The golden domes of Russia in winter. Golden Ring City Tour

Centuries-old architectural masterpieces, bell ringing and the most interesting facts from the history of provincial Russian cities are waiting for you on this five-day journey along the Golden Ring. 

Travel route: Sergiev Posad — Pereslavl-Zalessky — Rostov Veliky — Yaroslavl — Kostroma — Ivanovo — Suzdal — Kideksha — Bogolyubovo — Vladimir.

Location

Moscow
from
$418
$362
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
5 Days
4 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 14 – 18 May
    • 21 – 25 May
    • 28 May – 1 June
    • 4 – 8 June
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    4 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
From 1 to 50 tourists
Minimum age
6 years old
Group meet at
Moscow
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
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Tour highlights

The Mysteries of the Rostov Kremlin
You will learn the secrets of the Kremlin, which was not really an ancient Russian princely fortress and performed other functions for a long time
The architectural ensemble of Yaroslavl
Walk along the reconstructed Volga embankment, explore the ancient architecture of the central part of Yaroslavl, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
Museum City
Visit Suzdal, which is called the "cradle of the Golden Ring", as there are about 200 historical monuments here

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Departure from Moscow. Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov the Great

    07:45 Gathering of the group in Moscow: VDNKh metro station, parking lot to the right of the Kosmos Hotel.

    08:00 Departure to Sergiev Posad.

    Excursion to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The Trinity-Sergius Lavra is the pearl of Russia's Orthodox shrines with a centuries—old history. The architectural ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is under UNESCO protection.

    The Trinity Cathedral (exterior) is the main cathedral church and the oldest surviving structure of the Trinity Monastery, the first stone building of the Lavra. The main shrine of the cathedral is the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

    The Assumption Cathedral (interior) is the architectural center of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. It is inferior in seniority to the famous Trinity Cathedral, but nevertheless, with its location and strict grandeur, it heads the Lavra group of buildings.

    Refectory and Dukhovskoy temples (interior).

    Transfer to Pereslavl-Zalessky.

    Today, Pereslavl is a charming city on the shores of the fabulous Pleshcheyev Lake, with beautiful panoramas and mesmerizing views.

    Translated from Old Russian, Pereslavl means "who took over the glory", because the city was founded by the founder of Moscow, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152.

    Guided tour of Pereslavl-Zalessky, photo stop on Red Square.

    The magnificent 12th-century Transfiguration Cathedral is located on the square, the only one of the first five white—stone churches in Northeastern Russia that has come down to us almost completely intact.

    Many Pereslavl princes were baptized in the cathedral, including Alexander Nevsky, who was born in Pereslavl in 1221.

    Lunch at a cafe in the city.

    Departure to Rostov Veliky.

    Rostov is not called Great for nothing, because its mentions date back to the year 862 in the chronicles.

    The serene Lake Nero, strict and elegant monasteries, quiet streets and the majestic Kremlin help to break away from the hustle and bustle and touch the formation of Russia and Orthodoxy, to turn over the pages of chronicles and history textbooks live.

    Visit to the Rostov Kremlin.

    Surrounded by powerful walls with towers, it looks like the Kremlin, an ancient Russian princely fortress, but in reality it has long been the Bishop's Court, the residence of Rostov bishops and metropolitans.

    The Kremlin is decorated with the Assumption Cathedral (XVI century) with a unique belfry, on which a set of 15 bells has been completely preserved, the Bishop's Courtyard, and Cathedral Square.

    Optional for an additional fee:

    The exhibition "Walls and passages of the Rostov Kremlin" (small passages) — in summer, in winter — "Museum of Rostov Finifty".

    Accommodation at the hotel "Susanin Park Hotel 3*" Kostroma (reserve hotels: Yaroslavskoye Podvorye 3*, YaRotel Center 3*, Kotorosl 3* – Yaroslavl; Volga 4*, Shelestov 3*, Snegurochka 3*, Troya 3* – Kostroma).

    Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

    3 more photos
  • Day 2 - Yaroslavl and Kostroma
  • Day 3 - Ivanovo and Suzdal
  • Day 4 - Kideksha, Gavrilov Posad for an additional fee
  • Day 5 - Bogolyubovo and Vladimir
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    4 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels along the way in standard rooms, double occupancy.

Accommodation in the hotel "Susanin Park Hotel" 3* Kostroma (2 nights) and in the hotel "Knyazhy Dvor" 3* Suzdal (2 nights) or "Amaks Golden Ring" 3* Vladimir.

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

Breakfast onlyNo dinners: breakfasts and lunchesFull meals: 5 lunches + 4 breakfasts + 4 dinners
29 49031 99033 990

The surcharge for a single room is 7,750 rubles.

Discount on an extra bed (3 people in a room) – 800 rub.

The surcharge for more comfortable accommodation is 17,250 rubles/person. 

The hotels are indicated approximately, it is possible to replace them with similar ones, including hotels in other cities.

It is possible to change the price for some dates, please check the current information when booking.

Susanin Park Hotel 3*, Kostroma 2 nights

The Susanin Park Hotel is just a 10-minute drive from the Volga River. The hotel is located near the historical center of Kostroma with the five-domed Epiphany Cathedral and the Church of the Resurrection.

It offers comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi and satellite TV, as well as a sauna complex. All rooms at the hotel are equipped with a refrigerator and a private bathroom. Some rooms have a kitchenette.

The wooden sauna complex of the hotel offers a traditional Russian sauna, steam room, bathroom and massage room. The Beerstadt restaurant serves European cuisine and beer. Russian Russian dishes, such as borscht, are served in the restaurant of traditional Russian cuisine.

4 more photos
Hotel "Knyazhy Dvor" 3* Suzdal or Hotel "Amaks Golden Ring" 3* g. Vladimir. 2 nights

Tour conditions

Group
From 1 to 50 tourists
Minimum age
6 years old
Duration
5 days 4 nights
Group meets at
Moscow

Included in price

  • accommodation in hotels with all amenities along the way in standard rooms;
  • meals (according to the selected option);
  • guided tour service according to the program;
  • transportation service.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Moscow and back;
  • the surcharge for a single room is 7,750 rubles.;
  • the choice of a seat on the bus is 2,450 rubles. (booked when buying a tour);
  • excursion package (Rostov – walls and passages or the finifti Museum, Yaroslavl – the Church of Elijah the Prophet (only in summer), Suzdal – the Museum of Wooden Architecture and the Spaso-Efimiev Monastery, Vladimir – the Crystal Museum or "Old Vladimir") – 2,700 rubles/person.; 
  • additional excursions on request;
  • personal expenses.

It's important to know

Important information about the tour
  1. The time of departure and arrival in Moscow is indicative and cannot be considered a mandatory item of the program.
  2. The company reserves the right to make changes to the excursion program depending on objective circumstances while maintaining volume and quality. It is possible to replace some excursions with equivalent ones. And also to replace hotels of the same category or higher.
  3. If the number of tourists in a group is less than 20 people, a minibus of a foreign tourist class can be provided.
  4. The company does not arrange room check-in for your safety and comfort.
  5. The seating on the bus is fixed. Seats on the bus are provided automatically 1 day before the start of the tour. In case of an emergency, the available places are determined by the guide. The "Place selection" service, the manager will fix the desired place for you in advance for an additional fee.
  6. The time according to the tour program (especially the arrival time) is indicated approximately. There may be delays due to circumstances beyond the control of the Tour Operator (traffic jams, vehicle breakdowns, etc.), and therefore the arrival time of the bus at the final destination along the route may be extended by 2-3 hours. 
  7. When self-booking travel documents by Tourists for further travel to their destination (permanent residence), it is necessary to take into account the possible increase in tour time. Compensation for travel tickets (air, railway), in case of delay of vehicles within the tour for reasons beyond the control of the Tour Operator, is not made.
Are air and railway tickets included in the price of the tour?
How is the food organized on the tour?

Dates and Prices

Reviews

  • A
    Anastasia
    about provider
    25 Apr, 2025
    The tour was exceptionally well organized, with support provided right from the very beginning. Every question was answered promptly and thoroughly. Many thanks for the outstanding work ✨✨✨🤗
  • N
    Natalia
    about provider
    23 Apr, 2025
    The tour was exceptionally well organized! All of my questions were answered thoroughly and professionally.
  • NR
    Natalia Rak
    about provider
    23 Apr, 2025
    Thank you so much for this incredible journey along the Golden Ring! The excursions were absolutely fascinating, and a special thanks goes to our guide, Anton. His eloquence and encyclopedic knowledge made it feel like a true deep dive into history. We spent 7 days on the tour, but it honestly didn’t feel like enough — I’m already wishing I could explore even more! A heartfelt thank you as well to our bus driver (unfortunately, I didn’t catch his last name — his first name is Nikolai, bus number 356) and to the entire team behind the trip! From comfortable hotel accommodations to great meals and a well-organized itinerary — everything was exceptionally well planned. We’d be delighted to travel with you again!