Golden Ring of Russia Bike Tour

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Adventure Tour (Less expensive hotels, hostels, cabins with double rooms or dorms. Roads/paths are at times unpaved or dirt.)

Day 1: Arrival in Moscow
Day 2: Rostov - Borisoglebsky, 13 mi. (20 km
Day 3: Borisoglebsky - Uglich, 50 mi. (80 km)
Day 4: Uglich - Myshkin, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Myshkin - Rybinsk - Demino, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 6: Demino - Ust'e, 41mi. (65 km)
Day 7: YUst'e – Dievo-Gorodistche, 41 mi. (65 km)
Day 8: Kostroma, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 9: Kostroma - Ples, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 10: Ples - Suzdal, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 11: Suzdal - Vladimir, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 12: Departure

Day 1: Arrival in Moscow
Arrival in Moscow (no cycling). You will be met at the airport and taken to the city. (Transfer is also possible if you arrive earlier.) The hotel is located in the east part of Moscow next to the biggest Moscow park and 5 minutes walk from an underground station. It takes 15 minutes to get to the Red Square by metro. Meeting at the hotel is at 5 pm. After a short briefing and buffet dinner you will go for a walk in the center of Moscow.

Day 2: Rostov - Borisoglebsky, 13 mi.(20 km)
The day begins with a transfer to Rostov, complete with guided city tour followed by a cycling route to Borisoglebsky and a visit to the Borisoglebsky Monastery. Rostov is located on the shores of Lake Nero (more than 50 sq. km in area) and is one of the oldest towns in Russia. Other highlights of the day include a visit to the Kremlin. Built in medieval style, it was the last structure of its kind to be erected in Russia for Ivan Sysoevich in 17 century. The walls aren’t suitable for defensive purposes and are purely decorative. Kremlin’s bells are among the largest and most famous in Russia; each has its own name. The largest bell, cast in 1688, weighs more than 32,000 kg. It is named Sysoi to honor the metropolitan's father.

Day 3: Borisoglebsky - Uglich, 50 mi. (80 km)
Cycling begins on a quiet road towards Uglich, passing by the old monastery on the Uleima river, which is a great spot for swimming as well! The town of Uglich is one of the main highlights of the tour. The youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, Dmitry was banished to Uglich in 1584. The most famous event in the town's history took place on May 15, 1591 when the 10-year old Dmitry was found dead with his throat cut in the Kremlin courtyard. A visit to the Vodka Museum is also on the agenda.

Day 4: Uglich - Myshkin, 28 mi. (45 km)
Included in the itinerary today is a visit to the Museum of hydropower and a city tour in Myshkin as well as a visit to the Valenki (wool-boot) museum. Other highlights include the area's beautiful windmills, scenery, and folklore program. Located on the steep left bank of the Volga, Myshkin is a tiny town with a population of only 6000. Mysh means mouse in Russian. Legend has it that after a successful hunt, a Prince lay down to rest on the high bank of the Volga. He slept for a few hours, but was awakened by a mouse scampering over his face. The prince was angry at first, until he saw a snake slithering towards him. The mouse had saved his life. In honor of this the town received its name and the picture of a mouse on its coat-of-arms.

Day 5:  Myshkin - Rybinsk - Demino, 37 mi. (60 km)
Rybinsk is an important river port and the second largest city of Yaroslavl region. On the way, you cross the Volga by ferry. In the 1930s, there was a prison camp here. The prisoners in the camp were used as the main workforce for the “construction project of the century”, the man-made Rybinsk Sea. In April 1941 the town of Mologa, vanished under the waves of the Rybinsk reservoir, formerly touted as the largest man-made body of water on the Earth. The city was closed to foreigners during Soviet times. After Rybinsk, the route follows the Volga on a scenic road to the center of sports and leisure, Demino.

Day 6: Demino - Ust'e 41mi. (65 km)
You pedal in the  direction of Yaroslavl. On the route you stop in small town Tutaev which preserves its authenticity since 19 century. We visit old 17 century church with frescos of famous Gury Nikitin and enjoy view of the Volga. Today you will stay in a comfortable cabin 20 km before Yaroslavl.

Day 7: Ust'e – Dievo-Gorodistche, 41 mi. (65 km)
Today we visit the capital of the region, 1000 years old city Yaroslavl. The whole center of the city with around 140 architectural monuments has been included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After city tour we ride 20 km out of the city to a nice country hotel where we spend a night.

Day 8: Kostroma, 37 mi.  (60 km)
The main adventure is going to be today. We cycle through a wood by sand road (7 km) to a place where we will cross the river by boat. After the boat crossing we continue by a small road to Kostroma. 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, 37 mi. (60 km)
Today the route leads us to the small town Ples where famous Russian artist Isaak Levitan used to work in 19 century. The town is also famous for its incredible landscape. To get to the town we use boat crossing Volga again. In Ples we visit famous coffe shop named after Sofia Kufshinnikova, friend of Levitan. Here you may try favorite cookie of I. Levitan and Russian cheesecake “Kuleika” (not included). Bus transfer to lake Rubskoe (110 km, about 2 hours). Lake Rubskoe – unique natural lake with incredible clear water. We spend a night here.

Day 10: Ples - Suzdal 16 mi. (25 km)
It is off to the magical  town of Suzdal. Arriving in Suzdal is like entering a fairy-tale.  The white-stone churches with their intricate carving, the rich colors of the old icons, the ancient manuscripts and the chiming bells, the fortified monastery walls, all this takes us out of the web-crazy 21st century, back to the living past. You will find more than 200 architectural, historical and cultural monuments from the 10th to 20th centuries (33 churches, 5 monasteries, 17 chapels etc.). Population: 10,000. The town is known for mead drink (miedovukha) - the medieval, mildly alcoholic honey-wine - a Russian variant of cider - made of honey, served at near room temperature, spiced with different flavors. White monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal are in the UNESCO World Heritage list. 

Day 11: Suzdal - Vladimir - Moscow,  28 mi. (45 km)
City tour in Suzdal, featuring the bell rings and mead tasting. An optional excursion is a visit to the Church of Intercession on the Nerl in Bogolubovo or the Golden Gate and Cathedrals in Vladimir. If the weather permits, you will enjoy a final ride through the open fields near Bogolubovo. You will then be transferred to Moscow (4 hour bus ride). 

Day 12: Departure

Comfort Tour

Day 1: Moscow arrival
Day 2: Uglich, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 3: Uglich – Myshkin, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Myshkin – Rybinsk, 47 mi. (75 km)
Day 5: Rybinsk – Yaroslavl, 56 mi. (90 km)
Day 6: Yaroslavl, no cycling
Day 7: Yaroslavl – Viatskoe, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 8: Vyatskoe – Kostroma, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 9: Kostroma – Ples, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 10: Suzdal, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 11: Suzdal - Bogolubovo – Vladimir – Moscow, no cycling
Day 12: Moscow departure

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 5 minutes walk from an underground station. It takes 15 minutes 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: Uglich,  25 km
You will  take a bus to Il’inskoe (about 250 km, 4 hours). On the way you will stop in Sergiev Posad for a tour of The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra (UNESCO world heritage). From Il’inskoe, you cycle 25 km to Uglich, stopping near the monastery in Uleima, a good place to swim in a small river! Today is a short day with lots of sightseeing. Uglich is a charming town on the Volga, one of the highlights of the tour, where you will join the Volga River which you will follow for next 7 days. After a city tour and visiting the museum of vodka.

Day 3:  Uglich – Myshkin,  40 km
First thing in the morning, you will visit the interesting museum of hydropower, followed by a  40 km cycling itinerary by a quiet road to Myshkin. Myshkin (“mice town” in Russian) is a small town on the Volga with plenty of museums. Again, you will accommodate on the river. In the evening you will be offered a tour of Myshkin with a local guide. After the tour, you will enjoy free time.

Day 4: Myshkin – Rybinsk, 75 km
You ride along the Volga River on a quiet road. Along the road you will see lots of old wooden houses from the 19th century to the early 20th century (typical architecture of that time). After crossing the Volga by ferry, you continue to Rybinsk. In Rybinsk, you visit the historic museum of the region and then continue 18 km further to a nice countryside hotel.

Day 5: Rybinsk – Yaroslavl, 90 km
This is your longest day leading you to the capital of the region, the ancient city Yaroslavl. On the route, you stop in the small town Tutaev which preserves its authenticity. You will the visit old 17 century church with frescos of famous Gury Nikitin. In Yaroslavl, you stay in a modern hotel in the center of the city.

Day 6: Yaroslavl, no cycling scheduled
Today you can enjoy some cycling at your leisure or a walking tour of Yaroslavl with a local guide. The entire center of the city has around140 architectural monuments and has been included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Free time in the afternoon.

Day 7: Yaroslavl – Viatskoe, 56 km
Cycling and walking tour of Yaroslavl with a local guide. The whole center of the city with around 140 architectural monuments has been included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Free time in the afternoon.

Day 8: Vyatskoe – Kostroma, 60 km
You begin cycling 25 km on a quiet country road followed by 7 km through a forest on a sandy road (7 km) to a place where you will cross the river by boat, and then continue on 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 to the small town Ples where the famous 19th century Russian artist, Isaak Levitan lived and work. The town is also famous for its incredible landscape. In Ples, you visit famous coffe shop named after Sofia Kufshinnikova, friend of Levitan. Here you may try the favorite cookie of I. Levitan and Russian cheesecake “Kuleika”.  Bus transfer to Ivanovo (70 km, about 1 hour).

Day 10: Suzdal, 35 km
You start your day with a bus transfer. You will stop near the old church of Boris and Gleb (1152) in Kideksha. After city tour in Suzdal, you have a guided tour in Spaso-Ephimy monastery. Farewell dinner in the best restaurant of the town.

Day 11: Suzdal - Bogolubovo – Vladimir – Moscow, no cycling
You have a bus ride to Bogolubovo to see the famous Church of Intercession on the Nerl and then on to Vladimir to have a guided tour of the historic center including the Assumption monastery with Andrey Rublev frescos. Lunch in a local restaurant. Bus ride back to Moscow (180 km, about 4 hours). Arrival to Moscow around 6 pm depends on traffic.

Day 12: Moscow departure

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• Golden Ring of Russia