Russia Golden Ring of Russia Bike Tour 2017 Guided 12 days / 11 nights The Golden Ring of Russia (the region northeast of Moscow) is the most famous tourist route in the heart of Russia. It goes through numerous picturesque and ancient Russian towns: Vladimir, Suzdal (UNESCO world heritage), Yaroslavl (UNESCO world heritage), Kostroma, Uglich, Rostov, and others known for their ancient history and inspiring architecture. You will see the beautiful Russian countryside and Volga River, magnificent Orthodox churches and monasteries. The bicycling part stars in Rostov (north of Moscow) and ends in Vladimir 10 days later.
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Moscow arrival Arrival in Moscow (no cycling). You will be met at the airport and taken to the hotel. The hotel is located in the east part of Moscow next to the biggest Moscow Park and five minutes walk from the underground station. It takes fifteen mintues to get to the Red Square by metro. After short briefing and buffet dinner we will go for a walk in the center of Moscow. Day 2: Rostov Borisoglebsky 20 km Early bus transfer to Rostov Veliky. After a guided tour in the Kremlin we cycle to Borisoglebsky a small settlement 20 km away from Rostov. We will stay overnight in the local hotel next to the old monastery. After dinner we usualy go around the imposing monestary and feel like we are in real Russian country. Day 3: Borisoglebsk Uglich 70 km Today is our first real cycling day 72 km to Uglich a charming town on the Volga one of the pearls of our tour. The road has few cars and twists through nice forests and fields. We meet the Volga River a main river in Russia which we follow for the next five days. After a short city tour and visiting the museum of Vodka we end at the central hotel facing the river. (in the budget tour we cycle 5km more outside of town to a country cottage). Day 4: Uglich Mykskin 40 km Today we cycle 40 km on a quiet road to Myshkin. Myshkin ( mice town in Russian) is a small town on the Volga with plenty of museums. Again we stay next to the river. In the afternoon we have free time to walk around the town. Day 5: Myshkin Rybinsk 70 km After crossing the Volga by ferry we continue downstream of the river to Rybinsk. We visit the historic museum of the region in this big city and then continue 18 km further to a nice countryside hotel.
Day 6: Rybinsk Yaroslavl 90 km The longest day leads us to the capital of the region, the 1000 year old city of Yaroslavl. On the route we stop in the small town of Tutaev which preserves its authenticity since the 19 th century. We visit an old 17 th century church with frescos of famous Gury Nikitin. In Yaroslavl we stay in a modern hotel in the centre of the city. We walk with a local guide in the central part of the old city and enjoy the view of the Volga. Day 7: Yaroslavl Viatskoe 50 km After leaving Yaroslavl we ride to the old merchant village of Viatskoe. Here we find out how Russian people lived a few centuries ago. We have an experience of a real Russian banya (steam bathhouse) and end the day in the inner yard of the local restaurant drinking local beer and eating strudel made from local apples. Day 8: Vyatskoe Kostroma 60 km The main adventure is going to be today. We cycle through woods on a sand road (7 km) to a place where we will cross the river by boat. Before the sand part we cycle 25 km on a very quiet road. After the boat crossing we continue on a small road to Kostroma (20 km). We visit the Outdoor Museum of Wooden Architecture & Peasant Life and stay for a night in a hotel in the very center of the city next to the river. Day 9: Kostroma Ples 60 km Today the route leads us to the small town of Ples where famous Russian artist Isaak Levitan used to work in the 19 th century. The town is also famous for its incredible landscape.
Day 10: Ples Suzdal 40 km We start the day with a short bus transfer (150 km, about 3 hours). After that we continue for 40 km on a quiet road to the world famous town of Suzdal. After a city tour in Suzdal we for go for a guided tour in Spaso-Ephimy monastery. Farewell dinner. Day 11: Suzdal Vladimir 30 km In the comfort tour we do not ride today. We have a bus ride to Bogolubovo to see the famous Church of Intercession on the Nerl. Then a bus transfer to Vladamir to have a guided tour of the historic center including the Assumption Monastery with Audrey Rublev frescos. Bus ride back to Moscow (180 km, about 4 hours). In the budget tour we cycle 30 km to Bogolubovo including a few kilometers of soil road. Day 12: Moscow departure
Route Technical Characteristics: Route Profile: Easy. Relaxed cycling in mostly flat terrain. Most roads along the route do not have heavy traffic and are paved with asphalt except few short unpaved parts. Distance: 530 km Travel Season: Departure dates: July 2, 2017 Budget Tour August 6, 2017 Comfort Tour
Price per Person: Budget Tour Comfort Tour Basic Price Double Occupancy 1250.00 1450.00 Basic Price Single Occupancy Not Available 1700.00 Bike Rental (21-24 speed) 100.00 100.00 Extra Night Moscow Double/Twin Room without breakfast 30.00 30.00 Extra Night Moscow Single Room without breakfast 60.00 60.00 Airport transfer to Moscow after the tour 40.00 40.00 Accommodation: In a budget tour we stay in modest hotels or cabins with double rooms or dorms and shared WC and shower. In cabins we usually cook ourselves. Banya (Russian steam bath) is usually available in cabin accommodation. In a comfort tour we stay only in comfortable hotels (double or single accommodation with private bathroom). Included: Visa invitation Transfer from airport in Moscow Accommodation (11 nights) All meals (from dinner on the arrival day until breakfast on the departure day) (except one lunch and one dinner in Yaroslavl in a comfort tour) A sag wagon (support vehicle and baggage carrier) All transfers along the route Guided excursions and museums fees as described in the itinerary English-speaking cycling guides and mechanic Map T-shirt
Bikes They have aluminum frame, no shocks, 28" 40 mm wide wheels, 21 or 24 speeds. They equipped with a rack, bottle holder and fenders. Different sizes are available Hybrid Bikes Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 1337B Wellington Ave Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Y 3B8 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848