In just four days, we experienced so many emotions—it felt like we’d been traveling for a month! The tour itself was packed, with early starts each day leading to new adventures, new locations, and even new climate zones! We did a lot of hiking, went boating, spotted whales and foxes, and enjoyed seafood and venison! Every evening, we came back exhausted but happy! I really appreciated how well-organized the tour was—the schedule was intense, but there was still enough time for everything!

Thank you for the excellent organization of the tour. The program was engaging, and every detail was well thought out. Special thanks to the guides and chefs. This tour gave us the chance to experience Kamchatka from many different angles.

Our family joined the St. Petersburg Collection tour from July 15 to 21, and the program met all our expectations. Many thanks to Irina Evgenievna Yeletskaya and the other guides – true professionals. I also want to recognize the drivers and the comfort of the buses. One suggestion: it would be great if the guides could adjust the pace a bit for older travelers. Thank you!

A fantastic choice for anyone who prefers not to carry heavy backpacks or sleep in a tent. Big thanks to the tour team for adjusting the excursions based on the weather. As always, a wonderful group, new connections, and an abundance of positive vibes!

The tour was packed to the brim – in such a short time, we managed to experience Kamchatka from all angles and even get a taste of it 👍🫶

I am very grateful for such a wonderfully organized tour! It was our first time in Moscow, and in just five days we visited Mosfilm, VDNKh, Moscow City, Kolomenskoye Estate, and the Tretyakov Gallery. Special thanks to our amazing guides: Evgeny, a true wealth of information who shared fascinating insights about every corner of Moscow, and Marina, who captivated us with stories about the city’s history and the famous figures who lived in Moscow across different eras.

The trip left only positive impressions. The tour took us from Buguldeika to Bolshoy Goloustnoye, covering about 70 km by kayak. Lake Baikal delighted us with its changing weather—clear skies and rain added to the adventure, making the journey even more unforgettable. Each day brought new natural wonders: mountains, forests, caves, arches, and sandy beaches. I highly recommend experiencing the energy of Lake Baikal through kayaking.

It was difficult, terribly wet, hot or cold, but very interesting

The Top 3 Tour is wonderfully compact and incredibly informative. In a short time, I was able to see, experience, and learn so much. I immersed myself in Russian history, explored architectural monuments, and glimpsed the medieval era. Visiting Vyborg and Karelia left an unforgettable impression, and St. Petersburg will forever hold a special place in my heart. I'm so glad I stumbled upon the Big Country website and that this specific tour caught my attention. Thank you so much, truly thank you 💕!!!!!

Our trip to the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia took place at the beginning of July. We visited Olkhon Island, explored the Tunka Valley in Buryatia, and took a ride on the Circum-Baikal Railway. Thank you for the excellent organization of the tour. We were pleased with everything: the transportation, the hotels (especially the value for money), and the impeccable work of the guides. A special thanks for the wonderful weather throughout the trip! We hope this is just the beginning of our travels with 'Big Country'!