Things to Do And See
Russia, with its vast landscapes and diverse regions, offers a plethora of adventure activities, outdoor adventures, and unique experiences that will leave you breathless. Here are some to consider:
Adventure Sports:
climbing Mount Elbrus: Europe’s highest peak, located in the Caucasus Mountains. The stunning scenery and the sense of accomplishment will make this a truly unforgettable experience.
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the rivers of the Altai Mountains. The Katun River is a popular choice, offering exciting rapids and breathtaking scenery.
Go ice diving in the world’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. Explore the crystal-clear water and see unique ice formations in a truly magical underwater world.
Outdoor Activities:
Hike through the Altai Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover its alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes, and snow-capped peaks.
Explore the volcanic landscape of Kamchatka in the Russian Far East. Hike through thermal valleys, see geysers erupt, and spot bears and other wildlife.
Take a dog sledding tour through the snowy landscapes of Siberia. This is a unique way to experience the winter wilderness and learn about the traditional way of life in this region
Unique Experiences:
Visit the Ruskeala Marble Quarry in Karelia, a visually stunning abandoned quarry with turquoise water and marble cliffs. You can even go diving or ziplining here.
Attend a traditional folk festival and experience Russian culture firsthand. There are many festivals throughout the year, each with its own unique music, dance, and food.
Northern lights
With a good chunk of Russia in the Arctic circle, there isn’t a better country in which to see the Northern lights work their magic. Murmansk is the best place to go and, unlike in the nordic countries, you won’t be surrounded by hundreds of tourists snapping their cameras away – indeed, you might be the only one for miles around!
Wildlife Watching
Bears
The bear has long been the symbol of Russia and rightly so. Russia has an estimated 120,000 wild bears; compared to America’s 50,000 it is by far the country with the most bears. In the far east region of Kamchatka, the salmon is so numerous that rivers appear to be red from a distance and bears simply need to dip their paws into the water to catch their dinner. With such a rich diet, Kamchatka bears are the world’s second largest brown bear, weighing in at 650kg (only 50kg less than the fearsome Kodiak bear). They are also the most prolific; Kamchatka has the world’s highest density of bears which means sightings are practically guaranteed. Though the relatively gentle giants don’t tend to attack unless forcefully provoked, bear tours must be conducted with armed guides by law.
Reindeer
In northern Siberia, the world’s largest reindeer population of around 1 million deer are herded in extraordinarily large groups by the native nomads. Living in yurts and swathed from head to toe in reindeer skin, their way of life has changed very little over the centuries. Discover the bond humans can have with nature by visiting and even migrating with Russia’s reindeer herders through the breathtaking tundra.
City Adventures
White nights
Sometimes to experience the extraordinary, you don’t need to travel far. In Russia’s most breathtaking city – St Petersburg – summer brings with it one of the most magical natural phenomena: the white nights. From May till July, the enchanting glow of twilight which usually only lasts a few fleeting minutes stretches on for hours. Time looses all meaning when days go on for 18 hours and where the night sky is as blue as day. In St Petersburg there are many reasons to wish that a day would last for infinity and, with the white nights, that wish can at least partly come true.
Roof top climbing
Since Catherine the Great ordered that no building in St Petersburg could be built higher than the Hermitage, the cityscape has been kept uniquely low. Even Petersburg’s residents, who have to pay eye-wateringly high property prices due to this restriction, are thankful for the stunning views this 18th century law has made. To enjoy unobstructed panoramas of this ancient city, conquer the peaks of St Petersburg’s tin roofs on a roof top tour. It may not be as physically exerting as climbing Mt. Elbrus, but it certainly will release just as much adrenalin considering that almost all tours are semi-illegal!