A Visit To The Russian Terem In The Woods
Route Attractions
Route Activities
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Driving distance: 1250 km (50% asphalt and 50% off-road)
Types of driving: highway, snow and ice off-road
Type of tour: Self driving tour
Vehicles: UAZ PATRIOT
Minimum driver age: 21
Group size: from 6 to 20 persons
Accommodation: Best hotels on the route. 5* hotels in Moscow
Meals: 3 times a day
Best time: December - March
Day 1. Moscow
Arrival to Moscow. Pick-up at airport arrivals hall. Transfer to the hotel, check-in. Rest of the day at leisure. In the mood for sightseeing in Moscow? We are happy to offer you some ideas.
Option 1: Walking tour of Moscow city center: Red Square, followed by a short introduction to Moscow metro (1,5-2 hrs). You will see St.Basil’s cathedral (exterior), GUM mall , Kazan church, State History Museum and the Moscow metro (Revolution Square station).
Option 2: Guided tour of the most iconic streets and architecture with a private vehicle (3-3,5 hrs). Highlights: Red Square and St.Basil's Cathedral, Bolshoi Theatre and the Alexander Garden, the State Duma and Russian Govt buildings, Lubyanka Square with KGB HQ, the Russian State Library, Sparrow Hills, Moscow-City business district, Poklonnaya Hill, Victory Park, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Option 3: Moscow River Cruise on the amazing Radisson yacht (2,5 hrs). Accommodation in a hotel (Meals: - /-/-)
Day 2. From Moscow to Petushki village and Suzdal (220 km)
We leave Moscow early in the morning, embarking on a long journey to Suzdal. We are in for an interesting and enlightening day.
First, after 120 km, we make a stop at Bogdarnya agrotourism complex. Let us enjoy a tour of the farm and participate in workshops (of your choice). We will find ourselves tasting delicious farmer's lunch and a traditional English tea ceremony (why English traditions on a Russian farm, remains to be revealed on the spot).
After lunch, we drive further on to the medieval Suzdal without any more stops on the way.
Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel, have a hot coffee or tea in the homely atmosphere and enjoy an evening tour of Suzdal. We will also dine in one of the city’s cozy restaurants.
Accommodation in a hotel (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 3. From Suzdal to Kostroma (185 km)
We will spend the first half of the day in Suzdal. The thousand-year-old Suzdal is the provincial town that you simply won't want to leave. An incredible number of historical architecture marvels have been preserved here, all of them perfectly well-kept. We will see ancient monasteries, visit the Museum of wooden architecture and the Kremlin, and then continue our trip.
Our next destination is the city of Ivanovo, where we will first have lunch and then go for a sightseeing tour.
They say that Ivanovo is “the city of brides", well, let’s see where that fame originates from, and check if it still corresponds to reality.
After spending some time in Ivanovo, we continue our way to Kostroma. Having covered a little over a hundred kilometers, we will check into the hotel immediately upon arrival, and then go on an evening tour of the city. Kostroma is known as the birthplace of Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), and we will be able to visit her (provided that we reach the city before 5pm).
After meeting the fairytale Father Frost’s Granddaughter, we will have dinner in one of the city's restaurants.
Accommodation in a hotel (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 4. From Kostroma to Terem Astashovo (200 km)
After breakfast, we will discover more of Kostroma. First, we visit the renowned Ipatievsky monastery, and then we head on to the historic Kostroma Sloboda. Further our way lies to our main destination – the Terem of Astashovo.
As one Russian fairy tale has it, there is a cottage deep in the remote woodlands and steep hills of the Galich lands, far from the cities and off the beaten tracks....
That cottage turned into a fairytale Mansion. The richly-decorated Terem in Astashovo was built at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries by the peasant–millionaire Marian Sazonov. We will definitely hear the amazing romantic history of the estate from its current owners.
We will stay in the cozy rooms, comfortable, but still preserving the historical interior. In the evening, tea from the samovar and captivating table talks await.
.Accommodation in Terem (cottage) (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 5. Ski or Snowmobile trip to Pogorelovo terem (Mansion) (20 km)
In the morning, we'll have a hearty farm breakfast. After that, we suggest going on a ski or snowmobile trip to another whimsical terem in Pogorelovo, located in 20 km from Astashovo. We will have lunch and hot tea by the fire in Pogorelovo and will return by car. If you aren’t a fan of skiing, you can either rent snowmobiles to get to the mansion, or just drive there.
In the evening, we return to our fabulous accommodation and spend the rest of the day in a cozy leisurely atmosphere.
Russian steam bath (banya) in the evening will be also prepared at your request.
Accommodation in a cottage (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 6. Day in Astashovo
We will spend the whole day in Astashovo. We suggest hiking or skiing with a guide along the 8-kilometer eco-trail. The owners of the mansion say that they live in the true wilderness also known as “bear’s corner" in Russian, since there are more animals than people around. Therefore, you can easily meet someone from the animal world during the walk.
We have prepared two amusing master classes for the day as well, The Cook and The Stoker. Learn how to heat a traditional Russian stove, and cook delicious food in the oven.
A real feast is planned for the evening, we will sing and dance outside by the fire, together with a local accordionist, and the steam bath is also available.
Accommodation in a cottage (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 7. From Astashovo Mansion to Vyatskoe then to Yaroslavl (300 km)
TToday we leave the fabulous place of Astashovo and head on further to Vyatskoye, which in 2015 was officially recognized as the most beautiful village in Russia. It hosts a number of small private museums, such as the Museum of Russian entrepreneurship, Children's World or The House of Angels, which we plan on visiting.
We will have an opportunity to try the acclaimed Vyatskie cucumbers at lunch - they say that those are the most delicious throughout Russia.
Take a walk through the wonderful streets, snap some pictures of the colourful buildings and learn some fascinating facts about their history
In the evening we move on to Yaroslavl, where we stay for the night.
Accommodation in a hotel (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 8. From Yaroslavl to Moscow (265 km)
The first half of the day will be devoted to the gorgeous Yaroslavl; we will go for a walk along the famous Volga embankment, visit the Music and Time Museum and climb the belfry of the Transfiguration monastery to see the entire city center. Children will likely be interested to see the large collection of Teddy bears in the My Favourite Bear museum.
After lunch, we head on to Moscow.
Arrival to Moscow. Spend a night in one of the best hotels, situated in the very heart of Moscow.
Ready for adventures? We are happy to offer a visit to the Circus, or Ballet, or even a River Cruise.
Accommodation in a hotel (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 9. Departure
Transfer to the airport. Morning flight home
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If the flight takes place in the afternoon or in the evening and you are in the mood for sightseeing in Moscow? We are always there to come with some ideas.
Transfer to the airport. Flight home.
