Ancient City, Modern Capital
Moscow is the political, historical, and emotional heart of Russia — a booming metropolis where centuries-old landmarks stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 21st-century high-rises. This comprehensive tour delves deep into the long and fascinating history of the Russian capital, surveying glittering cathedrals and ancient fortresses, as well as incredible art galleries and modern monuments.
7 Day Trip
- Private Journey
Minimum of 2 Travelers - Travels to:
Russia, Western Russia - Flexible Essential:
Moscow and environs
MIR Signature Experiences on this Tour
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Walk the bricks of fabled Red SquareRead More
Wander the brick-paved expanse of historic UNESCO-listed Red Square in the shadow of St. Basil’s fanciful onion domes.... -
Walk among the fanciful graves at UNESCO-listed Novodevichy CemeteryRead More
Visit the famous cemetery where such luminaries as Anton Chekhov, Nikita Khrushchev, Raisa Gorbacheva and Boris Yeltsin are buried.... -
Appreciate the immense impact the Second World War had on RussiaRead More
Visit the WWII Museum in Moscow’s Victory Park under the soaring obelisk of Nike, Goddess of Victory, and gain an understanding of the triumph and tragedy of those times.... -
Experience Russian hospitality in a private homeRead More
Venture inside a private Russian home for a traditional home-cooked meal of Russian specialties such as blini and borscht....
Why Travel with MIR on this Tour

- Over 30 years of Russia travel experience
- Travel programs such as Princeton and the Harvard Museum of Natural History have chosen MIR to guide them to Russia
- Twice named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
- On-the-ground support and quality you can trust
- MIR affiliate offices in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk, and Ulan Ude
- Personalized travel planning from start to finish
- Guides and tour managers that clients rave about
Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance

Days 1-7: Moscow and environs
Begin your exploration of Russia’s cosmopolitan capital city. Pay your respects to fallen heroes at both the UNESCO-listed Novodevichy Cemetery and the WWII Memorial in Victory Park on Poklonnaya Gora (Hill of Homage), where Napoleon stood with his troops in 1812, waiting for the keys to the city. Catch a glimpse of Russia’s most famous embalmed leader, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, and tour the opulent stations of the Moscow Metro. Trace the trajectory of the Russian space program at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, seek out Soviet kitsch at the sprawling Izmailovo Market, and share dinner with a family of Muscovites in their home.
Explore the magnificent Kremlin, the center of Moscow and Russian politics. Inside the fortress walls are palaces, cathedrals, government buildings, and the 16th century Armory Museum, housing such treasures as religious icons, Fabergé eggs, a bejeweled chalice belonging to Prince Yuri, and Catherine the Great’s ball gowns and shoes. Enjoy an evening performance at one of Moscow’s most acclaimed theaters, and spend a day in the countryside at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kolomenskoye, once a favorite destination for Russian princes and czars, including Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great.
Admire the artworks of Russian masters at the Tretyakov Gallery, encompassing the history of Russian art from the 11th century to the present. Learn secrets of
the past at Stalin’s underground bunker, and take a leisurely stroll along Moscow’s most famous street, Arbat, today a popular artsy hangout lined with craft stands, portrait painters, and street performers.
Highlights
- Novodevichy Cemetery, where luminaries such as Gogol, Chekhov, Khrushchev, Raisa Gorbacheva, and Boris Yeltsin are buried
- Poklonnaya Gora and Victory Park, dedicated to the memory of those who fought and died for Soviet victory in WWII
See Dates & Prices for more details or to see suggested extensions.
Tour Dates & Prices
Land Tour Price, Per Person
based on double occupancy
- 2 Traveler Minimum $3,595
- Single Supplement $475
2020 Dates
Your Choice of Dates
Recommended months of travel:
- January,
- February,
- March,
- April,
- May,
- June,
- July,
- August,
- September,
- October,
- November,
- December,
- FROM
- $3,595
- Min 2 Travelers
Group Size
Pricing is based on a minimum of 2 travelers on this trip. Call for solo trip pricing.
Private trip prices vary by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates. Hotel upgrades, additional nights, and solo traveler prices are available on request.
What’s Included
On Your Tour
- Shared accommodations in the well-located Park Inn Sadu or similar.
- Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner, per the itinerary. Other meals are left free to allow independent exploration.
- Restaurant tips for included meals.
- Services of experienced, English-speaking local guides, drivers, and other staff.
- One arrival and one departure transfer. (Additional arrival and departure transfers available at additional cost.) MIR will arrange for travelers to be met upon arrival and seen off on departure, whether we make your air arrangements or not.
- Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private vehicle (size of vehicle depends on group size).
- Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.
- Evening cultural performances per the itinerary.
Before Your Tour
- Personalized pre-departure support from one of our knowledgeable Tour Specialists.
- Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list and reading list.
- Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
- Customized visa application instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
- Final document packet including luggage tags, final updates, and more.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international and internal airfares are not included in the land tour cost).
Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare
MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.
More Info
Reading List
MIR recommends reading up before you leave home. So settle back in your armchair with some of our favorite books about our favorite places.
More Info
Visas
Most MIR programs require one or more visas, and each visa requires a completely blank page in your passport. Visa information for this particular tour is listed in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
More InfoStay a Little Longer…
MIR can arrange an extended program before or after your tour. Please contact us for suggestions and rates.
Or, choose from one of these suggested itineraries:
Is this Trip Right for You?
While the planned hotel is a very comfortable three to four star, please keep in mind that some aspects of the tourism infrastructure in Russia are not up to the standards North American travelers expect.
A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
Read our Travel Journals
MIR's Travel Journals offer first hand accounts of MIR's fascinating destinations.
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St. Petersburg Seminar: Living – and Loving – Russian Culture
From November 13-20, 2011, three MIR colleagues - Jenelle Birnbaum, Liz Tollefson and Meaghan Samuels - traveled to St. Petersburg in order to try out a new Custom Group trip, a week-long seminar with an in-depth look at St. Petersburg's illustrious literary and arts traditions, momentous history and inspired culture.... Read More
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Volga River Cruise with the Russian National Orchestra
Join veteran MIR client Moonyeen Albrecht on a cruise from Moscow through some of Russia's lesser-known Volga River towns, while attending performances of the world-famous Russian National Orchestra.... Read More
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