Muddeer wrote:We used Pilgrim Tours' lite package ..."

Do you have a trip report posted anywhere? Am interested in using an agency like Pilgrim to organize the formalities, but then do the actual tour independently. Is that what you did? Any issues arise?

wboston wrote:Am interested in using an agency like Pilgrim to organize the formalities, but then do the actual tour independently. Is that what you did? Any issues arise?

Pilgrim's fine, go for it! I used their Lite Package back in 2006, they were very supportive in all ways. Issues... for me none. Well, it's Russia you know, and in general things work a bit differently there (and some things may not work), just accept it. Worth mentioning maybe that the sum you pay them in advance, might not turn out to be the final sum, because of the euro/dollar/ruble exchange rate fluctuations - but this is hard to call an issue. It's all explained on their website.

wboston wrote:Am interested in using an agency like Pilgrim to organize the formalities, but then do the actual tour independently. Is that what you did? Any issues arise?

Used their light package in 2009 and 2010 and had good experiences with them.