Day 1 - Moscow
On arrival at Moscow airport, you’ll be met by your driver who’ll take you to your hotel in the historical heart of the Russian capital. After checking in, you’re free to relax or start exploring Moscow and get a taste of what’s in store.
Day 2 - Moscow
After breakfast, one of our knowledgeable local guides will take you on a fascinating walking tour of central Moscow, before driving you to see some of the best historical sights across the city in the afternoon.
Your first point of call is the Moscow Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
To the west of Red Square, the Kremlin is set apart from the city and guarded by its own Kremlin Regiment. Within its walls, you’ll find stunning palaces and impressive Russian Orthodox cathedrals and churches.
You’ll see the famous Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon before visiting the world-famous museum with its collection of state insignia, gold and silver items, religious robes, weapons, luxury carriages and all the attire of Russia’s famous Tsars.
After lunch, your tour continues along the Moskva River embankment, a great place to stop and enjoy the magnificent views of the Kremlin. Other important sights include the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Novodevichy Convent and the Moscow State University. Next stop, Sparrow Hills, one of Moscow’s most popular viewpoints and a great place to soak up some outstanding views.
The rest of the evening is free to do as you please. Maybe take in some of Moscow’s lively nightlife?
Day 3 - Kolomenskoe
After breakfast, your guide will collect you from the hotel to explore more of this beautiful city.
Kolomenskoe is a vital part of Russian culture, steeped in history with archaeological traces dating back over 2500 years. Standing on the banks of the river, its park is peaceful and beautiful, having housed Grand Princes, Tsars and even Peter the Great. There are incredible wooden structures and astounding churches, such as the Church of the Ascension of the Lord - one of Russia’s most unique churches.
Tsaritsyno is another place you can admire and immerse yourself in Russian history – we’ll take you there after lunch. This beautiful park and estate from the late 16th century once belonged to Boris Godunov’s sister, Irina Godunova. It used to be called Bogorodskoye before becoming Tsaritsyno in 1775, when Catherine the Great bought the estate.
The palace is surrounded by pavilions, pergolas, arbours, grottos and decorative bridges, as well as a temple and modern recreation centre with its own gourmet restaurant.
This estate is steeped in Russian culture and history – the perfect place to experience Russian heritage.
The day ends at your hotel, with a couple of hours to pack and relax before meeting our driver for your evening transfer to the railway station to begin the next stage of your trip – Petrozavodsk.
With an evening departure at 9.05pm from Leningradsky Station, you can sleep onboard this comfortable train and wake up refreshed in the morning, ready to enjoy all that the mysterious Karelian region has to offer.
Day 4 - Petrozavodsk
Arrive in Petrozavodsk at 8.55am, to be met by your driver and guide who will take you for breakfast.
After breakfast, we head off to Kizhi Island by hydrofoil. The trip takes 1 hr 15 minutes, so relax and enjoy the view!
Kizhi is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Russia. The pearl of this open-air museum is its world-renowned wooden church ensemble and magnificent 22-domed church (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
You’ll learn all about the place during your excursion, which is followed by lunch and free time. Then it’s time to take the hydrofoil back to Petrozavodsk.
Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, is a pretty, relaxing city that stands on the shore of a beautiful lake. Upon arrival, you’ll join the city tour, with a visit to the historic centre of Petrozavodsk and its major sights, enjoying a leisurely walk along the embankment of Lake Onego. A photo call near the monument to Peter the Great is a must, as Petrozavodsk is known as “the City of Peter the Great”.
A day full of wonderful experiences draws to a close at your hotel with a delicious dinner.
Day 5 - Kem
After an early breakfast, your private driver and guide will take you to Kem, with lots of other beautiful natural places along the way. There’s a long drive in store, so we start at 9.00am, with our first stop in the Kivatch Nature Reserve.
Here, you’ll see the second largest plain waterfall in Europe and thrill at the sound of its roaring cascades. You’ll also visit the nature museum, get to know the wildlife of Karelia’s taiga, and walk down the famous alley of Karelian birches.
After lunch in Medvezhyegorsk, you trip continues to the most popular of tourist destinations, the “Belomorsk Petroglyphs”. This is an archaeological complex that includes over 2000 images of wild animals, sea creatures, people and boats, including the world’s oldest images of a man skiing. During the excursion, you’ll travel back into Karelia’s past and learn the mysteries of its Stone Age people.
When we finally reach Kem, your guide will help you check in to your cosy hotel. A delicious dinner awaits before retiring for a good night’s sleep.
Day 6 - Solovki Island
Another early start, as there’s a whole world waiting to be explored!
Board the boat for Solovki Island with your guide at 8.00am. The boat trip takes just over 2 hr, giving you time to relax.
Our walking excursion starts at 10.30am with a look around the Central Architectural Complex of the Solovetsky Monastery.
You’ll learn about the unique history of one of the most northern monasteries in Russia, see the massive walls and towers of the Solovetsky Kremlin and the monastery from the Middle Ages with its austere white stone churches.
There’s free time after lunch at “Warm Welcome to Solovki” to explore on your own, before boarding to boat back to Kem at 7.00pm to end another wonderful day at your hotel, where dinner is served, before going to bed early. There’s another early start tomorrow!
Day 7 - Departure to Moscow
We’re up at 5.30am, ready to meet our driver for an early transfer to the railway station. Please don’t forget your packed breakfast!
At 06.48am, we depart for Moscow with plenty of fascinating landscapes to watch from the window.
Day 8 - Arrival to Moscow
We arrive at Leningradsky Station in Moscow at 6.50am, where our driver will take you to the airport for your flight back home to tell your friends and relations all about this fantastic trip!
