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Optional Post-tour Add-on: Friday,
June 30– Sunday, July 2
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Please call
us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881
www.irtsociety.com
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Arctic Steam Express
June 16-29, 2006
Optional Add-on: June 30-July 2
Head to the Arctic next summer--by steam! The private, steam-hauled Trans-Siberian Express will take adventurous passengers from Moscow to St. Petersburg before heading north to the Arctic Circle, where the daylight is unending this time of year.
Visit the world's most northerly passenger railway station near the border with Norway. Tour Archangel, a pleasant town on the White Sea, and Kizhi Island on Lake Onega.
Join us for this 14-day journey on our "hotel on wheels" pulled by Europe's largest steam locomotive, PC36 4-84 design of 1954. Call today (800) 478-4881 to reserve your cabin!
Daily Itinerary
Friday, June 16: Moscow
Upon arrival in Moscow, transfer to the Ukraina Hotel, located on the banks of the Moskva River opposite the White House. Welcome dinner.
Saturday, June 17: Moscow
Spend a full day touring Moscow, including Red Square and the Kremlin. After dinner we join the Arctic Circle Steam Express in Moscow’s Leningradski station pulled by Europe’s largest steam engine, GW Travel’s P36.0032. Depart for St. Petersburg.
Sunday, June 18: St. Petersburg
Afternoon arrival in St. Petersburg. During the short servicing stop, we will visit Catherine’s Summer Palace in Pushkin and return to the city behind veteran steam locomotive Ov.324 (101 years old). Rejoin the main train for dinner as we depart for Vyborg.
Monday, June 19: On board
During the day we head northeast through Russia’s Lake District.
Tuesday, June 20: Petrozavodsk
After lunch take the hydrofoil from Petrozavodsk to Kizhi Island on Lake Onega to view the world-famous 22-domed wooden cathedral. On our return to Petrozavodsk we will tour this pleasant lakeside resort before rejoining our train for an early evening departure.
Wednesday, June 21: Solovetsky Island
After breakfast we take the short branch to Kem Pristan where we transfer to a small boat bound for Solovetsky Monastery on Solovetsky Island in the White Sea. The island is also famous for its "Special Purpose Camp" set up by Stalin, and is the location used as the basis for Solzhenitzyn’s Gulag Archipelago. In the evening (of nearly the longest day of the year) and 670 miles from St. Petersburg, we cross the Arctic Circle (Polyarnyy Krug), where we will stop for pictures by the obelisk.
Thursday, June 22: Arctic Circle, Murmansk
We arrive in Murmansk after lunch. After a town tour we hope to arrange for a visit to the submarine museum at Severomorsk, a town normally closed to foreigners and home of the Northern fleet. Around midnight we will resume our journey towards the Norwegian border and Nikel.
Friday, June 23: Nikel-Murmansk
Early morning we will arrive at Nikel, on the border with Norway. It is an eerie place, but one of the highlights of our Arctic Circle tours. We retrace our steps to Luostari—the world’s most northerly passenger railway station—before returning to Murmansk.
Saturday, June 24: On board
Today is spent on board enjoying the amenities of the train as we again cross the Arctic Circle.
Sunday, June 25: Archangel
We spend the morning touring Archangel, a pleasant town on the White Sea. In the afternoon we continue along the branch line to Kapogory.
Monday, June 26: On board
Enjoy a relaxing day on board as we return to Archangel and head south to Konosha.
Tuesday, June 27: Kirov
Lunchtime arrival in Kirov, where we spend the afternoon.
Wednesday, June 28: Kazan
Morning tour of Kazan before rejoining the train for our final run back to Moscow.
Thursday, June 29: Moscow
After breakfast arrival at Moscow’s Kievski station at the end of our 4,600 mile tour. Lunch in the city with transfers available to both airports for international flights.
Optional Post-tour Add-on: Friday, June 30– Sunday, July 2
The train will be used for a three-day steam tour from Moscow to Roslavl, Bryansk and Smolensk over these three days, returning to Moscow on the evening of July 2.
2006 Tour Prices:
Cabin type Double occupancy Single occupancy First-class cabin $5,395 $7,495 Deluxe en-suite cabin $10,995 $15,995
Optional Extension prices:
Cabin type Double occupancy Single occupancy First-class cabin $895 $1,345 Deluxe en-suite cabin $1,495 $2,295
Accommodation on the Train:
First-class sleepers are modern air-conditioned cars built in Germany. They are cozy and comfortable, and provide an ideal method of transport for the remote areas of Russia that we visit. Each car has nine twin compartments, all fitted with two lower berth beds that convert to sofa seating for daytime travel. There is ample space for luggage storage under each bed and for suitcases in a recess above the corridor area. Clothes hangers are provided and the cars are appointed with mirrors, bedside table, reading lamps and space for the storage of small items.
Deluxe sleepers are purpose-built, new carriages designed for the 21st century to offer top-class comfort and service, which is equal to that on the best luxury trains in the world today. Each carriage has four compartments which can be configured for double, twin or single occupancy, with the lower berth converting into a comfortable sofa for daytime travel. Each compartment features its own private shower and toilet facilities and has a wardrobe, audio system, DVD/VCR with the latest flat, plasma screen TVs and air conditioning with individual climate control by remote handset.
Booking: If you wish to book, please call 800-478-4881 or e-mail us by clicking here. You will need to complete a booking form. Click here to download our 2006 tour booking form. Complete, sign and return the form to us with your deposit within 7 days. Upon receipt of your call or e-mail, we will block your space. All bookings are first-come, first-served basis.
THE TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
· Accommodation aboard our private train.
· Hotel accommodation where indicated in the itinerary.
· All meals including a generous allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with meals on and off the train.
· The services of an experienced Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
· Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water around the clock from your car attendant.
· Gratuities to local guides, drivers, tour management and train staff.
THE TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
· Insurance (it is a booking condition that passengers have adequate insurance). We recommend purchasing coverage through Travelex Insurance Services.
· International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour (except where stated otherwise)
· Charges of a personal nature on the train or at the hotels (laundry, telephone, bar account, etc.).
· Visa or Excess Baggage Charges, Airport Departure Taxes, Vaccination or Medical Costs.
· Alcoholic and soft drinks in the bar outside of meal times
Click here to download our 2006 tour booking form.
Click here for complete tour terms and conditions.
The Society of International Railway Travelers
1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205
800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881
www.irtsociety.com
Send us e-mail with comments or questions
