Hi to all and some help on trip to Siberia

[Blues Fairy]

I am not  It's not my problem that you try every given example on yourself 

Every given example of what?

[Faux Pas]

It would be a good idea but normally F*** Russian Consulates do not do it. They say: "You have a hotel booked (some require hotel paid!), so here your dates are"  

Not in my experience. I have always purchased an invitation letter based on the dates I requested. I've always applied for a tourist visa with only my passport, invitation letter, cover letter and application. The dates on my airline ticket were never requested in all the times I've applied and I (at least the last 3 times) I gave myself extra days on both ends of my ticketed travel. This was at the recommendation of the service that I purchased the invitation letter. I've always stayed in a rented flat and have never been denied a visa. Incidentally, I have never need the extra days on my visa but, had them on there just in case. I think it would also be better to apply for a full 30 days and plan the trip within those 30 days. You can enter or leave as long as the visa is within the valid timeframe. I've never had a problem from the consulate doing this.

[philb]

For the OP. I have traveled to Siberia several times though never quite as far east as you will be going.  I have been to Novokuznetsk which is about 900 miles west of Chita. (Flew on Siber Air)  Anyway, I have used gottorussia for visas several times without any problems and always received good service.

As far as internal flights and airport transfers I used Andrei at Peace Travel.  He is extremely reliable.  A few years a go he helped me out with some lodging on very short notice when no one else could.  He has been in business for at least 10 years that I am aware of.  He also provides visa services although I have never used him for this.

As far as the weather.  I was in Novokuznetsk and Novosibirsk in late January and early February of 2002 and it was very cold.  That said, I went skiing for a week and hit the banya at the end of each day and had a great time.  Below is a photo of the Siber Air pilot grabbing a smoke right before take off one summer in Novokuznetsk.

[OlgaH]

I was in Novokuznetsk and Novosibirsk in late January and early February and it was very cold.  That said, I went skiing for a week and hit the banya at the end of each day and had a great time.  

Sometimes the temperature can be -49F. Have you experienced snow diving after steam room?  

[philb]

Sometimes the temperature can be -49F. Have you experienced snow diving after steam room?  

Actually, I did jump into the cold water pool which was filled with a combination of snow and water.  My wife and I and I often dive in the snow when we go to the various hot springs in Wyoming and Colorado.  But at -49 F......Never!

[OlgaH]

But at -49 F......Never!

Oh, no, at such temperature I would not even think to try. 

[RussianWind]

Not in my experience.

It depends on a consulate. I was amazed to find out that they treat applicants in different ways. The worst was in Sweden when four people had the same invitation letters (copies with different names) for the same event. They give visas for three of them and ask the 4th to get a new invitation  ???

[Faux Pas]

It depends on a consulate. I was amazed to find out that they treat applicants in different ways. The worst was in Sweden when four people had the same invitation letters (copies with different names) for the same event. They give visas for three of them and ask the 4th to get a new invitation  ???

I agree they can be somewhat dicey. For my first trip I applied to Washington as was the second time. The third time I had left out the invitation letter by mistake. I didn't realize it until the courier had already left. I waited for a response as I had plenty of time before my departure. As expected they sent everything back with a note to include the invitation letter and reapply. I did as requested and re-sent it. They then returned it back again with instruction to apply at the consulate in Houston. No rhyme or reason, just apply to Houston. 

[yarm]

If you're really desperate to find a husband, chatting with someone whose correspondence you enjoy for one year may seem like a huge waste of time, certainly.  

[Dave13]

Blues Fairy, Misogynistic, No sounds like Jolly's ex-wife may qualify for that. Of course many of us guys may have that same problem. As for myself, just Love the sound of bullets going by my head!

[markc444]

I just want to thank everyone who gave me some help or advice.  I certainly got more than I expected and I appreciate ya'll taking the time and effort to do that.  If I did not actaully reply just know I thank you as well. It looks like soon I will be putting it all to use.

Mark, you really should get the tickets before the visa.   The visa is issued for certain dates that correspond with your tickets so getting the visa first would really complicate things and give you a potential for problems.

If you are using an agency for your visa (which I would highly recommend) the price stays the same until you hit the point where you need an express service.  I would say if you allow 3 weeks you will be fine but an little extra time is fine.   Tickets first though.  



To my your girls sounds very sincere and totally honest.   I hope you have a wonderful trip.  

Thanks for clearing that up for me on the price of the visa.  I had a feeling that he meant an express but it is nice to see it for sure.  When I did speak to gotorussia.net a few months ago when I first started needing info the lady there said to get the visa first and then get the tickets.  I assumed she said that in case something should go wrong with the visa. I don't see any problems but thats what I thought. 
 
Thanks fpr your comments on her, I think so as well.  I'm sure it really is now just a matter of meeting, hanging out and seeing if we have a good time.

 

Turbo
This post might be a little confusing to markc. His visa doesn't have to correspond with his ticket dates but his visa has to be valid as he enters and leaves. It would be a good idea to have the visa dates set a day or two before he enters and a day or two after he leaves just in case there is a delay in leaving or other confusion no?

I was just thinking of making it for the full 30 days if they let me do that.  Than way if for any reason there is a problem I have the time.  I have read where it is can be quite a hassle to get out of Russia once your visa has expired and I do not need that kind of drama.  

For the OP. I have traveled to Siberia several times though never quite as far east as you will be going.  I have been to Novokuznetsk which is about 900 miles west of Chita. (Flew on Siber Air)  Anyway, I have used gottorussia for visas several times without any problems and always received good service.

As far as internal flights and airport transfers I used Andrei at Peace Travel.  He is extremely reliable.  A few years a go he helped me out with some lodging on very short notice when no one else could.  He has been in business for at least 10 years that I am aware of.  He also provides visa services although I have never used him for this.

As far as the weather.  I was in Novokuznetsk and Novosibirsk in late January and early February of 2002 and it was very cold.  That said, I went skiing for a week and hit the banya at the end of each day and had a great time.  Below is a photo of the Siber Air pilot grabbing a smoke right before take off one summer in Novokuznetsk.

Thanks for that travel info.  I'll check into that as well.  it is a bit intimidating to think of going in that kind of cold.  I know my Virginia wardrobe will certainly need a makeover to adapt to those temps for sure.  Just talking to her in the last for days I have seen night temps at ten degrees when i check online.  Thats like as cold as it ever gets here.  I'm sure it will be better than a cup of coffee to wake  up walking out he door in those temps.  

 

Not in my experience. I have always purchased an invitation letter based on the dates I requested. I've always applied for a tourist visa with only my passport, invitation letter, cover letter and application. The dates on my airline ticket were never requested in all the times I've applied and I (at least the last 3 times) I gave myself extra days on both ends of my ticketed travel. This was at the recommendation of the service that I purchased the invitation letter. I've always stayed in a rented flat and have never been denied a visa. Incidentally, I have never need the extra days on my visa but, had them on there just in case. I think it would also be better to apply for a full 30 days and plan the trip within those 30 days. You can enter or leave as long as the visa is within the valid timeframe. I've never had a problem from the consulate doing this.

I like your idea of the full 30 days, it was nice to see that here so I know I can do it.  It just seems to make sense to do it that way unless I am missing something.  

[dogspot]

Not in my experience. I have always purchased an invitation letter based on the dates I requested. I've always applied for a tourist visa with only my passport, invitation letter, cover letter and application. The dates on my airline ticket were never requested in all the times I've applied and I (at least the last 3 times) I gave myself extra days on both ends of my ticketed travel. This was at the recommendation of the service that I purchased the invitation letter. I've always stayed in a rented flat and have never been denied a visa. Incidentally, I have never need the extra days on my visa but, had them on there just in case. I think it would also be better to apply for a full 30 days and plan the trip within those 30 days. You can enter or leave as long as the visa is within the valid timeframe. I've never had a problem from the consulate doing this.

I recently bought a plane ticket and ordered my visa on the same day. I will be around Siberia (Novosib) for 28 days, arriving on the first day of visa and leaving with a 2 day cushion. (I was once delayed a couple days because of flight cancellations but never more than that). Has anyone ever ordered a visa from an agent like say GotoRussia travel and not received a 30 day tourist visa for the days requested?

[OlgaH]

I know my Virginia wardrobe will certainly need a makeover to adapt to those temps for sure.  Just talking to her in the last for days I have seen night temps at ten degrees when i check online.  

and better to have a pair of good warm boots made of natural materials even if you are going to go in March and don't forget a waterproofing wax (polish or spray).

[boaterguy]

My inputs from experience!

I always booked my plane tickets 1st and taylored my visa to it. Used gotorussia 4 times and they always came through! Don't use their visa support...IE visa preregistration although I don't think that is an issue now.

I worried my arse off about what clothes to bring for my Dec-Jan visit to Novosibirsk. This caused one of the funnist momments for my wife! I started looking for coats,etc. to handle the extreme cold. Yikes...over a grand for something I would probably only use once. Then the lightbulb...I bought a head to toe snowmobile outfit good to -50. Cost less than $300. Welllllllllllll! I pulled that sucker out to show my wife and she laughed and said I will not be seen on the street with you wearing that! Only the army and police wear this. Turns out with thermal underwear,shirt,a good sweater,and my normal 0 degree parka I was better equiped than my wife for the cold. If it was too cold for that no one was going out anyway!

[Misha]

I bought a head to toe snowmobile outfit good to -50. Cost less than $300.

  Having been out in -45 degree weather, I would simply check out MEC and get a good, but cheap, winter coat: http://www.mec.ca/. They do ship to the United States.

[Faux Pas]

My inputs from experience!

I always booked my plane tickets 1st and taylored my visa to it. Used gotorussia 4 times and they always came through! Don't use their visa support...IE visa preregistration although I don't think that is an issue now.

I worried my arse off about what clothes to bring for my Dec-Jan visit to Novosibirsk. This caused one of the funnist momments for my wife! I started looking for coats,etc. to handle the extreme cold. Yikes...over a grand for something I would probably only use once. Then the lightbulb...I bought a head to toe snowmobile outfit good to -50. Cost less than $300. Welllllllllllll! I pulled that sucker out to show my wife and she laughed and said I will not be seen on the street with you wearing that! Only the army and police wear this. Turns out with thermal underwear,shirt,a good sweater,and my normal 0 degree parka I was better equiped than my wife for the cold. If it was too cold for that no one was going out anyway!

I'll second that!

My first time there in the winter was last February. When I stepped off of the plane at 5:30 in the morning I knew that was a cold I had never experienced before. At that moment I was glad for the new down coat and -60 degrees boots I had along with the under armour longjohns. There was about 6 feet of snow on the ground (which I had never seen before).

As it turned out the coat and the boots were overkill. I really can't explain it but I was never cold once. In fact quite the opposite during the day I was sweating so profusely to the point that I was only wearing jeans and a t-shirt under the down coat. It and the boots were the only ones I took so I had to wear them. I was tempted to buy a lighter coat and boots while I was there but decided to tough it out. I was traveling light on the way back. I even left my boots in Tomsk for the next trip. I won't be needing those in Arkansas.

I was scared by being so hot that I was possibly getting sick but I never did. That still puzzles me.

[Faux Pas]

I do highly recommend a good pair of waterproof treaded boots fit for mud and snow. The boots rated at -60 not so recommended.

[OlgaH]

-60 degrees boots

I would love to have -60 degrees high heeled elegant boots during winter in Siberia.  

[Faux Pas]

I would love to have -60 degrees high heeled elegant boots during winter in Siberia.  

I wouldn't doubt you could find some. They did take a good 15 minutes to put on and take off though 

[boaterguy]

Faux Pas

Luckily I brought a good insulated pair of hiking boots. I never wore the snowmobile boots, or the outfit! It's sitting in my closet never worn(except the gloves my wife scarffed for her ice fishing brother!) Any cold weather paranoids...I'll give a good deal to someone on the snowmobile outfit!  

I did get sick! I could not make my wife realize the 90 degree dry heat in the apartment was the cause of it! Luckily her mother had a pill which almost had to be shoved down my throat that fixed me up overnight. Don't know what it was but caused my fever to spike bigtime!

[OlgaH]

I wouldn't doubt you could find some. They did take a good 15 minutes to put on and take off though  

Faux Pas, I'm intrigued with "15 minutes to put"... what is it?

[boaterguy]

Faux Pas, I'm intrigued with "15 minutes to put"... what is it?

LOL Time to learn a little slang sortta! To "put on" is the same as to dress or how long it takes to get the boots on or off!

[Misha]

I would love to have -60 degrees high heeled elegant boots during winter in Siberia.  

Perhaps a nice pair such as these with heels  Guaranteed to be good in -60 degree weather 

[OlgaH]

Perhaps a nice pair such as these with heels   Guaranteed to be good in -60 degree weather  

No doubt they are good in -60.

I had almost the same when I was a little girl only my pair was also decorated with nice embroidery  

http://kamus.ru/obrazets/unti/

[I/O]

I would love to have -60 degrees high heeled elegant boots during winter in Siberia.  

I'd like to see ya in 'em.

Mark: And..........all you wanted to know was how to get there.