Nostalgic Soviet Union

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    3378
    12 Days 11 Nights

    Russia,Uzbekistan,Kasakhstan and Arctic Circle

    Tour Details

    Soviet Union. A land that once sparked immense curiosity and wonder for a generation. Malayalis were eager to discover life behind the Iron Curtain. While the Soviet Union no longer exists, a journey through Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan offers a glimpse into the remnants of Soviet culture.Also experience the unique life in the Arctic circle. Join Santhosh George Kulangara for an unforgettable journey through the legacy of the Soviet Union.

    12 Days 11 Nights

    Relaunching Soon

    From Cochin

    Air Arabia

    4 Star Category

    Itinerary

    Day 1Cochin - Abudhabi - Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

    • Assemble at Cochin International Airport.
    • Board Air Arabia flight to Tashkent via Abu Dhabi.
    • Arrive at Tashkent International Airport.
    • Transfer to the hotel for check-in.
    Half-day city tour of the old and new parts of Tashkent.
    • Visit Hazrati Imam Complex, including Barakkhan Madrasah. The Hazrati Imam Complex is a stunning architectural monument dating from the 16th to 20th centuries.
    • Visit the Hazrati Usman RA Old Koran (VII c.) Museum.
    • Visit Independence Square in the Tashkent City.
    • Visit Temurids’ Historical Museum.
    • Next, visit Amir Temur Square.
    • Visit Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre Square.
    • Explore Broadway Street with local artists and souvenir counters.
    • Next, visit Chorsu Market.
    • Visit the Memorial Complex of Repression, which serves as a solemn tribute to the victims of political repression during the Soviet era.
    • At night, visit Magic City, a fairytale castle & a fantasy town with colorful houses, cafes & entertainment, at a theme park.
    • Overnight in Tashkent.

    Meals: Inflight Meals, Lunch & Dinner.

    Day 2Tashkent-Samarkand-Tashkent

    • Early buffet breakfast at your hotel’s coffee shop.
    • Transfer to Tashkent Railway Station to take the Tashkent-Samarkand Afrasiyab train (08:00–10:10 am).
    • Arrival in Samarkand and start the city tour.
    • Visit Guri Emir Mausoleum, built in the early 15th century as the tomb of the famous Central Asian conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) and his descendants.
    • Visit Registan Square with 3 huge madrasahs: Ulughbek, Shirdar & Tillakori.
    • After lunch, continue the city tour.
    • Visit Afrasiyab Museum, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siyab Bazaar for shopping.
    • 16:00 – End of the city tour and transfer to Samarkand Railway Station.
    Samarkand–Tashkent Afrosiyob train (17:30–19:40 pm).
    • Arrival in Tashkent.
    • Transfer to the restaurant for dinner.
    • Later, transfer to the hotel.
    • Overnight in Tashkent.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

    Day 3 Tashkent - Almaty (Kazakhstan)

    • Packed breakfast from the hotel.
    • Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport to board the flight to Almaty.
    • Upon arrival in Almaty, transfer to city and have lunch.
    • Proceed for Almaty City Tour.
    • Explore Panfilov Street, known for its historical significance and vibrant blend of Soviet-era and modern architecture, and Arbat Walking Street.
    • Then visit Republic Square, also known as Independence Square, the central hub of Almaty.
    • See the Independence Monument, a 91-foot-tall monument that symbolizes Kazakhstan’s independence, its people, and Almaty’s role as the capital until 1997.
    • Visit Presidential Palace.
    • Enjoy the Kok Tobe Cable Car Ride, which offers a scenic journey to the top of Kok Tobe Hill, providing stunning panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding mountains.
    • Have a Gala Dinner.
    • Transfer to the hotel.
    • Overnight in Almaty.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. 

    Day 4Almaty - Full Day Tour

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Transfer to Medeu Station.
    • Take the cable car to Shymbulak Mountain Resort, up to 3200m.
    • Have lunch.
    • Visit Zenkov Cathedral, a historic wooden Russian Orthodox church in Panfilov Park, renowned as the second tallest wooden church in the world.
    • Visit Park 28 Panfilov Heroes, also known as Panfilov Park, is a prominent public park in Almaty. The park is named in honor of the Panfilov Division, a Soviet infantry division that fought heroically during World War II.
    • Visit Green Bazaar, a bustling market in Almaty.
    • Then, visit Chocolate factory shop.
    • Dinner.
    • Transfer to the hotel.
    • Overnight in Almaty.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Gala Dinner.

    Day 5Almaty - Moscow - Murmansk (Russia)

    • Packed breakfast from the hotel.
    • Check out from the hotel and transfer to the Airport to board flight to Murmansk via Moscow (Russia).
    • Arrive in Murmansk, meet and greet, and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
    • Dinner at the hotel.
    Northern Lights Hunting tour (3 hours) with a guide and photographer. (Note: The Northern Lights is a natural phenomenon, and its visibility is not guaranteed.).
    • Return to the hotel.
    • Overnight in Murmansk.

    Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

    Day 6Murmansk - Teriberka

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Proceed for the Teriberka tour – it is the last village on Earth, located 20 degrees off the North Pole. You can see firsthand the unfrozen shore of the Arctic Ocean and the snowcovered endless expanses of the Arctic tundra.
    • Return to Murmansk in the evening.
    • Dinner at the hotel.
    Northern Lights Hunting tour (3 hours) with a guide and photographer.(Note: The Northern Lights is a natural phenomenon, and its visibility is not guaranteed)
    • Return to the hotel.
    • Overnight in Murmansk.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

    Day 7Murmansk - Lovozero - Saami Village

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Visit Husky Dog Park Lovozero (Husky ride optional)– a family-run operation based on outdoor activities in winter and summer seasons, such as dogsledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, rides in sleighs pulled by reindeers, canoeing, and daily guided hiking with Siberian husky dogs.
    • Local Lunch.
    • Visit the Saami village experience to learn about the life and culture of the Saami people.
    • Local Dinner in Hotel.
    • Overnight in Murmansk.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

    Day 8Murmansk - St. Petersburg

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Transfer to the airport to board the flight to St. Petersburg.
    • Arrive at St. Petersburg Airport and meet our local guide.
    • Proceed for city tour.
    • Check in at the hotel.
    • Dinner.
    • Overnight in St. Petersburg.

    Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

    Day 9St. Petersburg

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Proceed with the Russian Military tour: 5 shots with an AK-47, a military tank ride (10 minutes), and training in assembling and dismantling the AK-47.
    • Local Lunch.
    • Entrance to Hermitage Museum, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious art museums.
    Russian folk show at Nikolaevsky Palace.
    • Dinner.
    • Overnight in St. Petersburg.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

    Day 10St. Petersburg - Moscow (By High Speed Train)

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Entrance to Peterhof Palace, a cluster of breathtaking palaces, the largest of which overlooks a lush French formal garden with numerous fountains and is often referred to as the “Russian Versailles.”
    • After lunch, transfer to the railway station.
    • Sapsan Train (high-speed train) from St. Petersburg to Moscow.
    • In the evening, enjoy the Russian Circus, a traditional and iconic form of entertainment in Russia, known for its elaborate and diverse performances.
    • Check in at the hotel.
    • Dinner.
    • Overnight in Moscow.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

    Day 11Moscow

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum, located in Red Square, which holds the Guinness World Record for the longest time an embalmed world leader has been on public display.
    Moscow Metro Subway Tour, it is another symbol of Russian pride and engineering brilliance, and is renowned
    for its architectural splendour and efficiency.
    • Local Lunch.
    • Visit Kremlin, a historic fortified complex and one of the most iconic landmarks in the country.
    Moscow Guided City tour offers an exploration of this historical and vibrant city, showcasing its rich heritage and culture.
    • In the evening enjoy Radisson Dinner Cruise with drinks.
    • Overnight in Moscow.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. 

    Day 12Moscow - Sharjah - Cochin

    • Early morning transfer to Moscow Domodedovo International Airport to board your return flight to Cochin via Sharjah.
    • Arrive Cochin with fantastic memories of your Soviet Union trip.

    Highlights
    Uzbekistan
    • Half-day city tour of Tashkent
    • Hazrati Imam Complex
    • ⁠Independence Square
    • Temurids’ Historical Museum
    • Chorsu Market
    • Tashkent-Samarkand Afrasiyab Train
    • Guri Emir Mausoleum
    • Registan Square
    Kazakhstan
    • Almaty City Tour
    • Panfilov Street
    • Arbat Walking Street
    • Republic Square
    • Independence Monument
    • Kok Tobe Cable Car Ride
    • Cable Car Ride to Shymbulak Mountain Resort
    • Green Bazaar
    • Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral
    Russia
    • Northern Lights Hunting Tour
    • Husky Dog Park Lovozero
    • Saami Village Experience
    • St. Petersburg City Tour
    • Russian Military Tour
    • Hermitage Museum
    • Russian Folk Show at Nikolaevsky Palace
    • Peterhof Palace
    • Sapsan High-Speed Train from St. Petersburg to Moscow
    • Russian Circus
    • Lenin’s Mausoleum
    • Moscow Metro Subway Tour
    • Kremlin
    • Radisson Dinner Cruise
    Package Includes
    • Economy class return airfare in Air Arabia Ex – Cochin
    • 2 Nights accommodation in Tashkent
    • 2 Nights accommodation in Almaty
    • 3 Nights accommodation in Murmansk
    • 2 Nights accommodation in St. Petersburg
    • 2 Nights accommodation in Moscow
    • Uzbekistan Visa
    • Russian Visa
    • Flight from Tashkent to Almaty (Direct)
    • Flight from Almaty to Murmansk (1 stop – via Moscow)
    • Flight from Murmansk to St. Petersburg (Direct)
    • Sapsan Train from St. Petersburg to Moscow
    • 4-star hotels
    • Baggage allowance as per the airline policy
    • Professional Malayalee tour manager from Sancharam
    • All transfers and sightseeing by executive coaches
    • Entrances to sightseeing as per the itinerary
    • Meals as per the itinerary
    • Travel Insurance (Valid for tour period) upto age 70
    • Applicable TCS
    • 5% GST
    Package Excludes
    • Applicable TCS
    • Any sightseeing other than mentioned in the itinerary
    • Any extra cost incurred on behalf of an individual due to illness, accident, hospitalization or any kind of personal emergencies
    • Any increase in airfare, visa fees, airport taxes, government taxes, fuel surcharges, or the applicability of new taxes imposed by the government
    • Any increase in the exchange rate leading to a rise in all land arrangements, which may come into effect before departure
    • Any extra expenses such as route changes, airline changes, date changes, accommodation facilities, etc., incurred due to unforeseen, unavoidable force majeure circumstances during the tour
    • Any service or activity charges other than those included in the group tour itinerary
    • Porterage, laundry, telephone charges, shopping, wines & alcoholic beverages, mineral water, items of personal nature, and food or drink that is not part of a set group menu
    Package Cost
    Package Cost : INR 3,39,000 + 5% TCS per person on a twin-sharing basis.
    Single Room : INR 3,87,100 + 5% TCS per person.
    Cancellation Policy

    Days prior to Departure Cancellation fee applicable on amount paid (Per person)
    Above 60 days 25%
    31 to 60 50%
    0 – 30 days 100%

    Terms & Conditions

    1. A passenger below 12 years is considered as a child and above 12 years as an adult.
    2. Check-in time at hotels is 15:00 hours, and check-out is at 11:00 hours.
    3. Visa fee and flight ticket (onward & return) will be non-refundable under any circumstances.
    4. Once an airline ticket is issued, penalty charges will be applicable for date changes or any amendments.
    5. There are coach restrictions in some cities, in such a situation the tour manager and the driver will do their best to drop you as near to the monuments/attractions as possible.
    6. All financial transactions are to be made to the authorized bank account of Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. only.
    7. No refund can be entertained for any expenses incurred for the passengers due to circumstances beyond our control such as flight cancellation, airport closure, delays, accident of any nature, bad weather, natural calamities, medical evacuation, supplier policies, visa rejection and visa delay etc.
    8. Passengers missing flights to note that the entire ticket gets No Show and new return ticket needs to be bought by the passengers themselves.
    9. The Cancellation Charge is applicable in case of any passenger with a granted visa, denying to travel or cancelling his/her own tour on account of visa rejection caused to their co-passenger or travel companion since the granting of a visa is the sole discretion of the concerned Consulate.
    10. If you are making payments in instalments, you must ensure that each instalment is paid on or before its due date. Failure to make the payment on or before the due date will result in exclusion from the tour. In such cases, the refund will be processed strictly as per the refund slab mentioned in the Cancellation Policy
    11. The company reserves the right to postpone or cancel any of the tours advertised, without assigning any reason. In this case, amount paid by the passengers will be refunded in full and no compensation claim will be entertained.
    12. For Single Passenger traveling without family have to share a room either on a twin or triple sharing basis (Roll away bed) depending on the booking. If we do not have another single passenger to share the room, a Single Supplement with additional cost is applicable.
    13. We cannot assure the presence of Santhosh George Kulangara in this tour. He will join Sancharam tours only if time and circumstances permit.
    14. The tariff of the tour quoted is calculated based on the rates prevailing at the time of quoting. Sancharam reserves the right to modify the tariff in the event of any changes in these rates before the date of departure.
    15. All hotels’ rooms booked for group are standard category. Getting a double room or twin room is subject to availability of the same during check in.
    16. On days when you are taking internal flights, there is a possibility that we might provide a packed meal or meal from the airport in case the flight timing does not suit the meal time.
    17. The tariff of the tour quoted is calculated as per the rates prevailing at the time of quoting it. The Company reserves the right to change the tariff in the event of modification/alteration/change /variation in the said rates before the date of departure.
    18. Tour tariff is based on departure from Cochin unless specifically mentioned. Tourists boarding flights at places other than Cochin have to pay the entire airfare difference and bear and pay any other additional expenses including airport transfers, hotel stay, etc. on that account.
    19. Tour cost is based on a minimum of 30 passengers traveling together in the group. If there is a drastic fall in the number, then the offered tour cost, meal plan, vehicle, and other services may change accordingly and the difference amount has to be borne by the passenger.
    20. The company takes care to select hotels and book the same on behalf of tourists at convenient locations subject to availability. In case of non-availability of rooms in the same hotel, the company has the right to split the accommodation in different hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally provided on a twin-sharing basis in standard rooms and the third bed is often a roll-away mattress put in a twin-bedded room. Air-conditioning, central heating, and other facilities are provided by the hotels depending upon various factors including weather/climatic conditions, local systems, tour type, etc.
    21. If any unavoidable circumstances arise, the company reserves the right to change/modify/vary and alter the tour itinerary, if it becomes necessary. In such changes, compensations or claims for a refund by the passengers will not be entertained by the company for limitation and also for the non-availability of certain services with entry tickets, restaurants, sightseeing, shopping, etc. even though included in the tour itinerary.
    22. As a Travel House / Tour Operator, the company does not have any control over Airlines, Coach Companies, Shipping Companies. Hotels, Local Transport, or any other facilities, provided by third parties. The company is not responsible for the delays or deficiencies in the services provided by outside agencies. Also please note that the company does not have any control over schedules of opening and closing timings of the tourist attractions.
    23. In the computerized reservation system of Airlines seats once reserved cannot be changed. Tour participants will have to travel by the same seat provided by Airline.
    24. The guests are requested to collect Air tickets, Visas, and other travel documents from the respective offices of Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd., only after making the full payment, from where they have booked their tour. No tickets will be sent by courier.
    25. Any damage caused to the hotel rooms or coach during your stay shall be payable by the passengers. Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. will not be held responsible for the same.
    26. There are no refunds for any unused services, i.e., meals, sightseeing, flight delay or cancellation of flight, etc.
    27. The Company shall not accept any liability or responsibility for any damages, loss, injury, accident, death, natural calamity, delay, break-down or irregularity that may occur in carrying out the tour arrangement. (Management reserves the right to claim any additional expenses due to delay or changes in train, plane, bus, ship or other services, weather conditions, strikes, war, quarantine and any other cause, whatsoever, and all such losses or expenses must be borne by the passengers).
    28. Any legal disputes arising in respect of the tour shall be subject to Pala Jurisdiction.
    29. Any tour package cancelled under a Force majeure situation i.e.; tour packages cancelled or unable to operate on account of reasons beyond our control (E.g. Pandemic situation), the amount received from the customers after deducting all expenses which are not recoverable in any manner will be kept in customer credit (Credit Shell) and provide the facility to utilize the same credit note value towards booking of future tour packages.
    30. Guest/s travelling abroad shall take care of their passport. Loss of passport on tour involves costs and consequences such as filing FIR, visiting Indian Embassy, getting new passport or landing certificate, expenses on the stay, food, transportation etc. all of which have to be borne and paid by the concerned guest/s only. Getting the landing certificate or the new passport is the sole responsibility of guest/s. Tour Leader is not responsible or liable or under obligation, for the loss of passport and consequences thereof.
    31. Company generally assists in documentation and submission of application for visa by forwarding them to the respective embassies and consulates on the dates as pre-defined by the concerned authority. The visa fees charged to the guest/s shall be at the rates prevailing as on the date of submission of documents to the Embassy or Consulate.
    32. Sancharam shall not be responsible for any errors in the date of Visa granted or delay in granting visa. Generally, consulate do not give any reason for not granting visa and / or with refusal stamp on passport. SANCHARAM therefore shall not provide any reason why a person is not granted a visa. Rejection of visa for any reason is sole discretion of concerned embassy / Visa Facilitate Centre over which SANCHARAM has no control & SANCHARAM is not responsible for the same.
    33. If there are significant changes in visa fees or foreign exchange rates, the tour price will change accordingly.
    34. Airlines are solely responsible for overbooking of seats, failure to provide meal as required by the guest/s’, quality of meal, loss of baggage, Allotment of seats for group booking etc.
    35. Original passport with 6-month validity beyond your actual return date & four blank pages in passport is required, which may vary depending on the consulate requirements.
    36. Visa granting is at the sole discretion of the concerned Embassy or Consulate. Visa fees and other expenses like an advance for hotel booking and ticket charges are not refundable if the visa is rejected or delayed. In case the candidates are called for a Personal interview, the candidates are required to attend the same before the concerned consulate at their own cost.
    37. If a guest decides to cancel their tour for any reason, they must immediately send an email to tour@sancharam.com from their registered email ID, notifying Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. of the cancellation.
    38. Telephonic cancellation will not be accepted as a ‘Cancellation Request’.
    39. No-shows or changes / cancellations due to bad weather / Cancellations due to missed train or flight / cancellations due to natural calamity will be fully non-refundable.
    40. Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. is not liable to give any details or bifurcation of the cancellation charge.
    41. Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. can cancel any announced tour due to operational issues; they will not be liable to pay any interest on the tour amount paid by the Guest.
    42. Rejection of visa will lead to deemed cancellation and the booking will stand to cancel without any intimation or confirmation to the Guest.
    43. Visa rejection date will be considered as the date of cancellation and the cancellation charge will be applicable accordingly.
    44. Guest can re-apply by paying additional visa charges, however granting of visa is at the discretion of the respective Consulates, and Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. will not be responsible for the same.
    45. If the visa is not granted even the second time, the cancellation charge will be based on the date of the rejection of the second visa.
    46. If no intimation of visa (granted/rejected) is received from the respective Consulate/Embassy, then it is considered as deemed cancellation and a cancellation charge will be applicable as stated hereinabove.
    47. Visa copy is always sent to Guests by email by Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd., whereas sometimes Consulates send passports directly to the Guest’s residence. In both cases, it is the responsibility of the Guest to check the visa sticker and verify that the personal details and visa validity are accurate. If the immigration office does not allow the Guest to leave or enter the country due to a mistake in visa, then Sancharam will not be responsible for any refund/losses/consequences.
    48. If the customer doesn’t agree to pay TCS/GST/Balance payment, it will be treated as a cancellation under the policy of Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. and no refund will be given.
    49. Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. reserves the right to terminate the tour of any Guest while on the road if the Guest doesn’t follow the group tour decorum or misbehaves with co-passengers/Tour Manager/Coach Captain/ Local citizens or creates a nuisance etc.
    50. If the Guest discontinues/terminates the tour for any personal reason, it is termed as deemed cancellation and no refund will be applicable.
    51. Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. team will assist the Guest in booking the required services, however, all expenses for the same will have to be paid by the Guest immediately in advance.
    52. Certain cancellation cases can be eligible for insurance claim however settlement of the claim is at the sole discretion of the Insurance Company and Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. is not responsible for the same.
    53. In case of any incidence probe to an insurance claim, it is mandatory to inform the Insurance Company and Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. within 24 hours of any such incident.
    54. Registration deposit amount will not be refunded at any circumstances.
    55. As a practice all international hotels charge a security deposit via credit card or cash, at the time of check in for each room. The amount will vary according to the hotel and is refunded back to the clients upon checkout. Debit cards should not be offered as it will be charged immediately and refunded only after 2-3 weeks. If any additional services or mini bar or any other service is utilized at the hotel, the hotel reserves the right to charge the same on this security deposit provided by the client. Sancharam Explorations Pvt. Ltd. would not be responsible for these transactions and these are solely between the hotels and the clients.
    56. The prices will not be valid for any black out date/ period which is informed during confirmation of the booking: if any change in the price, the same will be applicable for all bookings and to be borne by the customer.
    57. Full payment must be made in accordance with the given payment schedule. In case of noncompliance thereto by the client, the Company reserves a right to cancel the tour/booking of the client and forfeit the amount already deposited with the Company. In the event of any shortfall, further amounts may be recovered as cancellation charges as mentioned herein.

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