7B: Riverboat to the Russian Border

You start your excursion with a short trip to the jetty where the riverboats are ready to travel up the Pasvikelva, a river with cultural and political history dating back thousands of years. While travelling upriver, you learn about the history of the Sámi people, the saints Boris and Gleb, and St. Trifon of the Pechenga Monastery. You also learn about the area´s strategic geopolitical significance and as the site of occasional fierce fighting between Allied and Axis forces during World War II. At the border you go ashore and learn a little bit more about Norway’s relationship with its neighbour to the east, Russia. You then enjoy a hot drink, complemented with a dish of local cloudberries and cream. On the way back, the guide tell you about the rich plant and animal life that thrives in the area. Reindeer, bears, fish and a multitude of bird species make this one of Norway´s most exciting wilderness areas.