Arctic Russia 2010

Dog sledding in Kamchatka

In Kamchatka, towering snow-covered volcanoes dominate the tundra in a unique and spectacular scene of exquisite symmetry. Here you have the special opportunity to meet some of the native peoples, including the Koryaks, Eveni and Itelmen, some of whom still maintain their traditional life of herding reindeer. For centuries these people have used dog sledges in the wilderness and it is with them that you will travel. The area is rich in wildlife and you will see many tracks in the snow which your dog-sledge drivers will be able to identify. Your hosts receive very few visitors so you will feel privileged to be guests of their communities and learn to appreciate ways of life very different from your own. This year we have two dog sledging expeditions. The first allows us to experience the traditional life and culture of the Eveni reindeer herders, as well as providing some exhilarating dog-sledging. Our second expedition will explore the volcanoes and hot springs of the Nalychevo National Park - close to Petropavlovsk. This is a wonderful area surrounded by at least six volcanoes, some of which are active and rise to more than 3,000 metres. We shall dog-sledge from hut to hut enjoying the thermal springs along the route and marvel at the awesome volcanic scenery.

These trips are for the hardy as it can be extremely cold! Participants may sit on the sledge and be driven by one of the dog handlers, though the aim is to drive the dog team yourself.

Dog sledging with the reindeer herders and native people

Dog sledging to Nalycheva Valley

Solovetski Islands in arctic winter and summer

Dog sledging with the reindeer herders and native people

Our route takes us over the pristine snow-covered mountain passes, high plateaus and valleys close to the volcano, Ichinskiy in central Kamchatka. This area is the traditional home of some of the native peoples and we shall stay at an Even reindeer herder's winter camp and the wilderness home of a family of Koryak fishermen. Nights are spent in huts or yurts (large, heated tents). In the village of Esso we shall visit the museum, bathe in a hot pool, meet the local people, learn about their culture and enjoy their songs and dances. We shall enjoy local food based on the produce of the area - Reindeer and Salmon. The dates of our visit may coincide with the Beringia Dog Sledge Race and we may be able to watch some of it and meet the competitors.

This exciting dog sledging expedition will take us to the centre of the Nalychevo National Park which lies to the north of Petropavlovsk. The Park is in a magnificent setting surrounded by the volcanoes, Avachinsky, Koryaksky, Dzen-Dzur, Kozelsky, Aric, Aag, Zhupanovsky, Kupol and Vershinsky. Some of these are still active, with steam and smoke rising from their snow-covered summits. The valley has many geothermal areas. We shall travel by dog sledge into the Park and spend our days exploring the fascinating thermal areas and marvelling at the spectacular scenery. Our nights will be spent in comfortable huts and we shall have plenty of opportunities to enjoy bathing in the hot springs.

Solovetski Islands

Solovetski Monastery: Arcturus Expeditions

Situated in the White Sea, 150km south of the Arctic Circle, the Solovetski Islands are one of the jewels of Russia. First settled by monks in the 1430s, the archipelago has six large and nearly 100 smaller islands, some of them covered by tundra and others with a groundcover of blueberry and crowberry. They abound with lakes, wildflowers and nesting birds and, in summer, beluga whales gather to calve in the shallow waters around the archipelago. On the largest island, surrounded by enormous stone walls, stands the legendary 16th Century Solvetski Monastery. It has a fascinating history and in the 20th Century was one of the most feared and infamous prison camps, described by Solzhenitsyn in his book 'Gulag Archipelago'. Now that the monks have returned, it is possible to visit the beautiful cathedral, church, refectory and other buildings enclosed by the great 'kremlin' or fortification. There are over 170 architectural and archaeological monuments on the islands, including 33 mysterious stone labyrinths dating back around 3,000 years. There is an unusual botanical garden and, in some places, using small boats and wooden rakes, men still collect seaweed to be made into local products. Accommodation here is simple - family-owned, comfortable, small hotels with delicious food.

It's an excellent place in summer for walking, both along the coast and on the many small paths that lead inland. Your journey is by train from St Petersburg to Kem and then by boat across the White Sea.

Late winter provides a different perspective - for now the islands are surrounded by the frozen White Sea and the landscape is crisp and snowy. After a day in Moscow, travel by train to Archangel on the banks of the ice-bound Dvina River, through a snow-covered rolling landscape of farms and silver birch forest dotted with wooden churches and hamlets. From here fly to the Solovetski Islands and spend your days exploring using local transport and snow-shoes, which are provided. There are many tracks through the woods of 'dancing birches' leading to small lakes and the ice-bound coast and, conditions permitting, you may be able to walk out on the ice to offshore islands and visit the monks in their isolated cells. Enjoy fishing through the ice, evenings sitting around a wood fire and the tradition of the Russian banya, or steam bath. Cross-country skiing at a leisurely pace is also available.