The Imperial Route – Kaluga

Let's go to the Kaluga region to historical and Orthodox places. You will travel through the estates of the Goncharovs and Zolotarevs, ancient temples and monasteries.

And you will also see the Eye from a height, taste Kaluga delicacies, visit the museum of paper production and the museum dedicated to the three queens born on the Kaluga land.

Location

Kaluga
from
$156
$145
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
2 Days
1 Night
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 1 – 2 May, 2025
    • 8 – 9 May, 2025
    • 12 – 13 June, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 46 people
Minimum age
6 years old
Group meet at
Kaluga
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Nuances of paper production
We will learn interesting facts from the history of paper production
Picturesque Eye
Let's go up to the observation deck and look at the Oka River from a height
Kaluga sweets
Let's listen to an interactive story about traditional delicacies and taste them

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Sergiev Hermitage, the Museum of Paper and the Zolotarev Estate

    08:55 Arrival in Kaluga at the Kaluga-2 railway station by the Ivan Paristy train, meeting the group with the guide.

    The beginning of the excursion program at the Kaluga-2 railway station: a memorial plaque commemorating the arrival of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.

    Departure to the village. Mstikhino (12 km), travel tour, visit to Sergiev Hermitage. The cross of worship.

    The Orthodox monastery in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh was created to perpetuate the memory of the first leader and chairman of the Palestinian Society, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, who died from a terrorist attack on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin on February 4, 1905.

    In 1906, his wife, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, took part in the creation of the Sergiev Hermitage. The Grand Duchess herself visited the monastery in 1911 and 1915. 

    Transfer to the Linen Factory (18 km). Excursion to the Goncharov Estate museum "The story of a portrait".

    In 1775, Catherine II visited the estate. The Empress was met by Afanasy Abramovich Goncharov and his family. Ekaterina drank tea and coffee in the house, and then inspected the paper production. At the end of the visit, the host presented the Empress with several stacks of paper made by him.

    Excursion to the Buzeon Paper Museum.

    The museum is located on the territory of the Linen Factory Paper Manufactory, which was built by the personal decree of Peter the Great by merchant Timofey Filatov-Karamyshev for the manufacture of sailing canvases. The Imperial House paid great attention to the development of industry, very often representatives of the House opened and initiated the creation of various enterprises.

    Lunch.

    Visiting a church cultural heritage site: The Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Kaluga St. Tikhon's Desert".

    Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, who visited St. Tikhon's Desert in 1911, attended the early Divine Liturgy, memorial service and prayer service to St. Tikhon the Wonderworker of Kaluga. She visited the chapel where the oak tree was kept, which served as a dwelling for the saint during his lifetime, immersed herself in the spring of St. Tikhon, visited the cell of the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Lawrence (Barkhatov), after which she visited the Assumption Cathedral, the refectory and the book fair together with him.

    Departure to Kaluga (13 km), travel tour.

    A tour of the museum and local history complex "Zolotarev Manor".

    In 1816, Emperor Alexander I stayed at the house of the merchant Zolotarev during a visit to the Kaluga province. Nicholas I, Alexander Nikolaevich, Mikhail Pavlovich, Maria Feodorovna, Alexandra Feodorovna and Maria Nikolaevna, Elena Pavlovna, Mikhail Nikolaevich stayed at the merchant's house at various times.

    A walking tour from the museum and local history complex "Zolotarev Manor" to the city park of culture and recreation (with an inspection of the architectural monument Kamenny Bridge), a tour of the park with an approach to the monument of Nicholas II, a visit to the Trinity Cathedral (1.6 km), the monument to Kuksha, a commemorative plaque.

    Photo stop at the observation deck (Oka river).

    In 1904, Nicholas II defended the divine service in the Trinity Cathedral and went to the city garden, where he admired the view of the Oka from the observation deck. Currently, there is a monument to the emperor in the park. Grand Dukes Mikhail Alexandrovich and Sergiy Alexandrovich also visited the park at one time.

    Visit to the museum-shop "Lyubimaya Kaluga" with an interactive story about traditional Kaluga delicacies with tasting, free time to purchase souvenirs.

    Accommodation in a 3*, 4* hotel.

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  • Day 2 - Optina deserts, Kozelsk and the Museum of the Three Queens
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Tour organizer's comments

Bus and walking tours are waiting for you.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in double rooms in one of the hotels in Kaluga.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

Double occupancy14 890
Single occupancy16 640
Placement on the additional. location14 790
The Ambassador Kaluga Hotel or The Best Western Kaluga Hotel or 1 night
The Ambassador Kaluga Hotel

Ambassador Kaluga Hotel is located in Grabtsevo Industrial Park, a 15-minute drive from the center of Kaluga and just a 5-minute drive from Kaluga Grabtsevo Airport.

It offers free parking and free Wi-Fi in all areas. The elegant, soundproofed rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.

Some rooms have a fully equipped kitchenette, a desk and a safety deposit box.

The Ambassador Restaurant serves a delicious breakfast, as well as European and Russian cuisine. Guests can relax in the Compliment and Time Out bars.

The reception is open 24 hours a day. Guests have free access to the spa area with a fitness center, sauna, Turkish/steam bath and relaxation area.

Billiards, mini golf and table tennis are available for an additional fee. Conference and banquet facilities are available.

Kaluga-1 Train Station is 6.4 km from Ambassador Kaluga Hotel, while Kaluga Grabtsevo Airport is just 1.7 km away. Moscow is 160 km southwest of the hotel.

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Another option
The Best Western Kaluga Hotel

"Best Western Kaluga Hotel" is waiting for new guests in Kaluga. Here, first-class service is combined with the unobtrusive staff. Businessmen and those who have come to relax will equally enjoy living in the complex.

The room stock is represented by 4 categories. You can sleep in one double bed or two single beds. They perfectly let in daylight and create a homely atmosphere in the room.

The restaurant is ready to surprise you with various culinary masterpieces every day. In the lobby bar, everyone can order a drink or a light snack. All events, including business events, can be held in the banquet hall.

Once here, you should definitely visit the museums and other attractions of the city, stroll along the main streets and enjoy the atmosphere.

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Another option
Hotel "SK Royal Hotel Kaluga"

The Sk Royal Hotel Kaluga is located on the right bank of the Oka River and a 10-minute drive from the city center. On its territory there is a small ski complex equipped with the necessary equipment for sports, a fitness center and a cozy summer veranda.

The comfortable apartments are furnished with upholstered furniture, they are perfect for lovers of a homely atmosphere. The room stock is represented by such categories that will conquer even the most demanding guest.

The spacious restaurant provides a delicious breakfast, and a well-stocked bar serves a variety of drinks.

The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Tsiolkovsky Park and a 20-minute drive from the train station.

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Tour conditions

Group
up to 46 tourists
Minimum age
6 years old
Duration
2 days 1 night
Group meets at
Kaluga

Included in price

  • Transportation service: along the route; 
  • accommodation in a 3* hotel (city center), 4*, 2-bed accommodation;
  • Meals: breakfast, two lunches; 
  • services of a tour guide; 
  • excursions: museum and local history complex "Zolotorev Manor", sightseeing tour of the historical part of Kaluga, museum-reserve "Polotnyany Zavod", paper museum "Buzeon", Museum of the Three Queens (Meshchovsk);
  • visit to the Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Kaluga St. Tikhon's Desert", the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Optina Desert, St. George Monastery.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Kaluga and back;
  • meals outside the program;
  • personal expenses.

It's important to know

Are air and railway tickets included in the price of the tour?

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Are there any active monasteries and cathedrals that we will visit?
What is the transport on the tour?
Are there any possible changes in the program?

Dates and Prices

  • $145
    1 – 2 May, 2025 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $145
    8 – 9 May, 2025 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $145
    12 – 13 Jun, 2025 2 days 1 night
    Submit request
    No need to pay now