Why Travel with MIR?
| “We don't know where to start - a perfect itinerary which satisfied all our needs, excellent accommodations superbly located, flawless execution of all aspects including visas, vouchers, theatre tickets, etc., and last but certainly not least, truly outstanding and professional guides and drivers. We only wish that MIR provided tours everywhere, in which case we'd never use another tour company again." |
S. and M. Repko
Princeton, NJ
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Our Overriding Passion
Simply put, exploring Russia and all its neighbors has been our overriding passion since 1986 - it's all we do. There's no other American tour outfitter that deals exclusively with this slice of the globe, and none with more first-hand experience, stronger on-the-ground contacts, or more affection for the region.
We love it here. In spite of - or perhaps because of - its wrinkles, flaws and complexities, we have found it to be endlessly rewarding, both as travelers and as human beings.
Portions of the region are becoming more and more accessible: formerly secret off-limits places now see the light of day, classy five star hotels and little boutique properties are springing up at a great rate, and the recent concept of the private train journey has infused the utilitarian rail lines with a new generation of high-end railway cars designed for the express comfort of foreign travelers.
However, some places on our roster of destinations continue to be more challenging and continue to be hampered by fluctuating flight routes, complicated visa regimens and ever-changing border requirements. That's why it's so important that our Seattle travel planning staff is a hand-picked team of specialists dedicated to keeping up with the changes. Every one of our planners has a personal interest in the region, and has lived, studied and/or traveled extensively in our destinations.
It's why our resourceful, creative field staff in Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan spends countless hours to ensure that your trip is authentic, hassle-free and extraordinary. It's why the principals of MIR have spent the last two and a half decades crisscrossing the area, traveling the back roads, sustaining long-term friendships and developing important contacts that are put to use every day. It's also why MIR has twice been rated one of the "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure. Esteemed institutions from the Harvard Museum of Natural History to the alumni travel programs of Stanford, Harvard and Tufts, among many others, put their trust in MIR.
Commitment, Community and Connections
In our 106-page full-color free catalog, you'll discover what makes us such fans of our destinations - the majesty of Moscow's Kremlin and Red Square, the rolling Mongolian steppe still inhabited by nomadic peoples, Georgia's savory culinary traditions and its wonderful artisan wines, and the smoking volcanoes on the Pacific Ring of Fire in Kamchatka.
Our travelers don't just pass through; they tap into the culture. We provide them with uncommon experiences, like visiting with a children's English class; like being welcomed into a private Russian home for a memorable meal, enjoying both home-cooked specialties and heartfelt conversations; like a visit to an artist's workshop near the Silk Road oasis of Bukhara, where a master paints flourishes on a ceramic dish.
Our goal is to benefit and protect our favorite places, supporting and building the communities we care about. To this end, we hire locally wherever possible, preferring to frequent locally-owned businesses; we plan imaginative itineraries that bring our travelers into close contact with the culture of the people who live here, expanding the horizons of everyone involved; we seek out and employ knowledgeable and dedicated local guides to offer essential insights into the history and traditions of our destinations. Our guides, drivers and tour managers all value their roles as cultural ambassadors, and their stable employment empowers them to contribute to their communities.
Momentous Journeys
While every journey along the path has benefited from local knowledge, the principals at MIR have a special affinity for - shall we say - super-challenging logistical projects. Highlights of recent years include:
- Facilitating many cross-country motorcycle adventures through Russia and Central Asia
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Supporting a round-the-world relay team that ran 24/7 from Minsk to Beijing to raise awareness about clean drinking water
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Making all the arrangements for 320 telescope-toting travelers to witness the 2008 total solar eclipse on a beach in the middle of Siberia
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An overland 4X4 journey from Beijing to Prague for an extended family who wrapped up another private international road trip through the Balkans with MIR in late 2010
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