Russia Travel Blog
It was February 2022, and one of my highly anticipated trips began, starting from Guwahati Airport to Delhi Airport with a brief layover, my next flight to Moscow was scheduled for 1:30 a.m. And soon, the boarding announcement came, which had a duration of around 6 hours and 30 minutes. Upon arrival in Sheremetyevo Airport Moscow at 5:30 a.m. local time (8 a.m. IST), I completed the immigration formalities and spotted my sister, who was posted at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, eagerly waiting near the baggage counter with a big smile, and hence it was a happy reunion after a long time.
After finishing the airport formalities, we headed to her apartment, which was located in Kutuzovsky Prospect in the center of Moscow city. It took approximately an hour to complete the journey. The roads were snow-covered with multiple lanes and crowded mostly with SUVs, crossovers, and LADAs, with the Mini Cooper being the exception.
From a distance, I spotted people walking in their warm overcoats, lost in their own world, rarely making eye contact. The environment was calm and tranquil, with drivers refraining from unnecessary honking and being interrupted only by major driving errors. Stringent security, with surveillance cameras and traffic lights, marked the scene. People adhered diligently to traffic rules.
Finally! We arrived at her warm, cozy, and well-organized apartment.
The next day the temperature was a chilling -18 degrees outside, and I couldn’t help but admire the snow-covered park and see my sister downstairs cleaning her car’s windshield, covered in layers of snow.
Experiencing such wintry conditions for the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed the fun and breathtaking moments.
Radisson Royal Moscow River Cruise
As the evening approached, we decided to have dinner at the Radisson Royal Moscow River Cruise, which was just a 20-minute walk from the apartment. After arriving at the destination, the trip started around 7 p.m. and lasted for 2 hours and 30 minutes, taking through the entire city and giving a perfect night view of important historical places and tourist spots. Later, we went to the deck area of the cruise to take in the view along with some photographs. The food was delicious, and since this was my first time dining on a cruise, I was torn between enjoying the food and gazing at the beautiful view outside. My dilemma seemed comical to my sister. There was also a photographer available inside the cruise who clicked some of our pictures, and the hard copies were provided instantly, costing 500 rubles.
Later, on our way back home, we also witnessed a grand fireworks display as Russia was celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day, which falls on the 23rd of February. We enjoyed the moment, captured some pictures, and then made our way back home.
The next day, we set out for a leisurely walk. Despite the cold and windy weather, we found ourselves wandering around the city all day without feeling tired. During our city exploration, we visited the skyscrapers in the city center and then the Inverted City Museum at VDNK. The museum was very unusual and fun. Everything was structured in an inverted position, where we clicked some stunning pictures and got a feel of living in a real inverted city.
One thing I’ve noticed is that Russians tend to be highly active, often choosing to walk for short distances instead of relying on vehicles, unless the distance exceeds roughly 5 kilometers.
Trip to Murmansk (Gateway to the Artic)
It was my fourth day in Moscow, and finally my Murmansk trip began, generously sponsored by my sister. The trip was booked on https://murmanskenglishguide.com/. It was a three-day trip with a personal English-speaking guide. I set off from her apartment around 4 a.m. and conveniently booked a cab through Yandex, Russia’s native ride-hailing app. It took roughly an hour to get to the airport. My flight was scheduled for 7 a.m. to Murmansk and lasted approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes.
I boarded a compact Aeroflot aircraft, and the flight was rather enjoyable. At 9:40 am, I touched down in Murmansk, where I was received by my tour guide. My initial choice was a different hotel, but due to it being fully booked, I opted for “Rooms and Breakfast,” where I stayed for the next three days. Upon arrival, I had a leisurely 60 minutes to freshen up before we set out on our sightseeing adventure.
ALYOSHA, MURMANSK
First, we visited the Alyosha War Memorial, dedicated to those who never returned during World War II. This statue pays tribute to their ultimate sacrifice for humanity. The location has a strong and historically significant ambiance. With temperatures at -24 degrees and covered in snow, providing a panoramic view of the frozen landscape below.
The Memorial Complex to the Soldiers and Seamen who Died in Peaceful Time
Then we headed to “The Memorial Complex to the Soldiers and Seamen who Died in Peaceful Time”. After reaching the memorial, my guide gave me a brief explanation of the history behind it. And to my knowledge, this memorial serves as a tribute to the 118 soldiers who tragically lost their lives in the Kursk submarine disaster in 2000.
One remarkable thing I noticed about the Russian people is that they take great pride in their history, showing deep knowledge, devotion, and patriotism. This was evident in the way my guide passionately explained the historical significance of the memorial.
Chasing the Northern Lights
Northern Lights
Later that night, it was particularly special as it was all about witnessing the Northern Lights, the much-anticipated highlight of the trip. After dinner, around 11 p.m., we started on a two-hour drive far from the city lights in search of a clear view of the unobstructed night sky. The weather was quite stormy, which initially made spotting the lights challenging. However, after patiently waiting for an hour, at around 2 a.m., we were finally graced by the enchanting Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis. It was an unparalleled experience, truly unforgettable, and finally, my lifelong dream was fulfilled!
Special thanks to the incredible tour guide, Pasha/Pavel, for his determination in navigating through the ups and downs of hunting the Northern Lights.
Exploring the Frozen White Sea and Snowshoeing at Kandalaksha
Snowshoeing at Kandalaksha
Though I couldn’t get a proper sleep the previous night, I felt no fatigue whatsoever. Instead, the excitement kept me awake.
When you’re planning an adventure, sleep is the last thing on your mind.
At around 10 a.m., our next adventure began. The initial plan was to visit Teriberka to get a view of the Arctic Ocean, but due to heavy snowfall, the roads were blocked. So, we decided to go for an alternative option, i.e., exploring the frozen White Sea and snowshoeing uphill at Kandalaksha.
Snowshoeing was quite an adventure and a real challenge, especially for me, as I had never trekked uphill in knee-deep snow. However, I finally made it to the top and felt as if I had stepped into the wintry realm of Narnia, and the breathtaking view with the enormous frozen White Sea visible from the top was an incredible experience.
Later, we headed to the White Sea for a closer view, walked on its frozen surface, clicked some amazing pictures, and then had dinner at a local restaurant called Terrasa Lounge-Cafe. After that, I was transported back to the hotel, concluding the eventful second day of my journey.
Husky Park Lovozero
It was the last day, and the trip started around 9 a.m., and let me tell you, this Husky Park is as thrilling as the northern lights themselves. It is a haven for those looking for a playful and exciting experience with Siberian huskies and reindeers.
My trip began with a one-hour, thirty-minute drive to the primary destination. From there, me, my tour guide, and other tourist members were transported on snowmobiles to the actual park. The cold was bone-chilling, so I made sure to zip up my coat. Upon arriving at the park, at first we were taken to the reindeer’s, where we were given breadcrumbs to feed them. The idea was to play with them and lure them closer for better clicks. However, I ended up with plenty of breadcrumbs, and soon, I found myself surrounded by deer’s, almost jumping on me. It was quite amusing. My guide managed to capture some incredible photos during this comical encounter.
We were also given a brief explanation of the history of Siberian huskies and the Sami community, the native people of the area.
Later, we were invited for the reindeer sledding, which turned out to be a lot of fun. And as we approached midday, it was time for a complimentary lunch. The meal options were somewhat limited, and they already asked the previous day to choose between vegetarian and non-vegetarian. I opted for the non-vegetarian , which included reindeer meat, rice, soup, and cakes with berries on them, and the food was delicious
After lunch, we all went on a husky sledding adventure. Around 100 enthusiastic, friendly, and tireless huskies were grouped, and each group was tied to a different sled. These dogs were incredibly spirited and couldn’t wait to run, barking and jumping with excitement, eager to pull the sleds. Excitedly, I jumped into one of the sleds even before my turn came and enjoyed a fantastic 15-minute ride, and the experience was thrilling.
Later, we clicked some selfies with the huskies, and I must admit that these huskies were true selfie enthusiasts.
After that, I visited a souvenir shop within the park. I picked up some magnets and a small husky doll as keepsakes. It was the perfect way to conclude this incredibly exciting trip.
Subsequently, we headed back to the hotel, where my guide dropped me off. The next morning, I caught my flight back to Moscow, returning to my sister’s place
Well, I’ve shared my experiences and excitement from this trip, and now it’s your turn. Share your fun experiences in the comments below!
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