Summary
Short description
Discover the frozen landscapes of the Arctic aboard the Golden Eagle luxury train on this quest for the Northern Lights
Highlights
- Experience exceptional service and first-class dining aboard one of the world’s most iconic trains – the Golden Eagle
- Travel through the wilds of western Russia
- Explore the breathtaking palaces, cathedrals, museums and galleries of Moscow and St Petersburg
- Stay in the remote town of Kirkenes - home to the iconic SnowHotel
- Enjoy expert-led touring throughout
In Brief
- 2 Nights St Petersburg
- 2 Nights Golden Eagle
- 2 Nights Kirkenes
- 4 Nights Golden Eagle
- 1 Night Moscow
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | Escorted tour | History & culture | Natural world | Northern Lights | Rail journey | Winter
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
St Petersburg
Fly to St Petersburg and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. In the evening, attend a champagne drinks reception. Spend the following day enjoying a city tour of St Petersburg, a city crowded with splendid palaces, impressive historical monuments, wide boulevards, and beautiful bridges. Visit Catherine's Palace in Pushkin, and the Hermitage, the former Winter Palace of the Tsars that now houses the royal art collection, consisting of more than three million works. 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 (subject to availability and booked six weeks prior to departure - additional cost).
Stay: Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Crossing the Arctic Circle
Start your day with a morning tour of St Petersburg, featuring some key sites including St Isaac's Cathedral and Nevsky Prospect. In the afternoon, transfer to the station to board Russia's premier train, the Golden Eagle and settle into the modern, stylish cabins to embark on your trip to the Arctic Circle. Celebrate your first evening on board at a signature Gala Caviar Dinner. Enjoy complimentary champagne and international wines with dinner, whilst watching live music for entertainment.
Stay: Golden Eagle (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Crossing the Arctic Circle
Have a relaxed start to the day, and reflect upon the journey ahead. Today you may listen to a talk by Astronomer Dr Robin Catchpole who will host a lecture on the Northern Lights prior to his guided search in Kirkenes. Or, simply watch the ever-changing winter landscape outside the window rush by. Enjoy afternoon tea with freshly baked Russian cakes whilst listening to a talk by an astronomer talking about the Aurora Borealis in the bar car. Today, the train will cross the Arctic Circle, continuing the quest to see the Northern Lights.
Stay: Golden Eagle (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Days
5-6
Kirkenes and the Northern Lights
In the morning, leave the train with an overnight bag at the Russian border station of Nikel before transferring across the Norwegian border to Kirkenes for a two-night stay at the Thon Hotel. Spend the next two days exploring this remote Norwegian outpost, including a visit to the magical SnowHotel, where you'll be welcomed with a drink in the snow bar and a tour of the hotel's ice-carved suites, adorned with frozen sculptures and snow paintings by local and international artists. After a traditional meal including a reindeer hotdog in the hotel's restaurant, take an evening bus tour in search of the Northern Lights. You'll then spend the following day on a king crab safari, fishing through the ice for these monsters of the deep. Speak to our specialists about upgrading one of your nights to a stay at SnowHotel.
Stay: Thon Hotel Kirkenes (Standard)
Meals: B L D
Days
7-8
Golden Eagle to Murmansk
Cross the border back into Russia, and rejoin the train, which is waiting in Nikel. Spend the afternoon on board travelling through Arctic Russia. Watch the winter landscape speed by, chat to fellow passengers, or listen to a lecture by the guest astronomer. Enjoy afternoon tea with freshly baked Russian cookies in the stylish bar car. You'll then arrive the next morning in Murmansk, a city halfway between Moscow and the North Pole, and 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The main city of the Kola Peninsula, it started out 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 Gulf Stream, the port is ice-free year-round. It is also the homeport of Russia's nuclear-powered icebreakers, and you'll visit the Nuclear Icebreaker Museum Ship.
Stay: Golden Eagle (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Petrozavodsk
Petrozavodsk stretches along the western shore of Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe. It is one of the major cultural and industrial centres of the North-West of Russia, and is the capital of the Republic of Karelia. Take a city tour and a hovercraft transfer - weather permitting - to visit Kizhi Island on Lake Onega to explore its open-air museum of wooden architecture. Marvel at wooden churches built without the use of nails that have survived both Russian winters and revolution.
Stay: Golden Eagle (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
10
Vladimir & Suzdal
The historic, UNESCO-listed city of Vladimir was founded in 990, and is one of Russia's oldest communities. Due to its wealth of architecture, it has been decreed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will embark on a tour of the city, which will take 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, travel to Suzdal, one of Russia's most perfectly preserved walled cities dating back to 1024, located 35 km from Vladimir. Here, visit the atmospheric St. Euthymius Monestary to witness an enchanting choral performance by the resident monks. Complete your trip with a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the beautiful location.
Stay: Golden Eagle (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
11
Moscow
Arrive in Moscow where you'll disembark the Golden Eagle for the last time, transferring to the five-star Marriot Royal Aurora Hotel (or similar) for a one-night stay. This afternoon you'll enjoy a tour of the Russian capital, visiting St Basil's Cathedral, the famous GUM Department Store, which was constructed in Tsarist times, and evocative site of Lenin's tomb. You day finishes at the Kremlin, the spiritual, historical and political heart of Moscow, where you'll see the treasures of the Tsars in the armoury chamber.
Stay: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Moscow
Meals: B L D
Day
12
Departure
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your onward flight to the UK. If you like, you can extend your stay in Moscow to explore more of the city, at your own leisure.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
12-day luxury rail journey from £9,995 pp incl. flights
Silver Class
2020: 29 DEC - 9 JAN Tour operates Moscow to St Petersburg
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights from UK to St Petersburg and back from Moscow
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Freedom of Choice guided touring
- 2 nights accommodation in St Petersburg
- 6 nights on board Golden Eagle including all meals and a Gala Caviar Dinner on board, in-cabin breakfast, on board talks, resident pianist in the Lounge car, on board Russian lessons and live musical performances
- 2 nights accommodation in Kirkenes
- Optional activities in Kirkenes - you may like to book some additional optional activities such as Snowmobile Safari (2hrs), Snow Shoe Walking Tour (2hrs), take a magical excursion by husky dog sledge (2hrs), or go in search of the Northern Lights by husky dog sledge (4hrs)
- Upgrade to the Snow Hotel, staying ina constant minus five degrees centigrade and thermal sleeping bags are provided
- Complimentary bottle of vodka in your cabin
- Fully guide off-train excursions programme
- Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants
- Private viewing of Kremlin Armoury
- 1 night accommodation in Moscow
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Commemorative DVD with photos of your tour and tour information
- Embroidered Golden Eagle backpack with detailed route map and tour brochure
Silver Class Cabin details
Sleeps 2 in lower small double bed or bunk style
Air conditioning and heating
Personal safe
Private en-suite bathroom with wet room style shower and toilet
Bathrobe, slippers and luxury toiletries provided
DVD/CD player with LCD screen
Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times
- Please note: Visas are not included. Please speak to our team for a quote. It is possible to upgrade one of the nights in Kirkenes for a night at Snow Hotel.
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0618
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