12 day locally hosted
232 passenger small cruise ship
Moscow to St. Petersburg

Cruise the Waterways of the Czars aboard the comfortable Viking Kirov for 12 fascinating days. Russia’s numerous rivers, lakes and inland seas are linked by man-made canals, enabling you to cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. While moored in Moscow, you’ll tour the city’s highlights including Red Square, the Bolshoi and St. Basil’s Cathedral. Other days you’ll go inside the Kremlin, the Armory Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery, where the world’s finest display of Russian art is housed.

Day 1 Moscow D
Embark your ship this afternoon and have some free time to explore Moscow on your own. Founded in 1147, the capital of Russia lies in the shallow valley of the Moskva River, a tributary of the Volga.

Day 2 Moscow BLD
Tour magnificent Red Square and admire the Byzantine splendor of brightly colored St. Basil's Cathedral. Built in the 1550s, each of the building's amazing domes differs in design and color. Other famous sites include the pedestrian shopping street, "Arbat," and the world-renowned Moscow Circus.

Day 3 Moscow BLD
Your sightseeing highlight today is the Kremlin with its crenellated red brick walls, surrounding many towers, cathedrals and palaces. Also seen today is the Armory Palace and its priceless collection of royal treasures including jewels, crowns, thrones and the czars' royal armor.

Day 4 Uglich BLD
Founded in 1148 along the Volga River, Uglich is a magnificent city to behold from the river. Its many colorful churches and cathedrals blanket the horizon, making Uglich one of Russia's most adored cities. A city tour reveals the magnificent Church of St. Demetrius of the Blood, built on the site where the body of nine-year-old Ivan the Terrible's son, Dimitry, was found under mysterious circumstances. Other architectural monuments include the Kremlin Palace, Cathedral of the Resurrection, and St. John's Church.

Day 5 Kostroma/Yaroslavl BLD
Founded in 1152, Kostroma, 200 miles northeast of Moscow, was kept off limits to foreign visitors until 1990. This is one of the most beautiful cities on Russia's Golden Ring. In the afternoon, visit Yaroslavl, stretching for 18 miles along both banks of the Volga amidst a region of forests. The city was founded in 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev. Highlights of the city include the Governor's Palace, the magnificent 13th-century Spassky Monastery, and a group of majestic cathedrals.

Day 6 Volga-Baltic Canal BLD
Enjoy scenic cruising the entire day.

Day 7 Kizhi BLD
Situated at the north end of Lake Onega, Kizhi Island is home to the famed Open Air Museum of Architecture. A walking tour includes wooden houses, windmills and two 18th century wooden churches portraying the region's unusual and visionary architecture. Kizhi's most famous building is the three-tiered, fairytale-like Transfiguration Church, dating from 1714. With its 22 domes, it rivals the splendor of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. While here, see the 1862 octagonal bell tower and the Church of Intercession, built in 1764 without the use of a single nail.

Day 8 Svir River BLD
Relax on board as you sail along the scenic Svir River.

Days 9, 10, 11 St. Petersburg BLD
Russia’s second largest city, St. Petersburg has been called the "Venice of the North" for its many islands, canals and bridges. An industrial and cultural center, it is one of Russia's most beautiful cities. The historic area of St. Petersburg is filled with many monuments and cathedrals. Among these is the renowned Hermitage Museum, filled with more than three million exhibits from noted artists Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Michelangelo and others.

Day 12 St. Petersburg B
Disembark the ship after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Note: Itinerary operates in reverse on alternate weeks. Other itineraries are available. The reverse itinerary is a 10 night cruisetour and is offered at a reduced rate. Please inquire at time of booking.

Please inquire for single rates. Visa is required and is not included. Visas are obtained through a visa service and prices will vary.