RUSSIA AND THE ARCTIC BY LUXURY TRAIN Friday 27 December 2019 - Sunday 12 January 2020 16 nights JOURNEYS TOUR OVERVIEW More than a tour; this trip is an experience of a lifetime. Renowned for its theatrical landscapes and dramatic climate, the Arctic Circle is one of the world s most mystical places to explore. Not only that, but its enviable geographical position means it is a prime location for seeing the spectacular Northern Lights at their best. This compelling itinerary offers a unique contrast between two of Russia s most majestic cities and the remote yet charming communities deep within the Russian and Norwegian Arctic Circle. Commencing in St. Petersburg, we visit some of the city s most prominent historical and cultural sites before embarking on this remarkable Arctic adventure on board a luxury train, the Golden Eagle. Our quest to see the Aurora Borealis begins in the small mining town of Kirkenes in Norway, one of the greatest vantage points for seeing this incredible natural phenomenon. This two-night highlight combines our guided Aurora search with a daytime programme, which includes a visit to the extraordinary Snow Hotel and a three hour crab fishing adventure. As our journey continues, we experience the culture and lifestyle of those living in the harsh climate of the Russian Arctic Circle and visit some of Russia s oldest cities as we travel onwards to our final destination: Moscow. There will be two special celebrations during this trip. We will enjoy a gala dinner to celebrate New Year s Eve and an Orthodox Russian Christmas Eve dinner on 6 January. The weather will be cold and dark but wonderfully atmospheric and a magical sight when buildings and streets are covered in fresh snow. Complimentary Russian hats, traditional felt boots, an embroidered scarf and woolly mittens will be given to us on arrival, and can be taken home at the end. This unbelievable adventure is full of special touches that are sure to create lasting memories. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Visit St Petersburg, Russia s imperial capital, where the sheer grandeur and history never fails to amaze. A guided tour takes us to the Hermitage Museum, among the largest and most respected art museums in the world and epitomising Russia s love of art and culture. In Moscow, stroll across Red Square, the place where so much history has unfolded. Visit the Kremlin, the apex of Russian political power and St Basil s Cathedral where legend has it that Ivan the Terrible had the architects blinded so they could never build anything comparable! Cross the Arctic Circle to visit Kirkenes, an ideal destination for hunting the Northern Lights and Murmansk, the biggest Arctic city where the Northern Lights over the snow-covered landscape are an eerie sight. Travel by snowmobile to fish for Arctic King Crab through a hole in the ice. Top: Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Bottom: St Basil s Cathedral, Moscow. Revel in the fascinating contrasts of a New Zealand Christmas followed by an Orthodox Russian Christmas.
TOUR MANAGER Your Tour Manager is John Matheson, a Director of Calder & Lawson Tours. He has travelled extensively and is delighted to be returning to Russia, with its rich and colourful history. He has always loved the magic associated with train journeys, especially on the luxurious Golden Eagle which he travelled the Trans-Siberian route on a few years go. The Arctic in winter is a once in a life time experience and the quest for the Northern Lights is a very exciting prospect. John will ensure that your tour goes according to plan and will sort out any unforeseen difficulties that can happen when travelling in Russia! TOUR INCLUSIONS The services of an experienced New Zealand based Calder & Lawson tour manger Economy class airfares 9 nights hotel accommodation and 5 nights onboard the Golden Eagle train. Meals as specified in the itinerary, including some alcoholic beverages with lunch and dinner Specific Golden Eagle tour inclusions are listed on the next page All group transfers Admissions as detailed in the itinerary All tips for local guides and service staff Pre-tour material TOUR EXCLUSIONS Airline taxes Personal expenses Travel insurance Beverages during included meals, unless specified Hotel porterage Please note that unlike most of our tours, if you wish to pay by credit card, a surcharge fee of 2.5% will be charged. TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland Share twin per person NZD$21,299 Single Supplement NZD$ 7,500 Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single occupancy place as they are limited. GROUP SIZE Minimum/maximum 10 VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us. IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? On this tour there will be some walking on snowy and icy ground and standing for periods of time on guided tours, so you will need to be reasonably fit but the tour isn't physically very demanding. However people will need to be prepared for sub-zero temperatures with suitable clothing and warm footwear with suitable tread for the underfoot conditions.
GOLDEN EAGLE INCLUSIONS Winter Accessories As with all Golden Eagle winter journeys, we provide complimentary Russian hats, traditional felt boots, a Golden Eagle embroidered scarf and woolly mittens on arrival, to help keep out the cold. You are welcome to take these home as souvenirs too. Experienced Tour Leaders Our experienced tour managers and their assistants are selected for their travel knowledge and their linguistic and organisational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your rail journey. Arrival and Departure Transfers Arrival and departure transfers are included. Hotel and On Board Accommodation Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. All hotels are of 5 star standard or, in certain locations, the best available. Welcome and Farewell Dinners Each tour begins with a Welcome Dinner, an ideal opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers; for the Tour Leader to brief you on the trip; and introduce you to the Golden Eagle Luxury Trains team and the Tour Doctor. The Farewell Dinner is the perfect end to your adventure by private train where you can relive the journey. Route Guide, Itinerary and Information Pack When you board the train there will be a brochure in your cabin detailing more about your journey and the places en-route. The tour leader will organise a programme of briefings on the cities or places we visit and, each evening, will issue a programme for the next day s touring schedule. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train. Drinks with Meals A generous drinks allowance is included with lunch and dinner. On Board Service You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unobtrusive. Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottle drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day. Guided Off-Train Excursions The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will come alive through our expert local guides. There is a wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations. Freedom of Choice Touring Customise your journey and enjoy the opportunity to select from an array of Freedom of Choice Touring options that best suits your interests. Your off-train excursions will still take in all the major attractions of the places we are visiting but, in featured locations, you will be presented when you are onboard the train with a variety of activities from which to choose, and enjoy a tailor-made experience. Freedom of Choice Touring options may be subject to variations dependent on finalised train timings and local charges. Touring options available will typically be advised in the evening prior to the day s tour. Personal Headsets On all the off train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and comprehension of the places you visit, you will be provided with a lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour guide as you take in the sights. So you do not need to worry about missing any of the interesting details on your excursions. On Board Doctor and Medical Facilities To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. Normally, the doctor will be English speaking and be registered with the General Medical Council in the UK. 24 Hour Service Attendant Your car attendants provide 24 hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day. All Gratuities All gratuities are included in the tour price.
DAILY ITINERARY Friday 27 December 2019 Auckland - Dubai Meals: In flight Saturday 28 December Meals: In flight Overnight: St Petersburg Sunday 29 December St Petersburg Overnight: St Petersburg Monday 30 December St Petersburg Overnight: St Petersburg Tuesday 31 December St Petersburg Wednesday 1 January 2020 Inside the Arctic Circle, Russia Thursday 2 January Kirkenes, Norway Overnight: Kirkenes Friday 3 January Kirkenes, Norway Overnight: Kirkenes Depart Auckland mid afternoon for your flight to Dubai via Denpasar (Indonesia). Arrive Dubai in the early morning and transfer to your hotel within the airport, for immediate check-in. Later this afternoon board your flight to St Petersburg where you will arrive late this evening. Transfer to your hotel right in the middle of St Petersburg for the next three nights in a five star hotel. Half day morning sightseeing tour to the Peter & Paul Fortress. The afternoon will be free to explore St Petersburg before you are invited to a champagne drinks reception with the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers before our exclusive welcome dinner. Specially selected international wines are included with dinner, as are all meals during the tour. St Petersburg is a stunning city, crowded with splendid palaces, impressive historical monuments, wide boulevards and beautiful bridges. It is also renowned as the Ballet Capital of the World. This morning we have a guided tour of Catherine s Palace in Pushkin. After lunch in a local restaurant overlooking St Isaac s Cathedral, we continue our exploration of St Petersburg with a city tour featuring the key sights including Kazan Cathedral, St Isaac s Cathedral and Nevsky Prospect. Make your evening in St Petersburg extra special by purchasing a ticket for a ballet or opera performance at one of the world-renowned St Petersburg theatres. We will let you know the schedule and availability closer to the time. A tour of St Petersburg would not be complete without a visit to the world-famous Hermitage Museum, located in the Winter Palace. on the bank of the Neva River. Dating back to 1764, the green and white three storey palace is a marvel of Baroque architecture and is the home to the largest collection of paintings in the world. After lunch there is the option to make a short visit to the Faberge Museum. Late afternoon we transfer to the station to board Russia s premier train, the Golden Eagle, and settle into our modern, stylish cabins to embark upon our rail adventure to the Arctic Circle. We are welcomed on board with a signature Gala Caviar Dinner in the beautifully designed restaurant car and enjoy after dinner drinks and musical entertainment. We have a relaxed start to the day as our train crosses the Arctic Circle on our quest to see the Northern Lights. We can reflect on the many sights we are about to experience on our rail journey, maybe listen to a talk or simply relax and enjoy the ever-changing winter landscape outside our window. Our guest astronomer will host an afternoon tea with freshly baked Russian cakes and talk about the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in our stylish Bar Lounge Car. We leave our train with an overnight bag at the Russian border station of Nikel Murmansk and transfer by bus for 90 minutes across the Russian/ Norwegian border to Kirkenes for a two-night stay at the Thon Hotel. We will visit the magical Snow Hotel just 15 km outside Kirkenes. We will have a welcome drink in the snow bar and a tour of the Snow Hotel with its ice sculptures and snow paintings by local and international artists. After a traditional meal in the Snow Hotel s warm lodge restaurant we will take an evening bus tour in search of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). If the sky is clear our guest astronomer will be on hand to advise us during star-gazing and will bring the night sky to life. Today a unique winter experience awaits on our King Crab fishing adventure. The excursion begins with a snowmobile drawn sleigh across the frozen fjords. Warm clothing and a helmet is provided. Through a hole in the ice your guide will show you a catch of the magnificent Arctic King Crab (which can span two metres and weigh up to 15kg). We then continue by sleigh to the nearby Fisherman s Lodge, where your fresh King Crab meal
awaits by a roaring log fire. Also included during your stay in Kirkenes is a one-hour husky dog sledge ride and a visit to see the resident reindeers. Optional Activities in Kirkenes: You may like to book some additional optional activities such as a Snow Shoe Walking Tour (2 hours), a search for the Northern Lights by snowmobile (3 hours) or a magical excursion by husky dog sledge (2 hours). Each sledge is pulled by a team of eight dogs and can seat two people and a driver called a dog musher. There is also an option to spend a night in the Kirkenes Snow Hotel. These activities have limited places and should be requested at the time of booking the tour. Saturday 4 January Inside the Arctic Circle, Russia Sunday 5 January Murmansk, Inside the Arctic Circle, Russia Monday 6 January Petrozavodsk, Russia Tuesday 7 January Vladimir and Suzdal, Russia Overnight: Moscow Wednesday 8 January Moscow, Russia Meals: Overnight: Moscow We cross the border back into Russia and re-join our train, which is waiting for us in Nikel Murmansk. We will spend the afternoon on board travelling through Arctic Russia with an early evening arrival into Murmansk. Relax and enjoy the ever-changing winter landscape outside your window, chat to fellow passengers or listen to a lecture by our guest astronomer. Afternoon tea with freshly baked Russian cookies will be served in our stylish Bar Lounge Car. Murmansk is a city halfway between Moscow and the North Pole and 193 kilometres 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 all year round. As Murmansk is homeport of Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker, we make a scheduled visit to the Nuclear Icebreaker Museum Ship. Petrozavodsk is the capital of the Karelia Republic and remains a major cultural and industrial centre of Russia s North-West. It stretches along the western shore of Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe. Today we visit the Art Museum and Kantele House, where we enjoy a local Karelian folk performance. Tonight, enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner. Today we travel by public train north-west from Moscow to two of the ancient cities that form the Golden Ring. The historic city of Vladimir 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 to 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. No Russian winter experience would be complete either without the horse-drawn sleigh ride through this stunning location. Tonight, we return to Moscow and have our Farewell Dinner on the train before transferring to our hotel for a three night stay. Our touring programme of Russia s capital takes us to the grandeur of the Kremlin the spiritual, historical and political heart of Moscow and to see the treasures of the Tsars in the Armoury Chamber where we will enjoy an exclusive private viewing. Our exploration of the city continues with a visit to Red Square, the iconic symbol of Russia s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture. Here we visit the ornate St Basil s Cathedral s magnificent onion-domed spires and marvel at the beautiful façade of the world-famous GUM department store which was constructed in Tsarist times. Lunch is served in Café Pushkin, a legendary Moscow restaurant with a décor that revives the atmosphere of an early 19th century mansion and serves traditional Russian cuisine. An essential part of any visit to Moscow is 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. If you have been to Moscow before we offer included Freedom of Choice touring where we show you other sights of Moscow such as the famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art) or the Space Museum.
Thursday 9 January Moscow, Russia Meals: B Overnight: Moscow Friday 10 January Moscow, Russia - Dubai Meals: B/in flight Overnight: Dubai Saturday 11 January Dubai - Auckland Meals: In flight Sunday 12 January Auckland Today is a free day to explore Moscow. Your Calder & Lawson tour manager will have suggestions of things you may want to do today. Breakfast in the hotel brings the tour to a close and you will transfer to Moscow Airport for a mid afternoon departure. Arrive in Dubai in the late evening where you will stay the night at the hotel within the airport terminal. Depart Dubai in the morning for your overnight flight to Auckland. Arrive Auckland in the late morning. HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR A deposit of $2,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum/maximum numbers are reached, the tour will become a confirmed departure. Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $2,000 deposit and your spot in this tour is secured. Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you. PAYMENT TERMS After you have paid your deposit and the tour has become a confirmed departure, a further payment of $6,000 will be required by 15 March 2019. The balance will be due by 15 October 2019. Please note that unlike most of our tours, if you wish to pay by credit card, a surcharge fee of 2.5% will be charged. TERMS & CONDITIONS Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. VARIATIONS This itinerary is Version 1 dated 30/08/2018 and is subject to change. Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.