Moscow to Astrakhan Russian River Cruise

Moscow — St. Petersburg Moscow — Astrakhan Astrakhan — St. Petersburg

Moscow to Astrakhan

14 days – 13 nights

Your River Cruise on the luxurious MS Volga Dream takes you from Moscow along Russia’s grand Volga River to the legend that is Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) and Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. Along the way, you’ll discover the treasures of Yaroslavl, the oldest city on the Volga, medieval Nizhniy Novgorod and beautiful Kazan, the ancient Tatar capital. We plan our tour carefully to combine the very best of Moscow with a world-class Volga River cruise.

Day by Day

Day 1 Moscow

Airport transfer / Check-in

Upon arrival in Moscow, transfer to the deluxe Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel***** in the historic city centre near the Bolshoi Theatre and Moscow Kremlin. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your flight.

Volga dream experience:

Meals:

Day 2 Moscow

City Tour / Moscow Metro/ Tretyakov Gallery

The day begins with an orientation tour of Moscow taking in a riding the city’s spectacular metro. After lunch in a local restaurant, we move on to the Old Tretyakov gallery and its extraordinary collection of Russian art, ranging from XII-century icons to XXcentury paintings.

Volga dream experience:

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3 Moscow

Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum

This morning you will step inside the Kremlin and visit the Armory Museum, with its
collection of tsarist thrones, ceremonial crowns, coaches and extravagant state gifts, the excursion also takes you to the beautifully frescoed 15th-century Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals. Then, back aboard the MS Volga Dream for a delicious buffet lunch as your breathtaking cruise along the Russia’s Waterways begins. The evening provides a chance to meet your crew and fellow travellers at Captain's welcome reception and dinner.

Volga dream experience: Bread, Salt & Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Uglich

Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

After a full day of cruising through idyllic forested countryside, we tie up in the ancient trading town of Uglich, a key point in Russia’s renowned ‘Golden Ring’. Explore the impressive Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood erected on the site where Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591. Then an enchanting concert of choral music performed in St. John’s Church.

Volga dream experience: Russian Cooking Class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl City Tour / Governor’s house

Founded in 1010, Yaroslavl is one of central Russia’s oldest cities and boasts the Volga’s first port. There is much to see: the Spassky Monastery houses the Transfiguration of the Savior and the Church of Elijah the Prophet, an impressive collection of mosaics. Take part in a costumed reception at the governor’s house before re-boarding the MS Volga Dream in time for lunch.

Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Sailing Day

Relaxing day of leisure / Onboard activities

A relaxing day of leisure as Volga Dream continues its gentle voyage along the
picturesque Volga river. 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 large 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.

Volga dream experience: An onboard presentation

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Nizhniy Novgorod

City tour / XVIth-century Kremlin / Folk concert by a local children’s group

Nizhniy Novgorod (formerly Gorkiy), once a wealthy commercial center poised on the important trade routes to the East, became a closed city due to military activity during the Soviet era. You will hear more about the city’s history as a place of exile for political prisoners. Walk the ramparts of the XVIth-century Kremlin with its spectacular views and visit elaborately painted churches. The evening’s highlight is a folk concert presented by a local children’s group.

Volga dream experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Kazan

City tour / Kazan Kremlin / Concert of traditional Tatar music

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: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Samara

City tour / Space Museum / Samara State Art Museum

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: Sun Deck Barbeque

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Saratov

City tour / Radishev State Art Museum

Once home to a large German community, Saratov is better known today for its connection to the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, who lived and studied in the city. Our city tour, takes us to the Radishev State Art Museum, the first Russian picture gallery outside of St. Petersburg or Moscow.

Volga dream experience: -

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Volgograd

Mamayev Hill / Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum

Originally named Tsaritsyn, this remarkable city has had three name changes in its tumultuous history. The site of epic battles during the Russian Revolution, between 1925 and 1961 it was known as Stalingrad. The people’s heroic defense of the city during World War II was destined to become the decisive battle on the eastern front.
We will then visit the imposing memorial on Mamayev Hill, which saw the bloodiest fighting of the war, and Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum.

Volga dream experience: -

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Astrakhan

Concert in a local Conservatory

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.

Volga dream experience: Concert in a local Conservatory

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Astrakhan

Tour to a fortress of Astrakhan

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.

Volga dream experience: Farewell dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 Astrakhan

Check-out / Airport transfer

Transfers to the airport for your return flight.

Volga dream experience:

Meals: Breakfast

Pricing

The rates are set for a cruising season. The price is not dependent on the month within a selected year

Choose Staterooms

All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy.
Actual size of cabins can slightly differ within one category.

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