Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Space Places
  Visiting Russian space sites (tour operators)

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Visiting Russian space sites (tour operators)
DougGangler
New Member

Posts: 4
From: State College PA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 11-17-2010 06:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DougGangler   Click Here to Email DougGangler     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would like to find some people, 3-5 would do, who would like to visit space sites in/around Moscow sometime in 2011 such as: Korolov Museum, Space Museum, Space Monument, Energia, Star City, and the Tsiokovsky Museum in Kaluga. Any other ideas? Plus in Moscow, so of course see Red Square, etc.

We would all pay our own ways; I could coordinate certain group functions. Picture staying at one hotel in Moscow with guide/driver/van picking us every day.

Good direct United flight Dulles-Moscow.

Touring Russia is not easy or cheap - but what I'm outlining could work pretty well, I think. If interested contact - we'll talk.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-18-2010 01:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'll share what I told Doug via e-mail and that was to work with RusAdventures.

I've been to Star City twice and Baikonur once, traveling with Space Adventures (my employer at the time). On the second trip, which was the joint Star City-Baikonur launch tour, we collaborated with RusAdventures to good results.

I do not know if RusAdventures can arrange every locale that Doug listed (the Energia Museum in particular requires an invitation) but those are details that could be worked out after the basic tour and logistics were booked.

I am personally looking at returning to Star City and Baikonur in late 2012. Once details of that trip are better defined, I'll happily share the arrangements with others.

DougGangler
New Member

Posts: 4
From: State College PA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 11-18-2010 04:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DougGangler   Click Here to Email DougGangler     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The basic problems are these (and anybody tell me otherwise, if other facts are known):
  • travel to Russia is overall just difficult; visas, language, guides required, the list goes on. I agree this backs the argument to book a full-up tour with an Rus/U.S. tour operator.

  • and quite expensive. The few space-type tours I've dug up on the internet over the recent past seem like the $10,000 plus range. Just way too much.

  • I've looked at the RusAdventures; looks like some potential, but also that at least three or more are needed to make a go of it. Costs will add up with it, too. But I think something could be worked out that is fairly under control - if just staying around Moscow.

  • Not going through a Stateside tour operator, and the seeming huge boost in cost that appears to give to a tour to Russia, would seem a way to keep expense under control. Is there risk here? I presume so - but can anybody tell me another way to bring the cost down?
Who wants to go to Russia?

Spacefest
Member

Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 11-19-2010 01:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacefest   Click Here to Email Spacefest     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Been there. Don't forget IKI, the Institute for Kosmic Inquisition. Their eqivalent of JPL, in Moscow.

DougGangler
New Member

Posts: 4
From: State College PA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 12-13-2010 08:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DougGangler   Click Here to Email DougGangler     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have contacted a tour firm called Mir Corporation out of Seattle - it specializes in Russian tours. Check their website, it says award-winning, etc. - it does look quite valid and good. Its rep has been very responsive to my queries.

I would receive nothing/no discount/etc. from MirCorp for being one of the participants on this tour.

Mir Corp has quoted me this for an 8-day tour in July or August 2011, based on four (4) people going:

  • 8 days total 2 flight (6 on-the-ground); Day 1 and 8 land/depart Moscow.
  • Days 2-6: guide/driver takes in mini-van to: Moscow sites like Red Square and Bolshei Theater and KGB Bldg., Star City, Energia Space Museum, Moscow Space Museum and Statue, Korolov Museum/House in Moscow, Tsiolkovsky Museum in Kaluga. Have more detail; contact me if you want it.
  • Day 7: on own in Moscow; Red Square etc.
  • Hotel provided is 4-star within walking distance of Red Square. Six nights.
  • Provided: all breakfasts pay L/D); all English-speaking guide/driver/van/entrance fees (pay tip).
  • bottled water for Moscow-excursions.
  • Transfers from/to Moscow Int Airport.
  • Visa assistance by Mir Corp; est Russian visa $200.
Price is $2,495/each plus r/t airfare U.S./Moscow. This is for a minimum of four (4) going. I have other prices, of course rises, if less than four go. Mir Corp charges 3% fee for credit card transactions.

So not cheap - but then within reason. I say for this because other Russian space-type tours I've seen (and very few) seem to come in at the $10-15K-plus range. Outrageous. But they will go out to Baikonour for a launch, and maybe with a Soyuz-theme. If Baikonour can be avoided, 90% of rocket/space sites are around Moscow - so the trip comes down to something doable. But still terrific.

Please contact me if interested/want more of the detail Mir Corp gave me.

alanh_7
Member

Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 02-22-2014 05:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for alanh_7   Click Here to Email alanh_7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone have any experience dealing with RusAdvenntures?

My family finally has a chance to travel to Moscow and St. Petersberg, having canceled the trip twice for business issues. I naturally want to work a trip to Star City into the visit, the Moscow space museum and the Morino aviation museum.

Is there any other must seen space tours, keeping in mind I cannot spend the entire time doing space tours? We are in Moscow for about 5 days and St. Peterberg for 4 days. Any feedback is appreciated.

Editor's note: Threads merged.

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement