This 1-week Moscow and Astrakhan tour showcases the fascinating history and unique landscapes of south-western Russia. Astrakhan’s history as a Tatar Khanate and its location on the Volga River near the Caspian Sea and the Russian-Kazakh border combine to create a diverse experience for tourists. Activities range from admiring the architecture and historical monuments in Astrakhan city, to experiencing traditional customs, food, and music in a Kazakh village and discovering the unique ecosystem of the Volga River Delta on a boat tour. This tour of Moscow and Astrakahan naturally also includes a tour of the national capital, including the legendary Red Square and Kremlin, as well as a visit to the beautiful Kuskovo Memorial Estate.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Moscow, meet your driver, and transfer to the hotel (check in is possible from 14:00). Free time to begin your 1-week Moscow and Astrakhan tour. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, take a guided tour of Russia’s capital city, Moscow. Like Rome, this is a city on seven hills. Your tour of the metropolis starts at Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills) in the south-west of the city. Elevated 78m above the river, these hills are Moscow’s main panoramic viewpoint and offer excellent views of most of the city’s attractions: the Kremlin, Stalin’s famous “Seven Sisters” skyscrapers (such as the main building of Moscow State University), the modern Moscow City skyscrapers, the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences, Russia’s “White House”, Shukhov Tower, Luzhniki Stadium, and the Ostankino TV Tower. After visiting Vorobyovy Gory, descend to the Memorial Complex on Poklonnaya Gora (Victory Park) to see the Church of St. George the Victorious, the Triumphal Arch, and Kutuzovsky Prospekt. Then, visit the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, one of the tallest Orthodox churches in the world. The original cathedral was destroyed in the 1930s by order of Stalin and only rebuilt in the 1990s. The cathedral has a 69m-high dome, on the inside of which are beautiful images from the New Testament. Continue the tour at the famed Red Square, walking past St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the famous GUM, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden. The day ends at the impressive Kremlin and its cathedrals (closed on Thursdays and replaced with an alternative sight). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Armoury or the Diamond Fund in the Kremlin (except Thursdays);
Night city tour, ‘Evening lights of Moscow’;
River cruise on the motor ship ‘Flotilla Radisson Royal’ (from May to October);
Tickets to the Bolshoi Theatre, concerts, the circus, or other performances.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Armoury or the Diamond Fund in the Kremlin (except Thursdays);
Night city tour, ‘Evening lights of Moscow’;
River cruise on the motor ship ‘Flotilla Radisson Royal’ (from May to October);
Tickets to the Bolshoi Theatre, concerts, the circus, or other performances.
After breakfast, check-out of the hotel (leaving your luggage in the hotel’s storage room) and transfer to the Kuskovo Memorial Estate (19 km, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and replaced with an alternative sight). This estate belonged to the Sheremetev family for several centuries and reached its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev acquired it. Take a tour of the estate to admire the architecture and park and learn about the history of the estate and its owners. See the surviving pavilions and the estate’s main building, the Palace, with its old interiors and original 17th to 19th century paintings, sculptures, and works of decorative and applied art. Finally, walk through the 18th century park to see its authentic Italian marble sculptures and visit the pavilions. Return to the hotel to collect your luggage, then transfer to the airport to take the 16:00 flight from Moscow to Astrakhan (1,400 km, 1h15min). Upon arrival in Astrakhan at 19:15, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Astrakhan city, which has a rich history as part of the Golden Horde and as a Tatar Khanate. Located in south-western Russia on the Volga River, near the Caspian Sea, Astrakhan is now famous as a major fish processing centre. The wider Astrakhan region is also a centre of oil and gas production. Your tour will begin with a walk along the beautiful streets of the city centre and along the Volga Embankment. See the Arc de Triomphe, old mansions, Iranian and Armenian courtyards, the Annunciation Monastery, and the chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Walk around the city’s main square, Lenin Square, and see Swan Lake, the Temple of St. Vladimir, and the Tatar Settlement. Continue to the Kremlin and visit the Assumption Cathedral. End the day at the Astrakhan Museum of Local Lore, with visits to exhibitions about Sarmatian gold and the fish of the Caspian Basin. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the fish market (“Selenskiye Isady”).
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the fish market (“Selenskiye Isady”).
Breakfast followed by an excursion to a Kazakh village. The Astrakhan region, located close to the Russian-Kazakh border, is home to a significant Kazakh population. The inhabitants of this village have carefully preserved their Kazakh traditions, costumes, recipes, and holiday rituals. Enjoy the famous oriental hospitality and immerse yourself in the Kazakh culture as you enjoy a performance of traditional singing and dancing, accompanied by the magical sound of the Kazakh dombra. Continue to the Mausoleum of Kurmangazy Sagyrbayev, an outstanding Kazakh educator, composer, and musician. Then visit the International Cultural Centre named after Kurmangazy to see exhibitions about his life and work. Afterwards, take a master class on cooking baursak (Kazakh puffy fried bread), before enjoying a lunch of traditional Kazakh cuisine and a folklore show at a restaurant. Return to the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Drive to a sturgeon farm where species such as beluga, Russian and Siberian sturgeon, bester, and sterlet are kept. See how sturgeon are raised on the farm and learn how black caviar, one of the most expensive delicacies in the world, is obtained. Then enjoy a lunch of delicious fish dishes prepared by the chef (if you wish, you may also try the caviar (extra cost)). After lunch, take a master class on cooking fish dishes. Finally, transfer to the pier to take a boat tour of the Volga River Delta. Enjoy the unique and impressive landscapes, flora, birds, and fish and, between July and early September, see the beautiful flowers blooming at the famous lotus fields. The boat will take you to the tourist camp. Dinner. Overnight in the recreation centre at the tourist camp.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
- 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
- Traditional Kazakh lunch (Day 5), lunch at the sturgeon farm (Day 6), dinner at the Recreation Centre (Day 6)
- Sightseeing tour programme in each city with local, English-speaking guides
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary
- Economy class tickets for flights Moscow – Astrakhan – 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, unless otherwise stated)
- Hotel charges for additional services
- Consular fees for Russia tourist visa
- Tips/gratuities for guides and drivers (although these would be appreciated)
- International flight tickets before and after the tour
- Personal travel insurance.
Prices per person
Prices are for 2023 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Economy:
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
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
Economy:
Azimut Hotel / Lotus Hotel
Comfort:
Park Inn by Radisson / Astrakhanskaya Hotel / Victoria Palas Hotel
Azimut Hotel / Lotus Hotel
Comfort:
Park Inn by Radisson / Astrakhanskaya Hotel / Victoria Palas Hotel
Tour Request
Moscow and Astrakhan Tour Reviews
No tour reviews have been posted yet.