RUSSIA MOSCOW MAKS AIRSHOW; AIRFIELDS & MUSUEMS

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1 RUSSIA MOSCOW MAKS AIRSHOW; AIRFIELDS & MUSUEMS PROVISIONAL ITINERARY & GENERAL INFORMATION Wednesday, 26 th Monday, 31 st August. plus OPTIONAL Extension to Ulyanovsk to Barataevka Airport, Vostochny Airport, UVAUGA College, Aviastar Aircraft Factory, History of Civil Aviation Museum and Tour of Space City in Moscow Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 1 of 10 Held every 2 years, the Moscow Aerospace Exhibition and Airshow better known as MAKS is one of the most popular aviation events of the calendar, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world. In the past there has been an ever increasing number of participants from around the world, but it is the chance to see Russian (indeed, ex-soviet) aircraft on the ground and in the air that is the main attraction. Most previous MAKS shows have included at least one Russian aircraft making a surprise or its public debut. We spend a full (Trade) Day at the show, and a second (public) day outside the airfield, on a specially chartered boat see page 2 anchored on the River Moscow by the air traffic control tower which during the flying programme is air show centre : the perfect place for superb action photographs. No tour to Moscow would be complete without a visit to Monino, home to one of the largest and best aviation collections in the world: the Russian Federation Air Force Museum. Other aviation visits are to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the Central Armed Forces Museum and the Vadim Zadorzhny Museum. All of them have absolutely fabulous collections. We also wander around the airfield at Chernoe with it Aircraft Repair Plant which specialises in Antonov An-2 biplanes and Mil Mi-2 helicopters: a unique visit! There is also time at leisure in the Red Square with the spectacular changing of the guard at Lenin s Mausoleum, the Kremlin, St Basils Cathedral and the incredible GUM department store. We fly on the scheduled services of Aeroflot from London s Heathrow Airport; transfers and transportation is by deluxe, air-conditioned coach (please see appropriate paragraph on page 1 of the General Information); stay 5 nights at the 4* Holiday Inn Lesnaya on a Full Board basis: bed, breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal as stated; and in addition to an Ian Allan Aviation Tour Manager we are also accompanied by a local English-speaking guide. Always a popular tour, we expect numbers to be even bigger this year taking into account the boat charter which was greatly enjoyed in 2013! Why not extend your time in Russia by going on our optional 2-day extension to Ulyanovsk in central Russia. Originally known as Simbirsk, it is the birthplace of Lenin), we visit various aviation places including the Aviastar Aircraft Company; arriving back in Moscow we have a fascinating tour of Space City where Russian and foreign cosmonauts train!

2 PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (all times local and approximate) DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, 26 th AUGUST Between 10:00 hrs. and 11:25 hrs. please meet your Ian Allan Tour Manager and fellow enthusiasts, when checking in with Aeroflot in Terminal 4 at London s Heathrow Airport. Latest recommended check-in time is 11:25 hrs.. Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4 Flight: SU 2579 Departs: 13:25 Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Arrives: 19:10 After Passport Control we collect our luggage from Baggage Reclaim and proceed through Customs, and in the Arrivals Hall meet our local guide; we then transfer into the centre of the Russian Capital where we stay 5 nights at the very comfortable 4* Holiday Inn Lesnaya located near central Tverskaya Street, and less than a couple of miles from Red Square. We stay on a Full Board basis, i.e. all meals, including packed lunches. Website: DAY 2: THURSDAY, 27 th AUGUST Departing the hotel at 09:00 hrs. our first visit is to one of the largest and best collections of aircraft in the world: the Russian Federation Air Force Museum better known simply as Monino (pictured right is just a quarter of the exhibits). As well as military aircraft associated with the Cold War of the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, there are also early examples of Russian aeroplanes, warbirds from WWI and WWII, and various classic Soviet airliners. We spend a minimum of 3 hours here. For a list of aircraft and a gallery of photographs please go to the following website: Our next visit is just a few miles down the road: the airfield of Cherneo. Located here is an Antonov and Mil Rework Facility with dozens of parked An-2 and Mi-2 helicopters - an amazing sight. DAY 3: FRIDAY, 28 th AUGUST At 08:00 hrs. we set off for a full day at the 2015 Moscow Airshow MAKS on Zhukovsky airfield. Our VIP tickets ensure we can drive onto the airfield and park our coach not far from the static display, instead of having to park miles away in Bykovo and use the shuttle coach service. DAY 4: SATURDAY, 29 th AUGUST Leaving the hotel at 09:00 hrs. we enjoy a full day visiting 3 fabulous museums: the Museum of the Great Patriotic War (also known as Victory Park) followed by the Central Armed Forces Museum. Exhibits of weapons, uniforms, tanks, artillery, armoured trains, boats and aircraft! Pride of place in the collection goes to the actual victory banner raised over the Berlin Reichstag in 1945, which is kept here alongside the swathes of captured Nazi standards that were trampled on Red Square during victory celebrations. Other displays of note include the remains of US pilot Gary Powers' U-2 spy plane, brought down over the Urals in 1960 (pictured). Website: Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 2 of 10

3 DAY 5: SUNDAY, 30 th AUGUST At 08:00 hrs. we drive to an embarkation point close to Zhukovsky on the River Moscow. Here we board Christina, the boat pictured right, and chug along the river to Zhukovsky airfield. We drop anchor near to the ATC Tower which will be air show centre during the flying programme. The boat is equipped with a lounge, toilets, and a rooftop deck. With aircraft above and around you, and with the sun at your rear, superb action photographs can be taken! DAY 6: MONDAY, 31 st AUGUST This morning is free. and the private (as apposed to State owned) Vadim Zadorozhny Museum with its amazing collection of 68 classic automobiles, 115 motorcycles (many from WWII), and over 80 aircraft. Most of which are on public display. Pictured left is the Russian Hurricane discovered north of the Arctic Circle and painstakingly restored over many years to its current immaculate condition. Also on show is a beautiful Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 Gustav and an example of the famous Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik tankbuster. Website: Why not go sightseeing in Red Square, the Kremlin and the Armoury; don t forget the fabulous GUM department store/shopping arcade. Please note that lunch is not included today. Tours of the fabulous Armoury in the Kremlin are very, very popular and tickets must be purchased in advance; they cost approximately per person, depending on exchange rate. Please annotate your booking form if interested. A memorable option. Website: Our coach departs the hotel at 14:00 hrs. for Sheremetyevo Airport where we check in with Aeroflot for our return flight to London. Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Flight: SU 263 Departs: 17:55 Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4 Arrives: 20:05 Alternatively, you can transfer to Sheremetyevo Airport at a time of your choosing (at your own expense). Those taking the optional extension to Ulyanovsk please see page 5. TOUR PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: From: 1, From: On request Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a Full Board basis: breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal as stated Single room supplement Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 3 of 10

4 TOUR PRICE INCLUDES Flights on the scheduled services of Aeroflot from London s Heathrow Airport, as stated UK and Russian airport taxes, and UK Passenger Service Charge, currently (subject to change) Coach transfers Chartering of the boat Christina 5 nights hotel accommodation in rooms with en-suite facilities Continental breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal 1 day VIP admission to MAKS Admission to all stated museums Services of a local-english speaking guide throughout Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager throughout NOT INCLUDED Lunch on Day 6 Optional visits to the Kremlin and Armoury: cost approximately depending on exchange rate Travel insurance Visas Personal expenditure, e.g. telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. Tips and gratuities Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 4 of 10

5 OPTIONAL EXTENSION Monday, 31 st August Wednesday, 2 nd September.. to Ulyanovsk to Barataevka Airport, Vostochny Airport, UVAUGA College, Aviastar Aircraft Factory, History of Civil Aviation Museum and Space City in Moscow DAY 6: MONDAY, 31 st AUGUST This morning is free. Why not go sightseeing in Red Square, the Kremlin and the Armoury; don t forget the fabulous GUM department store/shopping arcade. Please note that lunch is not included today. Tours of the fabulous Armoury in the Kremlin are very, very popular and tickets must be purchased in advance; they cost approximately per person, depending on exchange rate. Please annotate your booking form if interested. A memorable option. Website: Our coach departs the hotel at 14:00 hrs. for Sheremetyevo Airport where we bid farewell to those members of the group returning to London. We then continue on to Domodedovo Airport and check in with Rusline Airlines for our Bombardier CRJ-200 flight to Ulyanovsk Barataevka Airport. Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Flight: 7R 221 Departs: 18:45 Ulyanovsk Barataevka Airport Arrives: 20:10 On arrival we transfer into the city, a 20-minutes drive, staying overnight at the Aviatsionnnaya Hotel; dinner and breakfast is included. DAY 7: TUESDAY, 1 st SEPTEMBER This morning we visit Barataevka Airport: we have requested an airside tour. Adjacent to the airport is the History of Civil Aviation Museum, with over 35 aircraft on display, including a Tu- 144 Konkordski (pictured left), and a passenger version of the Tu-95 (Bear) bomber. On our last visit we were given special permission to go inside several aircraft; we will ask for similar access including the Konkordski and Bear mentioned. Website: Next is the UVAUGA College, the flight training academy for airline pilots, and their fleet of Yak trainers. This afternoon we cross the mighty River Volga to Vostochny Airport which has the third longest public used runway in the world, with a length of 16,000ft (5,000m) and the widest at 344ft (105m). This airport is mainly a cargo airport, being the base for Polet Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Airlines. Also located on the airfield is Aviastar-SP manufacturer of the huge Antonov An-124 transporter, Tupolev Tu-204 airliner and the Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A, a new military transport aircraft (code name: IL-476). We will be given a tour of the production facility. Returning to the west side of the Volga we take our seats in First Class compartments on the overnight sleeper train service to Moscow which departs at 19:20 hrs.. There is a fully licensed restaurant on the train - or you can have your evening meal delivered to your compartment: please note, the evening meal (but not drinks) and breakfast is included in the tour price. Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 5 of 10

6 Note: each compartment contains 2 berths, but should you wish to have the compartment to yourself, there will be a supplement of this is in addition to the single room supplement. Please annotate your booking form if you wish to have the First Class compartment to yourself. DAY 8: WEDNESDAY, 2 nd SEPTEMBER We arrive in Moscow at 09:30 hrs. and board our waiting coach for a visit to Star City which is located northeast of the city. Known as the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre since the 1960s it is where all Russian and foreign cosmonauts receive their training before flying to Baikonur launch site. Our tour of the training centre will include the full-size working mock up of the Mir space station (pictured left in the huge training pool), a hydro-laboratory capable of accommodating a 20-ton space station module used for simulating spacewalks and weightlessness training and a large centrifuge which simulates the G-forces encountered during initial lift off. Website: After this fascinating visit we transfer to Sheremetyevo Airport and check in with Aeroflot for our return flight to London. Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Flight: SU 263 Departs: 17:55 Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4 Arrives: 20:05 OPTIONAL EXTENSION PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: (extension) From: From: Not Applicable Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a Full Board basis (breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal) in Moscow & Ulyanovsk; and evening meal & breakfast on the train Single room supplement Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING OPTIONAL EXTENSION PRICE INCLUDES Flight on the scheduled services of Ural Airlines from Moscow to Ulyanovsk Sharing a 2-berth First Class compartment on the Ulyanovsk-Moscow sleeper train Coach transfers 1 nights hotel accommodation in rooms with en-suite facilities Evening meal, breakfast and packed lunch on Days 6 and 7 Evening meal and breakfast on Days 7 and 8 Admission to the History of Civil Aviation Museum All airport visits as stated Visit to Aviastar Tour of Space City Services of a local-english speaking guide throughout Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager throughout NOT INCLUDED Supplement for sole occupation of a 2-berth First Class compartment Option visits to the Kremlin and Armoury Personal expenditure, e.g. telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. Tips and gratuities Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 6 of 10

7 GENERAL INFORMATION Payment for A deposit of per person should accompany your Booking Form, with the balance due 10 weeks prior to the tour s departure. Please see your Booking Confirmation/Invoice for the exact date. Please note that a reminder of the payment date will not be sent. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Consular Advice The FCO's consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day consular staff around the world are advising and helping British nationals. For up-to-date passport, visa and security information, we suggest you visit In addition, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) provides both a web site and an Information Line, telephone: This line is open between the hours 10:00 16:00, Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays). Coach Travel only use coaches chartered from reputable companies, with a driver. Where we have had to cancel a tour, due to the small number of bookings, we have looked at the possibility of renting a seater minibus, with our tour manager driving. However, without exception, the hiring of such a vehicle is illegal if any of the occupants make any payment towards the rental price, fuel and/or other expenses - known as for hire or reward. Any such rental, made without these facts being known to the rental company at the time of booking, also invalidates all insurance covering the vehicle, contents and persons. The DVLA has also confirmed that any for hire or reward rental could breach the normal driving classification of a standard UK driver s license. Therefore, we do not undertake any tours using 9-18 seater minibuses from a rental company; either with our tour manager, or a member of the group, driving. Passports and Visas Citizens of the UK are required to be in possession of a Full UK Passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Russia. Your passport must have 2 clean, facing pages for a Russian visa. Everyone requires a visa to enter Russia. The Russian authorities in London are currently discussing with various U.K. travel companies including our recommended visa provider, ASLA - on how to improve the existing procedures when applying for a visa; details should be announced before the end of February. We are, therefore, not including the current details as we are expecting them to change. We will update our itinerary and website, and forward details to you as soon as they have been released. Baggage Regulations Aeroflot Departing from London s Heathrow Airport Checked Baggage: Aeroflot will transport 1 piece of checked baggage per person free of charge, the total dimensions of which must not exceed 62 inches/158cms. Maximum weight is 23kg (50lb). Cabin Baggage: for travel out of London s Heathrow Airport you may take 1 carry-on bag (and 1 personal item). Your main piece of hand baggage can be up to the dimensions of 45in/115cm (length + width + height). Length shall not exceed 21.5in/55cm, width shall not exceed 15.54in/40cm and height shall not exceed 8in/20cm, including wheels and handles. Maximum weight permissible is 22lb (10kgs). Restrictions remain in place for the carriage of liquids, gels, and creams in hand baggage for all passengers departing from and transferring through all EU airports. Some other airports around the world operate their own restrictions. Customers are advised to check before they travel. Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 7 of 10

8 Limited quantities of liquids (individual containers must not exceed 100ml or 3.5 fl oz), are allowed as hand baggage but must be carried separately through security in a clear plastic, zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), or quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. The bag can only contain liquids such as shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency. Cigarette lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage or through the security search. These may be purchased airside. Hand baggage can also include electronic equipment such as mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray. All equipment which contain batteries must be fully charged, e.g., mobile phone and cameras. Any that are not fully charged will be taken by airport security staff and returned to you when you next pass through the airport. Should you be detained for questioning and miss your flight, Ian Allan Travel cannot be held responsible. Prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit can also be included. At security all remaining items should be placed in the tray provided for screening, e.g. car keys and fobs, cash, solid food, books, newspapers, cigarettes and tobacco, belts and shoes. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. All wheelchairs will be subject to search. Please note: you may be subject to a hand search by the security team and required to remove footwear to be x-ray screened. Baggage Weight Restrictions UK Airports Since 1 st June 2004, any single piece of checked baggage weighing more than 70lbs (32kgs) has not been accepted at check-in by any airline operating from London s and many U.K. regional airports. Meals On this tour breakfast, a packed lunch and evening meals are included, as stated. Health Requirements There are no known mandatory or recommended precautions for visiting Russia; however, we recommend you consult your local doctor or health centre for the latest information. Climate The month of August should be warm and sunny with temperatures ranging from the low to high 20 C. Local Currency The currency is the Russian Ruble. For several years it has been illegal to charge for goods or services in any currency other than Rubles, and no longer will taxi drivers or café/bar staff take other currencies like US Dollars, Euros or Sterling. Recent legislation has dramatically cut the number of places you can exchange money, although there are still many more bureaux de change in Moscow than in most European cities, some open 24-hours. It is easier to change US Dollars and Euros; other currencies are normally only changeable at larger banks or central exchange offices. Commission is normally negligible. Buying rubles abroad is usually extremely difficult, and exchange rates, at least for Dollars and Euros, are much more competitive in Moscow. If you want to carry cash, then bring it in one of those currencies. An easy way to access funds is through ATM machines once you get to Moscow; these have sprung up all over the city in the last few years, and can be found in most hotels, in metro stations and outside banks. The flat-rate charges are small, and exchange rates are normally reasonable (although there's little way of checking beforehand). Credit and bank cards are now widely accepted in large shops, most restaurants (including fast-food outlets), and larger bars and nightclubs. It is always worth checking before you order, however, as some businesses don't consider it a major problem if their card terminals are out-of-order for a few days. Visa Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 8 of 10

9 and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere, while American Express and Diner's Club can rarely be used. You should also be aware that, due to high instances of card fraud emanating from Russia, some Western banks need to be notified of your travel plans, otherwise they may block your card automatically after the first time you use it in Russia, whether to make a payment or withdraw cash. Traveller's cheques are the safest option, and can now be exchanged in any branch of Sberbank, Russia's national savings bank, and several other large banks. However, our itinerary does not include any time for visiting banks which would reduce the time spent on the aviation visits. Travel Insurance For citizens of the United Kingdom, are able to offer competitive and comprehensive insurance cover. However, if you do not wish to take out our insurance, you must ensure that comparable or greater cover is taken. The number of your Insurance Policy should be written, if known, on your Booking Form at the time of making the reservation, but no later than the date when final payment is due. A copy of the policy must be forwarded to. Individual insurance policies are arranged through CoverMore Insurance Services Limited; the premiums for which will vary according to your circumstances. Full details are available on request. These policies also include cover for non-scheduled flights, i.e. pleasure flights, where the aircraft is licensed and insured to undertake such flights, and where a payment is made. You will be required to provide proof of travel insurance with your visa application. Wheelchair Assistance at Airports. Anyone requiring wheelchair assistance at airports must have this service requested and confirmed in advance. Airlines and/or airports can no longer provide this service without prior confirmation, therefore, please annotate your booking form accordingly. Flexible Itinerary We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure. Land Only Price For enthusiasts who would prefer to join the tour in Moscow (instead of flying from London s Heathrow Airport with the main group), we will be very pleased to provide a Land Only price: NO FLIGHTS will be included. You are strongly advised to contact us before making your own flight arrangements in the event that there has been a change to the published itinerary. Please note that the Land only price is based on you meeting up with the group at the hotel in Moscow and does not include any airport transfers. However, should your arrival/departure at Moscow s Sheremetyevo Airport coincide with that of the group, a seat will be offered if available at a supplement of each way. The airport transfer on Day 8 (last day of the optional extension to Ulyanovsk and Moscow) is included. Payment for all transfers will be taken with your final payment. For those who request coach transfers after final payment has been taken, payment will be collected by our Tour Manager on arrival in Moscow, either in Sterling ( 20.00) or Euros ( 25.00) each way, in cash only. Flight Timings & Connecting Travel Arrangements to Departure Airport All flight departure and arrival times are correct at the time of preparing each itinerary; however, airlines may change these times with little or no prior warning. In practice such changes are only a few minutes either way and the final itinerary will show the actual times. Clients making their own arrangements to get to the departure airport by air, rail, coach etc., should bare the above in mind if purchasing nonrefundable or non-changeable tickets. cannot be held responsible for any changes to flight times and any privately arranged travel tickets to the airport becoming invalid. Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 9 of 10

10 Pre-departure For connecting flights from UK regional airports - please call on for the latest special offers available. Airport Hotel and/or Car Parking: we can offer special rates for the above at most UK airports, please ask for details. Purple Meet & Greet Car Parking: from your home or overnight hotel, simply drive directly to Terminal 4, to the Drop Off/Pick Lanes (use the far right lane) located on the top level Departures. Here you will be met by a Purple Meet & Greet representative and your car will be taken to an off-airport, secure, car park while you walk the few yards into the terminal! On your return your car will be waiting for you at the Purple Reception. Simple and very convenient. Recommended by our Tour Managers please call for details: it may be cheaper than you think. Pleasure Flights Disclaimer Should you decide to undertake any pleasure/sightseeing flights which have not been offered or sanctioned by us, will not be held liable for any injuries or death resulting thereon. Tours Affected by World Events or Unforeseen/Unplanned Circumstances In an ever-changing world, events may occur immediately before or during a tour that result in cancellations or changes to the tour itinerary. For example, an increase in security may result in an approved visit being cancelled by the host, etc.. cannot be held responsible for any tour being cancelled, or itineraries affected, due to world events or circumstances beyond our control. * * * Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 10 of 10