Do I need a visa to visit Russia?

Entry conditions depend on citizenship, passport type, travel purpose and dates. Gulf visitors do not all need the same documents. Start with our visa guide at almas-russia.com/en/visa-info. Before buying tickets, check the rules that apply to you using the official sources linked there.

How do you plan meals around halal requirements?

We discuss your requirements before booking and ask kitchens about ingredients, meat sourcing and preparation. Options vary by region, and not every restaurant or hotel is halal-certified. If certification is essential to you, we check available documentation separately. Your host's presence does not replace certification. We agree the proposed menu and any limitations with you in advance.

Can we customize the itinerary?

Yes. Tell us your dates, group size and interests: we can discuss different visits, more rest time or shorter travel days. Changes depend on opening times, tickets and transport. We confirm any effect on the programme and price before booking.

When is the deposit due?

30% after you approve the final itinerary — not before. We send the full program and price breakdown first; you confirm dates and inclusions, then pay the deposit to hold hotels and guides.

Almas Russia — Private Northern Russia Tours for Gulf Families

Featured tours

Summer

Imperial Petersburg

Five days and four nights in one hotel: the Hermitage, Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo, with each suburb on its own day.

5 daysEasyYour family or friends

Comfort, winter programme and saved tours

Route comfort · One overnight base

Longest travel day: Trips to the imperial suburbs; the longest leg depends on hotel and visit order. Duration to be confirmed.
Walking: Museum visits and park walks; an afternoon can include a return to the hotel.
Late evenings: Theatre or evening outings are separate options; no compulsory late excursion is listed.
Rest breaks: Arrival rest, a hotel-return option and a free afternoon are in the programme.
Weather alternative: Road return if the seasonal Peterhof sailing is cancelled.

Tell us the children's ages and any mobility needs of older guests. We agree rest breaks, walking limits and alternatives before booking.

View the winter programme

Individual quote in 24–48 hours

Details

Summer

White nights and time by the water

Six days and five nights in St. Petersburg: canals, parks and one interactive visit. Late drawbridges are optional and require a changed following day.

6 daysEasyYour family or friends

Comfort, winter programme and saved tours

Route comfort · One overnight base

Longest travel day: Trips to the imperial suburbs; the longest leg depends on hotel and visit order. Duration to be confirmed.
Walking: Short museum visits and park walks, with the order adjusted to children.
Late evenings: Late drawbridges are a separate option with a later start and changed programme the following day.
Rest breaks: Arrival rest and a hotel break before the farewell dinner; visits adapt to children.
Weather alternative: Road return from Peterhof; indoor alternatives agreed before a programme change.

Tell us the children's ages and any mobility needs of older guests. We agree rest breaks, walking limits and alternatives before booking.

Individual quote in 24–48 hours

Details

Winter

Winter fairytale

Eight days and seven nights: two nights in St. Petersburg, four in Murmansk and a final night in St. Petersburg. Teriberka, a husky visit and conditional aurora outings with recovery time.

8 daysModerateYour family or friends

Comfort, winter programme and saved tours

Route comfort · 2 changes of overnight base

Longest travel day: A domestic flight to Murmansk and a road trip to Teriberka, subject to road conditions. Duration to be confirmed.
Walking: Short stops in Teriberka itself. We do not plan stops on the Kola–Teriberka road.
Late evenings: Aurora searches can finish late and depend on conditions; sightings are not guaranteed.
Rest breaks: After a late search, allow a recovery morning and a separately arranged late breakfast. A second outing depends on rest and the return flight.
Weather alternative: For a closed Teriberka road, confirm an indoor day in Murmansk. Kirovsk requires a separate road check; agree replacement costs.

Tell us the children's ages and any mobility needs of older guests. We agree rest breaks, walking limits and alternatives before booking.

Individual quote in 24–48 hours

Details

All tours

How booking works

No payment now — request and dates first; deposit only after you approve the itinerary

Tell us who is travelling

Share your dates, group size and preferences for activities, meals and accommodation through the form or WhatsApp.

Speak to your host on WhatsApp

We aim to reply within 2 working hours: daily 09:00–21:00 Moscow time (UTC+3).

Receive itinerary & quote

After clarifying your needs, our target for a first itinerary and quote is 24–48 hours. We confirm accommodation and service availability before booking.

Confirm

You approve the route. 30% deposit only after the itinerary is agreed — balance due 30 days before travel.

A note from Maria

Arabic-speaking host · art historian

We are a small team. I read your request personally: who is coming, your preferred pace and what matters for meals and daily plans. We prepare a first itinerary in 24–48 hours and agree the terms and price before payment. A host selected for your group accompanies the trip.

We aim to reply within 2 working hours: daily 09:00–21:00 Moscow time (UTC+3). During your trip, your host stays reachable on your agreed channel.

— Maria, your host

Before booking, explore our service standard and published day-by-day programmes.

Our service standardDay-by-day programmes

More about us

Why us

Arabic-speaking host

With you at the museum and at dinner. Arabic-speaking support on the trip and on WhatsApp.

Meals planned with you

We discuss dietary needs in advance. Options vary by region: where halal food is unavailable, we agree fish or vegetarian dishes and their ingredients with you.

Privacy & calm

Private transport and accommodation suited to your group. Request a female host in advance; we confirm availability before booking.

Your group only

Travel with family or friends in your own group. If you want to change the program, we discuss options and costs before you confirm.

Common questions

Quick answers before you plan your trip

Local currency is the Russian ruble (RUB). Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in Russia — you cannot pay with them at hotels, restaurants, or shops. Bring USD or EUR in cash and exchange for rubles at a bank or licensed exchange office after arrival; keep cash rubles for small purchases. UnionPay cards (if your bank issues them) are sometimes accepted — check before you fly. We calculate tour costs in RUB; the payment currency and a dated exchange rate are fixed in your individual proposal. Tour payment is by bank transfer from abroad — no hidden FX markup.

Start with your own country's travel advisory for Russia — that is the responsible baseline, and rules can change. What we handle on the ground: private transfers with vetted drivers, no crowded coach groups, a host reachable throughout the trip and honest guidance on districts and evening routes. Central tourist areas of St. Petersburg are well patrolled; as in any big city, keep documents secure and watch belongings in crowds. Any concern goes straight to your coordinator.

All questions

Quick answer

Per-person cost

Price on request

We calculate costs in RUB and fix the payment currency and a dated exchange rate in your individual proposal. We confirm the group, the dates and the services in writing before booking.

Visa

We check your nationality and confirm the visa route in writing before you book.

Not included