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Imperial Russia Northern Lights New Year Journey(IR10)
10 days / 9 nights
Bucket list rail journey from Moscow to Murmansk
Few travelers think about traveling to Moscow in the winter...However it is exactly Winter that affords visitors the opportunity to see Russia as it’s often portrayed: a bitterly cold, exotic land of fur hats, onion-domed buildings capped in frost... Experince this one in a lifetime opportunity to journey in December from Moscow to St Petersburg aboard the luxury Imperial Russia Train and spend the day discovering St Petersburg’s biggest attractions, from the Peter & Paul Fortress to the Pushkin town and the impressive St Catherine’s Palace. Head further north to the fascinating city of Murmansk, far north of the arctic circle, to try to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis. You will spend the unforgettable New Year’s eve in a Murmansk Hotel and set off to enjoy the frozen winter wilderness by dog sled at the house of Father Christmas.
The train will also stop in Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Republic of Kareliea, and Vologda on the Vologda River to tour the city’s impressive Kremlin.
The Route
MOSCOW • St Petersburg • Petrozavodsk • Murmansk • Vologda • MOSCOW
Moscow
A truly iconic, global city, Moscow is the 860 year-old capital of Russia. There are dozens of reasons to come. Being one of the most breathtaking capitals in the world, Moscow has a wide range of cultural landmarks. We suggest exploring them all.
Moscow Kremlin
Discover the treasures that lie in wait for you behind the walls of Moscow’s most famous landmark: the almighty Kremlin! Home to a myriad of the city’s most exquisite cathedrals and monuments, as well as the official residence of President Putin himself, the Kremlin remains a political landmark in Russia and is visited by thousands of tourists every year.
Moscow Metro
Intricately decorated, the Moscow Metro is an immense museum in itself. Your guide will lead you on a tour of the most magnificent stations, adorned with marble, mosaics and chandeliers.
Petrozavodsk
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.
Murmansk
Murmansk is 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 is the homeport to Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreakers.
Maps
Video
Gallery
DAY 1, MOSCOW
Welcome to Moscow and Russian Winter! We arrange a comfortable transfer from Airport to the Five Star Hotel. Enjoy your free time before you start your fantastic New Year Tour.
DAY 2, MOSCOW
After delightful breakfast, you start your day with the Grand City Tour Moscow. Visit to the most famous attractions of Russian Capital, lunch at the local restaurant, visit to the Heart of Moscow — Kremlin which is a symbol of a Russian State, one of the greatest architectural complexes in the world, a treasure house of magnificent relics and monuments of art. While touring the Kremlin you will also visit Armoury museum, famous for the Tsar’s regalia such as jewelry crowns, orbs and scepters, gifts to the Russian Tsars from various countries of the West and the East, and the illustrious collection of Faberge Easter eggs. You will make memorable pictures on Red Square of Russian winter and Moscow New Year decorations, which rated as the most beautiful in the world. After the long and full of impressions day you will enjoy dinner at the local restaurant and brought back to the hotel.
DAY 3, MOSCOW
Today you start your tour in Kolomenskoe museum Estate, discovering Russian winter with indoor and outdoor activities and traditional ceremony of tea drinking with Russian style pancakes. Lunch at the local restaurant with Russian cuisine. The second half of the day you will spend shops at Arbat to discover the oldest street of Moscow with its unique historical and architectural places. There is a plenty of souvenir and chocolate shops at Arbat to take a part of Moscow to remember your wonderful time in Russian winter. After dinner at local restaurant transfer to the railway station and welcome reception on the board of Imperial Russia train. Your rail journey begins today!
DAY 4, ST PETERSBURG
Today you arrive in St. Petersburg early morning. After breakfast at the local restaurant, you start the Grand City tour in northern capital of Russia. You will visit Kazan Cathedral, Peter & Paul’s Fortress and Cathedral, famous St. Isaak Cathedral. You continue the program in Pushkin town, where you will have lunch. As a must visit Tsarskoe Selo is also on your bucket list after lunchtime.After long day, you are back to St. Petersburg to visit Petrovskaya Akvatoriay before you enjoy your dinner with gypsy show and dancing. The day ends with a short Night tour by bus on the way to the Rail station, where you depart to Petrozavodsk.
DAY 5, PETROZAVODSK
Arrival in Petrozavodsk early in the morning, after breakfast you start your tour in the village of Kinerma, where you can discover the history of the ancient Karelian settlement of 16 century. Since 2016, Kinerma village is officially the most beautiful village in Russia. A local family will host you and make a traditional tea-drinking ceremony with Karelian cakes. In Petrozavodsk, you will visit the Museum of the fine arts of Karelia with master-class in the technique of serigraphy. After a short but full of activities day you will get back to the Railway station to Imperial Russia train, where you continue your journey to the Northern lights. Dinner on the board of train.
DAY 6, MURMANSK
Today your train crosses the Arctic Circle. As "Imperial Russia" train pulls through the Kola Peninsula enjoy your morning at leisure, follow the changing scenery with beautiful landscapes of the Khibiny Mountains. Shortly before lunch, you arrive in Murmansk, the most Northern point of our journey. For the next two days you will be lodging in a city hotel. This town started as a tiny settlement and Arctic trading post. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the port is ice-free all year round. Depart for the city tour with such major attractions as nuclear icebreaker Lenin, World War II memorials. Later this afternoon enjoy your down time at your hotel room or make a discovery walk of the hotel vicinity. Join us for a festive dinner with a colorful show program in the beautifully decorated city restaurant to celebrate the New Year!
DAY 7, MURMANSK
On the first day of the New Year allow yourself to sleep in and enjoy the late breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Later this morning drive for the village of Lovozero, the center of the cultural life of the Saami, the native people of the Kola Peninsula. Meet the Saami Santa Claus. The locals will invite you for lunch and explain about their lifestyle, life in tundra, reindeer herding and hunting. Walk around the village to capture the winter landscapes of Arctic winter or ride a reindeer sledding! Around dinner time arrive in Murmansk & enjoy a relaxing evening.
DAY 8, ON BOARD
In the morning, you depart to Vologda and stay onboard the train day and night, but you never feel bored with Imperial Russia train activities, games, lectures and live music. Enjoy romantic winter scenery from windows of our train and gourmet Russian food prepared by the chef onboard.
DAY 9, VOLOGDA
In the morning arrive to Vologda, the city with significant historical and cultural heritage. This city is the same age as the Russian capital and is rich in historical sights. The Kremlin Square is located right in the centre of the city, and Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible used to walk around this place. Emperor Peter the Great used to visit Vologda frequently. Among artisans this city is well known for its delicate and exquisite laces. Stroll along the Kremlin grounds and listen to the history of this city, spot some of the remaining wooden houses with carved window frames that are very much like the laces. Try your hands in a workshop to paint gingerbread and take it as a memory of Vologda. In evening you are back onboard "Imperial Russia" train to celebrate the farewell dinner.
DAY 10, MOSCOW
In the morning, you arrive in Moscow, where you started your unforgettable trip last year. Transfer to the Airport for your flight home.
The Imperial Russia train
The private Imperial Russia train is designed to provide you with a comfortable experience as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime and offers a range of cabins. Enjoy dining in the charming restaurant carriages and relax with fellow passengers. Also, take the time to get involved in several lectures on board the train where you can learn about the history, people and cultures of the countries you travel through.
Choose from 4 different cabin types:
- First Class Sleeping Cars (1 to 2 passengers per compartment)
- First Class Plus Sleeping Cars (1 to 2 passengers per compartment)
- Business Class Cars (1 to 2 passengers per compartment)
- VIP Cars (1 to 2 passengers per compartment)
Consists of 8 passenger compartments, 2 seats in each. Berths: all lower ones. A table. An LCD TV set. In compartment 9 there is a shower booth with a washbowl. Two water closets: in the beginning and the end of the car. The air conditioning system is general, with an option of additional temperature control in each compartment.
Consists of 8 passenger compartments, 2 seats in each. Berths: one upper, one lower one. A table with an armchair. An LCD TV set. An inbuilt clothes cabinet. Between compartments there are four rooms with washbowls and shower cans. In compartment 9 there is an auxiliary room for storing luggage. Two water closets: in the beginning and in the end of the car. The air conditioning system is general, with an option of additional temperature control in each compartment.
Consists of 6 passenger compartments, 2 seats in each. Berths: one upper, one lower one. A table with an armchair. An LCD TV set. A private en-suite bathroom with a wash-basin, toilet and wet shower. An individual air conditioner for heating and cooling the cabin. Business Class cars have two-seat compartments with an area of 5.5 sqm. A compartment has a comfortable transformable sofa and a foldaway upper berth.
Consists of 5 passenger compartments, 2 seats in each. Berths: one upper, one lower one. A table with an armchair. An LCD TV set. An inbuilt cabinet for clothes and luggage. An individual water closet with a shower booth and a washbowl. An individual air conditioner for heating and cooling the cabin. VIP cars have two-seat compartments with an area larger than two ordinary ones. A compartment has a comfortable transformable sofa and a foldaway upper berth, also en-suite there is a shower cabin and an environmentally friendly toilet.
Imperial Russia New Year Train Journey: Northern Lights Tour
| Departures 2020, Moscow to Moscow, 10 days | FIRST CLASS from | FIRST CLASS PLUS from | BUSINESS CLASS FROM | VIP CLASS from | |||||
| Excluding flights | single use supplement | Excluding flights | single use supplement | Excluding flights | single use supplement | Excluding flights | single use supplement | ||
26 Dec 2019
| 4265.81 £ | 3001.47 £ | 5072.17 £ | 3494.24 £ | 6102.53 £ | 4031.82 £ | 6416.11 £ | 4211.01 £ | |
14 to 23 Feb, 2020
| 4265.81 £ | 3001.47 £ | 5072.17 £ | 3494.24 £ | 6102.53 £ | 4031.82 £ | 6416.11 £ | 4211.01 £ | |
Flight details:
Flight details: 
Direct flights with British Airways or Aeroflot optional. Flights availability may be subject to change which may affect the price.
Please note:
We use live currency update, price may slightly fluctuate daily
IntoRussia Ltd reserves the right to change hotels to similar ones of the same standard and change the
order of excursions
The deposit is payable on the tour - please enquire at the booking stage
Extras:
If you are a group and want to add extra days or excursions, or you are looking for more independence,
contact our Destination Experts for a tailor-made package
Payment conditions:
Non - refundable deposits per person for the land only tour: First class & First class plus - £ 1650; Business & VIP class - £ 990
If you include flights to the package, these are non refundable and payable at the time of the booking
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure
Cancellation conditions:*
Between 60 and 30 days prior to departure: 50% of total price will be non-refundable
Between 30 or less days prior to departure: 100% of total price will be non-refundable
* Please note that the above cancellation conditions apply to land only tour. If you add flights to the package booking, these are non refundable.
Included in price:
• accommodation on board the train
• 2 nights at Moscow hotel
• 2 nights at Murmansk hotel
• towels, bathrobe and slippers available on board
• excursions with guides (English, German, French and Spanish) according to the program (transport and entrance fees included)
• full board, tea/coffee/water on board throughout the day
• arrival and departure transfers
• visa support letter
• Russian visa support service
Not Included:
• international flight
• the cost of Russian visa processing
• all drinks ordered in the bar car
• «tailor made» excursions (you have possibility to extend your tour, we offer additional excursions in every city within the tour and in other cities of Russia)
• meals on the day of arrival, departure
• tips and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
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