Russian Cycle Touring Club

invites you to the annual international bicycle tour

“The Golden Ring of Russia”

since 1996

12 days/11 nights

The bike tour is designed for international cyclists, and it will introduce you to the real Russia! Bicycling is an ideal way to explore this fascinating country. Our informal tour is comfortably paced and you will enjoy biking in the quiet Russian countryside. You are not our customers – you are the guests of our club. In addition to cycling, we offer a special culture program. We visit a lot of museums and exhibitions (some of them are little known). You will meet friendly village dwellers and see how Russians really live. The menu promises to give you the opportunity to taste authentic Russian food that is unlike anything you’ve tasted before!

Route. The Golden Ring of Russia (the region northeast of Moscow) is the most famous tourist route in the heart of Russia. It goes through numerous picturesque and ancient Russian towns: Vladimir, Suzdal (UNESCO world heritage), Yaroslavl (UNESCO world heritage), Kostroma, Uglich, Rostov, and others known for their ancient history and inspiring architecture. We will see the beautiful Russian countryside and Volga River, magnificent Orthodox churches and monasteries. The bicycling part starts in Rostov (north of Moscow) and ends in Vladimir 10 days later. See the map.

Itinerary. The tour starts in Moscow, where you have a guided downtown excursion. At the end of the tour you can stay longer in Moscow on your own or make a trip to St. Petersburg by train.

During the day you can cycle at your own pace, and a car will wait for you at appointed places along the route. Experienced guides will look after you in case of any difficulties. If you are tired you can always take the car for part of the route. Even non-riding spouses, or friends are welcome to join the tour and they can follow the group in the car.

For 10 cycling days we ride about 650 km (400 miles). Most roads along the route do not have heavy traffic and are paved with asphalt. In the Adventure tour we have about 30 km of dirt or gravel roads. In the Volga tour we cycle for 7 days about 350 km (250 miles).

Accommodation:

In Adventure (budget) tour we stay in less expensive hotels or cabins with double rooms or dorms. In cabins we usually cook ourselves using home products grown by local Russians. If you have a tent, you might enjoy occasionally sleeping outdoors in the Russian countryside. Banya (Russian steam bath) is usually available in cabin accommodation.

In Comfort tour we stay in higher quality hotels (only double or single accommodation with WC and shower in the room).

Itineraries (pdf):

        Adventure tour       Comfort tour      Volga tour (Express Comfort tour)

The map of the route

Photo reports from our previous tours

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions about the Golden Ring of Russia tour

Useful links - find more about the Golden Ring of Russia

The prices for 2013

* Can be combined with Moscow - St. Petersburg tour (100 euro discount for the second tour).

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Discounts: 

• 100 euro - for former RCTC participants

• special price for people who live or temporarily stay in Russia

Included:

• visa application support

• transfers between airport-hotel-airport in Moscow

• accommodation

• all meals (from dinner on the arrival day till breakfast on the departure day)

• a sag wagon (support vehicle and baggage carrier)

• all transfers along the route

• guided excursions and museums fees as described in the itinerary

• English-speaking cycling guides (or other languages)

• map

• T-shirt

Single supplement in Comfort tour - 350 euro, in Volga tour - 250 euro. (You do not need to pay if you are ready to share a room with another participant.)

Not included:

• consulate fee for visa processing

• flight or train to/from Moscow

• medical and travel insurance

• alcoholic drinks

• permission for photo-video-taking in the museums

• bicycle rental

Bicycle rental - 100 Euro

All tours Calendar 2013

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We are ready to organize a custom tour for group of 4 and more at any time.

 How to apply?

1. First read carefully all information including Frequently asked questions and Terms and Conditions . Applying for the tour you accept Terms and Conditions statements.

2. Apply using online form or download the application form (MS Word). (Even if these dates does not suit you you can apply and specify you preferable dates.)

The deposit (€ 200 for the adventure and € 400 for the comfort tour) should be paid after the confirmation. (The price is fixed at the moment of your application.)

 For more details about the tour contact us.

The Golden Ring of Russia bicycle tour is on the world's top 50

Photo reports from our previous tours

From 2013 we may suggest independent (self-guided) tour in Golden Ring area. You must be confident about finding the route and surviving in non-English speaking environment. Itinerary, dates, and price may vary depends on your preferences. Contact us.

We support with: 

• visa invitation

• transfers between airport-hotel-airport in Moscow

• all hotel accommodation with breakfast

• luggage transfers

• transfers along the route

• departure briefing

• map

• cell phone rental with Russian SIM card

• T-shirt

• bike rental

See the independent tour report from Russell Chandler

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