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St. Isaac's Cathedral - St. Petersburg, Russia Golden Eagle Train

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian – Land of the Midnight Sun

Sail down the beautiful rivers
Sail down the beautiful rivers

Join us on an incredible rail journey during the celebratory White Nights season as we cross deep into the Arctic Circle by private train. Incomparable cities, remote communities, dramatic fjords, abundant wildlife, serene forests and stories recounting a turbulent history awaits you on this adventure of a lifetime. A tour that will be a photographer’s dream, what better way is there to experience the land of the midnight sun than by private train?

Accommodations

Moscow
Two (2) nights at the Ritz Carlton (or Similar); Buffet Breakfast and tax included daily.

Golden Eagle
One Silver or Gold Class Cabin or Imperial Suite for Five (5) nights on board the Golden Eagle. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included daily.

Kirkenes
Two (2) nights at the Thon Hotel (or Similar); Buffet Breakfast and tax included daily.

St. Petersburg
Two (2) nights at the Renaissance St. Petersburg (or Similar); Buffet Breakfast and tax included daily.

The Tour Includes:

  • All meals on board the train.
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks provided with Lunch and Dinner.
  • Experienced tour representatives throughout the tour.
  • Russian Interpreters able to speak English, German, French and Italian.
  • Comprehensive off-train sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary. Please note that all touring is with fellow-passengers at all times.
  • A doctor who travels with the train throughout the tour.
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water throughout the tour from your car attendant.

The Tour Does Not Include:

  • Travel cancellation insurance.
  • Charges of a personal nature on the train or at the hotels (laundry, telephone, bar account, etc.)
  • Visas (as required) or Excess Baggage Charges, Airport Departure Taxes, Vaccination or Medical Costs.

Options and Extensions:

Please contact Exeter International for tour extensions and options in Russia. All tour extensions are on a private customized basis.

Trip Departure:   

June 17-June 28, 2019

Download a PDF itinerary here.

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ITINERARY

PRICING FROM

Silver Class $12,595.00 per person, double occupancy                                                       Silver Class $17,795.00 single occupancy Gold Class $14,695.00 per person, double occupancy                                                          Gold Class $20,995.00 single occupancy Imperial Class $24,495.00 per person, base on double occupancy                                                          Imperial Class $48,995.00 single occupancy

Day 1
Arrival | Arrival

Arrive at Moscow Airport, where you are met and transferred to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton (or similar) for a two-night stay. Located in Moscow city centre, and within walking distance of Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, guests will discover a classic and sophisticated ambience within this luxury hotel. 

This evening you are invited to a champagne drinks reception with the opportunity to meet your fellow travelers before our exclusive Welcome Dinner. Specially selected international wines are included with dinner, as with all meals during the tour.  

Day 2
Moscow | Moscow Metro Kievskaya Station - Moscow, Russia

Our touring programme today takes us to the grandeur of the Kremlin – the spiritual, historical and political heart of Moscow. We’ll also see the treasures of the Tsars in the Armoury Chamber where we will enjoy an exclusive private viewing before it opens to the public. We also visit the Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful façade of the world famous GUM Department store constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb.

We’ll also take a tour of the opulent and unique stations of the Moscow metro – showpieces of Socialist art furnished with statues, frescoes and mosaics, unsurpassed anywhere in the world.

Day 3
Vladimir & Suzdal | Vladimir & Suzdal Suzdal, Golden Ring, Russia

From Moscow we travel by rail for the day to the historic Golden Ring city of Vladimir, which was founded in 990 and is one of Russia’s oldest communities. With an architectural wealth, it has been decreed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour takes in Uspensky Cathedral, built between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. It is considered one of the most important and beautiful of Russian cathedrals, where many of the prominent Russian Tsars were crowned.

From Vladimir we travel onto Suzdal, one of Russia’s most perfectly preserved walled cities dating back to 1024, located 35 kilometres from Vladimir. Here we visit the atmospheric St Euthymius Monastery to witness an enchanting choral performance of traditional church music.

Returning to Moscow early evening, we board the Golden Eagle and settle into our modern, stylish cabins to embark upon our rail adventure deep into the Arctic Circle.

Day 4
Petrozavodsk & Kizhi Island | Petrozavodsk & Kizhi Island Golden Eagle Train

Petrozavodsk stretched along the western shore of Lake Onega – the second largest lake in Europe. It is one the major cultural and industrial centres of North-West Russia and is the capital of the Republic of Karelia.

This afternoon, we enjoy a private folk performance before we visit by hydrofoil the tiny island of Kizhi on Lake Onega to explore its open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture. Marvel at the wooden Church of the Transfiguration (the church of twenty-two wooden domes) built in 1714 without the use of a single nail which has survived the challenges of Russian winters and revolution.

Day 5
Murmansk | Murmansk Golden Eagle Train

Today we have the opportunity to have a relaxed start to the day and look forward to the many sights we are about to experience on our rail journey, maybe listen to a talk or simply relax in the Bar Lounge Car and enjoy the ever-changing summer landscape outside our window. Our train crosses the Arctic Circle on our quest to see the Midnight Sun and we will have a special ceremony on board to mark this occasion.

This evening we arrive into Murmansk and get the chance to explore this city located halfway between Moscow and the North Pole, and 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle. As the main city of the Kola Peninsula, it started as a tiny settlement and Arctic trading post. In 1916, under pressure from the British to establish a support port, Murmansk was founded. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the port is ice-free year-round and it is here we learn about the perilous missions of the many Arctic convoys, hunted continually by the German Navy, which sailed from the United Kingdom, Iceland and North America to Murmansk in World War Two to deliver essential supplies to the Soviet Union. Now homeport to Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreakers we’ll visit the Nuclear Icebreaker Museum Ship.

Day 6
Nikel to Kirkenes | Nikel to Kirkenes Golden Eagle Train

This afternoon we leave our train with an overnight bag at the Russian border station of Nikel and we transfer by bus (90 minutes’ drive) across the Russian/Norwegian border to Kirkenes for a two-night stay at the Thon Hotel (or similar).

Instead of staying at the Thon Hotel, you may also wish to stay for one or two nights in the atmospheric wooden log cabins of the Kirkenes Snow Hotel (additional charges apply).

After a traditional meal this evening, we will take a boat cruise in search of the midnight sun (weather permitting). Starting from Kirkenes central harbour we travel out onto the Bøkfjord and Barents Sea by RIB (rigid inflatable boat) boat. It is from the fjord that you will experience the wonder of the Midnight Sun. Your experienced tour guide will describe what life living by fjord was like during World War Two as Kirkenes was heavily bombed, along with the opportunity to observe the teeming sea life and coastal birds.

Day 7
Kirkenes | Kirkenes Lori on the Golden Eagle Train

Today another unique experience awaits you on the water with a King Crab Fishing adventure. You will get the opportunity to catch, prepare and sample these giants of the fjords! An experienced fisherman will you take out on a RIB boat where we will cruise along the Bugøyfjord and the Barents Sea to find the right place to anchor. You will be hands on to help pull up the King Crab cages from the depths. Once the catch is safely on board we will return to the shoreline and sample the freshest and most delicious King Crab in a traditional renovated boat house located by the fjord. An amazing and unforgettable day in the Norwegian Arctic Circle. This evening we will celebrate the longest day of the Northern Hemisphere year with a Summer Solstice Cocktail Party and Gala Dinner.

Day 8
Kirkenes | Kirkenes Golden Eagle Train

This morning why not join an optional activity from Kirkenes (additional charges apply): You may like to book some additional optional activities such as Barents Sea Fishing and try and catch coalfish, cod or haddock! These selected activities have limited places so are subject to availability and should be requested at the time of booking the tour – please contact us for prices. We then say farewell to Kirkenes as we cross the border back into Russia and re-join our train which is waiting for us in Nikel.

Day 9
Onboard | Onboard English Embankment, St. Petersburg

We’ll spend today on board travelling south through arctic Russia. Relax and enjoy the ever- changing landscape outside your window and relax in the company of your fellow passengers as we head to our final destination, St Petersburg.

Day 10
St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg Church of Spilled Blood - St. Petersburg, Russia

St Petersburg is a stunning city, crowded with splendid palaces, impressive historical monuments, wide boulevards, beautiful bridges and is renowned as the Ballet Capital of the World. The few brief weeks of the White Nights (Beliye Nochi) – those remarkable, luminous northern mid-summer evenings when the high latitudes are drenched all night in a pearlescent glow and warm summer days are an enchanting time. By day, locals revel in the heat and the outdoors; by night, there are the Stars of the White Nights festivals and concerts to indulge in.

Upon arrival into the city we orientate ourselves with a short touring program of central St Petersburg featuring the key sights including St Isaac’s Cathedral and Nevsky Prospect.
We stay for two nights in St Petersburg at the Grand Hotel Europe. The luxurious, 130-year- old establishment with an ornate facade and a prime location has played host to a procession of European monarchs as well as to many great men and women of culture, including Tchaikovsky and Pavarotti.

Day 11
St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg Catherine Palace St Petersburg

Today we have a guided tour of Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin and the spectacular Hermitage Museum, the former Winter Palace of the Tsars which houses the royal art collection of over three million works. It is one of the world’s largest and most impressive art museums.

After dinner, why not make your final White Nights evening in St Petersburg extra special by purchasing a ticket for a ballet or opera performance at the world-renowned Mariinsky Theatre or take in one of the many outdoor concerts (subject to schedule and availability; must be pre- booked at least six weeks prior to departure).

Day 12
Departure | Departure Hermitage Museum - St. Petersburg, Russia

After breakfast our tour to the Land of the Midnight Sun finally comes to a close. Lunch, if required, would be by your own arrangement.

At the end of your adventure why not extend your stay in St Petersburg with post-tour nights to explore more of the city at your leisure. No other major European city can compete with this experience, nor the atmosphere on the streets of St. Petersburg during these summer months – lively, friendly, romantic and bustling with people throughout the night as well as the day!

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