Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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A grandiose journey with themed cuisine and interactive programs through the cities of the Golden Ring: Dmitrov — Kalyazin — Uglich — Martynovo — Myshkin — Rybinsk — Yaroslavl — Nekrasovskoye — Kostroma — Ivanovo — Suzdal — Vladimir.

This is a bus tour starting in Moscow, during which you will be able to explore the architecture of the cities of the Golden Ring and learn about the most fascinating and unusual facts of the history of Russia with full immersion in the atmosphere.

Location

Moscow

Sightseeing tours

Tour highlights

The mysterious country of the Katskars

You will go to the village of Martynovo, the "capital" of the ancient Katsk camp, where you will have a fascinating acquaintance with the life and traditions of the Katskars

Painting of the Yaroslavl tile

You will create a tile yourself — a painted ceramic tile that will help to preserve the memory of this journey for a long time

Peasant meal

You will taste a treat from the Russian stove: stewed potatoes and melted milk, hot bread and pickles

The capital of the Golden Ring

You will see all the business cards of Yaroslavl: the monument to Yaroslav the Wise, the Volga embankment and Russia's oldest Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

Legends of ancient Vladimir

Take a walk around the local Arbat, explore the famous Golden Gate and appreciate the main city cathedrals: Assumption and Dmitrievsky

Colorful Rybinsk

Get to know the cozy and soulful city, spread out on the picturesque shores of the Rybinsk reservoir

Itinerary

Day 1 - Departure from Moscow. Dmitrov, Kalyazin and Uglich
07:45 Meeting of the group in Moscow, Komsomolskaya metro station, Leningradsky railway station building, in the center of the waiting room on the ground floor, by the elevator (sign "Volga journey").
Departure to Dmitrov. One of the most ancient cities in the Moscow region, which has a history of more than 8 centuries. Dmitrov is an important port city located on the Moscow Canal at a distance of 65 km from the capital.
The excursion program: an excursion to the Dmitrov Kremlin is a unique monument of defense architecture, and we will also visit the Assumption Cathedral of the XVI century.
Departure to Kalyazin is one of the oldest Russian cities on the Upper Volga. The great traveler Afanasy Nikitin stayed here during his trip to India. Peter I adored Kalyazin, often visiting the city during his funny river trips. Kalyazin blacksmiths, shoemakers, felters and lace makers were famous throughout Russia.
Kalyazin is, first of all, an opportunity to see the unique bell tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral. During the construction of the Uglich reservoir, all the buildings that were next to the bell tower were flooded, and she remained standing at the very edge of the water surface.
It seems as if the bell tower is floating above the surface of the water. This building has become the hallmark of the city.
Lunch.
Excursion program: sightseeing tour, ensembles of the Vvedenskaya and Voznesenskaya churches, a walking tour along the ancient merchant street with access to the embankment to the flooded bell tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Transfer to Uglich, a native Russian city on the banks of the bend of the Volga.
When Uglich was founded, the bend was so steep that it was called the "corner" — hence the name of the city. It is so quiet, beautiful and serene here that you do not feel at all that passions once boiled on its streets and the history of the country was being made.
Uglich is a small city, but in terms of attractions it can easily be compared with its large and famous neighbors on the Golden Ring.
Excursion program: sightseeing tour of the city, Assumption Square. The architecture of the Uglich Kremlin, the Temple of Dmitry on blood. The church was built on the site of the murder of Ivan the Terrible's heir, Tsarevich Dimitry of Uglich.
Accommodation at the hotel.
On request, it is possible to organize a dinner for an additional fee.

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Day 2 - The village of Martynovo, Myshkin and Rybinsk
Breakfast.
Transfer to Martynovo.
The village of Martynovo is the "capital" of the ancient Katsky camp. Katskari live here – an original community of the Russian people (officially recognized), with their own dialect, traditions and even their own mythology!
You will have a fascinating acquaintance with the way of life, traditions and myths of surprisingly cheerful Katskars. This is a real encyclopedia of peasant farming, preserving the authentic ancient spirit of Mother Russia.
Excursion program: an excursion through the ethnographic hut, a visit to the Katsky farmstead, a treat from the Russian stove (stewed potatoes, melted milk, pickles, bread, tea).
Participation in the interactive program "The real Katskar!".
Departure to Myshkin.
On the high bank of the Volga River, not far from the Rybinsk reservoir, there is a small town with a funny name — Myshkin. It has only 6.5 thousand inhabitants. Nevertheless, it has entered all routes along the Upper Volga and is currently a real tourist center of Russia.
The excursion program: visit the Museum of the Mouse, the museum of peasant architecture of small forms and the museum of unique technology "Myshkinsky Samohod", visit the house of crafts: forge and pottery workshop, the museum "Russian Valenki".
Lunch.
Departure to Rybinsk is a beautiful city located on the picturesque shores of the Rybinsk reservoir and the Volga River.
Rybinsk combines the rich history of merchants, the hard work of boatmen, and the rapid development of industry.
Sightseeing program: a sightseeing tour of the city is a great way to get acquainted with a cozy and warm city.
In the historical center you will feel the spirit of antiquity, see pre-revolutionary signs and architectural monuments, as well as listen to a fascinating guide's story about the past of Rybinsk and how the city lives now.
Accommodation at the hotel.
On request, it is possible to organize a dinner for an additional fee.

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Day 3 - Yaroslavl with a master class, Salt Island in the village of Nekrasovskoye and Kostroma
Breakfast.
Transfer to Yaroslavl, the capital of the Golden Ring of Russia.
Excursion program: sightseeing tour of Yaroslavl, the Volga embankment, the oldest part — the arrow of the Volga and Kotorosli rivers, the monument to Yaroslav the Wise— the founder of the city, the church of Elijah the Prophet.
A master class on tile painting.
Tiles are one of the brands of Yaroslavl. They have been known for a long time. Yaroslavl tiles are a separate branch of the development of the art of ceramics.
The presenter will talk about these products from different times, about the plots and colors. Visitors will find out what the muralized and Dutch tiles looked like and where they can be found in Yaroslavl.
Moving to the village. Nekrasovskoe.
Solyanoy Island is an amazing tourist complex in the heart of Yaroslavl land in terms of beauty and originality. The picturesque location in the bay of the Solonitsa River allows you to combine the best qualities to create an unforgettable vacation.
Lunch.
Excursion program: interactive educational and entertainment program in the tourist complex "Solyanoy Ostrov".
Transfer to Kostroma.
Excursion program: sightseeing tour of the city. We will see a complex of Shopping malls, a central square, a monument to Ivan Susanin, a fire tower, a gazebo N. Ostrovsky and much more!
Transfer to Ivanovo.
Accommodation at the hotel.
On request, it is possible to organize a dinner for an additional fee.

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Day 4 - Ivanovo, Suzdal and Vladimir
Breakfast.
Bus tour of Ivanovo.
We are going on an excursion to Suzdal, the museum city, because there are nowhere such a number of monuments of the history of Russia, as well as ancient buildings that have survived intact and preserved, unique churches and objects of wooden architecture.
Interestingly, at the same time, there is not a single industrial enterprise in Suzdal, which makes it an environmentally friendly place. Most of the buildings in Suzdal are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. For decades, the ancient city has served as a film set for many films.
Excursion program: sightseeing tour, the architecture of the majestic Suzdal Kremlin, the construction of which began in the X century! The architecture of the Pokrovsky Monastery.
Moving to Vladimir is one of the largest cities of the Golden Ring of Russia, located on the high bank of the Klyazma River. The main asset of the Vladimir land is the most beautiful examples of white stone architecture included in the UNESCO list.
Lunch.
Excursion program: sightseeing tour, Cathedral Square ensemble. Assumption Cathedral, Dmitrievsky Cathedral is a unique example of Russian white stone carved architecture of the 12th century.
The Golden Gate is a unique monument of military engineering and architectural art of ancient Russia, a symbol of Vladimir and the entire Golden Ring of Russia. A walk along a pedestrian street.
Visit to the Old Vladimir Museum
Departure of the group to Moscow.
Arrival in the evening, the time depends on the traffic situation.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels in cities along the way.

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

Check-in dates/Placement	2-seat (standard)	1-local (standard)
19.06, 03.07, 17.07, 31.07, 14.08	25 990	29 990

Children under 10 years old in an extra bed (cot) – a discount of 1000 rubles.

Children under 14 years old in the main place – a discount of 500 rubles.

On request, an additional payment for dinners is possible (booked in advance) – 2,400 rubles.

It is possible to place a "female settlement" (if available). It is not a guarantee.

Chaika 3* Hotel, Uglich

This hotel is located in Uglich, a 10-minute walk from the Uglich Kremlin. The Chaika Hotel offers free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool, a tennis court and a spa center.

The bright rooms are decorated in a classic style in warm colors. The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator and a private bathroom.

The Chaika Restaurant serves traditional Russian cuisine. Celebrations can be held in the hall with a fireplace. There is a children's cafe on site. There is also a fitness center, billiards and a solarium. The hotel has a Turkish bath, sauna and massage room.

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Another option

Azimut Hotel Uglich

The stylish AZIMUT Hotel Uglich is located right on the banks of the Volga River, 1 km from the Uglich Kremlin. Built in 2007, the snow-white building fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape. The hotel has 47 classic-style rooms, a restaurant, a fitness center with a swimming pool and an event room.

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Another option

Volzhskaya Riviera 3* Hotel, Uglich

The Volzhskaya Riviera Hotel is considered one of the best in Uglich. It is located almost in the very center of the city, which will allow you to quickly get to the right places in the city.

The architecture of the snow-white building is complemented by tall columns. The interior of the rooms is designed in a modern and individual style, and is equipped with everything necessary that guests may need on vacation.

In the restaurant, guests can enjoy Russian cuisine, as well as order food cooked on coals in the grill menu. The bar has a wine list, as well as cocktails, tea and coffee.

An interesting excursion will be organized for you to the sights located nearby and not only. The train station is 2.4 km away.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 6 to 47 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Moscow

Included in price

accommodation in standard rooms;
meals according to the program (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches);
all excursions according to the program;
entrance tickets to museums;
services of an accompanying guide;
daily transportation service on the route;
the choice of seats on the bus (for a group of up to 19 people, a minibus is provided, pre-seating in the cabin may vary).

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Moscow and back, tickets from Vladimir;
dinners (booked for an additional fee in advance – 2,400 rubles/person);
personal expenses.

It's important to know

When booking a tour for one tourist, the following rules apply:

it is unacceptable to put a single tourist in the next row in a window seat;
it is allowed to land a single tourist at the window on the opposite side of the bus if there is a free pair of seats;
if the window seat is occupied, then put a single tourist in the next vacant chair;
if there are 2 occupied single seats, the third single tourist sits on one of the free chairs next to the single tourist.

When booking a tour for 2 tourists traveling together, seats on the bus are provided side by side – one at the aisle and one at the window. It is unacceptable to provide two seats at the window.

Reviews

O
Olga

2 Jun, 2025

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Volga Journey Through the Golden Ring We recently returned from a trip along the Golden Ring by the Volga River, and it left us with so many emotions—it felt like we had been away for weeks, not just four days. But then again, with 12 towns in 4 days, it really was a whirlwind tour! It’s not something you could experience in everyday life! The itinerary was well thought out, with short transfers between cities. I’d like to give a special thank you to our driver for making the ride smooth and pleasant, and for being there with us throughout the journey. I was truly impressed by the guides in each city. You could tell they genuinely love what they do. I used to think I didn’t care much for guided tours, but this time I was captivated—listening intently, hanging on every word. I even regret missing parts of the program when I wandered off to take photos and videos. One of the most memorable stops was Uglich, where we learned about the tragic death of Tsarevich Dmitry and visited the church built on the site. The story stayed with me for a long time. Another unforgettable place was the flooded bell tower in Kalyazin. It looked like something out of a movie—mysterious and magical, though its history is somber. It reminded me just how important it is to listen to the guides and learn about the stories that shaped our country. Yaroslavl, Suzdal, and Vladimir truly touched my heart. I wish we had more time for independent exploration in those cities. In Suzdal, we did get that chance, and it was a joy to wander through the charming streets and the Kremlin on our own. I would have loved the same opportunity in Yaroslavl—to stroll along the confluence of the rivers—and near the Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir. Unfortunately, in those cities, we only had time for the official city tours. Some places, like Martynovo and Myshkin, had enough time allotted, but others really needed an extra hour for personal exploration. The only disappointment was Ivanovo. To be fair, we arrived quite late and left early the next morning, so maybe we didn’t get to see its best side. Still, it felt out of place on the itinerary. Our hotel there was old and uncomfortable, with a view of trash bins and a very outdated feel—like a step back into the Soviet era. Even the breakfast was cold, despite arriving at 7 AM. And finding a place to eat in the city late on a Saturday night (especially if dinner wasn’t included in your package) was nearly impossible. It’s easy to end up going to bed hungry. As for meals, the breakfasts and lunches included in the tour were satisfying. We certainly didn’t go hungry. In Martynovo, we were served delicious oven-baked potatoes, pickles, and fresh milk in a cozy, welcoming setting. In Nekrasovskoye, we were greeted with traditional bread and salt, and enjoyed an interactive cultural program that was fun for all ages. It was a warm and atmospheric experience. A quick word about accommodations: out of the three hotels we stayed in, the one in Rybinsk was by far the best. We stayed at the Viconda Hotel, which had lovely rooms and a stunning view from the window. We were even lucky enough to catch a gorgeous sunset. The breakfast there, in a stylish restaurant, was the perfect way to start the day. This hotel left the most positive impression. As I mentioned earlier, the hotel in Ivanovo (Tourist Hotel) was very disappointing—poor rooms, depressing view, cold breakfast. In Uglich, we stayed at the Mayak Hotel. It wasn’t the most comfortable place either—basic and somewhat eerie at night—but the breakfast was decent. Here’s my list of favorite cities from the trip—places I’d love to return to: Yaroslavl – for riverside walks and church visits. Suzdal – for its sweeping views and deeply historic Kremlin. Vladimir – simply beautiful. Rybinsk – I loved the vintage-style signage downtown and would like to see the reservoir. Uglich – rich in history, a place I’d love to explore further. Kalyazin – the bell tower is hauntingly beautiful. I’m very grateful to "Big Country" for this wonderful journey—the thoughtful itinerary, the vibrant atmosphere, and the care they showed to all of us travelers. Looking forward to more adventures with you!
A
Anastasia

about provider

26 May, 2025

Had an amazing time 🔥 looking forward to next time 👍
V
Valentina

about provider

15 May, 2025

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I really enjoyed the tour. Our main guide, Marina, as well as the excursion guides, were fantastic. You could tell they truly love what they do and are great at it. I also appreciated our driver — very professional. We were lucky to have such a great group: everyone was friendly, cohesive, and well-organized. It was also nice to see people from across the former Soviet Union — it shows that those connections still remain. The tour was very well organized: meals, hotel check-ins, and excursions all went smoothly. Everything was excellent, and I’m left with so many wonderful impressions ! A big thank you to the entire tour team.

A gold ring. The Volga Journey