golden eagle luxury trains

VOYAG ES O F A L I FET I ME BY P R I VAT E T R AI N TM

arctic explorer
a quest to see the northern lights
 a quest to see the northern lights
arctic explorer
st petersburg - kirkenes (norway) - murmansk
petrozavodsk - vladimir - suzdal - moscow

Renowned for its theatrical landscapes and dramatic climate, the Arctic Circle is one of the world’s
most mystifying 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 12 day 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 onboard 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 searching with a fantastic daytime activity programme, including a visit to
the extraordinary Snow Hotel and a 3-hour Crab Fishing adventure.

As our adventure continues, we experience the culture and lifestyle of those living in the harsh climates
of the Russian Arctic Circle, and visit some of Russia’s oldest cities as we travel onwards to our final
destination, Moscow.

upgrade to the snow hotel

For a really memorable experience why not upgrade to a night in the
Kirkenes Snow Hotel in the Arctic Circle?
Book early to avoid disappointment!

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To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent
 a quest to see the northern lights
arctic explorer

Kirkenes (Norway) Barents Sea

Nikel

Murmansk
NORWAY
SWEDEN

Arct
ic Ci
rcle

FINLAND

st petersburg
RUSSIA
Petrozavodsk
ESTONIA

LATVIA

POLAND

BELARUS
moscow Vladimir & Suzdal

tour schedules daily tour itineraries

December 29, 2015 - January 9, 2016 TOUR ITINERARY WESTBOUND
February 11, 2016 - February 22, 2016 Day 1 Arrive St Petersburg Day 7 Onboard
December 29, 2016 – January 9, 2017 Day 2 St Petersburg Day 8 Murmansk
Day 3 St Petersburg Day 9 Petrozavodsk
accommodation
Day 4 Onboard Day 10 Vladimir & Suzdal
2 nights in St Petersburg | 6 nights onboard the Golden Eagle | Day 5 Kirkenes (Norway) Day 11 Moscow
2 nights in Kirkenes (Norway) | 1 night in Moscow Day 6 Kirkenes (Norway) Day 12 Depart Moscow

st petersburg - kirkenes (norway) - murmansk

petrozavodsk - vladimir - suzdal - moscow

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 what’s included

finest rail off-train excursions golden eagle

accommodation programme difference
Private en-suite accommodation Full guided off-train excursions programme Experienced Tour Manager
24-hour cabin attendant service Complimentary Siberian felt boots, hat Onboard Doctor - English speaking
Evening turndown service and scarf Luggage porterage - from the time you are
Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled Personal Headsets to hear the met at the airport until your departure
water in-cabin 24 hrs a day professional guide’s commentary No tipping policy
Robes, slippers and L’Occitane Bottled water during excursions Arrival and departure transfers
toiletries in-cabin Authentic dining experiences in local Onboard Astronomer
Complimentary bottle of vodka in restaurants with a generous drinks High quality Golden Eagle
your cabin allowance, including international wines embroidered backpack
Detailed Golden Eagle route map

onboard inclusions
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - starting with dinner on first In-suite dining option for Imperial Suite guests
day and finishing with breakfast on last day Inclusive drinks packages for Gold Class and Imperial Suite guests
Generous drinks allowance, including international wine, with Tea, coffee, bottled water, soft drinks and local beer in the
lunch and dinner Bar Lounge Car
Gala Caviar Dinner onboard the train Stimulating onboard talks
In-cabin breakfast option to start the day Resident pianist in Bar Lounge Car
Afternoon tea and cakes onboard the train Live musical performances

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent
 tour highlights

St Petersburg Reindeer, Kirkenes Gabba Restaurant, Snow Hotel, Kirkenes

st petersburg onboard
RUSSIA INSIDE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, RUSSIA

St Petersburg is a stunning city, crowded with splendid palaces, We have the opportunity to have a relaxed start to the day as our train
impressive historical monuments, wide boulevards, beautiful bridges crosses the Arctic Circle on our quest to see the Northern Lights. We
and is renowned as the Ballet Capital of the World. We have a guided can reflect on the many sights we are about to experience on our
tour of Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin and the Hermitage Museum, the rail journey, maybe listen to a talk or simply relax and enjoy the ever-
former Winter Palace of the Tsars which houses the royal art collection changing winter landscape outside our window.
of over three million works. It is one of the world’s largest and most
impressive art museums. There is also a city tour featuring the key Our guest astronomer will host an afternoon tea with freshly baked
sights including St Isaac’s Cathedral and Nevsky Prospect. Make your Russian cakes and talk about the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in
evening in St Petersburg extra special by purchasing a ticket for a ballet our stylish bar car. On our February tour today is Valentine’s Day, share
or opera performance at one of the world-renowned St Petersburg a special dinner with us onboard to celebrate!
theatres (subject to schedule and availability and pre-booked at least
six weeks prior to departure).

On your first evening 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 with all meals during the tour. Included in our time spent in St
Petersburg is two nights in the luxurious Grand Hotel Europe, or similar.
At the start of your adventure why not extend your stay in St Petersburg
with pre-tour nights to explore more of the city at your leisure?

After our tour of St Petersburg 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. On our December tour tonight is New Year’s Eve,
celebrate in style with us onboard the Golden Eagle!

Traditional afternoon tea

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 Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | ARCTIC EXPLORER

Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg

december tour highlights

Day 1 & 2 (St Petersburg)
Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Christmas markets and ice
skating on the outdoor rink in the central square.
Day 3 (onboard) *NEW YEAR’S EVE*
Attend an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party onboard.
Day 9 (Petrozavodsk) *RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS EVE*
Enjoy a traditional Christmas meal and celebrate Russian-style.
Day 11 & 12 (Moscow)
The city is beautifully decorated for Rozhdestvo
(Russian Christmas) celebrated in Russia on January 7.

february tour highlights

Day 4 (onboard) Valentine’s Day
Attend a special Valentine’s Dinner onboard.

Day 9 (Petrozavodsk)
Visit Kizhi Island on Lake Onega (weather permitting) and explore
its beautiful open-air museum of wooden architecture.

Northern Lights in Kirkenes

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent
 kirkenes
in search of the northern lights
ARCTIC, NORWAY

We leave our train with an overnight bag at the Russian The next morning a unique winter experience awaits on our King
border station of Nikel and we transfer by bus (90 minutes Crab Fishing adventure. The excursion begins with a snowmobile-
drive) across the Russian/Norwegian border to Kirkenes for drawn sleigh across the frozen fjords. Warm clothing and a
a two night stay at the Thon Hotel (or similar). We will visit helmet is provided. Through a hole in the ice you will be shown
the magical Snow Hotel just 15 km outside Kirkenes. We’ll by your master guide how to catch the magnificent Arctic King
have a welcome drink in the snow bar and a tour of the Snow Crab (which can span two metres and weigh upto 15kgs). We
Hotel with its ice sculptures and snow painting by local and then continue by sleigh to the nearby Fisherman’s Lodge. It is
international artists. After a traditional meal including a here by a cosy log fire that your King Crab meal awaits. The crabs
reindeer hot dog in the snow hotel’s warm lodge restaurant you catch will be prepared and cooked for you here.
we’ll take an evening bus tour in search of the Aurora Borealis
(Northern Lights). If the sky is clear our guest astronomer will Later we return to the Snow Hotel to see the resident reindeers
be on hand to advise us during star-gazing and will bring the and visit the biggest husky dog farm in eastern Finnmark or
night sky to life with his extensive knowledge. return to Kirkenes Village for a walking tour.

Kirkenes Snow Hotel

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 Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | ARCTIC EXPLORER

upgrade to
the snow hotel
For a really memorable experience why not choose
the ‘coolest’ hotel check-in around and stay
overnight at the Snow Hotel?

Upgrades to the snow hotel are limited so book early to

avoid disappointment. The snow hotel stays at a constant
minus five degrees centigrade and thermal sleeping bags
are provided. Showers, toilets and a Scandinavian sauna
are provided in a building next to the snow hotel.

Optional Activities in Kirkenes: You may like to book some

additional optional activities such as a Snowmobile Safari (2
hours), Snow Shoe Walking Tour (2 hours), take a magical
excursion by husky dog sledge (2 hours) or go in search of the
Northern Lights by husky dog sledge (4 hours). Each sledge is
pulled by a team of eight dogs, and can seat two people and a
driver called a dog musher.

These activities have limited places and should be requested

at the time of booking the tour - please contact us for prices.

Snow Suite, Kirkenes Snow Hotel

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent
 onboard
INSIDE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, RUSSIA

We cross the border back into Russia and re-join our train which is waiting
for us in Nikel. We will spend the afternoon on board travelling through
arctic Russia. 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 car.

murmansk
Suzdal INSIDE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, RUSSIA

Murmansk is a city halfway between Moscow and the North Pole, and
120 miles (193 km) 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. Homeport of Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreakers, visit the
Nuclear Icebreaker Museum Ship.

Moscow

Suzdal

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 Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | ARCTIC EXPLORER

Uspensky Cathedral, Vladimir

petrozavodsk moscow
ARCTIC RUSSIA RUSSIA

Petrozavodsk stretches along the western shore of Lake Onega - the We arrive at Moscow Kazanskiy station and transfer to the centrally
second largest lake in Europe. It is one of the major cultural and located five-star Ritz-Carlton, for a one-night stay.
industrial centres of the North-West of Russia. We take a city tour of this
capital of the Republic of Karelia.. We visit the Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military
and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture,
vladimir & suzdal such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed
RUSSIA spires, the beautiful façade of the world famous GUM Department
store, constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site
The historic city of Vladimir was founded in 990 and is one of Russia’s of Lenin’s tomb. Our touring programme also takes us to the grandeur
oldest communities. With an architectural wealth, it has been decreed of the Kremlin - the spiritual, historical and political heart of Moscow
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour takes in Uspensky Cathedral, and to see the treasures of the Tsars in the Armoury Chamber.
built between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. It is considered one
of the most important and beautiful of Russian cathedrals, where many Breakfast in the hotel the next day brings the tour to a close and
of the prominent Russian Tsars were crowned. From Vladimir we travel airport transfers are provided for your departure flights. Why not
to Suzdal, one of Russia’s most perfectly preserved walled cities dating extend your stay in Moscow to explore more of the city at your leisure?
back to 1024, located 35 kilometres from Vladimir. Here we visit the
Note for December departure: The Kremlin is closed on Thursdays so we will visit it on Day
atmospheric St Euthymius Monastery to witness an enchanting choral 12. We will have an exclusive private viewing before it opens to the public. Flights on this
performance. No Russian winter experience would be complete either day should be booked to depart after 3pm if possible to enable you to sample the excursion
to the Kremlin.
without the horse-drawn sleigh ride through this stunning location.

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent
www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com
 what’s included
in the tour price
As far as possible our tours are all-inclusive with no hidden extras. What follows are all those elements which are
included in the tour price. The only extra items you may need to budget for include personal expenses such as
International and Internal flights that are not included in the itineraries, visa costs, insurance, selected drinks from
the Bar Lounge Car and laundry.

EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS GUIDED OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS

Our experienced Tour Managers are selected for their travel The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will
knowledge, and their linguistic and organisational abilities allowing come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a
you to relax and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time you
passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people and
ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday. history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little touches
that help create magical memories.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Arrival and departure transfers are included. PERSONAL HEADSETS
On all the off–train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment
HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION and insights into the places you visit, you will be provided with a
Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour guide
the train’s public areas, you will find your cabin a welcome retreat at as you take in the sights. The range of the headset means that you
the end of a rewarding day. All hotels are of five-star standard, or the do not need to worry about missing any of the guide’s commentary
best available. on your excursion, even if you prefer to wander away from the group.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY ONBOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES
All meals are included, starting with dinner on the first day and To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor
ending with breakfast on the last day. All departures feature one who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured
or two uniquely designed Restaurant Cars where you can enjoy the that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day,
excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. In almost
we will also sample authentic local cuisine with wine and a selection every case, the doctor will be English-speaking and registered with
of drinks off the train, which is also included in the tour price. the General Medical Council in the UK.

DRINKS WITH MEALS PORTERAGE

A generous drinks allowance, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is As you only have to unpack once your luggage and belongings will
included with lunch and dinner on and off the train. stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever
necessary, porterage is included between the hotels and stations.
ONBOARD SERVICE
You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Your ALL GRATUITIES
car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown You will not have to worry about tipping on or off the train on your rail
services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are included
you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and in the tour price.
bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent