Join Melissa Hulbert, Astronomy Educator at Sydney Observatory, and colleagues on this unique astronomical/space-themed 13-day tour of Russia. You will visit Moscow and the memorial to Yuri Gagarin, spend a day at Star City, the training complex for the Russian Cosmonauts, as well as seeing other famous sites of Moscow and St Petersburg and, of course, watching the total solar eclipse from Novosibirsk which until recently was a secret city for nuclear research in Siberia.

The weather prospects for our viewing area at Novosibirsk are highly favourable. Novosibirsk is in south central Siberia and is part of a small region that experiences a sunny microclimate. Its location on the Russian mainland means Novosibirsk is away from oceanic moisture sources, and the Altai Mountains and Gobi Desert protect the region from Asian monsoon currents that are prominent at this time of year. If there is patchy cloud on the day in this region, the temperature drop during the eclipse will tend to dissipate these clouds, making viewing in partly cloudy skies more likely.

Itinerary at a glance - 2008 (full itinerary below)
Day 1: Fri 25 July - Depart Sydney 11.30am
Day 2: Sat 26 July – Arrive Moscow 8.55am
Day 3: Sun 27 July – Moscow
Day 4: Mon 28 July – Moscow
Day 5: Tues 29 July – Moscow and Trans-Siberian Train
Day 6: Wed 30 July – Trans-Siberian Train
Day 7: Thu 31 August – Trans-Siberian Train and Novosibirsk
Day 8: Fri 01 August – Eclipse day and Novosibirsk
Day 9: Sat 02 August – Novosibirsk and St Petersburg
Day 10: Sun 03 August – St Petersburg
Day 11: Mon 04 August – St Petersburg
Day 12: Tue 05 August – St Petersburg and Moscow
Day 13: Wed 06 August – Moscow
Day 14: Thu 07 August – Depart Moscow 10.50am
Day 15: Fri 08 August - Arrive Sydney 6.55pm

Airfare cost per person
The cost for airfares with Singapore Airlines per person is $2680 including taxes - however taxes are subject to change by the airline without notice.
Singapore Airlines departs Sydney to Moscow with only one stopover in Singapore.

Costs for the land content part of the trip, per person, twin share
Powerhouse members $5,770; non-members $5,875.
There is a single supplement of $1,630 per person.
A $600.00 deposit is required to secure your place.

Bookings
For further details or to make a booking, email Ibi Selim, iselim.miranda@harveyworld.com.au or contact him by ph: 02 9526 2611 mob: 0412121132 or in person at Harvey World Travel Miranda, Shop 1023 Westfield Shoppingtown, Miranda NSW 2228.

Full itinerary

Day 1: Friday 25th July 2008 - Depart Sydney
Depart Sydney at 11:30. Arrive Singapore 17:45; Depart Singapore 22:00.

Day 2: Saturday 26th July 2008 - Moscow
Upon arrival at Moscow airport at 08:55, we will be met and transferred to our hotel.
After dinner, a brief get together and outline for the rest of the tour. D*

Day 3: Sunday 27th July 2008 - Moscow
Following breakfast we have a guided city tour, visiting Red Square (including a visit to the memorial to Yuri Gagarin), Monument to Peter the Great, Novodevichy convent & cemetery, Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer (outside view), St Basil’s Cathedral (outside view), Hill of Glory & Observation platform at Moscow University (10am-5pm). Lunch will be at the Sudar Restaurant. B/L*

Day 4: Monday 28th July 2008 - Moscow
After breakfast we have a guided tour visiting the Kremlin Grounds, two Cathedrals, the Armoury chamber and the impressive Metro system. Free time in the afternoon. B

Day 5: Tuesday 29th July 2008 - Moscow and Trans-Siberian Train
We spend today at the Star City space complex. The tour includes the centrifuge, MIR module, International Space Station module, Hydroweightless pool, Planetarium, Simulators and Space Museum with Gagarin study. Lunch will be in the Star City complex canteen which is also used by crew members in training and other Star City staff. Late in the day we transfer to the railway station to join the Trans-Siberian Train (1st class compartment), considered to be one of the great railways in the world. The train departs for Novosibirsk at approximately 21:35** B/L

Day 6: Wednesday 30th July 2008 - Trans-Siberian Train
Time to relax, unwind and take in some of the Russian countryside as we continue our journey to Novosibirsk.

Day 7: Thursday 31st July 2008 - Trans-Siberian Train
We arrive at Novosibirsk at 19:20 and will be met and transferred to our hotel near Novosibirsk. After dinner a short talk on the eclipse and how to get the best eclipse experience in preparation for the following afternoon. D

Day 8: Friday 1st August 2008 - ECLIPSE DAY
We have a private coach (with facilities) at our disposal for the entire day so that we can witness the magnificent total solar eclipse. Totality starts at 4:45pm (local time) and lasts for 2mins 20sec. B/L/D

Day 9: Saturday 2nd August 2008 – Flight to St Petersburg
This morning we transfer to Novosibirsk airport for our 10:35 flight to St Petersburg. We arrive at 14:20 and after transferring to our hotel the rest of the day is free. B/L

Day 10: Sunday 3rd August 2008 - St Petersburg
We start the morning with a 4 hour privately guided tour of the Hermitage Museum, located in the former Winter Palace of the Tsars. The museum contains an immense collection of over 2.7 million items of art. The our ends at the café where we can purchase lunch and continue exploring museum or return with the guide to the hotel and have a free afternoon. Note that the Hermitage and Peterhof are closed on Mondays. B

Day 11: Monday 4th August 2008 - St Petersburg
After breakfast we have a guided tour of the city, visiting the Point of Basil’s Island, St Isaak’s Cathedral (outside view), Smolny Cathedral, Nevsky prospect, Kazansky Cathedral, Church of Our Saviour of the Spilled Blood (outside view), Peter & Paul’s fortress and a street market. Lunch will be at the Adamant Restaurant. After lunch the afternoon is free to explore. B/L

Day 12: Tuesday 5th August 2008 - St Petersburg
Today we take a guided tour of Peterhof, Peter the Great’s summer palace which was built in 1720. The palace was inspired by Versailles in France and has lavish state rooms and impressive gardens. Following lunch at the Orangerie Restaurant, we transfer to the railway station to board the 16:00** train to Moscow (business class), a light evening meal is included on the train. Upon arrival at 21:48** in Moscow, we will be met by our guide and transferred to our hotel. B/L/D

Day 13: Wednesday 6th August 2008 - Moscow
A free day to explore or we have the opportunity to take an optional trip to the historic town of Sergei Posad. Sergei Posad is located 1.5 hours from Moscow and is a monastery town, considered the equivalent of the “Vatican” for the Russian Orthodox Church. Sergei Posad is part of the Golden Ring, which consists of some of Russia’s oldest cities, where many events that shaped early Russian history occurred. Tour runs from 9am – 5pm and costs $140AU including lunch at the Russian Yard Restaurant. B/D L- only on optional tour.

Day 14: Thursday 7th August 2008 - Head for home
Our tour comes to an end as we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. B

Day 15: Friday 8th August 2008 - Arrive Sydney
Arrive Sydney at 18:55.

*B - breakfast; L - lunch; D - dinner.