View Beyond the Golden Ring in a larger map
Welcome to the Real Russia!
The Golden Ring is a collection of cites northeast of Moscow. This Premium Class Adventure features a visit to these popular cities, which are sometimes called “open air museums”. They are picturesque and charming, featuring small, quaint villages, monasteries, kremlins, churches, and cathedrals. But “Beyond the Golden Ring” offers so much more in addition to these delightful cities.
Much of this Adventure takes place in the “Real Russia” – the one “ beyond the Golden Ring”. We’ll take the “road less traveled” where you’ll enjoy the natural and architectural beauty found in the heart of Russia. You’ll get to know the Russia of princes, czars and folk tales. Before heading to St. Petersburg we’ll ride to the small town of Sortavala where we’ll stay in a beautiful lodge on Lake Ladoga – Europe’s largest lake. The free day at Sortavala will allow us to take an exclusive cruise to Valaam – one of the most popular islands on the lake, where we’ll also enjoy a shasklik – a classic Russian cookout.
Much of this trip will take place in the beautiful Karelia Region of Russia during the time of “White Nights”. The weather will be warm and pleasant, and it will never really get dark, as the sun does not set until nearly midnight and sunrise is well before 4 am. It’s a delightful time to travel in the Russian wilderness, riding through enchanting forests and among countless lovely lakes and rivers.
One of the most surprising things that our riders on this tour have experienced in the number of places that we’ve visited in which locals claim to have never seen a visitor from North America.
After spending two nights in St. Petersburg, we’ll return to Riga via Tallinn, Estonia, where we’ll enjoy a most entertaining evening in this charming, medieval city.
Our choice of accommodations is outstanding and meals are delightful and typically Russian.
(Ron Ayres wrote a blog about his scouting trip in Russia that led to the development of this Ayres Adventure. If you’d like to read the blog articles, just click on “Ron’s Travels” at the top of the website. The articles appear in reverse chronological order.)
At a Glance
Your Russia Beyond the Golden Ring Adventure
After we depart Zapadnaya Dvina, the road will widen as we make our way to Moscow.
We pass the towns of Rzhev and Zubtsov, which were awarded the honorary title of “City of Military Glory” for the courage and heroism of its citizens and soldiers during battles of WWII, which is known in Russia as The Great Patriotic War. Tonight we will enjoy a wonderful dinner to celebrate our first few days of adventure through Russia.
Today we go “beyond the Golden Ring”, visiting places not seen by many foreign travelers. Heading to the more remote areas of Russia, we have intentionally selected a more challenging route on minor roads to provide a more authentic experience.
Although approximately 95% of the route is paved, road conditions vary considerably in rural areas. Although most of the roads are lovely, some secondary roads are rough with uneven surfaces, freeze-damaged surfaces, and occasional potholes. Unpaved sections do not require technical off-road experience, but riders should have experience riding gravel roads.
This trip is intended for experienced riders.
- Includes BMW F700GS
- Additional charge of $150 for a BMW F800GS
- Additional charge of $150 for a BMW F800R
- Additional charge of $150 for a BMW F800GT
- Additional charge of $250 for a BMW F800GS Adv
- Additional charge of $250 for a BMW R1200R LC
- Additional charge of $550 for a BMW R1200GS LC
- Additional charge of $700 for a BMW R1200GS Adv LC
- Additional charge of $700 for a BMW R1200RT LC
- Additional charge of $820 for a BMW R nineT (limited number – on special request)
- Additional charge of $850 for a BMW S1000R
- Additional charge of $1,000 for a BMW S1000XR
- Additional charge of $1,000 for a BMW R1200RS LC (limited number – on special request)
- Additional charge of $1,000 for a BMW K1300R (limited number – on special request)
- Additional charge of $1,000 for a BMW K1300S (limited number – on special request)
- Additional charge of $2,260 for a BMW S1000RR (limited number – on special request)
- Personal motorcycle: deduct $1,300 from the rider price.
Standard Inclusions
- Late model, low mileage motorcycle
- Upscale accommodations
- A’ la carte dining
- Two Ayres Adventures professional tour leaders
- Airport arrival/departure transfers
- Luggage handling
- Comfortable support vehicle for non-riding companions
- Comprehensive pre-trip planning and assistance
- Customized trip booklet with day-by-day itinerary and attractions
- Two commemorative shirts
- Adventurer Club travel award credit
Meals
- All breakfasts
- 11 dinners
Special Inclusions
- Moscow city tour
- Boat trip to Valaam Island in Lake Ladoga
- Guided tour of Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg
Deposit per person: $800
Single room supplement – $1,5752019 Schedule
Date | 2019 Adventures | Days | Price(USD) | Co-rider | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 25 - Jun 8 | Beyond the Golden Ring | 15 | $9,975 | $7,500 |
2020 Schedule
Date | 2020 Adventures | Days | Price(USD) | Co-rider | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 23 - Jun 6 | Beyond the Golden Ring | 15 | $9,975 | $7,500 |
Cancellation fee and refunds
FROM DATE OF SCHEDULED COMMENCEMENT | AMOUNT FORFEITED |
---|---|
More than 60 days | 50% of deposit |
60 days or fewer but more than 45 days | 100% of deposit |
45 days or fewer but more than 30 days | 50% of full tour payment |
30 days or fewer | 100% of full tour payment |
We’re already signed up for the Alps and Morocco
I’ve ridden eight Ayres Adventures tours, three of them IBA (Iron Butt Association) specific rides and haven’t been disappointed. All have been first class, unique, and full of very pleasant surprises. Ron and his staff have always been courteous, helpful, and patient. In fact, he has found some special tour leaders and guides. By the end of the tour, they become friends that we look forward to seeing again.
Each tour had it’s own highlights. The IBA tours fit our style of riding since we are interested in seeing as much as we can and not spending a lot of time at the destination hotels. If you ride one, be prepared to cover some distance in all kinds of road and weather conditions.
Ushuaia had been one of those must see places for us and the South America IBA ride was the perfect way to do it, we ended up with more than we expected. The scenery was spectacular, the food was excellent, and this group of riders made it a ride to remember.
We enjoyed this one so much, we’re already signed up for the Alps IBA ride this September and the Portugal, Spain, and Morocco tour next year.
Tom and Mona's Adventures include:
IBA Ushuaia Tour
IBA Africa Tour
IBA Extreme Alps Tour
Machu Picchu Excursion (Empire of the Incas)
Spain and Morocco
New Zealand Top Down Adventure
Namibian Splendors (Africa)
Russia - Beyond the Golden Ring
Munich to Istanbul
Japan Cherry Blossoms and Mt. Fuji
The Epic Journey - Moscow to Hong Kong
Vista, California
Private Tour Inquiry
We are happy to book any of our motorcycle tour as a private tour. For most tours, we require a minimum of 8 bikes, or 12 participants (riders plus co-riders). We can provide a private motorcycle tour for smaller groups, but a surcharge may apply. We can also customize any of our regular tours for a private group.