Imperial Waterways of Russia (2021)

12 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
99%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
none

USTOA

River Cruise
The imperial cities, grand artistic treasures, and spectacular architecture of Russia await your arrival. From the glittering metropolises of St. Petersburg and Moscow to the timeless towns along the Golden Ring, experience Russia in all its glory and splendor.
35%
$9,224
From$5,999
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

What's this trip about?

    The imperial cities, grand artistic treasures, and spectacular architecture of Russia await your arrival. From the glittering metropolises of St. Petersburg and Moscow to the timeless towns along the Golden Ring, experience Russia in all its glory and splendor.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMoscow
End CitySaint Petersburg

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Russia

Attractions

  • Armory Museum
  • Moscow
  • St. Petersburg

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • River cruise

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map
2019 version

Moscow to Saint Petersburg

Day 1 - Moscow (Embark)
Port - Moscow Arrive at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, Vnukovo International Airport or Domodedovo Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2 - Moscow
Port - Moscow If Russia is “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma” as Winston Churchill famously said, then Moscow presents an intriguing starting point for an amazing cultural discovery. A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for ...
Excursion(s)
- Moscow panoramic tour with Metro, Arbat Street and Red Square visit Excursion Price - $70

It can be difficult to get a handle on this vibrant and sprawling capital, which amazes visitors with its stunning contrasts. A panoramic tour with a knowledgeable local guide ...

Day 3 - Moscow
Port - Moscow This morning, you’ll have the chance to explore the Kremlin and adjacent Armory Museum. The Kremlin, a fortified complex in the heart of Moscow and the government’s headquarters, offers an intriguing look at Russia’s political and cultural heritage. Take a...
Excursion(s)
- Kremlin and Armory Museum visit Excursion Price - $70

Day 4 - Uglich
Port - Uglich While cruising through the Moscow Canal, you’ll get your first glimpse of rural Russia on your way to the quiet and historic town of Uglich. Be prepared for a panorama of magnificent architectural monuments.

Excursion(s)
- Uglich walking tour with Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood Excursion Price - $70

Green, blue and silver onion domes top colorful churches along the Volga, announcing that you have arrived in Uglich. Like other Golden Ring cities, it was founded in the Middle Ages an...

Excursion(s)
- “Let’s Go” Hydropower Museum walk Excursion Price - $70

Day 5 - Yaroslavl, Cruising Lake Rybinsk
Port - Yaroslavl Credit for Yaroslavl’s well-designed, UNESCO-protected city center goes to none other than Catherine the Great, who was even more than a mighty Russian ruler—she was a forward-thinking urban planner as well. Visit an Orthodox church and a lively market....
Excursion(s)
- Yaroslavl city tour Excursion Price - $70

Stroll through Yaroslavl’s UNESCO World Heritage–designated city center, which reflects both its late- medieval roots and, with its wide, tree-lined streets and attractive parks, the urban planning ordered by Catherine the G...

Excursion(s)
- “Do as the Locals Do” Yaroslavl walking tour Excursion Price - $70

Day 6 - Goritsy
Port - Goritsy Beyond Russia’s major cities lies a completely different world—the fabled land of Mother Russia. Explore a rural village today for an authentic and unforgettable glimpse of everyday life in a Russian province. Later, relax onboard as your ship cruises th...
Excursion(s)
- “Let’s Go” Goritsy village walk Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- Goritsy "Village Day" Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- Visit to Saint Cyril on the White Lake Monastery Excursion Price - $70

Travel a short distance to the banks of Lake Siverskoye, where one of the most beautiful monasteries in the country, St. Cyril, has stood fast against the ravages of war and politics for 600 year...

Day 7 - Kizhi Island
Port - Kizhi Island To approach the towering wooden Church of Transfiguration from the water can be a transformative experience. Step ashore for an up-close view of this incredible church.

Excursion(s)
- Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture Excursion Price - $70

Be sure to come up on deck as the ship approaches Kizhi Island. The silhouette of the amazing Church of Transfiguration looms out of the water, its multiple onion domes impossibly intricate—and utterly unm...

Excursion(s)
- "Let's Go" Kizhi Island nature hike Excursion Price - $70

Day 8 - Mandrogi
Port - Mandrogi Travel back in time to the 19th century at a reconstructed Russian village populated by talented artisans who make handmade items using traditional materials and techniques. Other highlights today include a rustic shashlik lunch. Later, your ship cruise...
Excursion(s)
- Mandrogi “Village Day” with Shashlik picnic lunch Excursion Price - $70

Ramble through the area known as the Old Village, made up of traditional buildings moved from other locations and rebuilt here, with the Cruise Manager. There was a village on this site in earli...

Excursion(s)
- “Let’s Go” Mandrogi village hike Excursion Price - $70

Day 9 - St. Petersburg
Port - St. Petersburg St. Petersburg is a city of canals, palaces and cathedrals that presents a glorious juxtaposition of East and West. See the sights by land as well as water. Later, spend an evening watching a ballet at the Alexandrinsky Theater, home of the oldest ...
Excursion(s)
- Russian ballet performance Excursion Price - $70

No visit to Russia would be complete without experiencing the world-renowned Russian ballet. And today you get to experience Russia’s distinctive style of ballet in the city where it originated. One of the finest gift...

Excursion(s)
- St. Petersburg city tour with canal cruise and Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood visit Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- "Do as the Locals Do" St. Petersburg walking tour with canal cruise and Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood visit Excursion Price - $70

Russia’s window on the West, St. Petersburg melds exuberant Italian architecture with an austere Nordic setting, all bathed ...

Day 10 - St. Petersburg
Port - St. Petersburg St. Petersburg finds you with an appropriately imperial excursion: a guided tour through the world-famous Hermitage Museum. It is the crown jewel of the city and is located in the former home of the tsars, the Winter Palace.

Excursion(s)
- Hermitage Museum Excursion Price - $70

Founded by Catherine the Great, the Hermitage is one of the premier museums in the world, composed of five buildings and housing some three million works, ranging from the Stone Age to the contemporary. Among the ancient artifa...

Day 11 - St. Petersburg
Port - St. Petersburg Cross the threshold of the summer residence of the tsars—the lavishly decorated Catherine Palace—where you’ll see opulent staterooms and the near mythic Amber Room, meticulously restored to its former glory. Marvel at the palace’s immaculate ground...
Excursion(s)
- Catherine Palace and Park in Pushkin Excursion Price - $70

First developed during Peter I’s reign, when it was a modest 16-room mansion that he gave to his wife, Catherine (for whom the estate is named), this vast palace owes its extraordinary grandeur to Empress El...

Day 12 - St. Petersburg (Disembark)
Port - St. Petersburg You have sampled culinary delights, explored history and experienced the best of life along the Volga River. Now the journey comes to a close and it’s time to disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you ...
Saint Petersburg to Moscow

Day 1 - St. Petersburg (Embark)
Port - St. Petersburg Arrive at Pulkovo International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2 - St. Petersburg
Port - St. Petersburg St. Petersburg is a city of canals, palaces and cathedrals that presents a glorious juxtaposition of East and West. See the sights by land as well as water. Later, spend an evening watching a ballet at the Alexandrinsky Theater, home of the oldest ...
Excursion(s)
- Russian ballet performance Excursion Price - $70

No visit to Russia would be complete without experiencing the world-renowned Russian ballet. And today you get to experience Russia’s distinctive style of ballet in the city where it originated. One of the finest gift...

Excursion(s)
- St. Petersburg city tour with canal cruise and Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood visit Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- "Do as the Locals Do" St. Petersburg walking tour with canal cruise and Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood visit Excursion Price - $70

Russia’s window on the West, St. Petersburg melds exuberant Italian architecture with an austere Nordic setting, all bathed ...

Day 3 - St. Petersburg
Port - St. Petersburg St. Petersburg finds you with an appropriately imperial excursion: a guided tour through the world-famous Hermitage Museum. It is the crown jewel of the city and is located in the former home of the tsars, the Winter Palace.

Excursion(s)
- Hermitage Museum Excursion Price - $70

Founded by Catherine the Great, the Hermitage is one of the premier museums in the world, composed of five buildings and housing some three million works, ranging from the Stone Age to the contemporary. Among the ancient artifa...

Day 4 - St. Petersburg
Port - St. Petersburg Cross the threshold of the summer residence of the tsars—the lavishly decorated Catherine Palace—where you’ll see opulent staterooms and the near mythic Amber Room, meticulously restored to its former glory. Marvel at the palace’s immaculate grounds, dubbed Pushkin Park, then spend the rest of the day exploring on your own.

Excursion(s)
- Catherine Palace and Park in Pushkin Excursion Price - $70

First developed during Peter I’s reign, when it was a modest 16-room mansion that he gave to his wife, Catherine (for whom the estate is named), this vast palace owes its extraordinary grandeur to Empress El...

Day 5 - Mandrogi
Port - Mandrogi Travel back in time to the 19th century at a reconstructed Russian village populated by talented artisans who make handmade items using traditional materials and techniques. Other highlights today include a rustic shashlik lunch. Your ship cruises along...
Excursion(s)
- Mandrogi “Village Day” with Shashlik picnic lunch Excursion Price - $70

Ramble through the area known as the Old Village, made up of traditional buildings moved from other locations and rebuilt here, with the Cruise Manager. There was a village on this site in earli...

Excursion(s)
- “Let’s Go” Mandrogi village hike Excursion Price - $70

Day 6 - Kizhi Island
Port - Kizhi Island To approach the towering wooden Church of Transfiguration from the water can be a transformative experience. Step ashore for an up-close view of this incredible church.

Excursion(s)
- Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture Excursion Price - $70

Be sure to come up on deck as the ship approaches Kizhi Island. The silhouette of the amazing Church of Transfiguration looms out of the water, its multiple onion domes impossibly intricate—and utterly unm...

Excursion(s)
- "Let's Go" Kizhi Island nature hike Excursion Price - $70

Day 7 - Goritsy
Port - Goritsy Beyond Russia’s major cities lies a completely different world—the fabled land of Mother Russia. Explore a rural village today for an authentic and unforgettable glimpse of everyday life in a Russian province. Later, relax onboard as your ship cruises th...
Excursion(s)
- “Let’s Go” Goritsy village walk Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- Goritsy "Village Day" Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- Visit to Saint Cyril on the White Lake Monastery Excursion Price - $70

Travel a short distance to the banks of Lake Siverskoye, where one of the most beautiful monasteries in the country, St. Cyril, has stood fast against the ravages of war and politics for 600 year...

Day 8 - Cruising Lake Rybinsk, Yaroslavl
Port - Yaroslavl On your way to Yaroslavl, relax onboard the ship as you travel across Lake Rybinsk, formed in 1941 between the upper Volga River and its tributaries. At the time of its construction, it was the largest man-made body of water on earth. Credit for Yarosl...
Excursion(s)
- “Do as the Locals Do” Yaroslavl walking tour Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- Yaroslavl city tour Excursion Price - $70

Stroll through Yaroslavl’s UNESCO World Heritage–designated city center, which reflects both its late- medieval roots and, with its wide, tree-lined streets and attractive parks, the urban planning ordered by Catherine the G...

Day 9 - Uglich
Port - Uglich Heading south on the Volga, you’ll come to one of the loveliest cities of the Golden Ring, as the group of towns that played significant roles in Russian history are known. As you approach the delightful and picturesque town of Uglich in the afternoon, be prepared for a panorama of magnificent architectural monuments.

Excursion(s)
- Uglich walking tour with Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood Excursion Price - $70

Green, blue and silver onion domes top colorful churches along the Volga, announcing that you have arrived in Uglich. Like other Golden Ring cities, it was founded in the Middle Ages an...

Excursion(s)
- “Let’s Go” Hydropower Museum walk Excursion Price - $70

Day 10 - Moscow
Port - Moscow This afternoon, you’ll have the chance to explore the Kremlin and adjacent Armory Museum. The Kremlin, a fortified complex in the heart of Moscow and the government’s headquarters, offers an intriguing look at Russia’s political and cultural heritage. Take a look at a collection of Russian regalia at the Armory Museum and wander through the exquisite Cathedral Square.

Excursion(s)
- Kremlin and Armory Museum visit Excursion Price - $70

Day 11 - Moscow
Port - Moscow If Russia is “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma” as Winston Churchill famously said, then Moscow presents an intriguing starting point for an amazing cultural discovery. A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for...
Excursion(s)
- Moscow panoramic tour with Metro, Arbat Street and Red Square visit Excursion Price - $70

It can be difficult to get a handle on this vibrant and sprawling capital, which amazes visitors with its stunning contrasts. A panoramic tour with a knowledgeable local guide ...

Day 12 - Moscow (Disembark)
Port - Moscow You have sampled culinary delights, explored history and experienced the best of life along the Volga River. Now the journey comes to a close and it’s time to disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have pur...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $5,999
Price per day$500
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Uniworld.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Uniworld Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
Excellent
115
Great
3
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
Write a Review

Other Uniworld Reviews

B

Bradley Acuff

Jan 2023

Provided byUniworld

Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve.

Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and ...

M

Marie Rossiter

Jan 2023

Provided byUniworld

The staff is most efficient and kind.

The staff is most efficient and kind.

L

Leslie Gleiser

Jan 2023

Provided byUniworld

The service on the Tosca was OUTSTANDING.

The service on the Tosca was OUTSTANDING. The crew was very attentive, concerned always that we had what we needed and wanted. They could not be more helpful! It was...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Uniworld

none
View Profile

Award-winning Uniworld—the world's ONLY authentic boutique cruise line™—offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Russia, and Asia. The company’s European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.

In 2004, Uniworld was acquired by The Travel Corporation (TTC), a highly successful international travel group founded by Stanley Tollman. TTC has more than 30 top brands, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Contiki, as well as Red Carnation Hotels, a renowned collection of four- and five-star luxury properties.

TTC has made major investments in Uniworld's ships, crew, and staff, with an eye towards providing guests with all the elements of an unforgettable Six-Star Experience: Expertise; Service; Luxurious Ships, Uniquely Designed; Culinary; Choice; and Truly All-Inclusive. Combining the tour planning and hotel management expertise of TTC’s sister companies with Uniworld’s decades of superior nautical experience has created an entirely new category of luxury river cruising.

In partnership with its sister company, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld takes pride in its long-lasting relationships with guests, for whom there is “No request too large, no detail too small.” Uniworld employs a professionally trained, dedicated, English-speaking staff, so guests never have to worry about communication.

Why we love this operator
They have the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a reputation for excellent service.
What they’re known for
Posh all-inclusive river cruises with fascinating shore excursions in destinations across Europe and Asia.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Ship & cabin information
River Victoria
River Victoria
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
Uniworld-198

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >