Russian Christmas Family Program
04.01.24 - 09.01.24
The beauty of the White Sea reveals itself in winter with a special force and turns everything around into decorations for a Christmas fairy tale. A tourist center on the seashore, near a small village, smoke from pipes in the frosty air, a snow-covered forest, threads of paths and animal tracks in the snow. The ice sparkles and binds the sleeping evergreens. The sun looks out briefly to illuminate the snow-covered world, and at night the northern lights bloom in the sky.
You can book your participation in the program right now on our website!
The Christmas family program is:
- The beauty and silence of the White Sea, wrapped in ice and snow,
- Walks and excursions in the surrounding area, skiing, sledding
- Hunting for the Northern Lights,
- Communication with sled dogs and reindeer, sledding,
- Interesting lectures and intellectual conversations at the taiga campfire,
- Ice fishing,
- Hot bath,
- Christmas gifts, Santa Claus, Snow Maiden, great company and festive mood!
Provisional program schedule by day
January 4, day 1
Arrival at the tourist center. Breakfast. Acquaintance. Briefing.
Sightseeing tour to the Karelian village of Nilmoguba and the surrounding area. Winter picnic by the campfire on Bolshoy Epishkin Island or on the Dry Threshold. A story about the winter life of the sea and the forest.
Evening lecture: "The nature of the Aurora borealis".
Dinner and sauna, games for children.
January 5, day 2
Excursion to reindeer. Deer are tame, they can be petted and fed. And you can ride in a reindeer sled in a snow-covered forest (extra charge).
Walking (for those who wish — ski) through the taiga, to the century-old pine tree. A story about dendrochronology (how to determine the age of plants).
In the evening: a talk-lecture on the evolution of marine mammals. Bathhouse. Supper.
January 6, day 3
After breakfast — a snowmobile tour to the island of Bolshoy Krestovy. The White Sea coast in winter: evergreens, wintering northern birds and animals. Search for traces. Biological excursion. Bonfire, taiga tea and a snack in the fresh air.
In the evening: a merry Christmas adventure in a magical forest with Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden.
January 7, day 4
In the morning — excursion to the kennel of sled dogs: acquaintance and communication with dogs. For those who wish — dog sledding (extra charge).
Snowmobile or ski trip to the sea threshold. Excursion to the littoral. Observation of the reversal of the current. Picnic by the campfire.
Evening lecture: "Tides and ebbs". Bathhouse. Supper.
January 8, day 5
After breakfast — geological excursion to the Canyon, to Panfilov Varaka Mountain. Departure on excursions in a sleigh for snowmobiles. The canyon appeared at the site of the quarry development. The slopes are full of quartz, biotite and feldspar. At the top of the hill there is a wooden geodesic tower — a triangular. In winter, you can go downhill on ice slides, take a walk through a snow-covered canyon and cook forest tea over a campfire
In the evening: a talk-lecture on human evolution. Bathhouse. Supper.
January 09, day 6
Winter fishing on the lake. What could be more interesting than catching fish under ice on your own, then cooking it over a fire and enjoying the amazing taste and aroma, which only get stronger in the cold.
In the evening: dinner, sauna. Packing for home.
It is possible to change the program according to weather and other conditions.
For divers, their diving program is additionally coordinated.
We invite you to chat with the northern sled dogs!
Communication with the Polar Circle pets — northern sled dogs — Alaskan malamutes, Alaskan huskies and Yakut huskies!
Program* "Musher Day" for adults and children from 7 years old (5 — 6 hours)
Riding* sled dogs (with an instructor, from 40 minutes to 1 hour)
Dog team management* (master class for 1-2 people, about 1.5 hours)
The program schedule may be changed according to the weather and other conditions
Diving program should be developed and confirmed additionally.
EXPECTED CLIMATE CONDITIONS
There may be both warm sunny days and windy, dull, frosty weather in January. The average air temperature on the White Sea Coast is about -15°C at this period of time, but it can drop to -35°C as well.
We'll be monitoring the state of the sky in these January days, and notify our guests about the Northern Lights if there are some.
LIST OF RECOMMENDED CLOTHES AND OTHER THINGS:
- a set of warm clothes for cold weather: warm anorak and pants (preferrably windproof and waterproof), warm cap covering the ears, scarf, gloves and/or mitts, thermal underwear;
- pants or jeans, woolen sweater or fleece jacket;
- warm socks - 2-3 pairs;
- warm and waterproof high shoes (boots, winter tourist boots);
- ski mask for protection against wind;
- lip care stick and cream to protect hands and face against frost and wind;
- personal hygiene products (there are towels, toilet paper and soap in the rooms);
MEDICINE CHEST
We recommend to take a small kit with the medications you need.
There is a first-aid kit at the dive centre. If you take specialized remedies or you know you might need some urgently, then it's better to take them with you.
DOCUMENTS
When packing up before the trip, do not forget to take with you:
- Passport (international passport);
- Tickets for a train or a plane;
- Diver certificates and a log book;
- The policy of compulsory medical insurance (or other health insurance);
CHECK IN / CHECK OUT RULES OF THE "ARCTIC CIRCLE" TOURISM CENTRE
Check-in and Check-out time is from 06:00 am till 11:59 pm.
If you need to do it after 00:00 or before 6:00 am, please inform us in advance.
You can easily book your participation in the Russian Christmas program right now! Send us an e-mail booking@dive.ru or send a request using our web-form and we'll get in touch with you as soon as possible!
The cost of participation in the program for the coming season is given in the Educational Programs price list