Discovery of the Russian Empire, from Moscow to Kazan
From the golden domes of the Kremlin to the minarets of Kazan, a journey to the heart of thousand-year-old Russie's soul.
Duration
9 days
From
€955/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, senior, groupe
The spirit of travel
During this circuit to conquer the Russian empire, we will be invited to stroll through the capital before discovering Vladimir and Souzdal. These are among the cities of the Golden Ring that were among the most powerful in the world.
The journey continues towards the fortified city of Nijni Novgorod, then to Kazan, the splendid capital of Tatarstan, founded by the Golden Horde on the banks of the Volga and later conquered by Ivan the Terrible.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Moscow
After breakfast at the hotel, we meet our guide to embark on a city tour by transport.
We then discover Red Square, a vast rectangular esplanade whose ends feature the Saint Basil the Blessed Cathedral, GOUM, the Kremlin as well as the History Museum with the Gates of Resurrection, rebuilt in 1996 after being destroyed under Stalin.
We also explore The Bolshoi Theatre and Manège Square before strolling along Tverskaya Street.
The Sparrow Hills, or mount of the sparrows, is also worth a visit to enjoy a beautiful panorama over the Novodevichy Convent.
We enjoy a free lunch, then a guided tour in the afternoon.
We can choose The Tretyakov Gallery, the Izmaylovo Souvenir Market or the Metro and the Christ the Saviour Cathedral
Moscow
We have breakfast at the hotel.
We have a free day, which allows us to discover the city on our own. It is also possible to visit The Kremlin and its cathedrals or to go to the Palace of Armories.
Vladimir – Souzdal
After breakfast, we are transferred to the train station to take the train to Vladimir.
Our driver welcomes us at Vladimir train station to take us to the excursion office.
Meeting with our English-speaking guide.
We enjoy a group guided tour through the city. We discover the Saint Dimitri Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Dormition. Essential cities of the Golden Ring, Vladimir and Souzdal take us to the heart of 12th-century Russie through their sumptuous cathedrals and monasteries listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. At that time, Vladimir was built on the Kliazma and was for a long time the rival of Kiev then Moscow.
We are then transferred to Souzdal to enjoy free time allowing us to visit Bogoliubovo and its cathedral.
Suzdal – Nizhny Novgorod
After breakfast at the hotel, we have a free morning. If we wish, we can enjoy a guided tour of Suzdal on foot lasting approximately 3 hours.
Then we are transferred to Vladimir railway station.
We depart at 15:40 to reach Nizhny Novgorod, an important city that represents the economic center of the Volga-Vyatka region.
Arrival scheduled for 17:43.
We are then transferred to the hotel to enjoy some free time.
Nizhny Novgorod - Kazan
After breakfast, we meet our guide who takes us to discover this city built at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers. Novgorod represented from the 13th century onwards a hub of commercial exchange and a strategic military center. It was forbidden for foreigners to visit until 1991. It houses a fortified Kremlin from the 16th century, which is considered one of the models of Russian fortress architecture. Furthermore, this site offers a superb panorama over the river and the region.
During the afternoon, we have free time.
We are then transferred to Nizhny Novgorod station.
Departure towards Kazan at 21:25.
Dinner on your own (picnic or meal in the train restaurant car)
Kazan
In the morning, we arrive at Kazan. Our driver welcomes us and takes us to our hotel where rooms are available.
After settling in, we have breakfast.
Our guide joins us for a day of sightseeing.
The adventure begins with a tour of the Millennium City of Kazan. We admire in turn the Cathedral of Peter and Paul, the Azimovskaya and Marddjani mosques. We also make sure to visit the city's remarkable sites such as Liberty Square, Tukaya Square, Kazanskii Posad and the University.
Free lunch followed by a visit to the Kazan Kremlin. We admire the 13 towers, the Quol-Sharif Mosque, the Blagovesenskii Cathedral, the Syuyumbuke Tower, the Canons Yard, the Spasskaya Tower as well as the Presidential Palace.
Kazan
Breakfast at the hotel.
We make the most of our last free morning.
We are transferred to the airport to catch the international flight.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Meals not indicated
- Tips and personal expenses
- Optional services and non-mentioned services
Included
- The accommodations mentioned or similar in standard double room base
- Breakfasts
- Les transports mentionnés
- The visits mentioned with English-speaking guide
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Russia for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, and we recommend that you verify this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Russia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of entry into the country and contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada are in principle subject to a visa requirement to enter Russia. A tourist visa must be obtained from the competent Russian embassy or consulate before departure.
To obtain a tourist visa, the documents generally required are:
a valid passport with sufficient validity duration,
a completed visa application form,
a hotel reservation confirmation or a tourist invitation issued by an approved tourism operator in Russia,
travel insurance covering the entire stay on Russian territory.
A tourist visa is generally granted for a stay of up to 30 days. Its validity period and entry conditions (single or double entry) vary depending on the type of visa issued.
Mandatory registration
Any foreign traveler staying in Russia must register with the local authorities within seven business days following their arrival. In most cases, this registration is carried out directly by the hotel or accommodation provider. In the case of accommodation with a private individual, the host is responsible for completing this procedure.
It is advisable to keep the registration proof to present it upon leaving the country.
Geopolitical context
Due to the geopolitical context linked to the conflict in Ukraine, many EEA countries, Switzerland and Canada have issued travel warnings strongly advising against or prohibiting all travel to Russia. Direct air connections between Russia and much of Europe are suspended. It is imperative to consult the official travel recommendations of your government before considering any travel.
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport and an individual visa covering the duration of the stay.
When a minor travels without one or both of their parents, a notarized parental authorization may be required by Russian authorities upon entry and exit from the country.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Affected travelers should inquire with the Russian embassy or consulate of their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Frequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required, along with an invitation letter from an approved agency. The current geopolitical context requires maximum vigilance. Entry conditions evolve regularly: you must consult the consular recommendations of your country of residence before booking.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
In the current context, tourist travel to Russia is strongly discouraged. Should conditions permit, expect between 170 and 280 euros per day per person for a tailor-made trip, excluding flights. Our teams closely monitor the situation's evolution.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, your budget and your dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) protection that covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Moscow Region
A Nomadays advisor will get back to you to refine this project — itinerary, dates, budget, wishes — and propose a tailor-made version suited to your trip.