Dalnie Zelentsy: a trek to the edge of the Earth

The journey begins with a short ascent up a fell; you breathe in the purest, crispest, coolest air, look out over the vast expanse and surrounding beauty, smile, and feel utterly happy—this is what you've been waiting for all year.

On this trek, the tundra charms you with its rugged beauty: low, broad, massive fells and rocks with smooth cliff faces that seem to whisper of millions of years carved by glaciers and sculpted by wind and waves, growing ever more stunning with age.

Early summer is a special time in the tundra: no dense brush yet, tender leaves and buds just waking up, looking like delicate miracles against the massive boulders. Birds prepare for nesting: incubating eggs, guarding nests, and chasing away intruders.

A true highlight is beachcombing at low tide—discovering tiny marine life, watching shrimp and small crustaceans scurry, snails glide steadily, and vast beds of lugworms. It’s amazing to see so much vibrant life in such cold waters.

For me, the tundra has become the most cherished place on earth, a place where I feel at home. It’s always easy to breathe here, the wind roams freely, pure fresh water is abundant, and the beauty stretches beyond your field of vision—beauty in everything, even in the plush carpet of moss and lichen underfoot. It’s ever-changing; beyond every fell, something new awaits that won’t leave you unmoved.

And 'the tundra loves you'—even when you're tired and the weather turns, you’ll find encouragement: sun rays breaking through clouds, a massive seida rock, a galloping herd of reindeer, a whale out in the bay, or wild berries to snack on.
For all these incredible wonders, I am profoundly grateful to Pasha. Words simply aren't enough to capture it.

Pasha sees this incredible beauty and knows how to inspire and share it. Traveling with Pasha isn’t about endurance or hardship; it’s about living your best life. I know for sure that everything will be planned and organized down to the finest detail: delicious meals, genuine support, shelter from the wind in a chum tent, fascinating stories about the land and its history, and peace of mind knowing no one gets left behind thanks to a sweep guide and a comfortable pace for all.

Moreover, Pasha is always available to help choose the ideal gear, ensuring you enjoy the adventure whether in a local arctic downpour, at +5°C feeling like -2°C in gusty winds, or at +25°C. All of this can happen in a single day, but you'll be fully prepared because Pasha is the best, and he’s already thought of everything!)

I had the privilege of trekking to Dalnie Zelentsy with Pavel Rudenko and Anna Migalina.

As always, a trek with Pasha and Anya promised scenic views, a warm atmosphere, and great company. But reality
surpassed all our boldest expectations. The weather stayed warm and sunny throughout, moss and lichen seemed to invite you for a rest at every step,
and meadows of cloudberries, bilberries, and blueberries made it impossible to walk by without picking them.))

But onward we went, rewarded by breathtaking panoramas of the Barents Sea, cliffs, and wild beaches. The trek was incredibly scenic; the beauty of those places is hard to describe—
you simply have to be there to immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Returning to ordinary life was hard.))

Our group was cheerful and cohesive, with mutual support at every step. I believe this team spirit is created by our guides, Pasha and Anya, for which I am immensely grateful. I wish everyone the chance to trek with them, and wish them continued success and growth.

Trekking with Pavel is truly beyond words!!!

For me, this was my first serious trek, and saying everything went flawlessly is an understatement.

From the very first message, Pavel shows genuine care for your comfort and safety. Enjoyment every single minute. Prep calls, consultations, gear promo codes—it’s all so well-arranged! And then everything happens like magic: before you know it, you're standing on a plush carpet of berries and moss!

You pitch your tent and take in a sunset overlooking a river flowing out into the ocean! The sheer variety of landscapes and vistas is overwhelming! Special thanks to his wife Anna, who created cozy warmth and served delightful dinners every evening.

The tundra has its own unique beauty! You have to see it, feel it, and be there in person! A well-designed itinerary, engaging stories, stunning views, and high spirits—that’s what
accompanied me throughout the entire journey. Our reward was the Northern Lights and a fantastic team—unforgettable feelings and pure delight.

Huge thanks to a truly inspiring person who organized such an adventure—thank you, Pavel!

Summer was drawing to a close, and an itch struck me: why not go on a hike?

I started considering destinations and decided to visit the Kola Peninsula—the places there are legendary, and the raw beauty and scale of the wilderness are simply off the charts. Having made up my mind, I started searching for a company; the internet must have read my mind, as it led me to #ПавелРуденко, and off we went.

I looked into everything and made the call: the trek to Dalnie Zelentsy was on. We messaged, hopped on a call, went through all the details, and I joined the team. I prepared for the trek since I already had experience hiking in this region, and I had been visiting the Murmansk region quite often—the North is like that, it pulls you right in. And so, on August 29, we met up and set out on our journey with a group of like-minded adventurers.

Pasha Rudenko is simply an incredible person; he knows the terrain, the routes, and the most stunning locations so inside and out that the trek felt like an endless documentary on the region’s history. Even though my personal prep was far from ideal and I have some serious debriefing to do on my mistakes, everything about the trip was top-notch.

I want to give a special shoutout to the camp organization and meals—it was out of this world. Providing three square meals a day on an extended trek is no easy feat, so a massive thank you to Anya for doing the impossible in such rugged conditions. I also want to highlight the team: everyone was top-tier, we walked in complete harmony, and it was a real pleasure meeting new people—that’s exactly why I love trekking.

The route was mind-blowing, the views were absolute fire, and the campsites were set up as cool as it gets. At the last three camps, the sky put on a true show, amplifying the experience, and along the trail, we encountered all kinds of wildlife and birds, which is a whole story in itself. The organizers' preparation was truly astounding: at every stop, Pavel shared stories of the area backed up by photos, and you could tell how deeply passionate he is about local history.

I’ll be waiting for next year's schedule and will definitely join either this trek again or explore another route. It was absolutely awesome, nothing more to add. Pasha and Anya, you are the best—keep making Northern history happen and keep growing!

The North in our blood, fire in our chests. Skål!

I was so lucky to join Pasha on this trek. And I want to say a few words of thanks for various parts of this adventure.

1) Thank you for helping me discover this beauty, feel the North, and get at least a glimpse of how people used to live in these harsh conditions.
2) Thank you for sharing your energy, knowledge, and experience so openly and warmly, inspiring everyone by example while showing genuine care for every team member.
3) Thank you for the incredible atmosphere in the group. You created and maintained it with your warmth, energy, and humor.

4) Thank you for the tent assignments. My tentmate and I immediately felt at ease with each other.
5) Thank you for how thoughtfully you organized everything: the trekking stages, scenic side trips, camp spots, everyday camp life, and our cozy tent…
6) Thank you for helping with the preparations, for calling and explaining everything in detail, clearing up all doubts regarding gear, and offering so much great advice.

I also must mention the food. The meals were delicious! It was amazing to see what can be cooked out on the trail. There were surprise dishes—no spoilers, so future hikers can be amazed too. Morning porridge was always upgraded with creative toppings. Lunches featured sandwiches with a flair of culinary showmanship, and hearty dinners were packed with cured meats of various kinds. My pocket trail mix survived almost entirely until the end of the trek because we were fed so well.

It's mind-boggling how much planning went into creating such a rich and varied menu. Our second guide, Ilya, ran the camp kitchen. Cooking, tidying up, and scrubbing the pots were his domain—we merely lent a hand. In the mornings, he gently woke us for breakfast and made sure everyone had plenty to eat. Because my tentmate and I have citrus allergies, he even brewed our tea separately in a metal strainer (!). A huge thank you for all this work and for keeping us so well-fed and happy.

Meals took place in the mess tent. That was a whole new experience for me: sitting on camp chairs (!), inside a large shelter, gathered in a circle sheltered from the wind, the camp stove humming nearby, Ilya working his magic over the pot, and Pasha sharing stories. Oh, how I wish I could go back!

I should also highlight the wonderful teamwork between Pasha and Ilya, and how tranquil the group dynamic felt. We never rushed; anyone who wanted to take a slower pace found themselves in the supportive company of Ilya, our sweep guide.

I’m eager to join Pavel on his other Kola Peninsula treks!

Looking back at my review, there's hardly a word about the North itself! But whoever has been there already knows, and to those who haven’t—I wish for you to visit, see the distant horizon, feel the fierce wind, and experience the soft moss beneath your feet.

The trek to Dalnie Zelentsy is already my third trek with Pasha Rudenko on the Kola Peninsula. Every time I return, I say that I just went on the next best trek of my life)

Organization. As someone who has been on many treks and has seen it all, including negative experiences, I can say that I truly appreciate how well everything is organized.
Pasha has deep knowledge of hiking gear and will advise you on what to wear from socks to jackets so you do not get wet, freeze, or suffer; he provides a solid tent that will hold up against strong winds, recommends a warm and lightweight sleeping bag, and shows how to lighten your pack.

The route is thoroughly scouted and personally tested multiple times, so our camp spots are always in the most scenic places.

There is a second guide, radio communication, and bear protection gear, so even if you lag behind, you always feel completely safe.
The guides cook the meals themselves, and everything is delicious, especially my favorite lentil soup with ostrich meat.

Special thanks for the group mess tent, which accommodates all participants and offers a cozy place to eat and socialize when it is chilly or raining outside — it adds so much comfort.
Because meals and gear are chosen optimally, pack weight stays manageable, allowing you to hike and enjoy the views; plus, camp evenings are comfortable and you still have energy left to sit and chat.

Another key factor for success is Pasha's love for the North, for hiking, and for people; he is always upbeat and has a fantastic sense of humor. This vibe is passed on to the entire team — I haven't heard as many jokes and funny stories in an entire year as we shared that week.

Some people return for multiple treks. So by my third trek, I felt like I was meeting up with a circle of old friends.

Pasha also selects co-guides who truly care about people and their craft. Huge thanks to our second guide, Ilya, for his help and positive attitude)
We had an incredible group this time, hugs to everyone, hope to see you again soon!

Nature. I have been to the Caucasus, Turkey, Montenegro, and elsewhere, but here I truly felt how deeply northern nature resonates with me. It felt like home, where everything is pleasing to the eye — horizons with green fells, sandstone, tundra, the ocean, and the micro-world of mosses. I only realized this once I arrived here.

To sum it up, everything came together perfectly — both the nature and the people. I was completely and unconditionally happy that week)
Huge thanks to Pasha and all the other participants for this wonderful week on the Kola Peninsula!

I took part in the Dalnie Zelentsy trek — a journey to the edge of the Earth with Pavel and Ilya in June 2025.

The itinerary is very comfortably planned. Staying at a hotel on the first and last days helps you pick up any missing gear, recover from the flight, and freshen up before heading home. Every camp had a magnificent view! The guides cooked all the meals, and everything was delicious and varied.

Along the trail, they shared stories about the history of the area we traversed, which was both fascinating and informative. While hiking, there were always breaks to rest and take memorable photos! The guides were always ready to help and answer any questions, giving great tips on backpack fitting and gear tuning (which is super helpful). The provided tent met all the requirements for this rugged region.

I came to the Kola Peninsula for the views, the silence, the sea, and endless horizons, and the stellar work of the guides helped me experience all of that and even more.
A huge thank you to you guys!

I got on a hike to Far Zelentsy by accident. A friend offered to sign up and I agreed.

Then there were a number of organizational issues and the campaign itself, of course. The nature of the Kola Peninsula is beautiful and exceeds all expectations, but most of all I
I liked Pasha's work.

In terms of organization, everything is thought out to the smallest detail. Interview with potential participants, recommendations on equipment, hotel before and after
hiking, absence of duty, maintaining a positive atmosphere in the group and taking care of each of the participants of the hike, and many other nuances. All this ensures
the best possible experience and a comfortable atmosphere in the group.

The hike was very different from the usual commercial hikes I've been on before, and I think his
it can be called a reference)

Many thanks and best wishes to Pasha and Ilya!
I will definitely try to go with them again.

I still reminisce every day about the trek to Dalnie Zelentsy with Pasha Rudenko.

I can’t say I have extensive hiking experience, but I do have points of comparison. Objectively, Pasha is second to none when it comes to organization. He really knows his stuff and, most importantly, truly loves what he does—he burns with passion for it.

The entire route had been scouted in advance; we never got off track once, feeling like Pasha knows every single rock around here)) The team includes a second guide who is always in place as the sweeper. At the same time, the pace was very comfortable; you don't get exhausted from the daily treks, and there’s no grueling struggle or rushing to reach camp. On the contrary, there were days when you just wanted to keep walking and walking))

The expedition organization was top-notch, from the route selection down to the meal planning. The guys come up with something delicious and interesting every time. There are no camp chore duties; you can help cook if you want to, or you can sleep in a bit longer)) At the end of the route, we came out to the semi-abandoned settlement of Dalnie Zelentsy, where you hardly even feel like you've returned to civilization, so the hike finishes on a wonderfully harmonious note.

Overall, my impressions of the trek with Pasha are purely positive; there wasn't a single day where anything hindered or distracted from enjoying the stunning northern nature.

A heartfelt thank you for everything: the route, organization, responsibility, humor, positive vibes, and the dedication of our second guide, Ilya. Huge thanks to the group as well—such wonderful people came together, which could hardly be otherwise given Pasha’s approach to his craft.

Thanks to you and Anya for organizing this whole experience)

It's super cool that someone is finally doing the 'everyone brings their own gear' format. It makes the price better, and the group itself ends up more experienced and interesting, so to speak) Really great that everything is modern and up-to-date, without acoustic guitar sing-alongs over drinks))))

Thank you for your passion and professionalism; that’s truly priceless. And, of course, for all the long chats about gear)))
And a special thanks for motivating us by your own example to trek further, longer, and stronger)

Looking forward to upcoming trips, especially winter ones. If you start guiding those, I think it'll be an absolute blast—nobody else is doing anything like that right now))

We will be fiercely recommending you to anyone interested in the North)

Nothing negative to report. Well, maybe subjectively the food portions were way too huge)))))