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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

Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 1
Welcome to Latvia! An Ayres Adventures tour leader will meet you at the airport and escort you to our hotel. In the late afternoon the tour leaders will hand over your bike and host a short meeting to tell you more about this great adventure. After the kick-off meeting, we will enjoy our first dinner together at a nearby restaurant.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 2
Today’s ride will take us through the Latvian countryside and a small part of Estonia. We will cross the Estonia-Russia border and after a short ride we will reach our destination of Izborsk- a rural village in Pechorsky District of Pskov Oblast, Russia. Izborsk has one of the most ancient and impressive fortresses of Western Russia.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 3
We start our day with a short ride to the little settlement of Pechory, less than 2 miles from the frontier of Estonia. Beautiful, bright and shining, Pechory is famed for its 15th century monastery which is home to over 70 monks. The monastery was founded in 1473 when the first hermits settled in local caves. We will have time to explore the peaceful grounds of this cloister.

Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 4

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.

Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 5
Our free day in Moscow provides an opportunity to explore the city, including a tour of Red Square and the Kremlin.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 6
Our journey today begins with a ride beside the red brick walls of the Kremlin. We’ll pass the famous Bolshoi Theatre and Red Square. Riding along the Moskva River, we’ll see the main Russian Cathedral – the Cathedral of Christ the Savior with its huge golden cupolas. We will spend the night in the “pearl” of the Russia’s Golden Ring – the very tranquil and peaceful town of Suzdal. Dating back more than 1,000 years, Suzdal is one of Russia’s oldest settlements and has preserved much of its provincial charm. It’s a place almost completely untouched by the pace of modern change.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 7

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.

Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 8
Our ride today will take us through rural Russia to Tikhvin. The architectural and historical highlight of Tikhvin is the Monastery of Dormition, founded in 1560.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 9
Today we will enter the Republic of Karelia, often referred to as ”the lungs of Europe“. It earned this designation due to the fact that more than half of its territory is made up of dense forests and it is home to 60,000 lakes and 27,000 rivers. Two of the largest lakes in Europe, Ladoga and Onega, are located in Karelia.

Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 10
On this free day, we will go to Valaam – a unique island known for its ancient stone monastery. Situated on Lake Ladoga, this island has a storied history dating back to the 14th century and is home to many species of birds and vegetation.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 11
Travelling along the western coast of Lake Ladoga, we head for a very special destination, St. Petersburg.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 12
It would take more than a week to see even a modest number of the magnificent attractions in St. Petersburg so we need to make the most of our free day. The Hermitage, St. Isaak Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, Russian Museum, Pushkin and Catherine Palace are among the many outstanding possibilities for today.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 13
Today we depart Russia and ride to Tallinn- capital of Estonia. Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 14
Our final ride of the tour will bring us through rural Estonia, along the Gulf of Riga and back to the capital of Latvia. Tonight we will enjoy a celebratory dinner where we can reminisce about the highlights of our adventure.
Russia Beyond the Golden Ring, Motorcycle Tour in Russia, Day 15
After breakfast the tour leaders will arrange your transfer to the airport and wish you a safe flight as you head back home.

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.


70%

25%

5%
  • 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 – $1,575

2019 Schedule
Date2019 AdventuresDaysPrice(USD)Co-riderNotes
May 25 - Jun 8Beyond the Golden Ring15$9,975 $7,500
2020 Schedule
Date2020 AdventuresDaysPrice(USD)Co-riderNotes
May 23 - Jun 6Beyond the Golden Ring15$9,975 $7,500
Cancellation fee and refunds
FROM DATE OF
SCHEDULED COMMENCEMENT
AMOUNT FORFEITED
More than 60 days50% of deposit
60 days or fewer but more than 45 days100% of deposit
45 days or fewer but more than 30 days50% of full tour payment
30 days or fewer100% 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

Tom and Mona Loftus
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.

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