Starting in Moscow, journey to the “Golden Ring” of medieval Russian cities and then Kazan, the capital of the fascinating Tatar Republic. This 11-day tour includes four UNESCO World Heritage sites – Moscow’s Kremlin and Red Square, the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, the Kazan Kremlin, and Sviyazhsk Island – and many other churches, monasteries, palaces, museums, and historical monuments. Other highlights include experiencing the Tatar Republic’s unique culture, food, and music; exploring the old merchant town of Gorodets, famous for its folk crafts; and enjoying scenic views of the legendary Volga River from the historic city of Nizhny Novgorod.
Tour itinerary:
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
During your free time in Moscow, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Armoury in the Kremlin (except Thursdays);
Night city tour: ‘Evening lights of Moscow’;
River cruise on the motor ship ‘Flotilla Radisson Royal’;
Tickets to the Bolshoi Theatre, concerts, the circus, or other performances.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
During your free time in Vladimir, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Master classes on making patchwork or amulet dolls;
Mead tasting.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
During your free time in Nizhny Novgorod, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Ride on the Nizhny Novgorod funicular;
Walking tour along Rozhdestvenskaya Street;
Visit to the Yurkovka Art Gallery.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Interactive show, “Visiting the Oblayevs” – discover the mansion of the Oblayev merchant family and watch a theatrical performance demonstrating the lifestyle of the merchant class in Gorodets;
Traditional Gorodets folk music performance;
Master class in Gorodets’ famous style of painting – paint an egg, spoon, or plate;
Master class in gingerbread painting;
Tasting of local Willowherb tea and gingerbread.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
During your free time in Kazan, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Chak-chak Museum to learn about and taste traditional Tatar food and drink tea;
“Kazan hospitality” interactive programme – demonstration of traditional Tatar dances, songs, clothes, and food, with the chance for visitors to participate in dancing, singing, and a photo session in costume;
Master class on playing the Tatar harmonica;
Handicraft master classes: pottery, leather embossing, coin minting, casting (pendants, rings), basket weaving, fabric printing, painting on water (ebru), weaving, and making soap, candles, or folk toys;
Master class on Tatar costumes – learn about traditional Tatar clothing, see a demonstration of 16th-19th century costumes and headdresses, and dress up to have your photograph taken.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Tree Archaeology Museum;
‘Streltsy Fun’ interactive performance – a staged battle between Russian and Tatar knights at the time of Ivan the Terrible.
- All transfers (1-2 pax by sedan type car, 3-7 pax by minivan, 8-13 pax by 30 seat bus, 14+ pax by 40-50 seat bus);
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour programme in each city with local, English-speaking guides;
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
- Tickets for trains from Moscow – Vladimir, Vladimir – Nizhny Novgorod, and Nizhny Novgorod – Kazan;
- Economy class ticket for flight Kazan – Moscow;
- Visa support for Russian tourist visa;
- In groups of 11 or more travellers, 1 person travels free of charge and is accommodated in a single room.
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Consular fees for Russia tourist visa;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Personal travel insurance;
- Tips/gratuities for guides and drivers (although these would be appreciated).
Prices per person
Accommodation
Veliy Hotel Mokhovaya Moscow / Sverchkov 8 Hotel / Starosadskiy Hotel / Holiday Inn Express Hotel Moscow - Baumanskaya
Comfort:
Godunov Hotel / Arbat House Hotel / Pushkin Hotel / Brick Design Hotel
Orion / Vladimir / Russian Village
Comfort:
Park-hotel Voznesenskaya Sloboda / mini-hotel Vladimirsky Dvorik
Ibis Nizhny Novgorod / Domino / Jouk-Jacque
Comfort:
Courtyard by Marriott / AZIMUT Nizhny Novgorod / Marins Park Nizhny Novgorod / Sheraton Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
Ibis Kazan / Nogai / Apart-Hotel Yamskoy Posad
Comfort:
Ramada Kazan City Centre / DoubleTree by Hilton Kazan City Centre / Apart-Hotel on Pushkina 26