The heart of Kola: from Varzuga to Kirovsk

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Do you want to take a snowmobile ride through places untouched by civilization? If you are an experienced traveler, then this route is for you.

You will see the most remote settlements of the Kola Peninsula, accessible only by snowmobile.

Dense pine forests, soft peaks of mountain ranges, ice-bound Ponyland, endless frozen swamps with remnants of space rockets. Free wind, white snow, and only a lone trace of wolverine reminds that there is life here after all.

The advantages of this trip include familiarity with the life of the indigenous peoples of the Kola Peninsula, the opportunity to see a unique natural phenomenon – the northern lights and test yourself on trips through virgin snow.

All participants of the tour receive commemorative diplomas and souvenirs.

Location

G. Kandalaksha

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Deserted places

You will drive a snowmobile through the territories untouched by civilization

Ethnic immersion

Get to know the life of the indigenous peoples of the Kola Peninsula

Unusual finds

You will be able to see the remains of Soviet space rockets

A test of strength and spirit

Test yourself for strength and strengthen your snowmobile driving skills

A warm welcome

You will taste dishes of Pomeranian cuisine and will be able to visit the sauna

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Varzuga. Departure towards the village of Strelna
7:00-7:30 Meeting at the Kandalaksha railway station.
Transfer to Varzuga.
Lunch, briefing and equipment, snowmobile departure towards the village of Strelna on the Tersk coast of the White Sea.
On the way, an inspection of the Pomeranian fishing villages, a stop in the villages of Chapoma, Tetrino.
An unusual part of the route: mostly the path lies along the seashore, snow-covered dunes, sometimes along frozen shallow bays.

Very picturesque landscapes, unpredictable sea. Seals can often be seen resting on the ice.

Arrival in Strelna, accommodation in a guest house.

Dinner of Pomeranian cuisine – salmon in all kinds, mushrooms, jams.

Daily mileage: 125 km.

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Day 2 - Snowmobile route from Strelna to Kanevka
Breakfast.
Snowmobile route from Strelna to Kanevka. There are no roads or paths.
At the beginning of the day, an inspection of the Nikodimsky Lighthouse, which stands at the southernmost tip of the Kola Peninsula.
From the lighthouse, head deep into the peninsula in a northeasterly direction. This part of the route passes through one of the most desolate areas of the Kola Peninsula.
After the lighthouse, there is a forest area where you have to maneuver through open areas, then free open places where remnants of Soviet space rockets meet.
Overnight in the village of Kanevka on the banks of the Ponoy River.
Accommodation in Kanevka in a private house. Optional visit to the sauna.
The daily mileage is about 180 km.

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Day 3 - Visit to the Cave Ridge
Breakfast.
Departure towards Krasnoshchelye.
The route of this day will pass along the gentle ridge of the Cave, and then descend into the wooded "Ponoy depression".
Along the way, you will stop at a reindeer herding brigade, where you can get acquainted with the life and life of reindeer herders, and if circumstances are right, see the deer themselves.
This path is used only by reindeer herders and residents of Kanevka, a significant part of the road is virgin.
Daily distance: about 170 km.

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Day 4 - Krasnoshchelye – Lovozero route
The route Krasnoshchelye – Lovozero.
Depending on the weather, it can be 180 kilometers of gorgeous views and an easy drive, or a hard long day of fighting with virgin snow.
Kolsky is always like that – unpredictable.
The route passes first through pine forests and swamps of the "Ponoy depression", then crosses the Cave ridge, and after Kalmozer it goes to the winter road, which is sometimes traveled by reindeer herders.

Along the way, it is possible to organize fishing (whitefish and large trout).

Overnight on the shore of Lovozero at the Yulinskaya Salma campsite.

Daily distance: about 180 km.

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Day 5 - Visit to the sacred lake Seydozero
The route of this day passes through lakes, forests and mountains.

You can climb to the top of Mannepakh Mountain in the Lovozero tundra, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Seydozero and Khibiny.

In the Khibiny you will drive through the most spectacular passes.

The end of the route in Kirovsk at the snowmobile center.

19:00 Dinner at the cafe, departure of the participants.

Daily distance: about 130 km.

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Difficulty

Only for experienced and physically fit hikers. Requires specific skills and equipment

Tour organizer's comments

The route is recommended for those who have already been on snowmobile expeditions and imagine what it is, or for those who confidently drive a snowmobile and are not afraid of difficulties

Accommodation

Guest House

4 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation in guest houses Strelna, Kanevka, Krasnoshchelye and Yulinskaya Salma.

Guest house in Strelna

The guest house in Strelna is very small – in fact, it is the only residential building in the village, but the inconvenience of an overnight stay is more than compensated by the hospitality of the hosts.

There is no mobile connection.

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Guest house in Kanevka

This is not really a guest house, but the house of the family of Viktor and Natalia Kanev.

The owners feed in their house, and overnight accommodation for guests in the neighboring house.

Overnight in sleeping bags. A light summer sleeping bag is enough – the house is warm.

There is a sauna. There is no mobile connection.

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Another option

Krasnoshchelye Guest House

Krasnoshchelye Guest House is located on the outskirts of Krasnoshchelye village, surrounded by a pine forest.

accommodation for 3 people in a room. It's warm, clean and cozy. Shared living room with TV;
excellent local cuisine;
day toilet on the street, night toilet in the house, washbasin in the house;
a hot large bathhouse of local design is a combined steam and washing compartment.

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Another option

Guest house Yulinskaya Salma

Yulinskaya Salma Guest house is a comfortable house with all amenities, accommodation for 2-3 people in a room, bathrooms on the floor.

It is cozy here, delicious homemade food, friendly staff, excellent sauna.

There is a mobile connection (Megafon and MTS).

Tour conditions

Group

up to 8 tourists

Minimum age

18 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

G. Kandalaksha

Included in price

local transfers;
transfer to the railway station and hotels;
Lynx 59 Ranger 600 ACE, Lynx 49 Ranger 600 ACE snowmobile rental;
fuels and lubricants;
equipment rental;
all the meals specified in the program, from the meeting to the wires;
bathhouse.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Kandalaksha and back from Kirovsk.
transfer to the airport.

It's important to know

Clothes for a snowmobile expedition:

T-shirts, underwear, H.B. socks;
thermal underwear made of thin polartek;
sweatpants made of thick polartek (fleece), a sweatshirt made of thick fleece, preferably with a "throat" or a sweatshirt or a thick sweater;
a down sweater (thin single-layer down jacket) under a jumpsuit or a down jacket on top of a jumpsuit in case of severe cold weather. You can use a ski jacket or a jumpsuit;
sweatpants for staying in guest houses;
thick wool socks 2 pairs, one pair of thermal socks, also thick;
ski gloves + fleece gloves;
ski cap, if available – your own balaclava, if not – provided;
the scarf is warm, if there is a windproof mask on the face. The balaclavas provided by the organizers cover the face well from the cold, but we recommend having additional protection;
downy climbing slippers (highly recommended), rubber slippers for the bath, a personal bath towel, are provided in almost all guest houses, but it is advisable to have your own;
if you know that your lower back is stiffening, then take something warming with you (scarf, handkerchief);
personal hygiene kit (brush, paste, etc.);
cold face cream;
personal first aid kit (if there is a need for special medicines);
ski mask – worn on top of the helmet (the combination of helmet and ski mask is most optimal for long-distance snowmobile trips);
sunglasses;
a small (up to 30 liters) shoulder backpack helps to keep your back warm, in addition, you can put small items you need on the road in it;
You can take your own small thermos flasks for tea;
chocolates, nuts, sweets are also often not superfluous.

Don't forget! take a sleeping bag with you for an overnight stay at the Kanevka guest house. The sleeping bag can be thin. Items must be packed in a bag, backpack, or in a trunk with a volume of no more than 60 liters. Suitcases are prohibited.

You will be provided with:

a jumpsuit made of thick fabric with a single-layer sintepon lining;
2 balaclavas – thin and thick;
helmet with a double–glazed visor - if you have a large head, focus on this;
snowmobile boots with felt liner;
mittens with fur of the "fur coat" type in case of very severe cold weather.

Please note! Glasses are not allowed on the route – they immediately sweat and freeze. Use contact lenses or special ski goggles with diopters. The organizers will not be able to provide such equipment.

The heart of Kola: from Varzuga to Kirovsk

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

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