3 Gems of the Golden Ring

2 days and 1 night

  • Schedule
    Tour can be started on any day
  • Route
    Moscow - Sergiev Posad - Vladimir - Suzdal - Moscow
  • Languages
    English-speaking guide is guaranteed. Other languages are on request.
  • Accommodation
    The following hotel options are available:
    3 stars - 4 stars
  • PRIVATE TOUR
    This is a private tour, there won't be other people in your group
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Itinerary

This Golden Ring tour covers 3 ancient Russian towns. You will learn about the towns' history, traditions, architecture and the people who lived and created there. Although this is only a small section of the Golden Ring, it covers some of the Ring’s most important sites. Vladimir dates back to the XI century and is one of the oldest and most important towns along the ring. Suzdal is full of old churches, wooden houses and the sounds of bird songs and the ringing of church bells. Sergiev Posad dates back to the XIV century and is sometimes called the Russian Vatican.

Day 1

Sergiev Posad, Russia
Vladimir, Russia

At 8.00 AM our Russian tour begins, our driver and representative will pick you up to depart for Sergiev Posad by car or mini-van.
It is 2-3 hours drive from Moscow. Arrival in Sergiev Posad.

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Our tour starts with the Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra), built in the first half of the 1340s by the son of Rostov Boyar, Sergius of Radonezh, who remains one the most venerated saints in Russia. The monastery includes more than fifty edifices constructed by Moscow, Pskov and Yaroslavl craftsmen. In 1993 it was entered into the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The History and Art museum within the walls of the monastery contains a rich collection of old Russian paintings and various works of art dating from the 14th thru 17th centuries. The collection includes over 120,000 items: ancient icons, medieval manuscripts and old printed books, icon and ornamental embroideries, church utensils, articles of gold and silver, paintings, engravings, folk and contemporary art. Sergiev Posad is also famous for being home to the world's first matryoshka doll.


Lunch at the local restaurant (included).
Transfer to Vladimir.
Check into hotel.
Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel (included).

A little information about Vladimir. There is a dispute about the founding date of the city, either 990 or 1108 but regardless, the city's most significant events occurred during the 12th century. Under Yuri Dolgoruky´s son, Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1175), Vladimir prospered, becoming the center of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. The city's Golden Age is considered to be from the early 12th century until the Mongol invasion in 1237 during which the Golden Gates and the Cathedral of the Assumption were constructed. The architecture of Vladimir's white stone cathedrals, towers, and palaces is unique and unlike other buildings in Russia, their exterior was elaborately carved with high relief stone sculptures. The decline of Vladimir began when it was attacked and overrun by the Mongol-Tatars in 1238. A great fire destroyed 32 limestone buildings on the first day alone, while the grand prince and all his family perished in a church where they sought refuge from the fire. The bishop of Vladimir managed to escape. Vladimir never fully recovered but from 1299 to1325, the city was seat of the metropolitans of Kiev and All Rus until the see was moved to Moscow.

Day 2

Suzdal, Russia
Suzdal wooden heritage, Russia

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to the town of Suzdal, often called the Russian Mecca. It is just 32 km from Vladimir. Suzdal is amazingly tranquil and beautiful with its numerous churches, wooden houses, bird songs and the ringing of bells throughout the day.

Suzdal dates back to 1024. In its early history it was the capital of several principalities and later became an important religious center. The town is full of churches and at one point in its history had 40 churches for approximately 400 families. Today the town only has a population of around 10,000 and has retained its country village feel with many of the roads remaining unpaved and livestock roaming the streets. The atmosphere is extremely pleasant due to its rustic, country atmosphere combined with its medieval monuments. In short, Suzdal is an extremely special place and we are certain that you will enjoy your time there.

A sightseeing tour will take you to the oldest part of the Kremlin, the heart of Suzdal. Specialists believe the Kremlin dates back to the X century and first appeared in the chronicles in 1024. On its territory you will admire the Cathedral of the Nativity, dating back to the beginning of the XIII century, the largest relic of which is the Golden Gates. The next stop will be to the Archbishops´ Chambers, a large architectural masterpiece that took several centuries to be built. It houses a unique collection of historical and archaeological objects, including the Cross-Vaulted Chamber.

After this you will proceed either to the Spaso-Yevfimievsky Monastery of Our Savior or the open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture. This museum recreates the life and traditions of the people of Suzdal in the XVIII-XIX century. The ensemble includes churches, log houses and other structures.

Lunch at the local restaurant (included)
Transfer to Vladimir.


Panoramic city tour. During the city tour you will become acquainted with the main highlights of the city. The first stop is the Assumption Cathedral, a unique monument of the white-stone architecture of Vladimir. The cathedral was built in the middle of the XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky as the main church of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. World-famous frescoes by Andrei Rublev are preserved there. You will then proceed to the small, one-domed cathedral of St. Dmitry, built in the beginning of the XII century by Prince Vsevolod as his palace church. The cathedral´s interior still features frescoes of the XII century.

You will also visit the Golden Gates - considered to be the door to Vladimir built in the early XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolubsky. In ancient times they served as the main military tower of the fortress.

We will also visit the Museum of Crystal, lacquer miniatures and embroidery. This museum possesses an amazing collection of traditional Russian handicrafts and folk art, lacquer miniature papier-mâché boxes, embroidery, rock crystal and glass pieces.

At around 5:30 PM, you will set back to Moscow. At this point we will say goodbye to the Golden Ring one of the most beautiful and interesting areas in Russia and Eastern Europe full of history, art, culture and legend. We hope to welcome you back to Russia sometime in the future. Do Svidaniya or until we meet again!

Included Sightseeing

These sights are included into the standard package:

Vladimir
Vladimir Golden Gates
Vladimir Golden Gates

Considered to be the door to Vladimir built in the early XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolubsky. In ancient times they served as the main military tower of the fortress.

Cathedral of St. Dmitry
Cathedral of St. Dmitry

Built in the beginning of the XII century by Prince Vsevolod as his palace church. The cathedral´s interior still features frescoes of the XII century.

Assumption Cathedral
Assumption Cathedral

A unique monument of the white-stone architecture of Vladimir. The cathedral was built in the middle of the XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky as the main church of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. World-famous frescoes by Andrei Rublev are preserved there.

Sergiev Posad
The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery
The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery

The monastery was built in the first half of the 1340s by the son of Rostov Boyar, Sergius of Radonezh, who remains one the most venerated saints in Russia. The monastery includes more than fifty edifices constructed by Moscow, Pskov and Yaroslavl craftsmen. In 1993 it was entered into the UNESCO list of the World Cultural Heritage.

Suzdal
Suzdal Kremlin
Suzdal Kremlin

The heart of Suzdal. Specialists believe the Kremlin dates back to the X century and first appeared in the chronicles in 1024.

Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture
Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture

This museum recreates the life and traditions of the people of Suzdal in the XVIII–XIX century. The ensemble includes churches, log houses and other structures.

Cathedral of the Nativity
Cathedral of the Nativity

Located on the Kremlin's territory, dating back to the beginning of the XIII century, the largest relic of which is the Golden Gates.

Archbishops Chambers
Archbishops Chambers

A large architectural masterpiece that took several centuries to be built. It houses a unique collection of historical and archaeological objects, including the Cross-Vaulted Chamber.

Prices and Terms

All seasons
  hotel 3 stars hotel 4 stars
1 $1218 $1229
2 $680 $696
3 - 4 $508 $523
5 - 6 $394 $421
single supplement $40 $71

*Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a specific hotel. You should add single supplement to the price in case you travel in a group but you stay at a single room. 

Prices include

  • Tickets to all museums
  • Transportation to museums and for excursions
  • Guide service
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Meals according to the program

Prices do not include

  • Visa processing costs. For US, UK and Canadian citizens, our company offers Full Visa Support. This is where you send us your passport and other documentation and we obtain the Russian visa for you. 
  • International airfare. Our Russian tours are offered as land only where you arrange your own airfare and we meet you at the airport and handle everything else. 
  • Optional services as well as theater tickets
  • Travel insurance. We highly recommend to purchase travel insurance before embarking on your trip to Russia. It’s always good to have extra protection while traveling far from home. Click here to learn more.

To inquire about group rates, please contact us.

Tour dates are flexible. Tours can be customized to your taste. We can include additional excursions or performances on your request.

Payment policy:
To book a tour, 30% deposit is required at the moment of booking. The trip must be fully paid 31 days before departure.

Cancellation policy:
61 or more days before departure - a fee equal to 15% of the entire package will be charged.
60-15 days before departure - a fee equal to 30% of the entire package will be charged.
14 days or less before departure or no-show - a fee equal to 100% of the package will be charged.

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