4x4 Arctic Off-road Expedition "Ends of the Kola"

The meeting point is Kandalaksha. From there we start on muddy forest tracks where broken bridges mean that we have to make a detour into the sea, an hour long beach drive, through sand dunes to half deserted villages. On the way we visit an ancient stone labyrinth dated 2000 years B.C. Then it’s a 100km drive north into the endless forest, through mud, rivers, overflowing bogs and not a sign of civilisation in all that way. We’ll stay in a remote village of a dozen wooden houses before another 80km the next day, with a huge river crossing at the end of it. Then we head into the ancient, brooding Khibiny Mountains, rock-crawling to the top over a lunar landscape to park at the edge of a sheer 200m cliff. If the road up the pass is blocked by snow drifts we’ll make a detour up the river before tackling a route known locally as the Thousand River Road which is exactly as its name suggests, 50km of bonnet high wading! All Off-road Expeditions end in Worlds biggest city above the Arctic Circle: Murmansk. From there you can continue in all directions, to Finland, Norway or Saint Petersburg. For more details, please contact us.

Both long-distance driving to Murmansk region and off-roading are considered hard driving conditions for your vehicle so we recommend that you give your vehicle a comprehensive service before you leave, as if it is not in tip top condition many days of off-roading is not going to make it any better.

We offer moderate, hard and extreme off-road expeditions. These are the minimum requirements:

• Transmission: For each 4x4 vehicle a transfer case, low gears and central differential lock is required.
• Spare tyres: You should also consider what spares you’d be happy carrying as parts are certainly not readily available in this part of the world.
• Kind of tyres: Road tyres WILL NOT be sufficient for the conditions. You need A/T’s as a minimum.
• Underneath protection: There are lots of rocks and logs lurking in the mud, so consider some sort of steering / diff protection.
• Recovery points: You WILL need recovery points in front and rear.
• Snorkel: For MODERATE off-road tours a snorkel is not necessary, but preferable. For HARD and EXTREME rated off-road tours a snorkel is required.
• Winch: For MODERATE off-road tours a winch is not necessary, but preferable. Your guide has a winch. For HARD and EXTREME rated off-road tours a well working winch is required.
• Jacks: For MODERATE off-road tours a hi-lift jack is not necessary, but preferable. Your guide has a hi-lift jack. For HARD and EXTREME rated off-road tours a hi-lift jack is required.
• Sand plates: This you need only in rare cases. If you have place in your car why not to take them.
• Extra Fuel: If your vehicle has a small tank or is thirsty then you’ll need a couple of jerry-cans. For every off-road tour you a minimum range of 600km in low gears and in 4×4 mode.
• Mechanical assistance: Small mechanical failures we try to solve on the way. The guide has the most common tools on board of the service car and is a good “bush-mechanic” as well, but the carriage of special tool and specific spare parts is the responsibility of each participant. In the event of a large mechanical failure we will do our best to get you to a garage or, in worse case, can tow you to the border. This is not exactly an official service, but it goes without saying that of course we’ll try and help as much as possible, however we can.
• Insurances: A third-party liability car insurance (property damage only) for driving on Russian territory is obligatory. If your insurance company doesn’t cover the Russian Federation (check your green-card) then we can provide you one for additional costs. See Third-party liability car insurance for driving on Russian territory. A repatriation insurance is of course obligatory to participate on our off-road tours.
• Other: For driving through Europe and Russia you will need a first aid kit, a warning triangle, and a small fire extinguisher.

A detailed checklist will be sent to you when you register.

4x4 Arctic Off-road Adventure can be extended with the following optionals:

• Kandalaksha:
  • Boat excursion to "Babylon Labyrinth", a stone structure of archaeological interest
  • Traditional shashlyk meal
• Lodochny Ruche on the White Sea shore:
  • Camping places.
  • Two 4-persons cottage
  • One 6-persons cottage
• Varzuga village:
  • Hospitality in guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight.
  • Sauna for groups in guesthouse.
  • To visit the wooden Uspenkaya Church dated from 1674.
  • A hike to the Holy springs in the forest behind Varzuga village (4 km). A local guide to show way to the Springs.
  • Possibility to go salmon fishing in Varzuga river on your own. A ferryman can bring you to a good fishing spot.
  • Fishing license “Catch – Release”.
  • Rental fishing equipment.
  • Possibility to go professional salmon fishing at sport fishing camp: Sobachy Porog. A full day fishing with guide service incl. lunch and dinner.
• Murmansk city and region:
  • Tickets for museums and museum excursions cost between RUB 25,-- and RUB 400,-- per person.
  • Entrance ticket to Atomic Icebreaker to join an excursion in Russian language: RUR 150 pp. Individual excursion to Atomic Icebreaker with a lecture in English language can be arranged.
  • City excursions in Hero city Murmansk.
  • Saami settlement.
  • Trip to Teriberka village and the Barents sea shore.
  • Trip to Husky Farm.
  • Trip to Lovozero village; Capital of the Saami.
• Motor vehicle liability insurance (property damage only) is compulsory for driving in Russian territory. If your insurance does not cover the Russian Federation (check your green card), we can provide you an additional insurance for a fee.
• Single- or double-entry invitations for Russian visa request.