Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Saint Petersburg – Kola Peninsula Escape from the stressful World Relax on Kola Peninsula for individuals and groups
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Varzuga village Uspenskaya wooden church (anno 1674)
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Varzuga village Car free area!
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Monchegorsk city on the shore of Imandra Lake the greenest city on Kola Peninsula
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) have a hike to a beautiful waterfall "Devichyi Kosi" (Girl’s plaits)
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Murmansk city World’s biggest city above Polar Circle
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) "Alyosha"-memorial a 34 meter high watch man!
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) View on Murmansk city visit a real Atomic Icebreaker!
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Solovetski Island in the White Sea Boat excursion from Kem
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Open air museum Kizhi Island Boat excursion from Petrozavodsk
Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola Peninsula. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. Train holiday: The Kola Express (12 days) Visit Saint Petersburg "Venice of the North"

The Kola Express train holiday

Have a relaxing and refreshing holiday on Kola Peninsula. Travel by train from Saint Petersburg directly to the Kola. Meet culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. A 12 days train holiday for the individual traveller!

If you really want to be away from your busy stressy environment, come to Kola Peninsula. The Kola Express will bring you from Saint Petersburg to Kandalaksha city on the mouth of the White Sea where you will be picked up for a transfer to Varzuga; an ancient village in the middle nowhere. Varzuga village is situated in a dune and forest area on the shore of the famous Varzuga river. You can hike in silence or try your luck in cathing an Atlantic salmon. Your host will show you how. On your way to Worlds biggest city above Polar Circle you will visit Monchegorsk city. It is the most green and friendly city of Kola Peninsula with many possibilities for sight-seeing. After visiting Murmansk you travel back to Saint Petersburg and on your way you will visit the pearl of the White Sea; the Solovetsky Islands and an open-air museum in the traditional typical building style of wooden houses on Kizhi Island. All tickets, route descriptions, vouchers for transfers, accommodation and excursions, city maps and descriptions you will get from us in a ready package. With the support of Kola Travel your holiday in Northwest Russia will be pleasant and hassle-free; you will have the freedom of being without a guide, yet feel at ease in unfamiliar cities.

Please, pay attention the program is basic. In every location you can choose options (see Optional chapter.) what to do / visit. If you prefer to stay more amount of days in any city we will change the program according to your wishes.

  • Varzuga village: fishing
  • Varzuga village: hike to "Magic" springs in forest area
  • Varzuga village: complex of Uspenskaya Orthodox Church of 17th century
  • Varzuga village: old style architecture of the village
  • White Sea shore: Ancient Varzuga village
  • White Sea shore: Chapel of Unknown Monk in wilderness
  • White Sea shore: Old village Kashkarantsy
  • Monchegorsk: Places of interests
  • Monchegorsk: The biggest Cathedral of Murmansk region
  • Monchegorsk: Yacht cruise on Imandra lake
  • Monchegorsk: 1 day hiking tour to a waterfall in mountain Monchetundra
  • Monchegorsk: 1 day bicycling tour in hily area in Monchegorsk’s suburbs
  • Murmansk: Places of interests
  • Murmansk: Visit to the first nuclear icebreaker "Lenin".
  • Solovetskie Island: Rowing boat tour on the channels
  • Solovetskie Island: excursions on territory of Solovetsky Monastery
  • Petrozavodsk: Trip to Kinerma village
  • Petrozavodsk: Trip to Zoo Complex
  • Petrozavodsk: Sailing on replica of an old ship
  • Petrozavodsk: Trip by ferry to and from Kizhi Island
  • Petrozavodsk: Places of interests
  • Saint Petersburg: Visit to Folklore program incl. traditional Russian snacks
  • Saint Petersburg: Places of interests

The Kola Express train holiday

Day 1: In the evening leave from Ladozhsky railway station in Saint-Petersburg for Kandalaksha. Overnight in the train.

Day 2: Arrival in Kandalaksha. Meeting by a car or a minibus and drive to Varzuga village. On the way stop to see old village Kashkarantsy. Another stop is at a Chapel of Unknown Monk standing desolated on the sea shore. Arrival in Varzuga.
Upon arrival check-in at a small guest house. Lunch. You can visit the still-functioning Uspenskaya Orthodox Church build in 1674 y. By rowing boat cross the Varzuga River for a walk among traditional wooden houses. With a local guide take a short hike through forest to "Magic" springs welling out of the sand (4 km in one direction). Dinner and overnight in a wooden guest house. (L,D)

Day 3: Stay in Varzuga. (You can ask owners of the house also about fishing possibilities for additional payment). Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the guest house. Overnight in a wooden guest house (B,L,D)

Day 4: After breakfast at 9.00 leave Varzuga for Monchegorsk city (located on the way to Murmansk). During way sandwiches and beverages. Arrival in Monchegorsk around 16.00. Check-in at a hotel upon arrival. Explore the city. Three blue lakes almost divide the city in islands. The biggest Cathedral of Murmansk region is one of major places of interest in Monchegorsk city. You can learn more about the history of Monchegorsk when you visit the local Historical museum. Also you will visit the Museum of Coloured Stones. It consists of outstanding collection of minerals and items from the whole Russia (see optional). Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 5: Breakfast and check-out. You can stay this day in Monchegorsk and take a hiking tour, or a bicycling tour, or kayaking tour on Imandra Lake, by your choice (see options above). After that take a public bus to Murmansk (140 km) (optional). When you at the Murmansk bus station you can take a taxi (100 RUR) or to use public transport to come to a hotel (according a route map from us). Check-in. You can explore the city on your own following the route maps and descriptions from us. Or you can take optional excursions and have a personnel guide to meet the city (see optional). Dinner in recommended restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6: Breakfast. Explore the city on your own following the route maps and descriptions from us. Or you can take optional excursions and have a personnel guide you can continue to explore the city on your own following the route maps and descriptions from us. Take a train to Kem. Overnight in the train.

Day 7: Morning arrival in Kem. Transfer from railway station to the harbour. Check in at the hotel near the harbour. You have breakfast and you can get ferry tickets to the Solovetsky Islands there (see optional). Leave for Solovetsky Islands in the morning (the harbour is close to the hotel). On Solovetsky you can explore the Monastery and its lands. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Morning arrival in Kem. Transfer from railway station to the harbour. Check in at the hotel near the harbour. You have breakfast and you can get ferry tickets to the Solovetsky Islands there (optional). Leave for Solovetsky Islands in the morning (the harbour is close to the hotel). On Solovetsky you can explore the Monastery and its lands. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: After breakfast transfer to the railway station to get into early morning train to Petrozavodsk. Meeting by a car from a hotel and transfer to a hotel. Check-in and spend the day in Petrozavodsk or use one of the mentioned options (see optional). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Today you have time to visit Kizhi open-air museum (see optional). At the harbour,you can board a boat to Kizhi Island for a hiking excursion overthere. You can be met by a guide to show you Kizhi Island. Lunch on your own. It’s also good just to take some sandwiches and drinks with you. Take a ship to come back to Petrozavodsk. Transfer to the railway station to get into late evening train to Saint Petersburg. Overnight in the train.

Day 10: Arrival in Saint Petersburg early in the morning. Meeting by a car from a hotel and transfer to the hotel (optional). Check-in. Each room has a desk, refrigerator, TV, DVD, WI-FI free of charge, tea pot, conditioner, and telephone. Rooms are non smoking. In the evening you can start to explore the city on your own or take guided excursions (see optional). Overnight in the hotel.

Day 11: Explore Saint-Petersburg on your own or take one of optional excursions or just order services of guide (optional). Overnight in the hotel.

Day 12: Departure.

The Kola Express train holiday

Accommodation:
  • 2 nights in a guest house in Varzuga village incl. breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • 1 night in twin room in standard class hotel in Monchegorsk incl. breakfast
  • 1 night in twin room in economy class hotel in Murmansk incl. breakfast
  • 1 night in a twin room in standard class hotel in a harbour of Kem
  • 1 night in twin room in standard class hotel in Petrozavodsk incl. breakfast
  • 3 nights in four person coupe in a train
  • 2 nights in twin room in mini-hotel in Saint-Petersburg incl.breakfast
Level:not applicable.
Group size:From 1 person
Duration:13 days (12 nights)
Dates: On request from beginning of May until end of September.
Price: Prices on request.
Price includes:
  • Mentioned accommodation
  • Transfer Kandalaksha – Varzuga - Monchegorsk
  • Train tickets from Saint Petersburg to Kandalaksha in 4p-coupe
  • Train tickets from Murmansk to Kem in 4p-coupe
  • Train tickets from Kem to Petrozavodsk in 4p-coupe
  • Train tickets from Petrozavodsk to Saint Petersburg in 4p-coupe
  • Transfer from/to railway station to/from hotel in Kem
  • Transfer from/to railway station to/from hotel in Petrozavodsk
  • Transfer from/to railway station to/from hotel in Saint-Petersburg
  • Maps, recommendations, descriptions
Documents: Passport must be valid at least 6 months after date of return. A Russian visa is required for tourists from most countries. See your country’s Russian consulate or embassy for details. We handle the tourist invitation.
Insurance: The participant must possess medical insurance that at very least covers the European part of the Russian Federation.

The Kola Express train holiday can be extended with the following optionals:

  • Monchegorsk:
  • What to see in Murmansk:
    • The city has a Regional Historical Museum, where you can listen to an excursion in English language. The museum includes historical, mineralogical, nature, cultural and other exhibitions.
    • You can visit the Picture-museum; exhibitions of different painters or the Sport Museum where you will know about the famous sportsmen and a story of the development of the Northern sports.
    • In the Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO) you will meet the fascinating world of the dwellers of the sea bottom.
    • The Museum of Northern Navy will show you different models of military ships and submarines, uniforms of the Russian navy military and many other things connected to Northern Russian Navy.
    • Nuclear Icebreaker "Lenin". Watch Worlds first nuclear icebreaker in the passenger harbour. Everyday free excursion on board. See Murmansk by the Captains eye from the bridge, the cabins and engine room.
    • Regional Centre of Folk Arts may interest you in the special for Russia kind of handicraft.
    • You can visit Russian Orthodox Temples and enjoy listening to a nice church choir.
    • You will see the enormous Memorial of a Warrior named by citizens 'Alyosha' which dominates above the city like a huge tower.
    • Memorial of the sunken submarine Kursk. It sunk the 12th August 2000, all 118 Seamen died. The Kursk memorial you can find on the territory of the Memorial Complex to the Soldiers and Seamen Who Died in Peaceful Time.
    • You can have a walk in the shining with lights city in Winter time, or under the never setting sun in Summer.
    • And at night you can have dinner in a restaurant with a nice variety show.
  • Murmansk:
  • Kem harbour (5 min walk from boat to Solovetsky Island):
    • Overnight in a hotel: approx. EUR 51,-- per person in twin room
    • Overnight in a hotel: approx. EUR 85,-- per person in single room
  • Solovetsky islands:
    • Two-way boat tickets
    • Entrance tickets to expositions. Price to exhibitions approx. EUR 3 to 5 per person.
    • Guided excursions for groups from 10 persons: from EUR 8 to 18 per person
    • Extra overnights in hotel: approx. EUR 51 per person per night in twin room or approx. EUR 85 in single room
    • See link above for more info
  • Petrozavodsk:
    • Trip to Zoo Complex located 70 km far from Petrozavodsk.
    • Trip to Kinerma Village with excursion and lunch located 100 km far from Petrozavodsk.
    • Combination of trips Zoo Complex and Kinerma village in a round drive. A taxi picks you up from Petrozavodsk, waits at the places and brings you back to Petrozavodsk.
    • Local guide-interpreter.
    • Entrance fees to Museums in Petrozavodsk will be between 5 and 10 euros per person.
    • Boat excursion to Kizhi Open Air Museum.
  • Kizhi Open Air Museum:
    • Two-way boat tickets in Kizhi Island.
    • English speaking guide in Kizhi Island.
    • Audio guide on Kizhi Island: EUR 4,-- per person
    • See link above for more info.
  • Saint Petersburg:
    • Folklore program in Nikolaevsky Palace "Feel yourself Russian" inclusive traditional Russian snacks.
    • Guided hiking excursions in St-Petersburg, 3 hours.
    • Guided hiking and driving excursion in St-Petersburg, 3 hours.
    • 7 hour excursion to Tsarskoe Selo/Pushkin and Ekaterina Palace.
    • 7 hour excursion to Peterhof by hydrofoil “Meteor".
    • Entrance tickets for Hermitage: approx. EUR 18 per person.
    • Local guide-interpreter.
  • Single- or double-entry invitations for Russian visa request.

Train holidays overview