Things to do in Russia

Nearly half of Russia is covered by forest, most of it uninhabited, but anyone with a yearning for the wilderness can explore the Russian Far East, experiencing its wondrous wildlife and landscapes without bumping into another tourist. Flying into Khabarovsk kicks off a tiger safari in the southeast, while the Kamchatka Peninsula, Kuril Archipelago and Chukotka region are best explored on a small ship cruise.

Trips way out east are never a budget option and are generally classed as expeditions or experiences rather than garden variety holidays! This is well off the tourist trail, after all. Russia’s eastern seaboard dominates the North Pacific, but it’s largely unknown, inaccessible and isolated. As a result, wildlife thrives here. Against a backdrop of volcanoes and icy rivers, brown bears, reindeer and Arctic foxes roam, while on the coast, walruses flop and polar bears raise their cubs. Man has made it here, too – think gulags and gold mines – but often been defeated by the harsh conditions. Only the indigenous people last the course, and their stories bring a human twist to any Far East adventure.