Moscow and The Northern Lights

Assemble the Delhi airport depending on your flight timing to board flight to Moscow. Reach Moscow as per your flight timing and get received by our representative at the airport. Transfer to your hotel (early check in will be subject to availability and upon extra supplement). Rest of the day is free at leisure. If we reach early morning, then in the evening, we will take a metro ride to visit the walking street of Nikolskaya Ulitsa which is the central shopping district of Moscow. Many stores and restaurants are located here. Get entertained by a lot of street performers playing music or performing their traits. The street is most beautiful at nights when the hanging decorated lights are on.
Overnight at Moscow. (D)

After breakfast proceed for a day tour of Moscow. Touring the city by car is an opportunity to see some of the most interesting places in Moscow. Over the course of three hours, we will visit the Lover's Bridge, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Victory Park, and have a stop near the magnificent Novodevichy convent. The highlight of the tour is Moscow State University, a stunning example of Stalinist architecture, and Sparrow Hills, the highest point in the city for a panoramic view of Moscow. 
In the afternoon, we will visit the Moscow Kremlin - the former residence of Russian tsars and Soviet rulers is still used today. You will have a chance to visit the three unique cathedrals built in the 15th and 16th centuries as well as the Patriarch Palace famous for its great collection of 17th-century clothing, tableware, jewelry, and other wonders of the past. You'll see the famous Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell and take a look at the President's helicopter pad (Entry to the Armory & Diamond Fund is not included – We can add it to your tour upon request at extra supplement). Later in the evening, we can visit the Old Arabat Street one of Moscow’s oldest walking street where you can enjoy the beautiful artworks, handmade items and also meet people who represent a variety of cultures of the ex USSR republics.
Overnight at Moscow. (B, D)

The day is free for you to select any from our host of optional tours on offer. You can choose for a day trip to Sergiev Posad which is a 6 hours tour at the outskirt of Moscow. You can even opt to spend the afternoon by visiting VDNKH Russian Exhibition Center and the space museum. You will also have the option to visit the Russian Countryside and meet the locals and spend the day with them while having lunch and enjoy life as the Russian people do. Or you can simply opt for a much leisurely Vodka museum tour along with some afternoon Vodka tasting session. Another exciting experience is to try your hand at shooting real life bullets using AK47 Rifle at the Russian Army Training Society. You will get training, and then will shoot 10 bullets. Bring a target back home as a souvenir! Whichever tour you choose from, we can assure you that you’ll have an experience of a lifetime. In the evening, we will visit the walking street of Nikolskaya Ulitsa which is the central shopping district of Moscow. Many stores and restaurants are located here. Get entertained by a lot of street performers playing music or performing their traits. The street is most beautiful at nights when the hanging decorated lights are on.

Overnight at Moscow. (B, D)

Today we will start our lifetime journey in search for the illusive Aurora Borealis. A fascinating adventure in pursuit of an exceptional natural phenomenon! The best time for hunting is from mid-September till April, a pleasant forecast: cloudless sky increases the chances of high level of viewing activity. We will stay at Murmansk for 3 nights and will go for northern lights hunting on any one of the night depending on the forecast. Transfer to the Moscow airport according to your flight timing to take your flight to Murmansk. Reach Murmansk later in the day/afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure as we may have a chance to go for Northern Lights hunting later at night. The search for the Lights is carried out far away from the city lights in total darkness. The driving to the observation spot takes approximately an hour or two. Once we reach the best destination we have to wait for the Aurora to appear. Sometimes the colorful Northern lights appear in the blink of an eye and vanishes after a few moments later, sometimes we have to wait even several hours, but it is worth it – it may last hours as well. And on the rare occasion of bad luck you may see low glittering or no lights at all – it’s just a matter of chance – hence it is called hunting.
Overnight at Murmansk. (B, D)

After breakfast, we visit the Khibiny Mountains, which are the largest mountain range on the Kola Peninsula. On our way, we will visit the Snow Village at Korovsk (open from Dec-Apr). It is a site that entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest structure of snow. The theme of the "Snow Village" changes every year and is always unique. Every year there are new structures with halls, corridors, intricate patterns and, of course, a unique spirit. Upon reaching the Khibiny Mountain, you can opt for one of the two activities on offer. You can take a chairlift ski elevator to reach the Big Wood Ski Resort from where you can get a panoramic view of the Khibiny Mountain ranges and the Korovsk city below. Alternatively, you can indulge in a once in a lifetime experience of exploring the Khibiny Mountains on a Snowmobile ride.  By snowmobile you drive through the glacier valley Kukisvum to the Kukisvumchor Pass (479 m above sea level). This pass connects the South and North part of Khibiny Mountains. Then you continue to the Serdtsevidnoe Lake where you can see beautiful view to the Valley of Kuniyok River. Ice around the lake looks fantastic and extraordinary. (Snow Mobile Tour or the Chairlift to the Ski resort are optional tours which you have to book separately). Later in the evening return to Murmansk.
Overnight at Murmansk. (B, L)
 

Today, we will visit the village of Teriberka – the place in Russia from where you can admire and greet the Arctic Ocean. A drive of around 130 km will take you deeper into the Kola Peninsula to feel the real Arctic through the snowy landscape of Tundra.  After the release of the Oscar-nominated film, Leviathan by Alexei Zvyagintsev, the forgotten northern settlement of Teriberka has become a mecca for tourists. The first thing that you will see when entering Teriberka is a graveyard of wooden ships that have already become a local landmark and an object of admiration for tourists and photographers. The ocean around Teriberka never freezes due to the effects of the Gulf Stream, which provides a great contrast for photos with the deep blue sea and snowy hills. We’ll have the option of Lunch in the authentic restaurant of Russian and Nordic cuisine. You'll have a chance to taste local specialties including seafood, local fish, venison. Later in the evening, return to Murmansk for your last night stay at Murmansk. 
Overnight at Murmansk. (B, D)
 

The morning is free for you to spend at leisure at Murmansk. Depending on your flight timing, transfer to the airport to board your return flight to Moscow. Upon reaching Moscow airport, transit to International Terminal to board return flight to India.
Overnight on board. (B)