On arrival at Sheremetyevo A.S. Pushkin international airport in Moscow, you will be met by our local representative in Russia for a brief meet and greet. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Moscow city for Check-in.

Established in 1147 as a small town, today Moscow is the northernmost and coldest megacity in the world. Built on the banks of Moskva river in Western Russia, Moscow is the administrative and economic capital of Russia. Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the most popular religion practiced here with more than 600 churches dotting the city. One of the biggest financial centres in the world, it is home to the highest number of billionaires in Europe, and Europe’s tallest building is also located here. However, unlike other concrete jungles, Moscow is one of the greenest cities in the world with over 40% of Moscow covered by greenery.

The day is free to relax and roam around Moscow on your own.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed for a sightseeing tour of Moscow.

We shall begin the city tour with a visit to the famous Red Square. Location on the square is St Basil’s Cathedral from up close. Built by Ivan the terrible, its unique design, with the colourful onion shaped domes, served as inspiration for many important buildings at the time. Located nearby is Lenin’s mausoleum, where the preserved body of Great Russian leader, Vladimir Ilych Lenin, has been placed in a wooden box for full public display. We will also take a tour of the Moscow Kremlin, an ancient fortress which serves as office for the Russian government.

The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy Moscow on your own.

Overnight stay at hotel.

SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Circus has been an intricate part of Russian culture since the 18th century, when an English man named Charles Hughes performed for the empress of Russia – Catherine the Great. Since then, it enjoys equal importance as other Russian performing arts such as ballet and opera. Enjoy the Great Moscow State Circus or New Bolshoi Circus at the Vernadsky Avenue.

After breakfast, we will proceed for a tour of Moscow’s Metro.

The metro stations of Moscow are considered the most beautiful metro stations in the world. Designed to look like palaces, one of the chief architect of Soviet Metro declared “They used to have palaces for kings, we are going to build palaces for the people!” During the tour, we shall visit some of the most stunning metro stations and travel the Russian metro as used by the common Russian folk.

Rest of the day is free for you to explore Moscow on your own.

Overnight stay at hotel in Moscow.

SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Art lovers should definitely visit State Tretayakov Gallery. What started as a private collection by a textile merchant – Pavel Tretyakov, is today one of the largest collections of artwork in the world. The artworks reflect the history of the great USSR and its contribution to world culture. It presents a wonderful opportunity to admire contemporary art works by new artists along with legacy left by many generations of Russian maestros.

After breakfast, we will proceed to for a tour of Golden Ring of Russia, a cluster of ancient towns that surround Moscow.

Our first stop is Sergiev Posad where we will visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.

Founded as a hermitage of St Sergius in 1345, Trinity Lavra has grown into one of the most important spiritual centre in Russia. The monastery was awarded the highest title of Lavra by Empress Elisaveta in cognizance of its paramount importance in Russian Church and State. The UNESCO World Heritage site comprises of magnificent buildings covered by beautifully coloured domes and decorated with frescos created by prominent medieval artist Andrei Rublyov. The relics of the great saint are preserved and displayed in the Trinity Cathedral.

After the tour, we will proceed to Suzdal and check-in at the hotel. The evening is free for you to explore Suzdal on your own.

Suzdal, one of the oldest Russian towns, is the most important stop in the Golden Ring of Russia. It served as the capital of the principality when Moscow was still a cluster of cowsheds. The picturesque small town is home to over 40 historically important monuments. A place of cultural and historic significance, it offers an authentic experience of Russian customs and architecture.

Overnight Stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed for a sightseeing tour of Suzdal.

We will begin the tour with a visit to Suzdal Kremlin. Originally built as a fortress with earthen and wooden walls and watch towers built for security purposed, it evolved into a religious and administrative centre. Suzdal Kremlin is home to the beautiful Cathedral of Nativity. Next we shall visit Spaso-Evfimiyev Monastery Museum Complex, an architectural marvel decorated with beautiful frescos. The bell tower located in the complex still rings at every hour. Finally, we will visit the Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture, a unique museum that displays wooden buildings from the medieval period. These buildings are actual constructions brought from all over the Vladmir region.

After the tour, we will proceed to Vladmir for a sightseeing tour.

Vladmir was another medieval capital of Russia which together with Suzdal form the white monuments of Vladmir and Suzdal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the tour, we will visit the Assumption Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece decorated with gold and a site for coronation ceremony for many Russian princes. We will also visit Golden Gate, a unique example of 12th century Russian military architecture which served as the main entrance to the city. The Cathedral of St Dmitry is has lavish exteriors decorated with bas-reliefs of King Solomon and symbolic images of flora and fauna.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Suzdal.

After breakfast, we will return to Moscow to catch a flight to the land of northern lights – Murmansk.

The largest city north of the Arctic Circle, Murmansk was the last city founded by the Russian Empire during World War I. Today, it is an important Russian naval base and commercial port with a population of over 300,000. Murmansk has sub-arctic climate which features long and cold winters and short and mild summers. For six weeks in the winters, the sun doesn’t rise at all while for six weeks during summers, the sun doesn’t set. It has increasingly grown into a popular tourist destination with people coming from around the world to see the majestic view of Northern Lights.

After checking into the hotel, we will proceed for a half day city tour.

We will begin the tour with a visit to Alyosha monument which is dedicated to the soldiers of Murmansk who successfully defeated the German invasion in 1974. This majestic 35-metre tall statue is the second tallest statue in entire Russia. Next we shall take a tour of Lenin – the world’s first nuclear powered ship that was used for civilian purposes as an ice breaker. We shall also see the waiting woman monument. In Murmansk, it was believed that if a sailor went out to see and there was no woman waiting for him to return, they never would. So the Waiting woman statue was made to ensure safe return of all sailors. The tour also includes a visit to a Memorial complex which is dedicated to the soldiers and seamen who lost their lives in peace time.

Later go out on a Northern Light hunting escapade – an adventure of a lifetime where you will witness the Aurora Borealis in all its magnificence.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will visit Teriberka Village and dip our feet in Arctic Ocean.

Situated on the coast of Arctic Ocean, Teriberka village is one of the oldest communities in Kola Peninsula. The ride from Murmansk to the village is surreal as it has mesmerising snowy landscapes as its backdrop. The village is popular as it was the location for the golden globe winning movie – Leviathan.

During the day trip, we will see visit the graveyard of ships which is a collection of abandoned fishing boats that are over 100 years old. We will also visit famous locations that were used in filming of the film – Leviathan. Apart from this, we will ride the snowmobile to reach the remote locations of a beautiful waterfall that flows into the ocean. Also we will spend some time at the beach and if you are daring, you can venture out into the freezing waters of the Barents Sea which is part of the Arctic Ocean.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will head out to a settlement of Sami people and also visit a Husky farm for a fun day with reindeers and huskies.

Sami people are the original inhabitants of the Lapland region which covers 4 countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Their main occupation is reindeer farming, and they have a distinct culture – they speak their native language and wear colourful clothing.

During the tour, you will get a chance to interact with the Sami People with the help of an interpreter, learn how they live and get a glimpse into their houses. You can also get clicked wearing their traditional clothing. At the settlement, you also get a chance to play with reindeer and huskies, you can touch them, feed them and also ride a sled pulled by these beautiful creatures.

Later proceed to the airport to catch a flight to St Petersburg. Upon Arrival check-in at the hotel.

Overnight stay at St Petersburg hotel.

After reaching St Petersburg, we will proceed for a sightseeing tour of St Petersburg.

Formerly called as Leningrad, St Petersburg is a Russian port city which was founded by Tsar Peter the great in 1703. It served as the imperial capital of Russia Tsardom and subsequent Russian empire from 1713 to 1918. The royal house of Romonov built many beautiful palaces and cathedrals in the city. It is located on the Neva river, and is interlaced by canals lined by beautiful mansions which give the city it’s iconic character. Today, while Moscow is the financial and administrative capital of Russia, St Petersburg is the cultural capital of the country and attracts artists from all over the world.

After freshening up at the hotel, we will proceed for a sightseeing tour of St Petersburg.

We will start the tour with a visit to Peter and Paul fortress. Built to protect the city from an imminent Swedish attack, the fortress was one of the first structures to be built by Tsar Peter the great. Although the attack never came, the fortress housed the city’s garrison and also served as a prison for high ranking political prisoners. Next, we shall visit Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. The church, decorated with ornate domes and beautiful mosaics, commemorates Emperor Alexander II who was assassinated by political Nihilists. We will next visit St Isaac’s Cathedral which is the fourth largest cathedral in the world. Finally, we will visit Palace Square and marvel at the bronze horseman statue of Peter the great.

Overnight stay at hotel.

SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Similar to Venice and Amsterdam, St Petersburg is a criss-cross of canals, islands and bridges. Its 342 bridges are architectural marvels which offer a romantic sight to behold. Evening Boat tours running on the Neva river and its canals offer a mesmerising view of the city’s skyline. The monuments are illuminated by beautiful lights which makes the tour even more charming. You can opt for dinner cruise or a regular evening boat tour with champagne available on board. Those interested in watching the opening and closing of bridges, a unique and romantic experience, can opt for a midnight cruise.

After breakfast, we will head over to the Winter Palace on Palace Square for the tour of Hermitage Museum.

Winter palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world that was initially built as a humble aboard for the royal family but was subsequently demolished and rebuilt numerous times until it reached its current form. Today it houses the world’s second largest museum (shadowed only by the Louvre in Paris) – Hermitage museum. The three – storied palace cum museum is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and boasts of more than 1000 lavishly decorated halls and rooms. The collection includes more than 2.7 million artefacts and art pieces from different parts of the world, from Ancient Egypt to early 20th century Europe. Works of the greatest artists in the world including Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Michelangelo and many more are displayed here.

It is said, if you spend even one minute to look at each artefact, it will take you 11 years to see the whole of the Hermitage museum. Therefore we have kept the rest of the day free for you to spend the time at the museum as per your own preference.

SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Although Ballet was born in France and Italy, Russians adopted the dance form and took it to its lofty heights. The ballet performances in St. Petersburg are faithful to the classical traditions, focussing on perfect movements and super professionalism of actors. Those interested in watching a classical ballet performance by the best artists in the world should catch a production of the classical ballet at St Petersburg’s ballet theatres.

After breakfast, we will proceed to Peterhof to explore the Peterhof Palace.

Inspired by the Versailles Palace, which mesmerised Tsar Peter the great on his visit to the French royal court, the Peterhof Palace is a set of beautiful palaces and landscaped gardens that today forms a UNESCO world heritage site. The only thing more magnificent than the grand palace are the surrounding gardens and golden fountains. The walls of the palace are adorned by paintings that reflect the rich history of the Russian empire. It was designed by the famous architect Domenico Trezzini who gave the palace its quintessential Petrine Baroque style.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – “Feel Yourself Russian!” is a Russian folklore show performed at the Nikolaevsky Palace which features colourful performances by dance, choir and music groups. The two hour show gives you a sample of the entertainment enjoyed by the emperor court and gives you the feeling of a royal guest.

After breakfast, transfer to airport to board a flight to India. We check out from the hotel to leave for St Petersburg – Clearwater Airport International Airport.

Arrive home with pleasant memories of your Russia tour organised by State Express Global Voyages, which we are sure you will treasure for a lifetime.