Highlights of the tour

Exploring on foot and in an all-terrain vehicle one of the best preserved landscapes in the European part of Russia consisting of a unique combination of boreal forests, lakes, peatbogs and natural coastal areas of the White Sea which are since 2013 protected as National Park Onega Pomorie;

Observing thouthands of birds on White sea-Baltic bird migration path with possibility  to see various geese and ducks, loons as well as small swan, osprey, white-tailed eagle or golden eagle;

Experiencing great outdoors with a high chance to see brown bears, wolves, foxes, moose, seals, fin and beluga whales;

Experiencing the true Russian North where the park’s administration (leader in Russia) managed to restore and revive century-old local history, culture and traditions through engaging local residents in their preservation and sharing their life-style with visitors.

Detailed Programme

Day 1
Travel to Moscow and from Moscow to Arkhangelsk by night train individually (help provided by the organizer)

Day 2
6:00 – Arrival to Arkhangelsk city (breakfast individually)
9:00 – 12:00 – Transfer from Arkhangelsk to Luda by organized transport
12:00 – 13:00 – Welcome lunch
13:00 – 16:00 – Boat trip in the Unska Bay in the vicinity of the village of Luda with bird-watching
16:00 – 18:00 – Transfer from Luda to Lake Murakan. Sightseeing tour of the historical places of the former settlement of special settlers at Cape Zayatsky including a visit to a former sawmill with English steam engines
18.00 – 19.30 – Accommodation at the tourist chalet “Murakany” (separate 6-bed and 2-bed houses) and bonfire dinner (self-preparation)
19.30 – 21.00 – Walking tour to the sea coast (1 km)
21.00  Free time, possibility to enjoy Russian sauna (banya) and rest

Day 3
8.00 – 9.00 – Breakfast, preparation for departure
9.00 – 12.00 – Trekking from Lake Murakan to the Yarenga village along the coast (about 9 km) with bird-watching
12.00 – 13.00 – Lunch in Yarenga
13.00 – 13.30 – Visit to the Yarenga village museum
13.30 – 15.00 – Walk around Yarenga including the discovery trail “Graveyard of old carbas ships”
15.00 – 16.00 – Visit to a local private Museum of Pomoranian life
16.00 – 17.00 – Transfer from Yarenga to the village of Lopshenga
17.00 – 19.00 – Tea and check-in at a park’s chalet accommodation in Lopshenga
19.00 – Dinner
20.00 – Free time and rest

Day 4
8.00 – 9.00  –  Breakfast, preparation for departure
9.00 – 20.00 – A trip in an all-terrain vehicle along the Summer coast to Letnaya Zolotitsa (about 75 km) with the following stops en route for observing marine animals and birds, exploring Pomoranian villages and crafts:
Cape Voroniy – convenient spot for watching whales
Megh – watching wild animals and birds including a colony of polar terns
River Ust-Yarenga – short stop at the border of the specially protected territory of the park
Village Letny Navolok – a visit to the old Pomeranian Tony Chapel Kärzenica. Walk around the village. Tea, a snack.
Cape Ukhtnavolok – observation of marine animals, bears, birds. Rest in a hut in tone with a late lunch (cooking in the field with the help of a park ranger)
20.00 – 21.00 – Arrival to Letnya Zolotitsa, dinner and check-in at a local guesthouse
21.00 – Free time, possibility to enjoy Russian sauna (banya) and rest
Day 5
9.00 – Breakfast
10.00 – 12.00 – Tour of the village of Letnaya Zolotitsa (Summer Gold village) including the small village museum
12.00 – 13.00 – Lunch and preparation for a trip to Cape Satansky
13.00 – 19.00 – Walk along the cape Satansky and back to Letnaya Zolotitsa (7-8 km) with opportunities to observe a colony of polar terns and other coastal wildlife
19.00 – Dinner
20.00 – 21.00 – Workshop “From a sheep to a mitten” (traditional felting) and a visit to a private sheep farm
21.00 – Free time and rest.
Day 6
8.00 – 9.00 – Breakfast and departure to Lopschenga
9.00 – 17.00 – Travel in an all-terrain vehicle along the Summer coast from Letnaya Zolotitsa through Navolok to Lopshenga with lunch en route (cooking independently in the field with the help of a park ranger)
18.00 – 19.00 – Dinner and check-in at the inspection point of the national park in Lopshenga
19.00 – 20.00 – Interactive program with the folklore ensemble “Lopensko Divovanye” and with refreshments and traditional Pomoranian cuisine (pies & pickles)
20.00 – Free time and rest

Day 7
9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast, preparation for departure
10.00 – 13.00 – Transfer from Lopshenga to the village of Yarenga with stops on fishing creeks (Nikolskaya, Bolshaya Syarta) and a walk along the dunes near the village of Yarenga, watching birds and wild animals.
13.00 – 14.00 – Lunch in the Yarengsky farm
14.00 – 17.00 – Transfer from Yarenga to Luda
17.00 – 20.00 – Transfer from Luda to Arkhangelsk by organized group transport
20.30 – Departure to Moscow by night train individually (help provided by the organizer)

Day 8
Departure from Moscow individually

Price: 490 EUR

Includes
All transfers during the whole trip in Onega Pomorie
5 nights in Onega Pomorie (shared accommodation, 2-6 persons per room)
5 x breakfast, 6 x lunch (of which twice field lunch), 5 x dinner (of which one with self-preparation)
English speaking Machaon’s guide at all sites
Guard with armed park ranger (because we are roaming in the real wilderness)
All local taxes and site entrance fees

Excludes
International travel to and from Russia and train tickets to and from Arkhangelsk (about 110 EUR)
Personal travel insurance and visa costs
Expenses of personal nature like telephone calls, medical bills, laundry, alcoholic drinks
Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions
Extras not specified