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Ecological holiday on the Tersky Coast of the White Sea
"FOLK WANDERS"
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The Kola, with its mountains and lakes, forests and tundra, lies to the north of the Arctic Circle. It
provides a wide variety of vegetation and an excellent wildlife habitat. The Kola Peninsula boasts more than
130,000 lakes and rivers. Animal species include reindeer and elk, brown bear, wolf, fox, Arctic fox, ermine, and
wolverine. Bird species include ptarmigan, wild geese, duck, heath-cock, capercaillie, Siberian jay, hazel-hen,
grouse, eider, peregrine falcon and many others.
In the morning you will be woken up not by the rising sun – during the northern summer the sun is always in the sky
– you will be woken up by the scream of seagulls above blue water and the twitter of forest birds outside your window.
The shore of the White Sea is sandy here, and back from the beach stands an ancient forest of pine and spruce. The
spruces stand among wild berry bushes, and the pines on a white carpet of reindeer moss. The simple wooden house,
where you wake up, is filled with the lovely aroma of resin. From one window you can see the forest; from the
opposite window the sea.
The White Sea contains hundreds of forested islands, and its waters are home to numerous fish, as well as seals
and even beluga whales.
Your holiday starts and ends in Kuusamo. From there you are taken by minibus to the Kola Peninsula. You will
drive along the Tersky coast with its own typical fishing culture. By four-wheel-drive bus you will visit the most
interesting places like old fishing settlements, ancient villages, wooden churches and chapels which are
inaccessible for normal types of vehicles. The tracks are various; from forests roads and rocky roads on the coast plateau to the sandy
beaches and the hilly dune areas along the White Sea. The accommodation will be hotel, bungalows, and simple wooden
houses with more person rooms on the White sea shore. Experience delicious traditional meals, campfires, the
midnight sun, unique nature of the Tersky region and the culture of the White Sea shore dwellers.
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Ecological holiday FOLK WANDERS description: |
Day 1: At 9:00 o’clock pick up by minibus from Kuusamo and drive to Kandalaksha city located on
Russian side of Kola Peninsula. Lunch on the way. Arrival in Kandalaksha around 4 PM and check-in at the hotel.
Kandalaksha is stretched along the coast of the White Sea - the cradle of Russian navigation. It is the
oldest city of Murmansk region. Short hike in the city to see around. Visit a shore of the Kandalaksha
bay to overlook its islands, sand beaches and pine forest. Sometimes It is possible to watch seals and
white whales (beluga's) in the sea bay.
Dinner at 7 PM in a small cosy restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast at 9 o’clock we start our trip on the White sea shore. We drive to the
first Pomor village Umba by four-wheel-drive army bus. We visit the Museum of the sea dwellers history
and craft shop, and watch a Folk Concert. Lunch at 1 PM. Overnight in the wooden house in the small
village Kuzreka on the sea shore. Sauna. Dinner.
Day 3: After breakfast at 9 o’clock we drive 25 km to a small fishing village named Tetrina Tonya.
Tetrina Tonya demonstrates us the real old style of life of Pomor people how it was centuries ago. A real
Pomorski fish lunch will be offered to us. Everybody who wants to feel himself as real Pomor has an
opportunity to go to the sea by boat and check a fish net. After lunch we start to drive out of
civilization along the White Sea shore. We have to drive several tens kilometres until the first point
of our destination - Kashkarantsy village. Kashkarantsy is one of Pomor villages which keep old
houses how they were one hundred years ago. After we see the Chapel of Unknown Monk on the sea shore which
story is quite mystic. Then we continue our way and come to the tourist base on the sea shore at
Lodochny Ruchey. Campfire dinner. Sauna. Overnight in wooden houses in two person rooms.
Day 4: Next morning we will find ourselves surrounded by plentiful nature of the White Sea. We
stay the lazy day for having rest in the charming place with the sea from one side, pine forest from another side and a sandy coast
road leading to the sea horizon and full of blossoming flowers. The cape Ship juts far into the White Sea on
another side of Lodochny Spring. This cape consists of a amethyst rock and you can try your luck
in finding your own lucky Amethyst stone on the place of an old Amethyst mine. Anybody can easily
find a piece of the amethyst brush - crystals growing on the rock. Campfire breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Sauna. Overnight in the houses.
Day 5: After breakfast we start to drive following the ebb-tide to the mouth of Varzuga River.
Our way is to the very old village Kuzomen dated of 17th century. Lunch in a pine forest in sandy dunes.
Late afternoon we will arrive to Varzuga village - the earliest settlement on the Tersky Coast of the
White Sea with a famous functioning Orthodox church , build in 1674 without any iron nail. We will
visit the church complex consisting of two buildings and a bell tower.
Overnight in a wooden country house in more person rooms. Dinner, sauna.
Day 6: After breakfast we take a hike in the village walking on wooden pavements between small
cosy houses. The village is located on two side of a wide beautiful river. By boats we will be brought on
another side of Varzuga River. We will hike to a very special place situated in the forest behind Varzuga
village. Small path will bring us to miraculous place where springs are welling out of sand. The place
esteemed by local people as saint place. For lunch we come back to the country house. Then we drive to the
tourist base at Lodochny Spring. Sauna. Campfire dinner.
Day 7: After breakfast we drive back to Kandalaksha city. Lunch in the small restaurant. After lunch a minibus comes to drive to Finland. You
will be in Kuusamo around 7 PM by Finnish time.
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Ecological holiday FOLK WANDERS details: |
Tour highlights:
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Kandalaksha: Boat excursion to Labyrinth “Babylon” with picnic on the shore
Umba: Excursion to National Pomorsky museum
Umba: Pomorsky folk concert
Umba: Excursions to handicraft workshops
The White Sea shore: Tetrina Tonya
The White Sea shore: Amethyst Rock
The White Sea shore: Chapel of Unknown Monk
The White Sea shore: Ancient village Kashkarantsy
The White Sea shore: Ancient village Kuzomen
Varzuga: Church of 17th century
Varzuga: “Magician Springs”
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Accommodation: |
• 1 night in double room incl. shower and toilet in standard class hotel
• 3 nights in two person room in wooden houses
• 2 nights in more person room in wooden houses
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Level: |
not applicable |
Group size: |
8 persons |
Duration: |
7 days |
Dates: |
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Price: |
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Price includes: |
• transfers by minibus from and to Kuusamo or Rovaniemi
• accommodation
• all mentioned saunas
• excursion to National Pomorsky museum
• Pomorsky folk concert
• excursions to handicraft workshop
• excursion to Tetrina Tonya
• transfers by off-road bus
• full board meal (excl. dinner at Day 7)
• guide and interpreter services
• medical rescue insurance
• visa invitation
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Documents: |
• Passport must be valid at least 6 months after date of return. A visa is required. We handle the tourist invitation.
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Insurance: |
• The participant must possess medical insurance that at very least covers the European part of the Russian Federation.
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Program Overview
Ecological holidays: |
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| Code |
Name |
Days |
Group |
date (dd.mm.yy) |
Activity |
| KTEH02 |
Ecological holiday "Lodochny Ruchey". Life
on the shore of Tersky Coast. Collect the fruits of the sea and forest. Enjoy and relax not far from Varzuga village. |
from 3 |
1-14 |
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Fishing
Hiking
Relaxing |
| KTEH05 |
Ecological holiday "Yolki-Palki".
Your home will be a lumberjack guesthouse close to Khibiny Mountains and the
springs of Umba river. Nice for hiking, rafting, nature visits, etc. |
From 2 |
1-23 |
From beginning of January to end of April.
From Beginning of June to end of September.
From half of December until end of December.
Click here for asking start dates!.
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Fishing
Hiking
Rafting
Relaxing |
| KTEH06 |
Ecological holiday “Kuzreka” on the White Sea
Coast. Live like the Pomor people how it was centuries ago
and go everyday fishing for herring and cod in the White Sea. |
from 3 |
From 1 to 8 persons |
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Fishing
Hiking
Relaxing |
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KTEH07 |
Ecological holiday on the Kola Peninsula FOLK
WANDERS. Experience delicious traditional meals, campfires, the midnight
sun, unique nature of the Tersky region and the culture of the White Sea
shore dwellers. |
6 days |
8 persons |
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Fishing
Hiking
Relaxing |
| Legend: |
Blue=departure dates,
Green=guaranteed departure dates,
Orange=some places free,
Red=fully booked |
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In General:
