private jeep tour catalina

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Request Our 2024 Visitors Guide

Sign up for our free newsletter.

Catalina Tours

Tours & activities on catalina island, featured activities.

• Clock 2 hours & 30 minutes
• Users Ages 21+

Catalina Food Tour

Stroll through downtown Avalon like a local and savor Catalina Island restaurants’ flavors on this mouthwatering food tour.

• Clock 1 hour
• Users All ages

Casino VIP Backstage Tour

Relive the Golden Days and stand in the footprints of Big Band era stars on this exciting casino tour experience.

• Clock 2 hours & 15 minutes
• Users Ages 10+

Zip Line Eco Tour

Zip away over Catalina’s gorgeous Descanso Canyon. Soar from platform to platform over the blue Pacific. Exhilaration is just a step away!

• Clock 45 minutes
• Users Ages 3+

Glass Bottom Boat Voyage

The original Catalina Island tour that started it all. Glass bottom boats offer a window into another world! See California sea life below you.

• Clock 1 hour & 15 minutes
• Users Ages 6+

Parasail Ride

Soar over Avalon Bay on your own or with your friend on this exhilarating Catalina Island parasailing ride! You won’t forget the amazing views.

• Clock 90 minutes
• Users Ages 8+

Snuba Diving Adventure

Immerse yourself in the blue Pacific with the perfect intro to the underwater world, snuba diving! It’s like scuba diving but you don’t have to be certified.

• Users Ages 4+

Dolphin & Sea Lion Tour

This adventure takes full advantage of Catalina Island’s abundant wildlife and scenic coastline. Our six passenger boat will take you from Avalon out into the Pacific Ocean in search of our favorite species, the Common Dolphin.

We are Catalina Island’s premier activity reservation specialists. Our award-winning customer service team is here to make your vacation experience full of fun!

We know Catalina Island better than any other reservation service. Ocean tours, land tours, day packages and overnight packages – and the ultimate Catalina Island experience – are just a click away. Catalina Tours specializes in custom Catalina Island packages – if you don’t see it on our site, give us a call and we will build it for you.

No matter how long your visit is to our island, Catalina Tours is your one-stop answer to everything fun on Catalina Island. Catalina Tours is a member of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce.

Top-Rated Catalina Island Adventures!

Private Experiences

Becoming a mermaid on Catalina and having someone make you feel beautiful and majestic is an experience like none other. The host, Elaina, was very friendly and helpful.

Parasailing Tour

This was my first time going parasailing and I loved it! I felt very safe, even as we soared to 800ft! It was such a beautiful day and there was plenty of time in the air. Thanks for the fun memories!

We did the Kayaking tour and absolutely loved it! Our guide, JP, was great. You can go at your own pace which was nice. This was definitely my favorite tour that we did while on the Island!

Snorkeling Tour

We had a wonderful day around Avalon and Two Harbors. Our guide shared her knowledge on growing up on the island. We loved swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the island. Great trip!

Zipline Tour

Even though we were “first timers” on a zipline, our guides put us at ease. They answered our questions and shared their love of the ecosystem and island history. We truly enjoyed this adventure!

The Latest From Catalina Tours

There is so much to see and do on Catalina Island. Follow our blog to keep up-to-date on events, tour news, and all things Avalon.

Don’t Let Rain Put a Damper on Your Catalina Fun: 7 Island Activities for a Rainy Day

Catalina Island is a haven for sunshine, stunning scenery, and endless outdoor activities. But even paradise experiences the occasional rainy day. However, fear not! A little rain doesn’t have to spell a downpour on your island adventure. In fact, Catalina offers a surprising variety of indoor activities and hidden gems that can make your rainy…

Options abound for team-building on Catalina

There’s nothing like getting your team out of the box to get your team thinking outside of the box. Santa Catalina Island, located just an hour boat ride from the mainland, is the perfect destination for team-building. With stunning natural beauty, a cornucopia of things to do and its convenience to the mainland, a team-building…

24 Things To Do on Catalina in 2024

With 2024 just around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of 24 things to do on Catalina Island. Consider it your Catalina new year’s resolutions. Take a food tour: Whether you are here for the first time or have lived here for years, the Catalina Food Tour will introduce you to new tastes, new facts…

How To Get Around On Catalina Island

It’s nice to think of Catalina as a pristine and peaceful Pacific island, quite unlike the bigger, busier towns on the main land. It truly is. All along the coastline around Catalina are Marine Protected Areas, set aside to protect precious ocean life and habitats. Much of the island land—88% to be exact—is protected, meaning tens of thousands of acres will remain conserved and undeveloped. From Catalina’s small seaside town of Avalon to its beautiful wilderness, there’s so much to see all over the island. While you’re here, there are a few different ways to get from place to place. Read on to learn more about how to get around on Catalina Island.

On foot: Once your Catalina ferry docks, you can take a nice walk right into downtown Avalon. Throughout your time on the island, walking from accommodations to destinations is a common way to move about the town. There are a few local hikes and trails you can get to by walking; however, there are some hilly streets and a few less-walkable destinations that require more than average walking to reach.

Cart around: Golf carts are the main transportation of choice on the island. Avalon regulates the number of actual cars allowed on the city streets, so many residents ride around town in golf carts instead. Rental carts are available in Avalon; however some roads and points of interest are off limits to golf carts.

The wheels on the bike: Biking around parts of Catalina is an interesting transportation option, and there are even a few e-bikes around to take you up some of the hillier streets of Avalon. Riding bikes through town, you’re on your own to explore. However, you’ll need something more substantial than just two wheels to see more of the interior, isthmus, and other destinations on Catalina.

Taxis in town: You’ll find that Catalina Taxi and Tours is the most convenient mode of transportation solution on the island. Taxis can offer rides from the boat or helicopter terminals as well as from other downtown destinations to your hotel. Need a ride to dinner downtown? They’ve got you covered. In Avalon, the cabs are Toyota Sienna minivans, which can hold plenty of passengers (up to 7) as well as luggage.

Go off roading: Catalina has a rugged, gorgeous interior, and Catalina Taxi and Tours offers open-air Jeep tours to explore the wilder side of the island. Just 30 minutes away from Avalon is the Airport in the Sky, the perfect stop for a couple of hours of exploring. For beachgoers, there is Two Harbors, about an hour and 20 minutes outside of Avalon. An escape to the West End via a Catalina Taxi and Tours vehicle is a great way to have an adventure—hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, or even camping. Little Harbor, just 45 minutes from downtown, is one of the most scenic coastal spots on Catalina, and it has a great beach for getting away from the busier Avalon beaches. Looking for magnificent views? Ride 15 minutes up to The Summit to get the best look at the rugged island coastline and even the mainland. Whether you want to explore, camp, or just enjoy nature, the interior shuttles of Catalina Taxi and Tours can take you to many locations.

Take a romantic tour: Santa Catalina Island has often been called, “the island of romance.” A private picnic tour to one of Catalina’s interior spots is a great way to spend the day with a loved one. Toast Catalina tours are also offered for couples who might want to celebrate a special occasion at one of Catalina’s breathtaking overlooks.

Travel on through Avalon: If you want to get to know Avalon a bit better, take a city tour , and learn about some of the town’s history, culture, and hot spots from one of the knowledgeable and friendly Catalina Taxi and Tours drivers. Ask for anything from restaurant to activity recommendations, and make plans for more island adventures as you discover more about Avalon.

Tailor your travels: Do you want to see some of Catalina’s gorgeous wildflowers or even some of the island’s wild animals? Would you want to take a ride to the Trans-Catalina trail? Or, would you rather learn more about island history on a ride through Avalon? Customized tours are charged an hourly rate, and reservations are highly recommended. Call Catalina Taxi and Tours main office at 310-510-0342 to learn about details or availability for a custom tour of your choice.

Book with Catalina Taxi and Tours: Whether you’re in a family group, traveling as a couple, or journeying solo, you will want to see more of what Catalina has to offer. Catalina Taxi and Tours offers you so many ways to explore more of the island. No matter what your transportation needs are, Catalina Taxi and Tours can offer you the freedom and flexibility to explore Catalina Island at your leisure. Private Jeep tours run daily, starting in the morning. You can click here to book a tour, or you can even book in person at our office on 228 Metropole Ave. in Avalon.

Recent Posts

9 Things You Should See On A Tour of Catalina

Everything You Need to Know About How To Get Around On Catalina Island

What You Will Learn On A Custom Catalina Tour

Comentarios

Catalina Island Conservancy Ball April 20, 2024

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS ON-SALE NOW!

Conservation

We preserve and restore the environment on Catalina, promoting and modeling ecologically sustainable communities to create a healthier future for this Island and our Earth.

• Collaborations
• Habitat Restoration
• Restoration Project
• Research Permits
• Wildlife Programs
• Plants & Animals of Catalina
• Internships

The Conservancy provides formal, classroom lessons and non-formal outdoor experiences designed to deliver nature-based engagement and experiential learning.

• Youth & Family Learning
• Adult Learning

As the oldest and largest private land trust in the state of California, the Catalina Island Conservancy opens its wildlands for the public to enjoy in many ways.

• Airport in the Sky
• Wildlands Express
• Nature Center
• Trans-Catalina Trail
• Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden

Founded in 1972 as a nonprofit organization, the Catalina Island Conservancy is one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California.

• Strategic Plan
• Annual Reports

Learn more about obtaining required permits, browse through various trail and island maps, and read through our helpful policies and information.

• News & Stories
• Policies & Information

Get Involved

Support a worthy organization dedicated to restoring and protecting Catalina Island’s wildlands – help save animal species on the verge of extinction and maintain unique habitats for all to enjoy.

• Ways to Give
• Conservancy Jobs

RESTORATION PROJECT

The Catalina Island Restoration Project, undertaken by the Catalina Island Conservancy, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at regenerating and safeguarding the natural ecosystem. The project seeks to protect the Island’s biodiversity, mitigate erosion, prevent wildfires, and create a sustainable, thriving environment for both wildlife and humans.

• About the Restoration Project
• Restoration Project FAQS
• Science, Data, and Methodologies
• What Supporters are Saying

Your Adventure Begins. Our Mission Continues.

The Catalina Island Conservancy, one of California’s oldest and largest private land trusts, opens its wildlands for the public to enjoy in many ways.

Plan Your Adventure Upcoming Events

Our Mission

To be an exemplary steward of Island resources through a balance of conservation , education , and recreation .

Explore the catalina island wildlands.

The Conservancy provides access to Catalina Island’s wildlands with nearly 165 miles of recreational roads and trails and 62 miles of unspoiled beaches and coves.

A leader in conservation programs

The Conservancy believes that effective conservation in the 21st century is by people for people, and on Catalina Island tests solutions to environmental challenges here, and across our Island Earth.

Inspire a lifetime of exploration and stewardship

The Conservancy provides lifelong learning opportunities to help children and adults discover and understand their connections to nature.

Experience Catalina Island as a Conservancy Member

As a Conservancy member you will be contributing to programs in conservation, education and recreation on Catalina Island, which protect, preserve and make accessible for all to explore.

Ways To Give

See how you can help keep Catalina Island beautiful and accessible for all

Partner with the Conservancy and give back to the island you love

Participate in Conservancy events on the Island and Mainland

Restoring the Ecological Treasure of Catalina

Discovery through observation, nature on the canvas, stream orchid sighted for first time since 2011, upcoming events.

28th Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Ball

April 20 @ 6:00pm

Avalon Casino Ballroom

Last Friday Lecture Series – Round Stingray Behavior with Dr. Benjamin Perlman

April 26 @ 5:30pm

Trailhead Visitor Center

Naturalist 2 Training April 27

April 27 @ 8:30am

Naturalist 1 Training (May 8 morning session)

May 8 @ 11:00am

Naturalist 1 Training (May 8 evening session)

May 8 @ 5:30pm

Get the latest news from Catalina Island Conservancy delivered straight to your inbox.

" * " indicates required fields

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Catalina Island Conservancy, PO BOX 2739, Avalon, CA, 90704, US, http://www.catalinaconservancy.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Catalina Island Guide

Things to do on catalina island, tours: land & offroad tours.

Four-Wheel-Drive Adventures Through the Island's Interior

Time was, a motorized tour of Catalina Island meant climbing onto a tourist bus in the center of Avalon and heading off with several dozen other visitors on a very informative and enjoyable–but quite tame–guided drive around the island.

You can still take such tours, which leave frequently and in delightful variety from the Tour Plaza just a block inland from Avalon Harbor, and they remain one of the best, gentlest ways possible to get to know the island for the first time–or to renew an old acquaintanceship with it.

According to a 2005 report prepared for the U.S. Forest Service, however, modern America has a growing taste for the adventure of off-road driving in four-wheel-drive vehicles, with approximately 25 percent–and rising–of the nation's population demonstrating a taste for that rollicking, maverick means of transportation. In step with both the public's tastes and with a commitment to preserving and fostering an appreciation for Catalina's natural wonders, tour operators now make it possible for you to travel off-road across the island in an open-air Hummer, Jeep or Unimog.

The Catalina Island Conservancy offers visitors its Jeep Eco-Tours in both non-chartered 2-hour, and chartered half-day and full-day formats. Whether gentle touring or high-energy adventure, these tours will take you deep into the island's heart, along back roads that take you up high mountain ridges or deep into the shaded canyons. You'll have a chance to visit archaeological and historical sites dating back thousands of years; see close-up animals like bison, the Beechey ground squirrel, and the Catalina Island fox, and bald eagles soaring overhead; gain a deeper appreciation of local plant life like St. Catherine's lace and island scrub oak; and take in some of the most spectacular vistas possible of both the island and its surrounding waters.

Or join an inland "Cape Canyon Tour" of the island's "outback," organized by the Santa Catalina Island Company (SCICo). Your four-hour journey in a unique 12-passenger Mercedes Unimog off-road vehicle will take you through Middle Ranch Canyon and Cape Canyon, rising to an altitude of 1,300 feet as you pass through bald eagle and Catalina Island fox habitats. The journey isn't all "roughing it," however, since it also includes a stop at the Airport in the Sky, where you'll take in fascinating natural history exhibits and be served lunch.

Out of Two Harbors at Catalina's West End, SCICo also offers 1-hour, 2-hour, and 4-hour off-road open-air Hummer Tours. You'll ride in a modified version of the now-famous, widely popular military-style vehicle. Starting from the island's isthmus at Two Harbors, you'll climb unpaved roads to behold breathtaking vistas from an elevation of 1,802 feet. Along the way, your guide will share a wealth of information on the island's natural history, ecology, and conservation. Also in a spirit of adventure, but in the comfort of a larger tour coach, you can leave from Two Harbors on a four-hour "Buffalo Safari," winding through the canyons of the island's back coast to behold the herds of American bison that still roam the rugged interior–along with stops at the Bald Eagle Sanctuary and a native plant nursery.

Whichever tour you take, however short or long, you'll come away from it feeling like you've literally gone off the beaten path to gain a closer understanding of Catalina Island.

Arranging an Off-Road Land Tour of Santa Catalina Island Since seating is limited in the Jeeps, Hummers, and Unimogs used for most off-road tours of Catalina Island, advance land tour reservations are highly recommended.

For Jeep tours, call the Catalina Island Conservancy at 310-510-2595, extension 108. Current rates for a non-chartered 2-hour tour are $70 per person, with a minimum of 2 paid seats; $549 total for up to six passengers on a private chartered half-day (4-hour) tour, including snacks; and $889 total for up to six passengers on a private chartered full-day (7-hour) tour, including lunch. Note that all proceeds from the Jeep tours help support the education and conservation work of the Catalina Island Conservancy.

For Hummer tours organized by SCICO out of Two Harbors, call 310-510-4205. All Hummer tours require at least 2 passengers and have a maximum of 7. Current rates are: $35 per person for a 1-hour "Ridge Run" covering about 4 miles; $64 per person (including snack) for a 2-hour tour covering about 12 miles; and $99 per person (including lunch) for a 4-hour tour covering about 20 miles. A 1-hour charter tour may be booked for up to 7 people for an inclusive price of $175. If you aren't staying at Two Harbors, you will have to arrange your own transportation there from Avalon or from wherever else you're staying on the island.

For SCICo's Cape Canyon tour ($89 per person), call 800-626-1496. For its Buffalo Safari tour ($89 per person) out of Two Harbors, call 310-510-4205.

Time to Allow: One hour to all day. Reservations are required. Prices and availability are subject to change.

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Recommended Posts

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 11 hours ago

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 12:15 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 09:44 AM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 08:25 PM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 03:59 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

Explore Smolensk on a Private Day tour (from Moscow)

• Transfer to and from train station
• Transportation by fast train to Smolensk and back to Moscow
• Transportation in Smolensk by car
• Museum entrance fees
• Should your hotel not be listed, You have to provide us with your hotel location so that we can arrange your pick up. Otherwise, we can not guarantee your timely pickup Pickup from your hotel at 6:15 am
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Infants must sit on laps
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Cathedral of the Assumption (Uspensky Sobor) Stop: 45 minutes See details
• 2 Smolensk Fortress Stop: 60 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• TravelSomeMore24 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Unique Authentic Russian Experience We had such an incredible experience. It felt like we were transformed into a different time. Our guide was so informative and gracious. We are so grateful for a unique experience and would absolutely recommend it to everyone. Read more Written July 21, 2021
• JulieArquette 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great day 😘 in Moscow We booked a one day your and were able to change the itinerary as we wanted to visit WW2 memoreal. Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate and explained us a lot about Moscow life now and back to Soviet times. Loved our day, thank you, Mariya and all Read more Written March 5, 2020
• creitzy 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Guide Have used Anton 2 times now for different friends when they have visited Moscow.he is very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and speaks very good English.i would recommend the metro tour and WW II museum. Thanks again Read more Written February 11, 2020
• JeffKuptchuck 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles This is definitely a unique experience After looking at all of the big cathedrals in Moscow and being rather overwhelmed this was a much more intimate and personal experience. It was great to be able to be there by ourselves and the monk that showed us around and Anton both were obviously very passionate about the monastery so you were able to understand much better what the various churches and icons meant to them The view from the bell tower was awesome even if the climb up took some faith! Dinner was very good except for my wife who doesn't like fish and that is all they eat at the monastery besides vegetables, but still very unique dinner. Read more Written February 9, 2020
• justinbM9877MC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Sightseeing in Moscow over New Year’s Anton was great, very friendly, knowledgeable about local history as well as general Russian history, and had good recommendations for day trips that didn’t over-schedule. He was easy to work with and an excellent English-language speaker. Would highly recommend. Read more Written January 26, 2020
• TanechkaVas 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The whole day tour to Zvenigorod, the country side of Moscow, with Anton. We organized that tour from Australia well ahead of time, planning to visit Zvenigorod with big group of extended family and friends with teens as part of our New Year trip to Moscow. The communication with Anton, our guide, was excellent during the time since booking till the excursion day. The actual day was organized very good, taken into account mixed group of adults, born in USSR and kids, born in Australia. Anton organized our activities to be suitable for all of us. As adults, we were enjoyed country side during winter and Monastery's quietness and ability to jump to the cold "holy" water at one of the oldest Monasteries of Russia - Savva Storoghevskiy Man Monastery. That was the most amazing and nearly magical experience! Kids were enjoyed of snow and treats Anton provide for us, including buisquits and Sbiten'. We also visited very interesting Museum of Russian desserts and learn a lot about ancient russian sweets; have a look on our past in the Museum of USSR and bought some yammie things to enjoy later. In general we all agree that our tour to Zvenigorod with Anton was enjoyable and educational; well organized and unforgettable. We wish we would have more time there! We would recommend such trip to everyone wishing to see Russia's country side. Read more Written January 17, 2020
• GuidesAndGuides 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Loved this experience. Especially the hidden gems! Anton brought us around places which we couldn't have done it alone. I went with the family, my husband and two daughters and they enjoyed every minute. Anton was very attentive to our needs and have good connections with the local communities. We tasted delicious Russian lunch on this tour. We had a fun time painting our Russian dolls (matryoshka) and finished the trip with a great feeling of connection to Russian culture, tasty food, fantastic people and magnificent architecture.   Do not hesitate to book this tour. It is worth your money and time. It was a great day, Thank you Anton! Read more Written January 14, 2020
• 161sinemg 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles It was a very interesting experience This tour was the most exciting activity on our trip to Moscow. I would strongly recommend but climbing stairs was a bit hard. I will not forget all my life. Many thanks to our guide Hektor and Anton Read more Written January 7, 2020
• Mustafa19890 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tour was amazing We had exceptional experience 45 meters deep underground. You really feel how it was to be in Soviet Union during the Cold War era, what were their fears Read more Written December 27, 2019
• yeatharhiu 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Unique Experience Victor is our English speaking guide. It's a small group tour so you dont have to worry about being left out. He took us down the bunker 43 meter down the surface, explained about the heavy doors and let us open them, kept us informed about its functions and introduced us whatever exhibits were left there. Very patient guide and informative tour. Sign up for it if you are in Moscow. Read more Written December 26, 2019
• NickRobson101 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles WOW. We absolutely recommend this tour! This is a tour for the senses and truly exceeded our expectations. There is an interesting balance of history, access you would not expect around a monastery, the visuals of the architecture and decoration, unique chance to observe the inner workings of the monastery, views from vantage points and the towers. Favourite parts included climbing the bell tower for the bell ringing and an exceptionally good meal. For something interestingly different that will add unique memories and experiences Read more Written December 20, 2019
• Loxiee 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The Highlight of our trip Elena, was very attentive and knowledgeable. She took us through the city as if she was a long lost friend. She made us not only feel comfortable in any way possible but she made the experience feel like a another day in our hometown. I am so happy to have met her, she was the highlight of our entire trip. Read more Written December 17, 2019
• Deryabayazit 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing and delicious We had great time, Anton showed us around Moscow local food, it was jus awesome. Tasty and a lot of fun!!! Read more Written December 14, 2019
• ShingoKamiki 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Interesting and delicious Had a tour and dinner inside the monastery with Moscow with Locals. It was a very interesting tour, a monk presented us the monastery, the temples, the bell tower with ringing bells. Amazing! And then we had delicious dinner with Russian traditional cuising, Lovely! Arigatou, Anton! Read more Written December 8, 2019
• Hideo_Aoki78 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Moscow is marvelous Good job, Anton! We were a group of friends from Japan and Anton did a great job, showing us Moscow. The metro is so interesting and important for local citizens, Red Square is amazing, St. Basil cathedral was iconic both outside and even more interesting inside. It was both interesting and educational seeing central Moscow streets. Anton managed to book us a table for lunch with delicious local food and he helped us with recommendations for dinner (booked is a table as well). Brilliant job, Moscow with locals! Read more Written December 1, 2019

Explore Smolensk on a Private Day tour (from Moscow) provided by Moscow With Locals

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow private customized tour

What would you like to see *.

A symbol of the Russian state and the seat of its President, one of the greatest architectural complexes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Moscow Kremlin is a real treasure house of magnificent historical relics and cultural monuments.

The word "Kremlin" means a fortress, typically a medieval citadel in the center of an medieval Russian city.

For centuries the Kremlin served as the residence of successive Russian heads of state and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church. During a private tour a guide will provide more information about the significance of each building to the rulers of Russia.

See the marvelous jewelry, fancy carriages and dresses along with arms and weapon in this museum, based on a tzars’ treasury in the Armoury , the best museum of Moscow.

The historical and architectural heart of Moscow, the UNESCO Heritage site, Red Square with its St. Basil’s cathedral, Lenin’s tomb and GUM shopping centre is the touristic “must”.

Moscow metro is not only another city transport, it is a real palace, faced with marble. Put into operation in the 1935 during Stalin’s ruling, it became the symbol of the new, workers’ country, where palaces were not only for riches, but for all. Your guide will show you several the most beautiful stations.

The Tretyakov Art Gallery is the largest and the most valuable collection of Russian art, starting from 12th century icons to early 20th century painting.

The elegant 19th century building (it is depicted on the Russian 100-rubles banknote), is a venue for world-class ballets and operas. The Theatre is just in 10 minutes walk from Red Square.

This breathtaking convent, located in a green area out of the city centre, used to be a place, where women from the royal family used to take on monastic vows.

This impressive, atmospheric cemetery, which is just next to Novodevichy convent, is the most prestigious one in the country. Visiting it gives a chance to learn more about the most prominent Russian people of the last century including Anton Chekhov, Stalin's wife Nadezhda Allilueva, Andrey Goromyko, Nikita Khrushev, Raisa Gorbacheva, Boris Yeltzin and many others.

This beautiful Estate used to be the favorite summer residence of the Russian tzars in the 16 th to 17th Centuries. Ancient apple orchards, walls and gates, Kazan Church and the UNESCO protected Church of the Ascension have all survived from this period. Your private guide will show you the wooden palace of Tzar Alexis has been recently rebuilt using the blueprints of the original Palace and give a real taste of how this Russian Tzar’s family lived.

This was a real shelter for the Soviet top commanders built soon after the WW2. In case of the beginning of a nuclear war, they could stay there, 60 meters below the ground level, for months. Ten years ago the bunker was turned into a museum, but a visitor can still feel scary thinking of how close we were to a nuclear catastrophe in the med 20th century.

VDNKh Exhibition Centre (now - The All Russia Exhibition Center) – This architectural ensemble was created by leading soviet architects, sculptors and other talented artists as the All-Union Exhibition of People's Economic Achievements. It represented every branch of industry and agriculture in the USSR. Today this exhibition centre with its magnificent buildings, huge open spaces and unique fountains can be deservedly described as a museum of socialist classic architecture (often referred to as Stalin’s Empire style).

The main cathedral of the country with an intricate destiny which vividly reflects the history of the whole country. Consecrated in the end of the 19th century, blown up in 1930ies and resurrected in 1990ies it will not leave you indifferent.

The Tsaritsino Estate is one of the significant monuments of 18 th century Imperial Russia. Empress Catherine the Great chose this site on the outskirts of Moscow for her summer residence during a visit to Moscow in 1775. The palace, built by the best Russian architects, has been recently restored.

The first satellite, the first animal flight into space, the first manned spaceflight, the first spacewalk… All these achievements were celebrated in the USSR as the private achievement of every Soviet. In the Space museum you can see the preserved remains of pioneer canine cosmonauts Belka and Strelka, Yuri Gagarin’s space suit, and a full-size replica of the Mir space station to pop into and learn about the challenges Russian cosmonauts faced during their early expeditions into space.

The largest fair of decorative and applied arts, handicrafts, souvenirs and antiques. The best place to buy nesting dolls – Russian matryoshka, shawls with traditional Russian pattern, fur hats, various items with soviet symbolics. Your guide will make you familiar with Russian traditions and help you to bargain.

Enjoy the traditional Russian black tea accompanied by bliny, caviar, pastries served in an exquisite interior of the historical Metropol Hotel. 

Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Catherine... To put in order all this names from Russian history in your head, to learn about how Russians lived during their more than 1000 years history, you are welcome to this museum, which is just on the Red Square. Please check our museums page for more details.

The Jewish museum continues telling stories of Russian Jews. You will have a chance to learn about the “attitude of Tsars to Jews and Jews to Tsars” in Russian Empire. The exposition shows why the Pale of Settlement appeared and how ideas of Zionism and Assimilation developed in late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum describes the active role of Jews in the Soviet revolution and in life of the USSR at its early stage; the heroism of Jews in the Red Army in WW2 and Holocaust on the territory of the USSR; life of Soviet Jews after creation of the state of Israel; repressions against Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee led by the popular actor Solomon Mikhoels and Jewish Doctors’ Plot; movement of Refuseniks and dissidents, when Zionism was called a risk to security of the Soviet state. And many other interesting stories!

The Jewish museum has a unique design. It has a lot of documentary movies on display, interviews with prominent personalities and eyewitnesses of different historic events.  

A tour of this popular museum will take you on a journey exploring the fascinating and, at times, controversial history of Russia over the past 150 years. You will leave with a real understanding of Russia's political development and of the impact it has had on its citizens.

What lead to the Russian Revolution? What caused the  Romanov tzar to abdicate the throne? How did the Soviets manage to build up their industry to such an extent in just ten years, and how did they defeat Nazi Germany? Beside this, you can also learn more about the Cold War, Perestoika, Gorbachev and the collapse of the USSR.

The branch of the Tretyakov gallery displayed Russian art of the 20th century. The collection represent three main trends of the era: vivid and wild Avant-garde, official Sovialistic Realism and underground Nonconformism.

A world-famous museum boasts a collection of ancient rarities and Western Europe painting - from Egyptian sculptures to canvases of Rembrandt, Rubens, Bouche, etc. Please check our museums page for more details.

See canvases of Monet, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso and other great artists. The splendid art collection, one of the best in the world, was gathered by two Russian art-lovers and contemporaries of these prominent impressionists and post-impressionists.

A place, where one must go, if admires jewelry. The Diamond Fund is a collection of precious stones, naturals nuggets and jewelry, exhibited in the Kremlin. Purest diamonds and largest nuggets of gold are on display, along with the breathtaking crowns of Russian emperors, covered with hundreds of sparkling gems.

What life did people live in Moscow 400 years ago? Learn about everyday life of Moscow nobles in the XVII century. The building, where the museum is, belonged to Romanov family, which became a last ruling family in Russia. According to the legend the first Romanov tsar, Mikhail Romanov, was born here.

Arbat street , which used to be one of the most prestigious residential areas in the XIX century Moscow, is a lively pedestrian zone now, packed with souvenir shops, street musicians and artists.

Moscow dwelling of the world-famous author of War and Peace.

A home for one of the gloriest monasteries in Russia and the nearest Golden Ring city. The Russians made pilgrimages there for centuries. Now you have a chance to make your own one, with a private guide and a driver. This trip takes about six hours.

This small town used to be one of major ones in old Russia 800 years ago. Now Suzdal is protected by UNESCO as an example of a medieval Russian town. Suzdal is 220 km away from Moscow, it takes about 4 hours to get there by car. This tour can be organized as an overnight one.

A open air museum 40 km from Moscow extremely popular among aircraft enthusiasts.

A former aristocrats' estate near Moscow, where Vladmir Lenin lived last years of his life. This is the right place to learn more about Lenin's personality and the cult of his personality in the USSR. Besides, there is a picturesque park. Interiors of the main house feature art-noveau style and were designed by the leading Russian architect Shechtel. It takes just about an hour to get there from Moscow by car.