Back Roads of Russia: St Petersburg - Moscow Adventure Tour

Russia is the world's largest nation, which means there's no shortage of things to see or do here. With us, you won't just stick to the main sights in Moscow and St Petersburg. Head beyond these two cities to see Russia's quieter side in the villages of Petrozavodska and Kizhi Island, or the cluster of ancient towns known as the Golden Ring. Discover standout landscapes like Ruskeala National Park's marble canyon. Want a little bit of everything? You'll find it in Russia.

Highlights

Get to know St Petersburg on a walking tour, Learn how to cook a Karelian specialty, Take a boat trip to Kizhi Island, Let creativity flow with a matryoshka painting class, Wander around the Red Square

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Karelian Cooking Class, Kinerma Your Hands
On Moment: Matryoshka Painting Class, Sergiyev Posad Your Local Living Moment: BBQ with Local Family, Pereslavl'
Zalesskiy. St Petersburg walking tour. Kizhi Island boat tour. Ruskeala Quarry walk. Kinerma walking tour. Karelian cooking class. The Sergiev Posad Lavra and Monastery tour. Matryoshka painting class. Pereslavl
Zelesskiy guided tour. Barbecue with local family. Tour of Alexandrov Kremlin. Red Square visit. Kremlin and Armoury guided tour. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotels (9 nts), guest house (1 nt), sleeper train (1 nt).

Meals Included

7 breakfasts, 3 lunches

Transport

Private vehicle, overnight train, boat.

About our Transportation

The overnight train is 2nd Class Kupe Soft sleepers: 4 berth compartments that have lockable doors. There an overhead locker and storage space under the bottom bunk that is sufficient space for your luggage. Bed linen is provided on all trains. Each carriage has two toilets and one hot water boiler. There is at least one train attendant in each carriage to take care of passengers and maintain the facilities. Most of the trains (but not all) will have dining car. This being said, it is always a good idea to bring your own snacks aboard for more variety of food options while travelling.

Group Leader Description

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting
we think it's the best of both worlds.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

You will be on the move a good deal, so pack as lightly as possible (try to stay under 10kg / 22lb). It is in your own interest as you are expected to carry your own luggage. Please, note that we use public transport on this trip
the walking distance is never too far, but there will be up and down stairs in train stations, getting on and off metros, cobblestoned streets, etc and having a backpack makes travelling easier. We don't recommend bringing suitcases. It is important that your bag can be locked. We recommend an overnight pack for the long train journeys, sparing you from going in and out of your luggage in the small compartments. This should be big enough to carry a spare set of clothes, towel, book, cards and basic toiletries (approx. 30 litre/8 gallons capacity).