RAA1. Aurora Borealis

             Welcome to Russian North to watch Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) - nature's own gigantic light show when solar winds, that meet the atmosphere in a zone around the magnetic North Pole, form arches, waves and curls of light moving across the sky with sudden rays of light shooting down from space. Unfortunately Aurora Borealis is weather dependent and cannot be guaranteed beforehand. Distinguished local nature far beyond the Arctic Circle, everyday life and ancient traditions of local aborigines - the Sami (the Lapps) are the other remarkable attractions of the trip.
After arrival in Murmansk you take a car/minibus ride to Lovozero settlement – the capital of Russian Lapps, far from city lights. The way to this settlement is ideal for watching Northern Lights during approx. 3 hours  because of location in the middle of the Northern Lights belt zone, long Polar Night and high probability of clear sky. In order to avoid interference of moon light you are advised to arrive on dates nearer to a new moon phase. In winter 2009/2010 they are: 16 Nov, 16 Dec, 15 Jan, 14 Feb and 15 Mar.
The trip may be supplemented with optional ice fishing and snowmobile driving. You also have a chance to get acquainted with highlights of Murmansk - the world largest city above the Arctic Circle.
Tips on viewing the Aurora: http://sec.noaa.gov/Aurora/index.html
Eye-witness reviews and scores: http://www.thisisthelife.com/en/natural-events/aurora-borealis.htm

Type: Adventure
Tour duration: 3 days
Season: November – March
Recommended Group Size: 2-10 PAX
Mode of travel: car/minibus, snowmobile sledges

Itinerary:

Day 1. Evening arrival in Murmansk. Night ride (180 km) by car/minibus to Lovozero settlement - the capital of the Russian Laps (the Sami). Weather permitting possibility to watch Northern Lights en route. Ride (25 km) by snowmobile-towed sledges across the Lovozero Lake to the Medvezhy Ugol (Bears' Corner) tourist center. Accommodation. Welcome dinner in a chum. (D)

Day 2. Ride by snowmobiles and/or snowmobile-towed sledges to Lovozero settlement. Excursion to the Museum of Local Lore. Souvenirs. Ride (about 15 km) to a field stand of Sami reindeer herders. Acquaintance with traditional Lappish dwellings, national customs and games. Reindeer sledding. Return to the tourist center. Optional snowmobiling (extra fee on spot). In the evening – watching Northern Lights (if weather permits). Overnight. (BLD)

Day 3. Ride to Lovozero settlement. Visiting the scientific laboratory which studies Northern Lights. Transfer (30 km) to Revda town. Excursion to the Mineralogical Museum. Souvenirs. Ride (170 km) by car/minibus to the airport of Murmansk. Evening departure from Murmansk. (B)

Legend: B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner

Recommended flights:

• Moscow - Murmansk: SU621 dep. 21:45 SVO - arr. 00:05 (+1 day)
• Murmansk - Moscow: SU686 dep. 19:40 - arr. 22:15 SVO

Tour Highlights:

• Polar Night (in December - January)
• Northern Lights (if weather permits)
• Lovozersky Tundras – one of three main mountain massifs of Kola Peninsula
• Culture and traditions of the Sami (Russian Laps) – aborigine people of Kola Peninsula

Costs  – 2010:

Included:

• TWN/DBL  accommodation
• meals per program
• excursions per program with entrance fees
• all transfers per program
• local English speaking guide/interpreter

Not included:

• air tickets
• insurance
• optional excursions

Supplements:

• air tickets Moscow – Murmansk – Moscow from 250 EUR per person
• extra overnight in Murmansk DBL/SGL from 127/96 EUR per room per night
• transfer Murmansk - airport (1-3 PAX)/(4-10 PAX) 24/109 EUR per car
• city tour of Murmansk (1-3 PAX)/(4-10 PAX) 89/149 EUR per group
• Murmansk Museum of  Local Lore - on request
• excursion to a nuclear ice-breaker - on request
• boat excursion along the Kola Bay - on request

 Note:
1) Usual temperatures at Kola Peninsula are 0...-20oC in winter (just like in Moscow) but -35oC is possible sometimes. Please take proper cloths and boots to be ready to low temperatures, strong winds and deep snows.
2) The itinerary may be tuned to possible extreme weather conditions
3) The tourist center is warm but rather basic: an old hunter house (1*TWN+2 extra beds), a Russian izba (2*TWNs+3 extra beds), two vezhas - Sami traditional dwellings (2*DBL), a dining chum (Sami traditional dwelling) with open fire, shared outside heated toilets, Russian banya.