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Trans-Siberian Rail Odyssey:
Total Experience - Total Eclipse
Even without a Total Eclipse in the middle, MIR's Trans-Siberian Rail by Private Train on the Classic Route from Moscow to Vladivostok is an epic rail experience, rolling across almost a third of the globe. The fact that the Path of Totality for the 2008 solar eclipse lies directly over one of the train's regular stops is icing on the cake. Novosibirsk, a town that didn't exist before the coming of the railroad, is the place where we will experience the eclipse as very few people in the world have the opportunity to - from a prime Siberian seat.
Days 1-2: Moscow
This fabulous journey begins in the metropolis of Moscow, the capital and largest city of Russia. After an exploration of some of the classic sights of Moscow, board the comfortable Private Train and settle in to your personal cabin, your home for the next 12 nights.
Day 3: Kazan
The first stop is Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, an old city on the Volga River where both Orthodox cupolas and minarets peer over the trees.
Day 4: Ekaterinburg
Next is Ekaterinburg, most famous for being the place where the last czar, Nicholas II, and his young family were kept under house arrest and then executed.
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The Path of Totality of the 2008 total eclipse has a width of about 155 miles and crosses Western Siberia from the north to the south, where it enters regions of China and Mongolia. The maximum eclipse will be at 10:21:08 UT, and the time of the total phase will last 2:20 minutes in Novosibirsk.
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Days 5-6: Novosibirsk & Eclipse
Arriving in Novosibirsk, disembark and roam Siberia's most important city, checking out its enormous Opera and Ballet Theater, proof positive that the Soviets were serious about providing culture to the masses. The Novosibirsk region lies within a sunny and dry microclimate, protected from humidity by the Altai Mountains to the southwest and the Gobi Desert to the south, and the odds are good for clear eclipse-viewing weather. On the big day, transfer to a handpicked viewing site to experience the celestial event, with two minutes, 20 seconds of totality. Afterwards, enjoy a festive dinner in town to celebrate and discuss the details of the cosmic experience.
Days 7-8: Aboard / Irkutsk
Back on the train, make a stop in Irkutsk, where several leaders of the Decembrists' uprising were exiled in the 19th century. Irkutsk is a fascinating little city with a wealth of culture and a section of old wooden houses decorated with the wooden gingerbread typical of Siberia.
Day 9: Lake Baikal
Just down the road is the deepest and oldest lake in the world, UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal. Our train hugs the rocky lakeshore as it as it detours over the original Circumbaikal line, the most complicated leg of the Tran-Siberian, engineered with 33 tunnels and more than 100 bridges.
Days 10-13: Ulan Ude / Aboard train
Pause in Ulan Ude to visit its Ivolginsk Datsan, the center of Buddhism in Russia, and then enjoy three relaxing days on the train as it rolls through small villages and industrial centers on its way to the sea.
Days 14-15: Vladivostok
Disembark in Vladivostok, Pacific Rim naval and trade port, closed to outsiders until 1992, and tour its most important sites. Gather for a farewell dinner to toast the rail journey and the journey of the moon across the face of the sun.
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Trip Details
| Eclipse Route Eastbound: |
From Moscow to Vladivostok |
| Length of Trip: |
15 Days |
| 2 nights hotels, 12 nights onboard the Siberian Tiger Trans-Siberian Express private train. |
| Dates: |
July 27-August 10, 2008 |
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Land Tour Cost
Per Person: |
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| Heritage Class, twin share |
$7,295 |
| Heritage Class, single |
$9,995 |
| Gold Class, twin share |
$13,595 |
| Gold Class, single |
$19,195 |
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MIR Signature Features
- Appreciate the metropolis of Moscow, brimming with life and honoring its 850
years of history
- Discover the "Holy Sea," great Lake Baikal
- Commemorate crossing 10 time zones with a photo at the Vladivostok Trans-Siberian Marker
- Experience a total eclipse of the sun at the Path of Totality
Map
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Eclipse Route Eastbound
| Days 1-2: |
Moscow |
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| Day 3: |
Kazan |
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| Day 4: |
Ekaterinburg |
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| Day 5: |
Novosibirsk |
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| Day 6: |
Novosibirsk - Total Eclipse |
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| Day 7: |
aboard train |
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| Day 8: |
Irkutsk |
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| Day 9: |
Lake Baikal |
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| Day 10: |
Ulan Ude |
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| Days 11-13: |
aboard train |
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| Days 14-15: |
Vladivostok |
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Suggested Extensions
Extend your stay in Russia. Contact us for details on extra nights and private tours in St. Petersburg, Moscow or Vladivostok.
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