Tour the Heart of Russia

Russia's Capitals: Moscow to St. Petersburg by Bike

Tour Description: Guided

Moscow and St. Petersburg are the two most important, biggest and richest Russian cities. Full of monuments and impressive architecture, the cities are top tourist destinations in Europe.

Now you can combine visiting them with cycling in the countryside, on a route carefully designed and prepared by Nature Travel. See the Red Square, Vladimir Lenin's mausoleum, tour the Kremlin, walk the Nevsky Prospekt in Petersburg, see the Winter Palace, the icon of Communist Revolution.

Let yourself be charmed by the culture, architecture, cuisine and friendly people. Don't miss this chance!

Learn more about guided tours. 

Tour Description: Self-guided

Moscow and St. Petersburg are the two most important, biggest and richest Russian cities. Full of monuments and impressive architecture, the cities are top tourist destinations in Europe.

Now you can combine visiting them with cycling in the countryside, on a route carefully designed and prepared by Nature Travel. See the Red Square, Vladimir Lenin's mausoleum, tour the Kremlin, walk the Nevsky Prospekt in Petersburg, see the Winter Palace, the icon of Communist Revolution.

Let yourself be charmed by the culture, architecture, cuisine and friendly people. Don't miss this chance!

Learn more about guided tours. 

Highlights: Guided

• Moscow
• Red Square
• Kremlin
• St. Petersburg
• Nevsky Prospekt
• The Winter Palace - Hermitage Museum
• Valday countryside

Highlights: Self-guided

• Moscow
• Red Square
• Kremlin
• St. Petersburg
• Nevsky Prospekt
• The Winter Palace - Hermitage Museum
• Valday countryside

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrival to Moscow
Individual arrival to Moscow. Shortly before 8 p.m. (local time) a briefing with the travel guide is scheduled. Right after the briefing, starts the Russian dinner, followed by a walk in Moscow in the evening. You will travel with the famous Moscow Subway to Arbat – a picturesque avenue, where such famous people as Pushkin, Gogol and Dostoyevski have left their footprints (a walk accompanied by the travel guide, subway tickets bought individually – about $1.5/person). Return to Hotel by 10 p.m. 
Overnight in Moscow.

Day 2: Tour around Moscow (bicycle free day)
Moscow – The Red Square, The Kremlin, and experiencing the bazaar. Right after breakfast a guided tour (by bus and by walk) of Moscow’s main attractions awaits you. The tour includes an optional pause in the middle of the day. After dinner, a visit to the Kremlin (visiting area) is scheduled. Before 5 p.m. we come to a „rynok“ – Russian bazaar, where can be found almost everything imaginable – including interesting souvenirs. Dinner and accommodation as on day one. 
Overnight in Moscow.

Day 3: Moscow - Valday Lake District (16 miles/26 km)
Russian province. From Moscow to Valday lake district. After breakfast, a bus transfer to Valday is scheduled. Valday is a 500 year old Russian town, which lies between Moscow and St. Petersburg, upon a trading route. Valday lake district is very picturesque and attracts thousends of tourists each year.

After checking-in in the hotel, situated on the shore of a lake, begins your first bicycle trip, introducing you to the local folk. Accommodation and dinner in Valday. By bus about 218 miles (350 km).
Overnight in Valday.

Day 4: Valday National Park - Ivyersky Monastery (38 miles/60 km)
Russian province. From Valday National Park to the Ivyersky Monastery.Today we have scheduled a bicycle trip through the Valday National Park. The Park, one of the last unspoilt regions between Moscow and St. Petersburg, extends upon more than 4000 square kilometers. It’s nature is varied and unique. Here you will find dense woods, marshes and numoerous (over two hundred) lakes. The park is inhabited by mooses, wild boars, wolves, bears and more than 220 bird species – but not only the wonderful nature is worth seeing. On the road we shall visit the holy spring, where each day hundreds of pilgrims receive drinking water.

In the afternoon, we reach the mighty Ivyersky Monastery, built on the Rudnev Isle, in the middle of Lake Valday. Accommodation and dinner as on day three. Today's route is slightly elevated, and on gravel roads for about 9 miles (15 km) and 28 miles (45 km) on asphalt.
Overnight in Valday. 

Day 5: Valday National Park - Staraya Russa Health Resort (31 miles/50 km)
Russian province. From Valday National Park to Staraya Russa health resort.  
Right after breakfast we leave Valday by bus, heading towards the Baltic on the old trading route Moscow –Veliky Novgorod – St. Petersburg. In the Demansk area we begin today’s bicycle trip.

The route leads mostly by asphalt, through mighty woods. If we have luck, we can encounter such rare birds as grouse, and animals such as deer and moose on the road. On the way, we will have a picknick. We shall reach our destination – hotel in Staraya Russa, a town with 30.000 inhabitants, which probably gave Russia it’s name – in late afternoon. Accommodation in Staraya Russa. By bus about 87 miles (140 km).
Overnight in Staraya Russa.  

Day 6: Staraya Russa - Veliky Novgorod (28 miles/45 km)
Russian province. From Staraya Russa to Veliky Novgorod. Today our trip takes us to the craddle of Russian state – the oldest city in Russia, the former Hansa city, 1000 year-old Veliky Novgorod. You ride through russian villages, fields and woods, where people can be rarely met. It is here where one can truly understand, that such concepts as "distance", "open space" and "time" have a different meaning in Russia than in Western Europe.

In an isolated place a picknick is scheduled – and don’t miss this opportunity to try some of Russian specialties. In the afternoon, after a short bus transfer, you reach Veliky Novgorod (about 250,000 inhabitants). The city, proudly looking back at it’s 1000 years of history, lays about 200 km from St. Petersburg. Accommodation and dinner in Veliky Novgorod. By bus about 68 miles (110 km).
Overnight in Veliky Novgorod.

Day 7: Veliky Novgorod - St. Petersburg (bicycle free day)
Direction: Europe. St. Petersburg.A guided tour Russia’s oldest city: Veliky Novgorod awaits us in the morning. The tour includes the powerful Kremlin, the Millenium Monument and the Cathedral. In the afternoon you begin your last bicycle journey to a fishing village of Syelishche, which leads all the time by the mighty river Volkhov.A picknick is scheduled in the meantime.

At the end of the day,  after a bus transfer, you reach the former capital of Russia – St. Petersburg. In the late afternoon we take a wonderful boat ride through canals and rivers of St. Petersburg (optional, about 20$/person, starts about 8 p.m.). Dinner and accommodation in St. Petersburg. By bus about 118 miles (190 km).
Overnight in St. Petersburg.

Day 8: St. Petersburg (bicycle free day)
St. Petersburg – between the past and the present. Right after breakfast you shall discover the impressive St. Petersburg (The Hermitage, Peter and Paul’s Fortress) by a guided bus tour. Free time in the afternoon. Before 7 p.m. we ride (subway) to a russian restaurant, where a festive dinner awaits. Accommodation as on day seven. 
Overnight in St. Petersburg.

Day 9: Individual Departure
End of the journey and individual departure. Individual departure home after breakfast. It is possible to extend your stay and book individual accommodation in St. Petersburg or Moscow (travel to Moscow by EuroCity class train, about 4-5 hours). 

Daily Program: Self-guided

Dates: Guided

Jul 8, 29; Aug 19, 2013

Dates: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour package (guided)
Per person, double occupancy €1275 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €280 4 Picnic lunches (per person) €36 Discount for children up to 15, upon request €0 Bike rentals Hybrid touring bike, 7-speed Sachs, women's €100 Hybrid touring bike, 6-speed Shimano, men's €100 Equipment included free with all rentals €0 Extra nights, Moscow Per person, double occupancy €46 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €31 Extra nights, St. Petersburg Per person, double occupancy €60 Single supplement supplement (1 person/1 room) €50

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Included Services: Guided

• 7 accommodations in middle-class hotels, always with shower/WC
• Meals: HP, breakfast and warm dinner (vegetarian meals can be arranged upon advance notice)
• Mineral water at your disposal during cycling days
• Luggage transport; service bus; repairs
• Professional, English-speaking tour leader
• All tours, entry fees and transfers listed in the programm
• Maps of the area

Included Services: Self-guided

Hotels: Guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Day 1 and 2: Alfa Hotel, Moscow
www.hotelizmailovo-alfa.ru
Well-located in the city center, close to the subway.  

Day 3 and 4: Tourist Visitor Centre, Valday
A modern, recently completely hotel, situated in Valday National Park. 

Day 5: Polist, Staraya Russa
Polist is a charming hotel located in the town center.  

Day 6 : Volkhov, Veliky Novgorod
www.hotel-volkhov.ru
Located very close to the Kremlin in the city center, Volkhov is a comfortable hotel.  

Day 7 and 8: Ibis, St. Petersburg
www.ibishotel.com
Hotel Ibis is located near Nevsky Prospekt in the city center and is a comfortable and modern hotel.  

Hotels: Self-guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Day 1 and 2: Alfa Hotel, Moscow
www.hotelizmailovo-alfa.ru
Well-located in the city center, close to the subway.  

Day 3 and 4: Tourist Visitor Centre, Valday
A modern, recently completely hotel, situated in Valday National Park. 

Day 5: Polist, Staraya Russa
Polist is a charming hotel located in the town center.  

Day 6 : Volkhov, Veliky Novgorod
www.hotel-volkhov.ru
Located very close to the Kremlin in the city center, Volkhov is a comfortable hotel.  

Day 7 and 8: Ibis, St. Petersburg
www.ibishotel.com
Hotel Ibis is located near Nevsky Prospekt in the city center and is a comfortable and modern hotel.  

Bike Rentals: Guided

The available bikes on this tour are:

• Women's bike equipped with 7-gears and hub derailleur from Sachs with pedal-brakes 
• Men's bikes equipped with 6-gears and chain derailleur from Shimano

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

The available bikes on this tour are:

• Women's bike equipped with 7-gears and hub derailleur from Sachs with pedal-brakes 
• Men's bikes equipped with 6-gears and chain derailleur from Shimano

Surface and Terrain: Guided

The terrain is fla, mostly asphalt with occasional hills. You will pass through numerous woods and fields in the area. 

Approximately 85% of the tour is on quiet roads, 8% on dirt or gravel roads, and 7% on roads shared with traffic. 

This tour is rated Leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition. 

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

The terrain is fla, mostly asphalt with occasional hills. You will pass through numerous woods and fields in the area. 

Approximately 85% of the tour is on quiet roads, 8% on dirt or gravel roads, and 7% on roads shared with traffic. 

This tour is rated Leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition. 

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start
Nearest airport: Moscow, Russia
Nearest train station: Moscow, Russia

It is best to travel by plane. Arrival to Moscow (airports: Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo) - both airports offer many connections and are connected with Moscow by public transport. In Domodedovo, you can take Aeroexpress train to Paveletsky station, and on Sheremetyevo Aeroexpress to Belorussky Railway Station. Timetables can be found here: http://svo.aero/en 

Tour end
Nearest airport: St. Petersburg, Russia
Nearest train station: St. Petersburg, Russia

From St. Petersburg you can depart through Pulkovo airport. Alternatively, one can take a comfortable train to Moscow and fly out of Moscow. The ride takes about 4h and costs about $100 (approximate time and price).

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start
Nearest airport: Moscow, Russia
Nearest train station: Moscow, Russia

It is best to travel by plane. Arrival to Moscow (airports: Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo) - both airports offer many connections and are connected with Moscow by public transport. In Domodedovo, you can take Aeroexpress train to Paveletsky station, and on Sheremetyevo Aeroexpress to Belorussky Railway Station. Timetables can be found here: http://svo.aero/en 

Tour end
Nearest airport: St. Petersburg, Russia
Nearest train station: St. Petersburg, Russia

From St. Petersburg you can depart through Pulkovo airport. Alternatively, one can take a comfortable train to Moscow and fly out of Moscow. The ride takes about 4h and costs about $100 (approximate time and price).

More About Russia: Guided

The Iron Curtain shrouded Russia in mystery for many decades, and even now this beautiful land is often misunderstood. Yet today it's still one of the most-visited and popular tourist destinations in the world.

Russia's vast territory spans two continents and straddles the East and West unlike any other modern nation. Russia's unique culture blends influences of both its European and Asian neighbors to produce a fascinating array of sites, smells, and tastes. The folk traditions and arts are incredibly rich, and traditional music and dance can still often be found throughout the more rural areas of this mighty country.

Because of its enormous size, Russia spans multiple climates and ecological environments – offering an impressive diversity of landscapes. Some regions are lush with greenery while others are barren and practically unlivable. Russia is a country of stark contrasts and intriguing uniqueness that’s thrilling to explore.

More on bicycling in Russia > 

View all Russia bike tours >

More About Russia: Self-guided

The Iron Curtain shrouded Russia in mystery for many decades, and even now this beautiful land is often misunderstood. Yet today it's still one of the most-visited and popular tourist destinations in the world.

Russia's vast territory spans two continents and straddles the East and West unlike any other modern nation. Russia's unique culture blends influences of both its European and Asian neighbors to produce a fascinating array of sites, smells, and tastes. The folk traditions and arts are incredibly rich, and traditional music and dance can still often be found throughout the more rural areas of this mighty country.

Because of its enormous size, Russia spans multiple climates and ecological environments – offering an impressive diversity of landscapes. Some regions are lush with greenery while others are barren and practically unlivable. Russia is a country of stark contrasts and intriguing uniqueness that’s thrilling to explore.

More on bicycling in Russia > 

View all Russia bike tours >

Tour Company Background: Nature Travel: Guided

Since the founding of Nature Travel, bike tours remain our specialty. We are among the biggest and most experienced tour operators in the region, offering guided bike tours with accommodations, baggage handling and bike transport between the cycling sections. Our tour guides are not only keen cyclists, but also possess extensive knowledge of countries and settlements the group visits with them and are fluent in foreign languages. Thanks to the presence of our bus drivers, we can easily react to all incidents and conduct repairs.

Our tours usually last between 7 and 13 days. The season starts at the beginning of May and lasts until the end of September. Cycling sections usually are about 50 km/30 miles, thoroughly checked and described by us, fully suitable for beginners. The roads we ride are bicycle routes and local roads with small traffic. During each section as one of the very few operators we offer our guests a rich picnic, which allows not only to regenerate, but also to taste the local specialties.

Besides cycling, tours by Nature Travel contain also cultural programme - our guests tour the cities and landmarks which they pass with professional city guides, participate in dinners, are accommodated in good class hotels. It is an excellent way to spend your vacation the original way, allowing to experience the place from a different perspective than just the seat of the bus. You not only cycle, but also take photos, bathe in the sea, smell the flowers, and, most of all - enjoy yourself.

Tour Company Background: Nature Travel: Self-guided

Since the founding of Nature Travel, bike tours remain our specialty. We are among the biggest and most experienced tour operators in the region, offering guided bike tours with accommodations, baggage handling and bike transport between the cycling sections. Our tour guides are not only keen cyclists, but also possess extensive knowledge of countries and settlements the group visits with them and are fluent in foreign languages. Thanks to the presence of our bus drivers, we can easily react to all incidents and conduct repairs.

Our tours usually last between 7 and 13 days. The season starts at the beginning of May and lasts until the end of September. Cycling sections usually are about 50 km/30 miles, thoroughly checked and described by us, fully suitable for beginners. The roads we ride are bicycle routes and local roads with small traffic. During each section as one of the very few operators we offer our guests a rich picnic, which allows not only to regenerate, but also to taste the local specialties.

Besides cycling, tours by Nature Travel contain also cultural programme - our guests tour the cities and landmarks which they pass with professional city guides, participate in dinners, are accommodated in good class hotels. It is an excellent way to spend your vacation the original way, allowing to experience the place from a different perspective than just the seat of the bus. You not only cycle, but also take photos, bathe in the sea, smell the flowers, and, most of all - enjoy yourself.

Terms and Conditions: Nature Travel: Guided

1. Booking and payment

• Booking and payment is in written form. 
• Receiving of written confirmation from us means, that the tour is going to take place.
• With the confirmation you shall receive the information about the tour, list of hotels, travelling tips and the bill. 
• We recommend to take your reservations as early as possible - usually the deadline is 2 weeks before the date of tour (4 weeks in GKM and RNT tours, due to the visa regulations). 

Bookings of closed groups are based on the following conditions:

• The group is gathered by a group leader or an institution 
• The organizer shall communicate with the leader or his representative, mentioned in the reservation. 
• The leader or his representative is responsible for the finances.

2. Bikes

The bikes are rented from Nature Travel, which costs additionally. It is possible to bring your own bicycles, although please note that this will add to to the cost of the tour (starting from 20 Euro, which stands for transportation costs). The all-terrain bicycles are inapplicable due to numerous field and forest roads. During the tour, each participant is financially responsible for his/her bicycle (in case of damages or losses). Since the route descriptions, which you will receive, contain the distance in kilometers, we advise you to bring a speedometer to the trip. It shall be installed by your driver free of charge. You can also rent a speedometer from us, which costs 10 Euro (installation included). Please let us know upon reserving your tour, which option do you choose.

3. Payment

The first installment is 50 Euro and is paid upon receiving the confirmation. The remaining amount is to be paid at the latest two weeks before the tour.

4. Children discounts

• Up to 15 years old in 3+bed room or in a double room: 15% discount from the price of a double room
• Up to 15 years old in a single room: 10% discount from the price of a single room

5. Number of participants

Usually, between 10 and 20 people. Minimum number of participants for guided tours is 10 people, excluding: BNT (Baltic), GKM (Koenigsberg), UKR (PL&Ukraine) and RNT (Russia), which require at least 12 participants to take place. Individual tours in Poland require at least 2 participants, LI - 6, IB - 8 people. If the minimum number of participants isn't met, the group is cancelled. You shall be informed about it right away - at the latest, 6 weeks before the tour.

6. Resignation

In case you have to cancel your reservation, please be aware that we have already started our work and have carried certain costs. We muss charge you with the following costs:

• Resignation after the written confirmation - 50 Euro per person 
• from 8 to 6 weeks before the tour - 15% of the price 
• from 6 to 4 weeks before the tour - 20% of the price 
• from 4 to 1 week before the tour - 45% of the price 
• from 1 week to 2 days before the trip - 80% of the price 
• from 1 day, when the participant doesn't arrive - 90% of the price

We always consider the date of receiving your resignation by us.

7. Our offer does not include insurance

Our offer does not include insurance (from resignation costs, luggage loss, accidents, illness, legal responsibility). We advise you to buy insurance personally.

8. Liability

The organizer is responsible to do everything, for the tour to take place and be of highest quality. In particular, he is responsible for:

• Choosing the service providers and supervising the process 
• Gathering the services altogether 
• Describing the services in catalogues/brochures 
• Accepting the reservations 
• Reservations, services listed in the agreement.

9. Limited liability

Our liability for any losses etc. is limited to the price of tour, multiplied by three. Rarely, we come to a situation where we have to change the programme, or the place of accommodation without notice. We ask for your understanding on this matter.

10. Complaints

If you feel you have a reason to complain on our services, please write us immediately. Please do it at the latest one month after the end of your tour. The seat of the operator is relevant in case of legal arguments.

Terms and Conditions: Nature Travel: Self-guided

1. Booking and payment

• Booking and payment is in written form. 
• Receiving of written confirmation from us means, that the tour is going to take place.
• With the confirmation you shall receive the information about the tour, list of hotels, travelling tips and the bill. 
• We recommend to take your reservations as early as possible - usually the deadline is 2 weeks before the date of tour (4 weeks in GKM and RNT tours, due to the visa regulations). 

Bookings of closed groups are based on the following conditions:

• The group is gathered by a group leader or an institution 
• The organizer shall communicate with the leader or his representative, mentioned in the reservation. 
• The leader or his representative is responsible for the finances.

2. Bikes

The bikes are rented from Nature Travel, which costs additionally. It is possible to bring your own bicycles, although please note that this will add to to the cost of the tour (starting from 20 Euro, which stands for transportation costs). The all-terrain bicycles are inapplicable due to numerous field and forest roads. During the tour, each participant is financially responsible for his/her bicycle (in case of damages or losses). Since the route descriptions, which you will receive, contain the distance in kilometers, we advise you to bring a speedometer to the trip. It shall be installed by your driver free of charge. You can also rent a speedometer from us, which costs 10 Euro (installation included). Please let us know upon reserving your tour, which option do you choose.

3. Payment

The first installment is 50 Euro and is paid upon receiving the confirmation. The remaining amount is to be paid at the latest two weeks before the tour.

4. Children discounts

• Up to 15 years old in 3+bed room or in a double room: 15% discount from the price of a double room
• Up to 15 years old in a single room: 10% discount from the price of a single room

5. Number of participants

Usually, between 10 and 20 people. Minimum number of participants for guided tours is 10 people, excluding: BNT (Baltic), GKM (Koenigsberg), UKR (PL&Ukraine) and RNT (Russia), which require at least 12 participants to take place. Individual tours in Poland require at least 2 participants, LI - 6, IB - 8 people. If the minimum number of participants isn't met, the group is cancelled. You shall be informed about it right away - at the latest, 6 weeks before the tour.

6. Resignation

In case you have to cancel your reservation, please be aware that we have already started our work and have carried certain costs. We muss charge you with the following costs:

• Resignation after the written confirmation - 50 Euro per person 
• from 8 to 6 weeks before the tour - 15% of the price 
• from 6 to 4 weeks before the tour - 20% of the price 
• from 4 to 1 week before the tour - 45% of the price 
• from 1 week to 2 days before the trip - 80% of the price 
• from 1 day, when the participant doesn't arrive - 90% of the price

We always consider the date of receiving your resignation by us.

7. Our offer does not include insurance

Our offer does not include insurance (from resignation costs, luggage loss, accidents, illness, legal responsibility). We advise you to buy insurance personally.

8. Liability

The organizer is responsible to do everything, for the tour to take place and be of highest quality. In particular, he is responsible for:

• Choosing the service providers and supervising the process 
• Gathering the services altogether 
• Describing the services in catalogues/brochures 
• Accepting the reservations 
• Reservations, services listed in the agreement.

9. Limited liability

Our liability for any losses etc. is limited to the price of tour, multiplied by three. Rarely, we come to a situation where we have to change the programme, or the place of accommodation without notice. We ask for your understanding on this matter.

10. Complaints

If you feel you have a reason to complain on our services, please write us immediately. Please do it at the latest one month after the end of your tour. The seat of the operator is relevant in case of legal arguments.