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Getting there and what to pack
Every trip starts in Arkhangelsk, about 1.5 hours by air from Moscow or St. Petersburg. Below: the journey, a packing list for each season, the weather at the lodges and answers about safety.
Arkhangelsk is where it starts
Fly in the day before your trip and spend the night in town. In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in our own cars and drive you to the helipad. The return works the same way: you’re back in town by evening and can take a late flight or stay another night.
In winter, Kanin is reached overland. 380 km by car to Mezen, about 6 hours, then 317 km by snowmobile with an overnight stop in the village of Nes—a day and a half in all. The way back takes a single day, with no overnight stop. The winter trip does not include a helicopter.
By air
From Moscow, about 1.5 hours, with several flights a day (Aeroflot, S7, Smartavia). From St. Petersburg, also about 1.5 hours.
By train
About 20 hours from Moscow, 24 from St. Petersburg. A good option if you’re traveling with guns or bulky gear.
Hotel
We’ll recommend hotels near the helipad and book one for you on request. The night in town is not included.
International guests
- Visa. Most international visitors need a Russian visa; citizens of many countries can apply for the unified e-visa online. Tell us your citizenship when you get in touch and we’ll explain which documents you need and how much time to allow.
- Flights. International flights arrive in Moscow or St. Petersburg; Arkhangelsk is about 1.5 hours from either by domestic flight.
- Border zone. Kanin Nos lies in Russia’s border zone. We arrange the permits from your passport details; for foreign nationals they take longer to issue, so please get in touch early.
- Payment. We’ll agree on the payment method when you book.
Packing list by season
We provide tackle and insect repellent. Bring your own rain gear—a waterproof, breathable jacket and pants—along with the other personal items listed below.
Summer on the Megra and Kanin
- Thermal base layers and fleece
- Waterproof, breathable jacket and pants
- Warm hat, neck gaiter, gloves
- Waders and wading boots
- Hiking boots or rubber boots
- Polarized sunglasses, a cap
- Sunscreen, personal first-aid kit
- Head net in June–July
- A change of clothes for the lodge and the banya
Winter on Kanin
- Two layers of thermal underwear
- Down or expedition parka
- Boots rated to −30 °C, warm socks
- Balaclava, ski goggles
- Mittens and gloves
- Face cream for frost and sun
- Snowmobile suit and helmet
- A change of clothes for the lodge and the banya
Documents and other items
- Passport (Kanin is in the border zone)
- A Russian visa, if you need one
- For hunting: Russian firearms permit and a cased gun
- Personal medication
- Phone, charger, power bank
- A camera, if you like
- No cash needed
Once you’ve booked, we’ll send a full checklist with the forecast for your dates.
Right now at the lodges
Current conditions and a 7-day forecast. Weather in the North changes fast; your guide will give you the exact forecast for your dates before the flight.
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Data: Open-Meteo.
What we do so you can think only about the river
Staying in touch
Satellite internet at the lodges, satellite phones with the guides out on the water. There is no cell coverage.
Medical care
A first-aid kit at the lodge and guides trained in first aid. In an emergency, we call in an air ambulance or Russia’s Emergencies Ministry.
Bears
Kanin is open tundra with no forest, so you see wildlife from far away. In all our years on the Megra, bears have never approached people. Guides carry deterrents.
Flights
Our own aircraft and our own pilots; the decision to fly depends on the weather along the route. If we have to reschedule, you keep your deposit.
Children
Children are frequent guests. The Megra welcomes kids of any age with their parents; Kanin and our journeys, from age 7.
Food and water
Supplies come in by helicopter for every trip, and water from the river and the well is filtered. Special menus on request.
If the weather grounds the helicopter
The pilot decides whether to fly based on the weather along the route. If the helicopter can’t fly, we move the departure to the next flying window; if there isn’t one, we move your whole trip to dates that suit you. You don’t lose your deposit.
Still have questions?
Tell us what you’d like to know—we’ll answer and send you our pre-trip notes.
