“The phone is discharged instantly, the northern lights are Russian roulette”: the experience of traveling to the North

The past week was marked by unusual frosts for Muscovites – for several days we had to get used to living at temperatures below minus 20 degrees. However, there are those who deliberately turned their New Year holidays into frosty ones and went to the North. There is a new trend: instead of flying to warm places in winter, Muscovites bought tours to Murmansk, Teriberka, the Vologda or Arkhangelsk regions, and Karelia.

MK asked fans of northern holidays how to make such holidays enjoyable.

The appearance of high-quality thermal underwear and modern clothes that can keep warm gave a chance to make trips to the North comfortable. Usually this direction is chosen in winter by those who want to enjoy the silence and the absence of crowds of people, and at the same time see the typically Russian northern natural beauties.

January is traditionally considered the time when you can see the northern lights – it is around this unique natural phenomenon that many excursion programs are built in Murmansk and its environs. However, there is a high risk of disappointment.

“We were told something like this: we will go regardless of the weather. It will be impossible to refuse, since the cost is calculated based on the number of people. In case of failure, the money is not returned, since the northern lights do not depend on us, and secondly, everything is official with us: the work of the guide and driver must be paid regardless of the success of the “hunt,” says a traveler named Dmitry. At the same time, the cost of the excursion “at random” is not so small: 4500 rubles per person. There are no guarantees: it may happen that the northern lights “wink” right in the center of Murmansk, or it may be that after three hours of riding around the region no one will see anything. But you will definitely be able to freeze – it’s happening in the tundra!

Several guides working in the north, with whom MK was able to contact, confirmed that since the northern lights are a natural miracle, there is no way to be sure of the success of the trip when planning trips. Therefore, the maximum that a conscientious guide can offer is a discount of about 20-30% in case of failure.

“Let’s think logically,” explains Kirill, a guide from Murmansk. – One way or another, we spend about four hours on excursions, we go by car, I tell something. Who is to blame if there is no radiance? Nobody. Can you do all this for free? No. There are only two things I can do: either cancel the trip if it is already obvious in the morning that the fog will prevent you from seeing the lights, or offer a “consolation” 20% discount if the desired experience was not there. That’s all.

The average duration of an excursion to the northern lights is 4 hours, and the average cost is 4500-5000 rubles per person. Some especially optimistic tour operators publish statistics in the announcements of their excursions: they say, the chance to see the northern lights is 96%. Someone gives a peppy announcement: “The meteorologist leads us on the radio, if we don’t catch it, we will re-departure at our expense!”. True, a nuance is also found here: the transport costs will still have to be paid again.

The polar fairy tale is the most charming thing in the North, but there are everyday problems as well. Tourists who spent the New Year holidays in cold lands shared their experience with MK.

Elena, 44 years old: “The polar night is a difficult test for those who are not used to it. The mode gets off, there is not enough vitamin D, and some even begin a real depression. I would recommend taking vitamin D drops or tablets with you on a trip, it will be at least a little easier.

Maksim, 36 years old: “There is one huge problem in Teriberka – toilets, or rather, their absence. We saw toilets only in restaurants, moreover, only one booth each. Another problem with toilets is that it’s very difficult to unbutton layered winter clothes, so it’s best not to drink the liquid once again. It’s not the heat.”

Dmitry, 34 years old: “It was a shock for me that in the cold the phone was discharged very quickly. Too fast, never happened before. And from 50% to 0% was discharged in general instantly. It’s just some kind of nightmare: I put a half-charged phone in my pocket, and a minute later I took it out.”

Olga, 30 years old: “You can dress warmly, but from the constant cold, and it was minus 35 degrees, I started to have a migraine. Saved a simple way – sweet tea. And I gave up alcohol, although there was a very great temptation to warm up with folk remedies. But the alcohol only made my head hurt worse. I think you need to take vitamins if you are going to the North, but it was hard for me.”

The main issue when traveling to the North is suitable clothing. One of the guides who constantly work in Murmansk shared with potential tourists the main rules of equipment:

– This is not the North Pole, there is nothing that an ordinary person could not wear. However, in every group, someone is bound to freeze. First, be sure to wear thermal underwear. You can use the usual one, without additional options, the main thing is that there is good perspiration. Pants for both men and women! I saw how ladies hoped to get by with warm tights – no, alas, this is not enough.

Pants are needed with a high waist, to protect the lower back from the cold, and always narrow, on the leg, so that they can be tucked into shoes or boots. Secondly, a good winter down jacket. A fur coat or a sheepskin coat is acceptable, but they are much heavier, it will be difficult to walk.

Thirdly, do not forget about the principle of layering in clothes. My version is three layers: a thin turtleneck-thermal underwear, then a cotton pullover, and on top a warm wool sweater with a high neck. If you have cashmere items, this is generally ideal, the guide explains.

Separate nuances that tourists from central Russia rarely think about are the protection of hands and face. Experienced travelers prefer to combine thin gloves suitable for touch screen contact with warm wool mittens. In this case, it will not be scary to briefly pull your hand out of the mittens to take a photo. A balaclava is not necessary, but for those who have a very cold face (everyone is different!) It is advisable to provide such protection for the cheeks and cheekbones.