Russia map & highlights
The only time trains have been late in Russia is when the leader of China visited in 2001 and schedules were paused to allow him speedy passage to the capital. It’s this sort of efficiency in the face of harsh conditions that has forged such confidence of character in Russia’s people and no trip is complete without meeting at least a couple of the locals. The art and architecture of Moscow and St Petersburg can only be topped by the phenomenal scenery of the Russian Far East – an expedition cruise will take you to this wilderness, or why not ride the Trans Siberian Express to compare both sides of this huge nation?
Our Russia Vacations
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation in Russia
Fascinating history and architecture
From
US $1949 to US $2079
8 days
ex flights
Kamchatka vacations, small group tour
Explore Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula
From
£2555
11 days
ex flights
Siberian Tiger & Amur Leopard tours in Russia
Track Siberian Tigers in the Russian winter wonderland
From
£2995
10 days
ex flights
Kamchatka and Chukotka wildlife cruises, Russia
Explore wild Kamchatka's volcanoes, fjords and wildlife
From
US $13950
21 days
ex flights
Moscow and St-Petersburg vacation in Russia
The best of Russia in 12 days
From
£2799 to £6430
12 days
ex flights
Russia vacation, St Petersburg and Karelia
Multi-activity cultural trip to Northern Russia, tailor-made
From
€1300 to €1510
7 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian Eastbound, St Petersburg to Beijing
Overland from the Baltic Sea to the Chinese capital Beijing
From
£7940
24 days
ex flights
Russia history and culture vacation
Explore Russian history and culture
From
£2838 to £5675
9 days
ex flights
Chukotka and Wrangel Island cruise, Russia
Authentic Arctic Festival & wildlife including Polar Bears
From
US $10250
15 days
ex flights
Trans Siberian Railway vacation, Russian Summer
Remarkable Moscow to Vladivostok train journey, Tailor-Made
From
€3800 to €4600
18 days
ex flights
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation
See the Winter Palace and the Red Square
From
US $1440 to US $1720
8 days
ex flights
Siberian tiger photography tour
A photopraphy unique tour to photograph wild Siberian Tigers
From
£2995
9 days
ex flights
Maslenitsa winter cultural festival in Russia
Slavic vacation of Maslenitsa – exciting winter festival!
From
€1370
7 days
ex flights
Altai Mountains vacation in Siberia
11 Day trip delving deep into the Golden Mountains of Altai
From
£3195
11 days
ex flights
Russian Arctic cruises to Franz Josef Land
Voyage to icy archipelagos in the Russian High Arctic
From
£8300
16 days
ex flights
Naadam festival & Moscow vacation
Take in the Naadam Festival and the Trans Siberian Railway
From
£4045
18 days
ex flights
Central Asia overland vacation
Incredible scenery, shamanic traditions and eagle hunters
From
£5099 to £5299
25 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian tour, departing Ulaanbaatar
Trans-Mongolian adventure Ulaanbaatar to St Petersburg
From
£3950
18 days
ex flights
Trans-Siberian and Mongolia tour, westbound
Travel across continents on the greatest train journeys
From
US $3645 to US $3935
16 days
ex flights
Silk Road & Caucasus tour
Explore the secrets of Central Asia and the Caucasus
From
£5513
4 weeks
ex flights
Kamchatka bear watching vacation
Travel to Kamchatka & walk with bears & explore volcanoes
From
£5345
10 days
ex flights
Trans Siberian 13 day tour, 18-35
Want an epic journey across three countries & 7 time zones?
From
£1615
13 days
ex flights
Track leopards and tigers in Siberia
Track wild Siberian Tigers & photograph rare Amur Leopards
From
£6850
18 days
ex flights
London to St Petersburg sailing tour
Classic sailing from London to St Petersburg via Gdansk
From
£4899
25 days
ex flights
Amur leopard photography tour in Russia
Photograph the world’s rarest cat, the amazing Amur leopard
From
£3295
9 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian westbound tour
The most comprehensive Hong Kong to St Petersburg adventure
From
£9945
28 days
ex flights
The Great Silk Road Adventure via the Caucasus vacation
Our classic Silk Road Adventure via the Caucasus 48 day tour
From
£11295
47 days
ex flights
St Petersburg to Vladivostok on the Trans Siberian
Russia, Mongolia & Japan on the Trans-Siberian Railway
From
£6050
21 days
ex flights
London to Vietnam by rail vacation
Unique flight-free adventure from UK to Vietnam
From
£5555
26 days
ex flights
The Caucasus tour, Russia's wild frontier
Rich cultures and dramatic landscapes of Russia's deep south
From
£4399 to £4599
18 days
ex flights
1.
Chukotka & Wrangel Island
2. Irkutsk
3. Kamchatka & Kuril Islands
4. Lake Baikal
5. Moscow
6. North Caucasus
7. Novgorod
8. Pushkin
9. Siberian tigers
10. St Petersburg
11. Suzdal
12. Trans Siberian Railway
13. Yekaterinburg
2. Irkutsk
3. Kamchatka & Kuril Islands
4. Lake Baikal
5. Moscow
6. North Caucasus
7. Novgorod
8. Pushkin
9. Siberian tigers
10. St Petersburg
11. Suzdal
12. Trans Siberian Railway
13. Yekaterinburg
Chukotka & Wrangel Island
1. Chukotka & Wrangel Island
The Chukotka Autonomous Region in Russia’s Far East is the size of France and England together, yet the majority of Russians know little about this wilderness. Just 50,000 people live here, alongside brown bears, reindeer and Arctic foxes, while on nearby Wrangel Island, numerous polar bears and walruses live. Small ship cruises bring you close to the wildlife and indigenous inhabitants.
Irkutsk
2. Irkutsk
The heart of Eastern Siberia and the gateway to Lake Baikal, 70km away, this is a key stop-off on the Trans Siberian railway. There’s impressive original timber architecture, including churches and the traditional houses once inhabited by liberal aristocrats exiled from Moscow in the early 19th century, all complemented by a lively café scene. The Central Market is a great place to stock up on local goodies.
Kamchatka & Kuril Islands
3. Kamchatka & Kuril Islands
The high cost of travel and shrinking local population keeps Kamchatka as inaccessible as ever – it’s best explored on an expedition cruise. By late summer, the tundra is ablaze with colour, nibbled by reindeer, with fat bears heading to the river for one last salmon. From here, cruise along the temperate, volcanic Kuril archipelago, for trekking through bamboo forests and exceptional bird watching.
Lake Baikal
4. Lake Baikal
650km long and 80km wide, Lake Baikal is the oldest, deepest and clearest freshwater lake on the planet. You can walk on its thick ice in winter, while in summer, swim, fish or take a boat trip. Visit via the Trans Siberian Railway and try a homestay with a traditional Russian ‘banya’ or sauna, to dip your toe in a little further.
Moscow
5. Moscow
Russia’s imposing capital is endowed with iconic architecture and UNESCO sites, with St Basil’s Cathedral and its colourful domes perhaps the most memorable of the lot. It’s just one highlight of Red Square, a must-see that’s also home to the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and the department store Gum, but venture further afield to find Gorky Park, Novodevichy Convent and the Pushkin Museum.
North Caucasus
6. North Caucasus
This is wild Europe, a landscape of peaks, medieval villages and ancient customs, at the fringes of Moscow’s control. North Ossetia boasts striking scenery, while formerly inaccessible republics of Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, more associated with conflict than tourism, are opening to visitors. Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain, visits to Cossack villages and the medieval defence towers of Ingushetia are a few highlights.
Novgorod
7. Novgorod
Founded in the 9th century, Novgorod the Great (Velikiy Novgorod) is one of the oldest cities in Russia and the birthplace of its democratic and republican traditions. It’s been a major center for trade, literacy and the Orthodox church and its cathedral, bell tower, clock and monastery are all the oldest in the country. Visit the Vitoslavlitsy museum of wooden architecture while here, too.
Pushkin
8. Pushkin
This town, 25km south of St Petersburg, is home to Tsarskoe Selo – the Tsar’s village – and the astonishing Catherine Palace and gardens. Designed with the kind of opulence and excess that makes Versailles look dowdy, the Amber Room is its highlight. Dismantled by the Nazis and lost in East Prussia, it has recently been restored to full bling. The Lyceum School where Pushkin studied is nearby.
Siberian tigers
9. Siberian tigers
With a population of around 550, the Siberian, or Amur tiger has seen a resurgence in southeastern Russia due to major conservation efforts in the mountains and forests bordering Khabarovsk, just 30km from China. Winter snow reveals the clearest tiger tracks and undertaking a safari to spot these beautiful beasts with professional zoologist guide is a unique natural adventure.
St Petersburg
10. St Petersburg
If Moscow is mean and moody, St Petersburg is bright and light; a more cosmopolitan alternative to its big sister some 800km south. A grand collection of pre-revolutionary buildings across 42 islands has UNESCO’s approval stamped all over, with the Hermitage, the Kunstkamera Museums and the Peter and Paul Fortress are the jewels of this picturesque city on the banks of the Neva.
Suzdal
11. Suzdal
The diamond in the Golden Ring of historical towns, Suzdal is an idyllic gem. Bypassed by the Trans Siberian Railway and, seemingly, by time itself, this former royal capital has hardly changed in 250 years. It boasts over 200 architectural monuments, with the Kremlin and the Nativity Cathedral, topped with blue domes, the highlights. At Torgovaya Ploschad (Market Square), shop for berries, honey and souvenirs.
Trans Siberian Railway
12. Trans Siberian Railway
Spanning two continents and incorporating over 9,600km of track, this is the world’s longest railway. There are three lines which make up the route: Siberian, Mongolian and Manchurian, with the more commonly used, the Trans Siberian, taking just over six days to reach Vladivostok from Moscow, with opportunities to hop off en-route.
Yekaterinburg
13. Yekaterinburg
The capital of the Ural Mountains, Russia’s fourth largest city was built as an industrial center and a fortress on the Europe-Asia border. Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed here in 1918 – where the Cathedral of Blood now stands – and it’s the home city of Boris Yeltsin, first president of Russia. The 52nd floor of the business center is the place for panoramic views.
Our top Russia Vacation
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation in Russia
Fascinating history and architecture
From
US $1949 to US $2079
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 14 May, 21 May, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct
2022: 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 14 May, 21 May, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct
Travel Team
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Russia sample itineraries
Trans Siberian rail journey (11 days):
Moscow > Irkutsk > Lake Baikal
Celebrated cities (7 days):
Moscow > St Petersburg > Pushkin
Taste of Russia (8 days):
Moscow > Suzdal > Novgorod > St Petersburg
Kamchatka cruise (13 days):
Anadyr > Egvekinot > coast and islands > Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
Kuril Island expedition cruise (13 days):
Sakhalin Island > Sea of Okhotsk > Kunashir Island > Kuril Archipelago > Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
Moscow > Irkutsk > Lake Baikal
Celebrated cities (7 days):
Moscow > St Petersburg > Pushkin
Taste of Russia (8 days):
Moscow > Suzdal > Novgorod > St Petersburg
Kamchatka cruise (13 days):
Anadyr > Egvekinot > coast and islands > Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
Kuril Island expedition cruise (13 days):
Sakhalin Island > Sea of Okhotsk > Kunashir Island > Kuril Archipelago > Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
Travel times in Russia
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Russia.
More about Russia
From Moscow to Kamchatka, St Petersburg to Siberia, our month-by-month weather guide details the sizzling highs and freezing lows, so you can discover the best time to go to Russia.
Our Russia travel guide grapples with this vast nation, exploring its history, explaining its customs, currency and cuisine and whetting your appetite for an exciting vacation to the world’s biggest country.
Soaking up the art and architecture in Russia’s two most famous cities, Moscow and St Petersburg, is a great introduction to this enormous country, but we have a few suggestions for other things to do in Russia.
Petrograd, Leningrad, St Petersburg... Russia’s second city has gone through many incarnations. Its history of revolutions and assassinations has shaped the history of the whole country and, consequently, the world.
Once the political powerhouse of the Soviet Union, Moscow is home to fantastical monuments, brutalist architecture and extraordinary art, from its world-famous ballet to the intricate Fabergé eggs in the Royal Treasure House.
From Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, the world’s longest railway takes you to interesting towns, wonderful natural sights and remote regions, as Europe gives way to Asia.
The little-known region of Kamchatka is an isolated peninsula on Russia’s far eastern coast, best known for its untouched landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Big cat safaris in Russia are a truly spectacular experience, and a fantastic opportunity for those with the patience to wait on the appearance of Siberian tigers and Amur leopards, venturing out in search of prey.
For some invaluable advice, we have talked to our expert local suppliers who know Russia well and pulled together their most useful Russia travel tips.
You may not approve of Russia’s actions on the global stage, but it pays to know a little more about its approach to the domestic life of its citizens before you visit.
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