Tourists reviews of vacations in Russia

I was buying a tour for my son and a family friend. The tour was eventful and interesting, the places were magical and everything, in general, the experience was successful. The route is cool!

It was just great!

Dagestan is a love that lasts forever. Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes! Irresistible cuisine! Warm, welcoming people! This tour is perfect for EVERYONE, both children and adults. No one will leave without unforgettable memories and emotions.

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!

An Unforgettable Adventure in Archych. Fantastic routes, a well-planned itinerary, and an excellent guide, Murat (special thanks for the coffee in the mountains!). A word of caution: this tour is extremely challenging. The climbs are steep, requiring both strength and endurance. Be sure to assess your fitness level realistically. Proper trekking shoes and hiking poles are absolutely ESSENTIAL! The most demanding route is the trek to the Sofiyskiye Lakes—an almost vertical ascent, followed by an equally steep descent on the other side of the mountain. But the stunning turquoise waters make every step worth it. This is no leisurely walk, it’s a true athletic challenge!

Thank you very much! Everything was wonderful!

The tour was fantastic, great hotel, delicious food, and nothing to complain about.

I really enjoyed the tour, engaging excursions, stunning views, and a big thanks to the guides for their insightful facts and historical knowledge. Overall, everything was perfect.

Good afternoon, our tour from July 13 to July 21, 2024, was an unforgettable experience. We first stayed at the Gorbusha camping resort, then on the second day moved on to Wrangel Bay.. Absolutely breathtaking.. At the start, we traveled by minibus with drivers Andrey and Roman, who were professional, careful, and responsible. Later, we were welcomed by outstanding professionals – captains Andrey and Sergey, along with navigator Kozmin, who accompanied us throughout the entire journey on the catamaran. At the Gorbusha base, administrators Oksanochka and Lenochka took care of us with such warmth and attention.. Like real magic! The chefs, Pavel and Anya.. Worked wonders in the kitchen, treating us to delicious meals that made us gain some weight 🤣.. We even had the chance to exchange tips on fish cutting.. Despite the rapidly changing weather, we explored the bays and were lucky enough to see whales, ORCAS, and seals. Every member of the team was knowledgeable and could lead excursions, sharing fascinating insights along the way. A huge thank you to the Gorbusha staff. A special shoutout to Ivan, who woke up early every day to make sure we had hot water, showers, and a bath – truly appreciated. At Wrangel Bay, you can watch whales around the clock, whether from a boat or even just from the shore. It’s a lively and bustling place, with many visitors, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. Scientists also gave fascinating lectures, adding to the adventure. The camping resorts were well-maintained, clean, and organized. In Wrangel Bay, there were occasional queues for the showers due to the number of guests, but that’s just part of the charm. It was a fantastic trip.

The "Summer Karelian Voyage" railway cruise left us with unforgettable impressions, especially the visit to Kizhi Island, the Ladoga skerries, and Ruskeala Park. The scenery was absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views at every turn. Overall, the cruise was fantastic—the train was comfortable, the staff was welcoming, and the guides were knowledgeable and engaging. The only downside? It all ended too quickly. But Karelia has so much more to offer, and we’ll definitely be back one day.

A fantastic tour. The guides were excellent, with plenty of fascinating places to visit and lots of interesting information about each location.

The Caucasus Mountains tour was truly unforgettable. The itinerary was packed with incredible experiences, with a new destination to explore every day. Despite the early departures, there was never a sense of exhaustion—just excitement. We visited so many breathtaking places: Dombai, Arkhyz, Cheget, the Chegem Gorge, the Elbrus region, and the village of Upper Balkaria. Along the way, we met wonderful people and got to try a variety of traditional Caucasian dishes. The organization was top-notch. Huge thanks to the Big Country team and our hosts in Pyatigorsk. I appreciate all the effort—wishing you continued success!

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! :)

Our little trip was absolutely wonderful—so many great impressions and a fantastic mood! The tour was well-organized, the locations were stunning, and the enthusiastic, friendly guides made the experience even more enjoyable. We were completely satisfied with the trip!

So many positive emotions from a well-organized tour, carefully chosen routes, the breathtaking nature of the Caucasus, and great company! Plus, the warm and welcoming Caucasian hospitality made it even more special! I’m really glad I chose this tour and this company!

The tour was organized quickly and efficiently.

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!

A huge thank you to all the tour team. Special thanks to the drivers, who made us feel safe and well taken care of throughout the journey. Everything was perfectly arranged and ran smoothly. The guides were outstanding—knowledgeable and engaging, with a well-structured and immersive presentation of the material. A special thank you to S.R., who treated us to unforgettable views of St. Petersburg and its surroundings. Her storytelling masterfully combined breathtaking works of art with historical narratives, delivered in a calm and unobtrusive manner. My deepest respect for the passion and dedication to your profession.