- Join our unforgettable 10-day tour of Russia
- Attend the services at the Russian Orthodox Churches
- Explore Moscow, St. Petersburg and a variety of ancient Russian towns
- Meet with the locals, explore rural life, and traditions
Accommodation |
4-star hotels |
Included |
Museum entrance fees Highly-educated expert guides 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 2 dinners, daily bottled water High-speed train from Moscow to St. Petersburg All on-tour transportation on modern air-conditioned motor coach including arrival and departure transfers Luggage handling in/out Visa support, registration fees |
Not included |
Air tickets Visa processing Gratuities |
Day 1 FRI: Welcome to Russia
Arrival in Moscow. You will be warmly greeted by our knowledgeable and engaging Russian guide and escorted to your hotel.
Day 2 SAT: Moscow Highlights - Kremlin and Cathedrals
Enter the Kremlin walls to discover the country’s past and present. Look into the three main cathedrals – the Annunciation, the Archangel Michael’s Cathedral and The Assumption Cathedral, the oldest church within the Kremlin walls consecrated in 1479. Step into Red Square to admire the colorful domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral. View the famous landmarks including the Savior Tower, the Kremlin walls, GUM department store, the State Historical Museum and Lenin’s mausoleum. After lunch explore the Church of the Holy Trinity in Nikitniki, the hidden gem of Muscovite architecture. Then drive around the Kremlin and enter the Christ the Savior Cathedral, a church with a controversial history.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 SUN: Novodevichy Convent and Kolomenskoye Estate
After breakfast, take a Metro ride with your guide and stop to explore the grandeur of its most impressive stations. Then visit the Novodevichiy Convent – an outstanding monument of XVI-XVII century architecture. You will also visit the famous Novodevichiy Cemetery, located alongside the convent, where many famous Russian cultural, military and political figures are buried – most recently, the first President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin and the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. After lunch tour the Kolomenskoye Estate. As archeological evidence proclaims, it is the oldest settlement to be found on the territory of present-day Moscow. It is home to several churches, some of which date back to the early XVI century, and was known for its numerous connections to the Russian royal family, including Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 MON: Sergiev Posad and Ancient Settlement
This morning travel to St. Trinity Sergius Monastery in Sergiev Posad, a place of holy pilgrimage for the Russian people since its foundation in the 14th century. This is the place to see all sorts of representatives of the modern Russian Orthodoxy, from somber monks to colorful pilgrims. The monastery’s diverse architecture, gilded icons and golden domes, creates an impressive background to the religious life of today. Sergiev Posad is also the birthplace of the Russian Matreshka. There will be opportunity for local souvenir shopping. After lunch depart to Suzdal via the ancient Alexandrov settlement, which dates back to Ivan the Terrible, and picturesque Yuriev-Polsky. In the evening arrive at Suzdal, check in to your hotel and have dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 TUE: Golden Ring - Vladimir
After breakfast, you will have a chance to feel the spirit of ancient Russia and see the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl River. After lunch travel back to the charming Vladimir town. During the tour of Vladimir, you’ll view the ancient golden-domed Assumption Cathedral or Dmitrievsky Cathedral and the Golden Gate – the unique example of Russian military architecture of the 12thcentury. Then have some hands-on fun by taking part in master-classes of pottery, shop for souvenirs at the Trading rows and talk to the locals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 WED: Golden Ring - Suzdal - Rail to St. Petersburg
Take a tour of the Suzdal’s Kremlin, which dates from the 10th century. Suzdal boasts a host of beautiful churches, monasteries and convents. Explore this historic town on foot and discover medieval Russia! Then after lunch you will be transferred to Moscow Leningradsky railway station to board the rapid train Sapsan to St. Petersburg. Check in to your hotel late in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 THU: St. Petersburg - City of Tsars and Revolutions
In the morning attend the service at the Kazan Cathedral and then tour the northern capital of Russia. View the Bronze Horseman – statue of Peter the Great and the splendid view of the city from the Spit of Vasilievsky Island. Then explore the impressive St. Isaac’s Cathedral. After lunch discover the oldest part of the city – Peter and Paul Fortress where the town of Peter started in 1703. In the evening, enjoy an absolutely different St. Petersburg from the water on a canal cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 FRI: Treasures of Catherine's Palace and Peterhof Fountains
Today you will depart to the Pushkin town or Tsarskoye Selo, just outside St. Petersburg. It is famed for its majestic Catherine’s Palace where Empress Catherine the Great lived and died. Its main attractions are the mirrored Grand Ballroom and the opulent Amber Room. Then after lunch join your fellow travelers for an unforgettable tour of Peterhof Park – the “capital of fountains” – with the famous Grand Cascade. There are 64 different fountains and numerous bronze statues, bas-reliefs and other decorations.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 SAT: Hermitage and Alexander-Nevsky Lavra
After a leisurely breakfast, view the Palace square and take in the spectacular panorama of the General Staff building, Alexander column and the Hermitage. A highlight of your stay is a guided visit to the famous museum with its masterpieces by hundreds of artists including Renoir, Da Vinci and Matisse. The State Hermitage occupies six magnificent buildings and is one of the oldest and largest art galleries in the world. It is estimated that you would need eleven years to view each exhibit on display for just one minute! After lunch explore Alexandra-Nevsky Lavra and Cemetery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 SUN: Depart St. Petersburg
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates: upon request
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Small Groups
Double room $2,590 per person
Solo traveler $3,390
Private Journey – Travel Any Day
Double room $4,000 per person
Solo traveler $6,000
Payment Conditions:
Deposit: 10% of the price
Final Payment: 60 days prior to departure
Cancellation Fees:
61 days prior to departure or more: 10% of the price
60-31 days prior to departure: 20% of the price
30-15 days prior to departure: 50% of the price
14 days prior to departure or less: 100% of the price
Important notes:
- Strelka Tours reserves the right to alter the sequence of activities or replace an activity that becomes unavailable for a comparable one.
- Strelka Tours reserves the right to change an unavailable hotel/lodge for a similar one.
- Strelka Tours reserves the right to unilaterally change the prices in proportion to the change in the exchange rate.
- The rates may vary during holidays and not valid during trade shows, forums, summits and etc. The final rate and terms will be set at the time of booking.
- Payment with MasterCard or Visa will incur +3%, American Express +4% to the prices.