River Cruise Itinerary

1. Day 1
   DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for Russia

   Sun, Jul 18, 2021

   Depart for St. Petersburg, Russia
2. Day 2
   DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in St. Petersburg

   Mon, Jul 19, 2021

   Arrive in astonishingly beautiful St. Petersburg, nestled on the Neva River; transfer to the port to embark your cruise. After arrival formalities, time to rest, relax and enjoy your new surroundings. Tonight's dinner welcomes you to Russia and your cruise on the legendary Volga River
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Dinner
3. Day 3
   DAY 3, Tuesday - Hermitage Museum & St. Petersburg City Tour

   Tue, Jul 20, 2021

   This morning visit the world-famous Hermitage Museum, housing the largest collection of priceless masterpieces by Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt and many others. This afternoon, your tour of enchanting St. Petersburg begins on the stunning Nevsky Prospekt, the main avenue of the city, planned by Peter the Great. Continue to view the Palace Square, Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral with its huge golden dome and the magnificent Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, a superb example of Russian architecture. Tonight, after dinner, attend an optional performance of a traditional Russian ballet, a Russian folk show that showcases the culture of the Cossacks, or opt to take a scenic cruise along St. Petersburg's legendary canals
   Optional: Ballet Performance*
   Optional: Rivers & Canals of St. Petersburg*
   Optional: St. Petersburg Folk Show*
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4. Day 4
   DAY 4, Wednesday - Full Day in St. Petersburg

   Wed, Jul 21, 2021

   Today is free to explore all of the delights of this magical city on your own. Or, join the optional excursion to Pushkin Palace and Peterhof Park. Travel to nearby Pushkin to visit the lavish 18th century Catherine's Palace, summer residence of the Russian Tsars, named for Catherine, widow of Peter the Great. Explore the luxurious palace, an architectural masterpiece, and the surrounding gardens. Visit the reconstructed Amber Room, with its walls covered with dazzling panels of amber, gold leaf and mirrors. Then, continue to Peterhof Palace with its gorgeous landscaped gardens and fountains overlooking the Gulf of Finland. This configuration of palaces and gardens was masterminded by Peter the Great, and is often called the "Russian Versailles." Return to the ship in the late afternoon and set sail from St. Petersburg. This evening, enjoy dinner on board and get to know your fellow traveling companions
   Optional: Pushkin Palace & Peterhof Park
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5. Day 5
   DAY 5, Thursday - Village of Mandrogi

   Thu, Jul 22, 2021

   Sail to Mandrogi, a reconstructed 18th century traditional Russian village set amongst a picturesque landscape. Walk through the village with its traditional Russian houses (izba) and browse the shops for handmade Russian crafts, paintings or traditional clothes. Stop at the popular Museum of Russian Vodka, with a collection of over 2500 varieties of vodka from across Russia. Explore the craft workshops where painting, wood carving, weaving lacework and pottery are demonstrated, and then cap off the afternoon with a traditional "shashlik" lunch, served in an open-air pavillion on the shore (weather permitting). In the late afternoon, sail for the island of Kizhi
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6. Day 6
   DAY 6, Friday - Kizhi Church of Transfiguration

   Fri, Jul 23, 2021

   This morning arrive to the island of Kizhi.* Here, you will stand in awe at the Church of Transfiguration, one of the most impressive wooden structures ever erected. This fairy tale architectural landmark is largely responsible for creating one of the most frequented tourist attractions in Russia. The church features 22 cupolas of striking intricacy, built without using a single nail. Wander through the open-air wooden Architecture Museum with its collection of wooden houses, windmills and churches representing ancient Russian architecture. This entire area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the ship in time for lunch. This afternoon, attend a Russian tea ceremony on board, or a Russian song class as the ship sails towards Goritsy
   *The operation of the Kizhi Church of Transfiguration is dependent on weather and sea conditions. If canceled, the visit to Kizhi will be replaced with alternate sightseeing.
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7. Day 7
   DAY 7, Saturday - Monastery of St. Cyril, Goritsy

   Sat, Jul 24, 2021

   Morning is at leisure on board. Afternoon arrival in Goritsy, an old Russian town with a rich historical and cultural heritage. Stroll the grounds of the 14th century Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, also known as the Monastery of St. Cyril of the White Lake, one of the largest and best preserved medieval Abbeys in Russia. The wooden churches and walls built at the original location were replaced over succeeding centuries by impressive stone and masonry structures. The monastery's fortifying walls, which measure 2400-feet-long and 22 feet thick, are truly a very impressive sight. In the late afternoon, reboard your ship and set sail for Yaroslavll
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8. Day 8
   DAY 8, Sunday - Yaroslavl City Tour

   Sun, Jul 25, 2021

   Arrive this afternoon in the quaint Golden Ring city of Yaroslavl. This beautiful city, one of Russia's oldest, traces its roots back to the days of the Vikings. View the fortified Transfiguration of the Savior Monastery and its Cathedral, the oldest building in Yaroslavl, dating back 800 years. Continue to the Yaroslavl Museum of Russian Art housed in the 18th-century Governor's mansion, with its impressive collection of Russian paintings spread out across many palatial rooms. View the exquisite Church of Elijah the Prophet with its detailed frescoes and icons, a real masterpiece of ancient Russian art and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonder-worker. Time to browse the local food markets before returning to the ship for dinner
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9. Day 9
   DAY 9, Monday - Walking Tour of Uglich

   Mon, Jul 26, 2021

   Arrive in historic Uglich on the banks of the Volga River. Uglich played an important role in Russian history when Prince Dmitry used it as a hiding place from the bloody reign of his father Ivan the Terrible. His death made the town famous and led to an increasingly turbulent period in Russia's history. This morning's walking tour will visit the Church of St. Dimitry-on-Blood built in honor of the Prince on the exact spot where he was killed by his father's forces, and the Transfiguration Cathedral marvelously decorated with painted icons and frescoes. The ship will set sail for Moscow at noon. This evening join the Captain's dinner on board and a delightful talent show
   Overnight: River Cruise
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10. Day 10
    DAY 10, Tuesday - Moscow City Tour

    Tue, Jul 27, 2021

    This morning relax on board as you prepare for an exciting afternoon in Moscow, the fabled capital of Russia. After lunch on board, begin your panoramic city tour at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the former headquarters of the KGB. Explore storied Red Square with St. Basil's cathedral and the famous red brick walls of the Kremlin before returning to the ship for dinner on board
    Optional: Moscow by Night and Metro*
    Optional: Tretyakov Gallery*
    Overnight: River Cruise
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11. Day 11
    DAY 11, Wednesday - Kremlin Grounds Tour

    Wed, Jul 28, 2021

    Visit the Kremlin, one of the best-known monuments in Russia - and in the world. The guided walking tour takes you inside the former residence of the Russian Czars. See the famous Czar Cannon, the 16th century Czar Bell, and Cathedral Square, home to three of Moscow's most elaborate cathedrals: the Cathedral of Assumption, the Cathedral of Annunciation, and the Cathedral of the Archangel. This afternoon return to the ship to rest, or explore Moscow on your own or take the optional Kremlin Armory. Here, you will find the largest collection of the world-famous Fabergé eggs. Marvel at Grand Siberian Railway egg, with its gold train, platinum locomotive and ruby headlamp, crafted to commemorate the Moscow-Vladivostok line. View Russian arms and armor, the state regalia, thrones, carriages, and ornate coronation dressers. Tonight, bid a fond farewell to your newfound friends on board
    Optional: Armory Museum
    Optional: Kostrama National Folk Show*
    Overnight: River Cruise
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12. Day 12
    DAY 12, Thursday - Depart Russia

    Thu, Jul 29, 2021

    Morning disembarkation in Moscow. The airport is approximately a two hour drive from the port. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
    Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

Price does not include airfare, departure or arrival transfers, airline taxes and fuel surcharges.

River Cruise Package Includes

Special Features

Know Before You Book - Weather Conditions on the Russian Waterways

Please be aware of potential conditions which may impact your cruise. While most of the time this Russian river cruise operates exactly as planned, weather conditions such as heavy fog or ice may affect the ship's itinerary. These events typically occur with little or no notice. In the event that a cruise is impacted, the itinerary will include as many of the originally scheduled sightseeing features as possible, considering the travel time and distances required.

†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Not Included:
and gratuities.

Additional Information:
Cruise only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

After reserving your trip, an email will be sent to explain the process to apply for a Russian visa. Name(s) and passport numbers on your reservation must be an EXACT match to your passport to avoid delays and significant fees for last minute visa services. Visa processing can take up to 6 weeks during which time your passport will be unavailable for other international trips..

Passengers returning from Moscow on Day 12 should select flights that depart no earlier than 8 AM.

cannot accommodate triples unless booking a suite.

As Russian river cruise and tourism industries are relatively young, you will certainly find the physical conditions there are lesser when compared to those of Western Europe. Ships are recently renovated 20-30 year-old vessels. You will find that cleanliness and onboard services are up-to-date.

While sailing with LLC Vodohod d/b/a Vodohod Russian River Cruises, passengers are subject to the cruise line's Terms & Conditions which can be viewed at:

Know Before You Book - Weather Conditions on the Russian Waterways

Please be aware of potential conditions which may impact your cruise. While most of the time this Russian river cruise operates exactly as planned, weather conditions such as heavy fog or ice may affect the ship's itinerary. These events typically occur with little or no notice. In the event that a cruise is impacted, the itinerary will include as many of the originally scheduled sightseeing features as possible, considering the travel time and distances required.

Please note that the following inclusions may contain items that are only applicable when you purchase Land & Air. The brochure prices below are for Land Only - call us for our best deal.

Health and Safety Protocols for Gate1

Ship Information

Cabins

Life on Board

Questions & Answers