Polar Bird Watching on Kola Peninsula

Bird watching behind the Polar Circle itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Murmansk airport. Meeting by a taxi or a mini bus and drive to Monchegorsk (140km, a 2 hours drive). Monchegorsk is situated in the middle of the Kola Peninsula surrounded by Monche- and Khibiny Tundra. It is built on several islands of the Imandra lake. On the lake-shores you can spot several kinds of water birds. In the forest park close to the hotel you can spot the many different birds like Syberian Jays, several kinds of Finches and Tits). Overnight in a hotel in the centre of Monchegorsk city.

Day 2: After breakfast the guide will pick you up at 09:00 at the hotel. By 4x4 army bus we drive as far we can to Seid Ozero (Saint Lake) where we will make a tent camp. Rest of the day possibility to hike to the timberline of the Tundra or watching birdlife close to the lake and forests. Lunch during day and in evening dinner. Bird species include ptarmigan, heath-cock, capercailie, Siberian jay and many others. (BLD).

Day 3: Finding the Gyrfalcon.Breakfast in tent camp. Hike to the Lemgorr valley were we will climb to the second highest peak of Monche Tundra. In the stony valley we will watch the gyrfalcon (and its nest on the other side of the narrow valley). We can have a look into the nest. Lunch on our way and dinner in the tent camp. (BLD).

Day 4: After breakfast, breaking up the camp and drive to the centre of Kola Peninsula: village Oktyabrsky. Lunch in a guesthouse. The rest of the day you can spot the rich amount of birds living in the dense timber forests. There is a hiking path to a swamp where you can spot several kind of bird from the Scolopacidae family like Woodcocks, Ruffs, Jack Snipes, etc.. In the evening sauna and dinner. Overnight in a Guest House. Dinner in the Guest house. (125km) (BLD)

Day 5: After breakfast we drive by 4x4 truck through dense forests along the huge Umbrozero lake to Lovozerksy Tundra, where we start to hike to the timber line where we will make a tents camp. On our way we cross open swamp areas where we can watch birds from the Scolopacidae family in the forests birds from the Fringillidae family like, Pine Grosbeak, Red Poll, Red Crossbill etc.. Lunch on our way and dinner and overnight in Tent camp. (50km). (BLD)

Day 6: Breakfast. Day hiking tour on the open tundra where is almost no vegetation anymore. Here we can watch birds from the Emberizidae family like Lapland Longspur and from the Charadriidae family like Dotterel. Also possibility to meet the Snowy Owl and Long-tailed Skua. Lunch during day and dinner at camp. (BLD).

Day 7: After breakfast. Hike back to the truck and drive out of the Tundra area. Lunch on our way. At the guesthouse we have a sauna, dinner and a little rest. In the evening drive back to Monchegorsk by truck and by minibus to Murmansk airport for catching the night flight. (BLD).

Day 8: Departure from Murmansk.
Remark: In case of an earlier flight we will add one night more in a hotel in Murmansk.

Bird watching behind the Polar Circle details

This bird watching tour can be extended with the following optionals:

• Rental of light weight 2-persons tents (2,5 kg) packed in 2 bags: EUR 7,--/day
• Monchegorsk:
  • Entrance tickets museums: approx. 50 roubles per person
  • 2 hour yacht excursion on the biggest lake of Kola peninsula named Imandra. Up to 8 persons.
  • One day hiking tour to the waterfall Devichyi Kosi (Girl's plaits) in Monche Tundra with campfire lunch.
  • One day bicycling tour in hilly area with campfire lunch.
  • Karting centre in Monchegorsk.
  • Cross-country skiing in Monchegorsk suburbs (winter).
  • Skating in Ice stadion in Monchegorsk (winter).
  • See link above for more info.
• Murmansk:
  • Guided excursions in Murmansk.
  • 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.
  • Trip to Saami settlement.
  • Trip to the Barents sea shore.
  • Trip to Husky Farm.
  • Trip to Lovozero village: price depends on group size
  • Rent a car from Kola Travel and get the best rate, quality and service!
    Read more >> >> Rent-a-car
  • Trip to Lovozero village; Capital of the Saami.
  • See link above for more info.
• Train/plane/bus tickets in or outside Russian Federation.
• Transfers from/to KuusamoIvalo/Rovaniemi and Kirkenes airports.