Lower Volga River Cruise from Moscow to Volgograd

Discover iconic onion-domed churches, stroll through the architectural gems of Nizhniy Novgorod, and explore the treasures of Yaroslavl, Volga river's oldest city.

This Russian river cruise is an epic journey along a spectacular stretch of Europe’s largest river. This 11-day tour, staying onboard the five-star, luxury Volga Dream cruise liner includes 14 days cruising from the historic River Terminal on the Moscow Canal to the beautiful old city of Astrakhan on the banks of the Volga.

After a three day introduction to the main attractions of Moscow, you’ll set sail for some of the most picturesque towns of the Lower Volga, including Yaroslavl on the famous Golden Ring circuit. Marvel at iconic onion-domed churches and medieval forts while immersing yourself Russia’s extraordinary culture, arts, folklore, history, food and legendary love of lively celebration along the way.

Grand Volga River Cruise highlights:

Highlights of Moscow: Enjoy guided excursions to the most lauded landmarks of the Russian capital. Walk the Red Square, enter the halls of the imposing Kremlin and Armoury Museum, and marvel at the works of the Russian masters at the Tretyakov Gallery

Uglich: With brightly painted historical buildings standing proudly along the banks of the river, Uglich is one of the most magnificent towns to behold from the Volga. Explore one of Russia’s oldest cities, home to Church of St Dmitry, built on the site where the last heir of Ivan the Terrible met his mysterious demise

Yaroslavl: One of the most celebrated cities of Russia’s Golden Ring, Yaroslavl has so much to see. Admire the incredible artistry of the Spassky Monastery and take part in a costumed reception at the Governer’s House

Nizhniy Novgorod was a once-wealthy city with a strategic position on the Eastern trade route. During the Soviet era, it was used as a place of exile for political prisoners and outsiders were forbidden. Now open to visitors once again, it boasts spectacular views from the ramparts of its 16th century Kremlin

By Day 7, Orthodox churches no longer dominate the landscape. Instead, the beautiful minarets of Islamic mosques pierce the sky as we enter the Republic of Tatarstan, where we disembark to discover the unique Tartar culture of the Republic’s capital, Kazan

Sail past the Zhigulevskie mountains towards Samsara. Our tour of the city includes a visit to the space museum and stroll along the Volga esplanade to the Samara State Art Museum
Discover the world-changing WWII history of Volgograd, a 16th-century city that shot to notoriety as the site of the Battle of Stalingrad, the largest and bloodiest battle in the history of warfare
Tour a fortress built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible in Astrakhan before flying back home.

Russia’s most significant settlements share one essential geographic detail – their connection to the Volga River, the cultural, agricultural and industrial lifeline for the country's largest population centres. What better way to take in Russia’s beautiful rural landscapes, spectacular old-world architecture and picturesque historical townships than an intimate experience sailing the waters of the mighty Volga herself. From the chaotic modern metropolis of Moscow to fairytale medieval villages and the ancient kingdom of the Tartars, this is a river cruise with few equals, offering variety and splendour on a scale that exists simply nowhere else.

Our cruise begins at the Moscow Canal ferry terminal, the city’s gateway to the Volga River. From Moscow, we’ll sail north to the fascinating Medieval city of Uglich and on to Yaroslav, one of the most iconic cities on Russia’s historic Golden Ring circuit. Next, we’ll follow the lower reaches of the Volga River to the south-east, watching the local architecture change from Tsarist cathedrals to exotic Muslim mosques as we temporarily leave Orthodox Russia and enter the Republic of Tatarstan. Finally, we’ll sail past the Zhigulevskie mountains to Samsara, Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), one of the single most important battlefield locations in the history of modern warfare, and then on to our departure point - Astrakhan, known for the Astrakhan Kremlin, an expansive fortress built in the 1500s.

Your luxury vessel on this eye-opening journey is the MV Volga Dream, a renovated boutique cruise ship with classic décor and distinctive Russian touches. Accommodating just 100 passengers in 50 staterooms, the Volga Dream is the perfect choice for travellers seeking an intimate experience and personalised service. Soak up the panoramic views from the elegant lounge or the spectacular sundeck and enjoy a mix of fine Russian and international fare, buffet breakfasts and four-course dinners in the restaurant. Life onboard is as laidback or action-packed as you prefer. Between trips ashore, enjoy a diverse range of activities including Russian language lessons, cooking demonstrations, matryoshka painting classes, documentary films, educational talks from our passionate guest speakers, live musical entertainment and a traditional costumed Russian dinner with vodka tasting.