Hi,
I`m interested in doing the Russia/Baltics tour but concerned about the visa procedure.
How far in advance will you receive the invitation letter by Contiki? Only when tour is confirmed and fully paid?
Can it be done 4 weeks before the trip because I might be travelling elsewhere and need my passport!
Thanks.

I received my package from Contiki pretty quickly after I booked... I just submitted all my documents to my local Russian consulate on April 16th and they will have my documents ready to be picked up on the 30th (two weeks). The consulate had different charges had I wanted my stuff back sooner (or even same-day). I'll admit, I'm a little nervous forfeiting my passport to them for two weeks.

Thanks! Visa procedure sounds ok.
Going to book if tour July 24 is still available.

Daryl,

I am on your tour, but I haven't received any info from Contiki. Actually I was going to apply for my visa, but Contiki is saying that hotel info hasn't been loaded in their system. I can't apply for my visa until I get hotel info. Is there any way you can email me hotel names and addresses? This is so stressful. I hate waiting until the last minute. I appreciate any help you can give me with this. You can email me at natashaatl@hotmail.com.
Thanks
Natasha

I am doing the tour in August but I will be travelling all summer so I need my passport. If I go down to the consulate in person, can they do it the same day or do they need to hold on to your passport?

Natka1, I have emailed you the documents I received from Contiki. The application form is Canadian Passport specific, you'll still need to contact Contiki to get the proper documents.

acdngirleh, they can do it in one day... but it'll cost you. The consulate here would charge $300 CDN for same day, or $240 for 24 hours. I paid $75 for two weeks. I think there might have been another fee inbetween, but I don't remember.

Thanks Daryl for all your help. It turns out I didn't really need hotel info. For anyone living in US and who are US citizen, I used www.visahq.com. You just enter in all your travel info on line and this service files everything with the consulate even does your invitation letter(same day service). This is for a fee of course. I just need to mail them my passport and photo and should be all set.

Thank you thank you thank you! I tried to do this myself, finished all the forms except for the invitation letter. If someone from Contiki is reading this, you really should supply this, it is standard information that is provided to you and shouldn't be difficult to pass along to us. Anyway, this link helps tremendously thanks.