IMPORTANT VISA INFORMATION
To obtain a Russian Tourist Visa you will need an invitation letter – Salmon Junkies will email your invitation letter during the month of April.
For our Umba autumn program you will receive your invitation letter from the end of July until the middle of August
In order for us to issue a correct invitation letter, it is important that you have filled out our electronic Booking Confirmation – you will find this form on the front page of our website / HEAD menu / BOOKING
Everyone travelling to Russia is responsible for obtaining his or her own visa.
Please note: Regulations stipulate that you can only do so within three months of the start of your Russian holiday.
To process your visa application it must be sent to an embassy/consulate or local visa agent. The Russian Embassy or similar authorities will then stamp the visa directly onto your passport.
Salmon Junkies strongly recommend you to send your visa application and documents to one of the many specialist travel companies in your country handling these visa procedures.
The normal time to obtain a visa is 7 working days plus mailing time, which means approx. 2 weeks.
If for any reason you encounter problems with your invitation or visa documents, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately.
You will need the following to obtain a Russian visa
- Russian invitation (Salmon Junkies will provide you with an invitation letter no later than one month before your departure)
- Questionnaire form to be filled out and signed at the bottom – This questionnaire can vary from country to country, so please contact your local Russian embassy/consulate or visa support for further information – You can download this questionnaire from your local consulate or travel agency web page
- Your passport
- Four passport photos (with some embassies/consulates it is sufficient with two)
The Russian Visa Application form will require you to confirm that you have both a valid travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage in/for Russia.
Please double-check your passport and visa in good time before departure from your home country. Remember a passport must be valid for six months after the date of the scheduled departure from Russia. Your visa must display your name exactly as it is written in your passport and the dates on your visa must cover the entire length of your stay in Russia.
If these details are not correct you may be refused entry into Russia.
TRAVELLING TO MURMANSK
Most guests fly to Murmansk via St. Petersburg / Moscow on Friday, and typically spend the night in Murmansk. Another great option is Helsinki to Murmansk (see below).
Helsinki – Murmansk (MMK) Private chartered jet
Please contact Frontiers directly, if you want to use the charter flight from Helsinki to Murmansk, leaving every Saturday morning. For 2012 the charter flights will operate as follows:
Departs Helsinki 9 am, arrives Murmansk 11:55 am.
Depart Murmansk 1:05 pm, arrives Helsinki 1:55 pm.
All times shown above are local. Please note that passengers should not schedule ongoing flights with departure from Helsinki
before 4:00 pm. The round trip price is: USD 1,000 – contact person tsmith@frontierstravel.com
Alternative routes
St. Petersburg – Murmansk
For info and booking contact – http://www.rossiya-airlines.com/en/
You will arrive Friday evening to Murmansk airport (MMK.) – You will have to stay one night in Murmansk and Saturday morning you have to take a taxi back to Murmansk airport. You have to be at the MMK Airport no later than 10:30 am Saturday.
Moscow – Murmansk
Same process as for the St Petersburg flight – for info and booking contact – http://www.aeroflot.ru/cms/en
Please notify our office of your travelling route to Murmansk – Thanks
Hotel in Helsinki – Salmon Junkies recommends the Hilton Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Hotel
Salmon Junkies guest now get a 10% discount on best available rates.
Hilton Helsinki-Vantaa Airport hotel – Only a 3 minute walk from the airport, the contemporary Hilton Helsinki Vantaa Airport hotel can be reached directly from the terminal via a covered walkway. Revitalize yourself after your flight with a sauna, dine on healthy Finnish cuisine in the Restaurant Gui or unwind in a comfortable, soundproofed guestroom. Travelling is made easier with self-service airline check-in and flight information available at the Lobby.
The hotel is also well equipped for meetings, events and conferences for 2 to 340 guests. The modern facilities include a spacious ballroom, a boardroom, 5 meeting rooms, a dedicated Executive Floor and Lounge, a 24 hour Business Centre and parking space for 100 cars in front of the hotel. Hotel Hilton offers a wide range of rooms
Contact address: Lentajankuja 1, Vantaa, Finland 1530
Tel: 358-9-73220 Fax: 358-9-732-22211 – mail address helsinkivantaa.airport@hilton.com
Web address: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/HELAIHI-Hilton-Helsinki-Vantaa-Airport-hotel/index.do
HOTELS IN MURMANSK
If you need to spend the night in Murmansk, we strongly recommend the Hotel Meridian in downtown Murmansk – A taxi from Murmansk Airport to downtown Murmansk costs approx USD 30 – 40.
You can make your hotel reservation by contacting: http://www.meridian-hotel.ru/?lang=eng
Another great and recommendable hotel is Hotel Park Inn Poliarnie Zori – http://www.parkinn.com/hotel-murmansk
RALLY POINT – MURMANSK AIRPORT
If you are using alternative routes to Murmansk, it is very important to keep in mind that the Murmansk Airport departure hall is our/your rally point.
- For all Ponoi guests: You must be in the Murmansk Airport departure hall no later than 10:30 am Saturday morning.
- For all Umba guests: The bus will leave Murmansk airport Saturday morning 01:00 am. You will arrive at the Umba Lodge early Saturday morning. After some hours sleep we will start fishing Saturday around noon. If you prefer to arrive in Murmansk on Saturday, we will require that you pay the extra cost for the transport to Umba
- For all Grand Varzuga guests: You must be in Murmansk Airport departure hall no later than 10:30 am Sunday morning.
All guests will be greeted by our Salmon Junkies representative in Murmansk Airport
TRAVEL TO PONOI
After you arrival to Murmansk you will be greeted by a Salmon Junkies representative and guided to a nearby place in the airport, where you will have to wait for the group to be assembled. At approximately 12:30 pm you will be guided to a helicopter within the airport area.
The flight to Ponoi takes roughly 2 ½ hours with a small “pit stop” (refuelling) in Lavozero – Lavozero has the largest community of native people on the Kola Peninsula. These native tribes called Lapps are strongly linked to the Northern Scandinavian Samish people and their culture. Photographing during the entire helicopter flight is allowed except in the Murmansk airport..
The refuelling stop in Lavozero takes approx. 15 minutes where after the helicopter heads directly to Ponoi.
PONOI ACHA CAMP TRAVEL ITINERARY
This is how you will spend your week at Ponoi
Saturday Day 1: Arrive in Russia / Murmansk (MMK). Approx 01:00 pm Depart from Murmansk. You have an Approx 3 hours helicopter ride to Ponoi and Acha camp – Fishing is possible Saturday evening under the guidance of your Salmon Junkies camp manager.
Sunday Day 2: Salmon fishing
Monday Day 3: Salmon fishing
Tuesday Day 4: Salmon fishing
Wednesday Day 5: Salmon fishing
Thursday Day 6: Salmon fishing
Friday Day 7: Salmon fishing
Saturday Day 8: Leaving Acha camp in the morning at 07:30 am – Arrival at Murmansk airport at approx. 10:00 am for connecting flight to Helsinki and other connections.
ACHA EXPLORE TRAVEL ITINERARY
Saturday Day 1: Arrive in Russia / Murmansk (MMK). Approx 01.00 pm Depart from Murmansk. You have an Approx 3 hours helicopter ride to Ponoi and Acha camp. After a small stop in Acha Camp, the helicopter will drop the team, approx 35km upstream on the Acha River. Fishing is possible Saturday evening.
Sunday Day 2: Salmon fishing
Monday Day 3: Salmon fishing
Tuesday Day 4: Salmon fishing
Wednesday Day 5: Salmon fishing
Thursday Day 6: Salmon fishing
Friday Day 7: Salmon fishing – Arriving at the Acha Camp Friday evening
Saturday Day 8: Leaving Acha Camp in the morning at 07:30 am – Arrival at Murmansk airport at approx. 10:30 am for connecting flight to Helsinki.
TRAVEL TO UMBA
When you arrive to Murmansk airport, you will be greeted by our Salmon Junkies representative and guided to the bus(ses).
The bus drive to Umba takes approx five hours. In Kandalaksha there will be a short stop, where you can enjoy a small snack and drink. After Kandalaksha you have just 105 km ahead of you before reaching Umba – This last part of the drive goes into the deep Taiga and now it become obvious how far away you are from everything – there is a reason why Umba is called “the end of the world” – In general the drive to Umba is pretty comfortable as the road has been improved considerably lately. The drive provides a good and interesting picture of the region driving along the main road to St. Petersburg.
Program: The bus will leave Murmansk airport Saturday morning 01.00. You will arrive at the Umba Lodge early Saturday morning. After some hours sleep we will start fishing Saturday around noon. If you prefer to arrive in Murmansk on Saturday, we will require that you pay the extra cost for the transport to Umba
When you arrive to Murmansk airport, you will be greeted by our Salmon Junkies representative and guided to the bus(ses).
The bus drive to Umba takes approx five hours. In Kandalaksha there will be a short stop, where you can enjoy a small snack and drink. After Kandalaksha you have just 105 km ahead of you before reaching Umba – This last part of the drive goes into the deep Taiga and now it become obvious how far away you are from everything – there is a reason why Umba is called “the end of the world” – In general the drive to Umba is pretty comfortable as the road has been improved considerably lately. The drive provides a good and interesting picture of the region driving along the main road to St. Petersburg.
UMBA TRAVEL ITINERARY
Friday / Day 1: Arrival at Murmansk airport evening. Bus drive to Umba starts 01:00 am Saturday morning. Approx, five hours bus drive to Umba.
Saturday / Day 2: After some rest fishing Umba / Krivetz river . Euro 30 per rod for guide this day
Sunday / Day 3: Salmon fishing – Umba / Krivetz river
Monday / Day 4: Salmon fishing – Umba / Krivetz river
Tuesday 7 Day 5: Salmon fishing – Umba / Krivetz river
Wedensday / Day 6: Salmon fishing – Umba / Krivetz river
Thursday / Day 7: Salmon fishing – Umba / Krivetz river
Friday / Day 8: Salmon fishing – Umba / Krivetz river
Saturday / Day 9: Depart Umba Lodge 01:00 am – Arrive Murmansk Approx 06:00 am
Leaving Umba: The Bus back to Murmansk will depart Umba Lodge Saturday morning 01:00 am in order to catch the first flights back to Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Grand Varzuga travel itinerary .
Sunday / Day 1: Rallypoint Murmansk Airport / Departing hall 11.00 am. Approx. 12.00 pm our bus will drive to Lavozero airport (a 2 hours drive). From Lavozero an approx 50 minutes Helicopter lift to Grand Varzuga. Sunday evening fishing 1 – 4 km upstream the camp / the rotation under the directions of the camp manager.
Monday / Day 2: Salmon fishing – Half of the 10 rods group will have the opportunity to be lifted 15 km upstream by helicopter and float from the top beat down to the camp during a wonderful day trip. Second half of the group will fish/float from the camp and down to the Pana tributary.
Tuesday / Day 3: Salmon fishing – The other half of the 10 rods group will have the opportunity to be lifted 15 km upstream by helicopter and float from the top beat down to the camp during a wonderful day trip. Second half of the group will fish/float from the camp and down to the Pana tributary.
Wednesday / Day 4: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Thursday / Day 5: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Friday / Day 6: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Saturday / Day 7: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Sunday morning / Day 8: back to Murmansk through Lavozero Airport. Arrive Murmansk early morning Approx. 11:00 am
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO AND DETAILS
GRATUITIES
The guides and staff at Ponoi, Umba and Grand Varzuga work hard to provide you with the best experience during your trip. Gratuities are discretionary, and show your appreciation with the standard of the services provided. They are much appreciated by all. A typical weekly gratuity for guides and camp staff ranges from Euro 300 to Euro 350 per person. The tip pool will be divided amongst all the staff by Salmon Junkies managers. This is in order to ensure that all members in the staff group are remunerated. For the extra day’s fishing on Saturday in Umba, we recommend that you pay your fishing guide Euro 30 per person. Extra evening fishing after dinner with guide is Euro 30 per boat on both Ponoi and Umba.
Health concerns
* No inoculations/vaccinations are required to enter Russia
* The sun and wind can be strong on the Kola Peninsula. Sun block is HIGHLY recommended
* There are no problems with drinking water, and the lodge serves drinkable well water. Bottled water is always available.
* Mosquitoes and bugs can be a nuisance from the end of June until the end of August – a good mosquito repellent is required (fishing Umba from August until the middle of September I also recommend you to bring mosquito repellent as we are sometimes bothered by black flies)
* If you have a health condition, please make sure to bring ALL the medication you will require for your stay.
* Please notify the lodge of any health conditions or concerns we should be aware of.
* The lodge has a basic first aid supply, but do bring any item you think you might need. As with all destination travel, you should be covered by a general Health and Travel Insurance policy before you fly.
CLOTHING
The summer climate of this region of Russia is extremely changeable, and a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions should be expected. We recommend layering clothing, enabling you to add or remove layers during the day. Bring Polar fleece jackets, thermal underwear, Polar neck, wool socks and a wool cap to be prepared for the extreme. Flannel or chamois cloth shirts and fleece vests/jackets are ideal for the river, although you’ll no doubt change to something lighter in the lodge. Also take a reliable windstopper/rain jacket. Gore Tex is excellent. It is waterproof, yet breathable, and is comfortable on sunny, windy afternoons. Simms Gore-Tex and Patagonia SST wading jackets are popular and have withstood the strain of harsh weather time and time again.
MEDICATION
* Travellers should always pack medication for such common complaints as diarrhoea, upset stomach, motion sickness, headache etc. as well as prescriptions.
* Most visitors to Russia don’t experience stomach problems, but it is worthwhile to have treatment available just in case.
PAYMENTS IN THE CAMPS
We would very much appreciate that all transactions in the camp (bar, tackle, flies, gratuities etc.) are paid in cash in Euros.
BEAT ROTATION
For Ponoi Umba and Grand Varzuga, Salmon Junkies camp manager will setup a weekly fishing schedule adjusted to the conditions and actual numbers of guest in camp, and usually there will be a mid-day-rotation after lunch. This system is tried and trusted and every guest will usually fish all pools more than once. The manager’s fishing schedule is set up with the main purpose to give all equal opportunities, but this does not mean, it cannot be altered. The only criterion that must be fulfilled within that context is that all concerned guests agree, and that this agreement is established between the guests and then presented to the camp manager. Fishing after dinner is usually free around camp – but it is still under the direction and supervision of the camp manager. If necessary a schedule for evening fishing will be made. Early morning fishing is restricted to the beats you are going to fish after breakfast on the same day.
For extra tips guides (see above) will also be available for evening fishing on the beats further away from camp. Make these agreements before dinner directly with your guide and/or camp manager.
Now the season is just a short Spey cast away – I really look forward to see all of you guys again
Steffen