Russia Road Trip

Your journey begins in the heart of Russia — the vibrant and historic city of Moscow. After landing, you'll meet your fellow travellers and be transferred straight to your hotel. Settle in, refresh, and get ready for your first taste of this incredible city. To get your bearings, we recommend a relaxed 2-hour orientation walk through Moscow’s iconic center. You’ll stroll through the legendary Red Square, admire the colorful domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral (from the outside), and pass by Lenin’s Tomb, GUM Mall, the Kremlin walls, Kazan Cathedral, and the State History Museum.

Our morning starts with an introduction to our SUVs. We conduct a short briefing, and then our journey begins! We leave the city and adjust to driving in the convoy and interacting with each other on the radio. We leave behind Moscow’s cityscape and enter the vast white countryside. The snow-covered roads offer a true taste of winter driving in Russia, giving you the chance to build confidence behind the wheel. Before reaching our main destination, we take a bold detour to a real Russian military camp — an experience you won’t forget.

Today, the road takes us deeper into the Russian countryside as we drive towards Koprino, a peaceful retreat on the frozen shores of the Rybinskoye Reservoir. Along the way, we pass through charming medieval towns of the famous Golden Ring like Uglich and Myshkin — historic gems known for their quiet streets, colourful onion-domed churches, and slow pace of life.

Today is all about embracing the unexpected, as we’ve planned a day full of surprises, fun, and unforgettable winter experiences. You can choose to relax at the hotel’s incredible wellness centre or step outside into a true Russian winter wonderland. On the frozen shores of the reservoir, we’ve set up a cozy tent with hot beverages and cookies to keep you warm between adventures.

After breakfast, we hit the road towards Vologda, a historic city in northwest Russia, with plenty of winter driving thrills along the way. The route offers scenic views of snow-covered landscapes and quiet villages, making for an enjoyable and immersive drive. We might stop for coffee at a curious little village known as the legendary home of Baba Yaga, the fearsome witch from ancient Russian folklore.

Early in the morning, after a hearty Russian breakfast and steaming cups of tea or coffee, we begin our journey further north with a long but scenic drive towards the historic town of Tikhvin. Located on the Tikhvinka River in the Volkhov lowlands, this drive offers a beautiful glimpse into rural Russia — vast open landscapes, frozen fields, old wooden houses, and villagers going about their quiet, simple lives.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to our lovely stay and drive towards the charming village of Upper Mandrogi, a picturesque place that feels like stepping into a Russian fairytale. Here, you’ll discover an abundance of traditional Russian crafts — matryoshka dolls, handmade lace, pottery, linen, felt work, and more. Don’t miss the chance to taste delicious Russian pasties (pirozhki), a local favourite.

Today is reserved for leisure in Petrozavodsk. However, travelers have the option to set off on a thrilling hovercraft ride across the frozen expanse of Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe, to reach the stunning Kizhi Island. The 1.5-hour journey brings us to one of Russia’s most treasured open-air museums, home to some of the finest examples of wooden architecture in the country. The star attraction is the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 silver domes — a masterpiece built entirely without nails.

This morning, we leave Petrozavodsk and drive west toward the majestic Lake Ladoga, the largest lake located entirely in Europe. Tucked away along a quiet riverbank surrounded by thick Karelian forest, we visit a magical Siberian Husky kennel. Here, you’ll meet the friendly, high-energy Huskies and experience the thrill of a fast-paced sled ride through the snow. Feel the rush as they pull you across the frozen landscape with incredible speed and grace, with majestic huskies leading you

Today, we set out on the final leg of our epic road trip, driving from Sortavala to the grand city of St. Petersburg. As we leave behind the serene lakes and forests of Karelia, the landscape gradually shifts. This scenic drive offers one last chance to enjoy the quiet thrill of winter driving: snow-dusted roads, pine-covered highways, and picture-perfect countryside views that stretch for miles.

Today, our unforgettable adventure through the Russian winter comes to a close. After days of exploring snow-covered towns, ancient monasteries, and breathtaking natural wonders, we part ways with memories to last a lifetime. With warm hugs and heartfelt goodbyes at the airport, we say farewell.