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14 day - Cruise from Moscow to the Caspian Sea

From the Golden Horde to the Soviet era, the scenic cities of Russia’s grand Volga River have been witness to some of the most significant events in Russian history. On a journey aboard the deluxe M.S. Volga Dream, cruise from Moscow to the Volga River Delta on the Caspian Sea. Discover iconic onion-domed churches; stroll through gems such as medieval Nizhniy Novgorod; and explore the treasures of Yaroslavl, the Volga’s oldest city.

Highlights include

  • Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at the Kremlin’s State Armory.
  • Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
  • Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front
Day 1
Arrive Moscow
Day 2
Orientation tour of Moscow with the Old Tretyakov gallery.
Day 3
Visit the Kremlin and Armoury Museum
Day 4
Visit Uglich and the Chapel of Dmitry on a Spilled Blood.
Day 5
Visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site.
Day 6
Sailing Day
Day 7
Visit Nizhniy Novgorod & the 16th-century Kremlin.
Day 8
Cruise down the Volga River and enter the Republic of Tatarstan.
Day 9
Arrive in Samara and enjoy a BBQ on the deck.
Day 10
Saratov - visit Radishev State Art Museum - the first Russian picture gallery outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Day 11
Volgograd (ex. Stalingrad)
Day 12
Astrakhan
Day 13
Discover Astrakhan and cavier tasting
Day 14
Depart Astrakhan
Start Place
Moscow, Russian tours
End Place
Astrakhan, Russian tours
Country Visited
Russian tours
Duration
14 Days
Group Size
60 - 106
Suitability
Easy
Code
50DN0565

As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.

The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.

Details

Transportation

MS Volga Dream carries 109 passengers, with a crew of 60. The ship has 56 comfortable cabins and all feature either a window or a porthole and a bathroom with separate glass shower. Each cabin is equipped with air conditioning, mini-bar, safety deposit box, telephone, and flat screen television featuring international satellite programming and films as well as various radio and music channel options.

The highlight of this cruise for many travellers spending time on the Volga Dream was getting to meet the crew. They are gracious and talented hosts who really go out of their way to make sure everyone has a wonderful journey.

Included
  • Diverse range of cultural activities aboard MS Volga Dream, over 25 hours of Russian Workshop (Lectures, Discussions, Classes, Concerts, Films & Performances)
  • Russian visa invitation letter
  • Wines, beer and soft drinks included with all lunches and dinners
  • Daily sightseeing in small groups of never more than 20-25 guests
  • airport arrival / departure transfer in Moscow and Astrakhan
  • accommodation on board MS Volga Dream
  • 24-hour coffee station with complementary tea, coffee and snacks on board MS Volga Dream
  • welcome fruit basket on board MS Volga Dream
  • bottled water supply replenished daily
  • all port charges and local taxes
Not Included
  • International flights
  • Visa to Russia
  • All services not mentioned in the program
  • Tips and Gratuities
  • personal medical insurance
  • medical treatment
  • laundry
  • minibar
  • personal expenses like gift shop purchases, hairdresser, massage, beverages on board MS Volga Dream other than wine and soft drinks during lunch and dinner
  • drinks in the bar
  • telephone and Internet connection
  • other items not specifically mentioned as inclusions above

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Moscow

Upon arrival in Moscow, transfer to the deluxe Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel in the historic city centre near the Bolshoi Theatre and Moscow Kremlin. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your flight.

Accommodation
Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel

Day 2 - Orientation tour of Moscow with the Old Tretyakov gallery.

Begin your day with orientation tour of Moscow followed by a ride in the ornate Moscow metro. After lunch in a local restaurant proceed to the Old Tretyakov gallery to view its extraordinary collection of Russian art, ranging from 12th century icons to 20th century paintings.

City tour includes: Tverskaya Street, Lubyanka Square, Kremlin embankment, Cathedral of Christ the Savior (entrance if time and availability allows), Novodevichy Cemetery (entrance), Novodevichy convent (photo stop).

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch

Day 3 - Visit the Kremlin and Armoury Museum

This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armory Museum, with its collection of tsarist thrones, ceremonial crowns, coaches and gifts of state. Continue to the beautifully frescoed 15th-century Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals. After lunch transfer to the MS Volga Dream and begin your sailing along the Russian Waterways.

Gather for Captain's welcome reception and dinner as we begin our cruise. Volga Dream Experience: Bread, Salt & Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 4 - Visit Uglich and the Chapel of Dmitry on a Spilled Blood.

We arrive this afternoon in Uglich, dating back to the 10th century. A walking tour of this Golden Ring city includes the Chapel of Dmitry on a Spilled Blood, a 17th-century treasure built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s son met his death. After, attend a concert of choral music performed at St. John's Church.

Volga Dream Experience: Russian Cooking Class

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 5 - Visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site.

This morning visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior, adorned with murals depicting St. John's apocalyptic visions, and the richly frescoed Church of St. Elijah the Prophet. Enjoy a costumed reception at the Governor’s House, and then reboard the Volga Dream in time for lunch.

Volga Dream Experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 6 - Sailing Day

A relaxing day of leisure as the Volga Dream continues its gentle voyage along the picturesque Volga. The Sun Deck provides a glorious and ever-changing view as we pass small villages, provincial towns, churches, and monasteries. This is an area that flourished for centuries thanks to the volume of trade along the Volga.

Our guest speaker presents an entertaining and informative lecture on the history and traditions of the places we pass.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner

Day 7 - Visit Nizhniy Novgorod & the 16th-century Kremlin.

Nizhniy Novgorod (formerly Gorkiy), once a wealthy commercial centre poised on the traderoutes to the East, became a closed city due to military activity during the Soviet era. Learn about the city’s history as a place of exile for political prisoners. Walk the ramparts of the 16th-century Kremlin with its spectacular views, and visit elaborately painted churches.

Tonight, attend a concert by a local children folk group. Volga Dream Experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Testing

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 8 - Cruise down the Volga River and enter the Republic of Tatarstan.

Today, you will notice that the now familiar Russian Orthodox Churches no longer dominate the banks of the River Volga. Instead, beautiful Muslim mosques begin to appear as you cruise across the border into the Republic of Tatarstan.

We will leave the Volga Dream for a while to explore Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and very center of Russia’s Tatar culture. The white-walled Kazan Kremlin or citadel is where the famous Kul-Sherif mosque stands side by side with the old Peter and Paul Cathedral. Later in the day, a local ensemble will delight us with a concert of traditional Tatar music.

Volga Dream Experience: Piano Concert – pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 9 - Arrive in Samara and enjoy a BBQ on the deck.

A great opportunity to relax on the Sun Deck as we sail past the Zhigulevskie mountains towards the city of Samara.

We begin with a city tour, which includes a visit to the space museum, then stroll along the Volga esplanade to the Samara State Art Museum.

Volga Dream Experience: Barbeque on the open deck

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 10 - Saratov - visit Radishev State Art Museum - the first Russian picture gallery outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Once home to a large German community, today Saratov is known for its connection to Russia’s first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, who lived and studied here. Take a city tour, and visit Radishev State Art Museum - the first Russian picture gallery outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 11 - Volgograd (ex. Stalingrad)

Originally called Tsaritsyn, this remarkable city has had three name changes in its tumultuous history. The site of epic battles during the Russian Revolution, it was known as Stalingrad from 1925 until 1961. The city’s heroic defense by the Russian people during World War II became the decisive battle of the eastern front. Visit the memorial on Mamayev Hill, where the struggle saw its bloodiest fighting, and Stalingrad battle panorama museum.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Volga Dream

Day 12 - Astrakhan

The Volga Dream arrives in the city of Astrakhan in the evening. This is the world capital of caviar, also the centre of the fishing industry in Western Russia. This is where the mighty Volga flows out into the Caspian Sea.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner

Day 13 - Discover Astrakhan and cavier tasting

The morning begins with a tour of a local fortress built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. After lunch an optional and fascinating lecture on the famed and much coveted black caviar, followed by a private tasting of this most precious delicacy.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner

Day 14 - Depart Astrakhan

Transfers to the airport for your return flight.

Meals
1 Breakfast

Important Information

Room categories on Volga Dream:

  • Standard - cabins are all twins (101-118).
  • Superior - Stateroom on the main deck all twin (201 - 210).
  • Junior Suite - double on Promenade & Sun deck (316 & 406).
  • Single - Standard Single on the Promenade deck (325 & 326) .

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