mystery island day tours

+678 5434562

• Shopping cart

Who Are We?

Tours & experiences.

Learn who we are and what we do.

We sell a number of shore tours through the cruise liners that visit Mystery Island. These include the very popular clear kayak and snorkel tour, Stand up paddle boarding, a 90 minute snorkel tour and a Firewalking & Kastom Magic Tour. 

 Do you have a question for us? We may have already answered it here

Copyright © 2018 Mystery Island Tours - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy

NO WAITLISTS

 If you don't see your desired date on the calendar for Mystery Island, it means that tour is fully booked, and we no longer maintain waitlists. Thank you for your understanding. 

Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Excursions & Tours

Guided Village Walk

Mystery Island

Except for the briefly busy days when commercial flights arrive, and the days when cruise ship tenders arrive at the dock, Mystery Island is completely uninhabited. The grassy landing strip on this tiny island just off Anatom was originally cleared to serve the Allied forces during WWII. The locals live on the mainland several miles away and travel back and forth to accommodate tourists but when they are not present this island is truly "Paradise Island."

Mystery Island

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mystery Island - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

15 Things You Need to Know Before Cruising to Mystery Island, Vanuatu

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: July 10, 2023  - Last updated: July 19, 2023

Beautiful Mystery Island is a popular port of call on many South Pacific cruises. Here’s what you need to know before your visit.

Do you have a port stop at Mystery Island in Vanuatu on your upcoming South Pacific cruise? I spent a day exploring this gorgeous tiny island on a cruise from Sydney, Australia .

Mystery Island, officially called Inyeug , is a little slice of paradise covered with greenery and surrounded by a healthy coral reef.

Tip: To keep Mystery Island’s coral reefs healthy for the next generation, please use only reef-safe sunscreen when you visit. If you’re not sure what to look for, here’s an honest review of one of my favorite brands.

This tiny dot on the map is an unspoiled idyll, and you can see it for yourself on a cruise!

I’ll share 15 important things I learned about visiting Mystery Island—from a bit of the area’s culture , what you can expect to see and do , and which essentials you’ll need to pack in your beach bag to make the most of your day.

1. Most people visit Mystery Island by cruise ship

Although Mystery Island has a small grass airstrip left over from WWII used mainly to receive supplies for nearby islands, the vast majority of visitors arrive by cruise ship.

Currently, Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, P&O, Celebrity, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, AIDA, and Hapag-Lloyd all offer cruises to Mystery Island.

Usually only one ship visits the small island at a time, and not every day—although on rare occasions Mystery Island will host two ships for the day.

Mystery Island offers a real “private island” experience without all the extras that you might find at private destinations owned by cruise lines.

There aren’t waterslides, fancy beach cabanas, swim-up bars, or huge crowds. Instead, you’ll find pristine natural beaches and basic amenities, with enough space for everyone to enjoy the island.

Related: 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands You’ll Want to Visit

2. No one lives on Mystery Island

Visitors to idyllic Mystery Island often wonder why no one lives on this pearl of the Pacific! One reason is that local legend tells that the island is haunted by sea gods, so it’s considered taboo to live there.

But a more practical reason for Mystery Island being uninhabited is that it doesn’t have the infrastructure needed for modern-day habitation. There isn’t electricity or roads like you’ll find on the nearby island of Aneityum.

For anyone nervous about a lack of toilet facilities, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a newer toilet block not far from where you’ll land on the island. There are also rustic, wooden-seat outhouses scattered around, but they’re well-ventilated, comfortable, and clean.

3. Mystery Island is a tender port

There isn’t a dock on Mystery Island for cruise ships, so your ship will drop anchor offshore and ferry passengers over on tender boats (which at this tiny port will be the ship’s lifeboats).

Tendering operations can take time, especially if you’re visiting on a larger cruise ship, so take this into consideration when planning your day. Some cruise lines require guests to pick up tender tickets—check your daily planner or the cruise line app for details.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports and Tender Boats on a Cruise

Since it’s not as easy to return to the ship for lunch as it is at docked ports, you might want to prepare to purchase lunch on the island if you’re going to stay for the full day.

4. You can walk the perimeter of Mystery Island in under 30 minutes!

If you’re feeling adventurous, consider walking the perimeter of the island and discovering all of its beautiful beaches. Mystery Island is really small, at just 61 square miles (159 square kilometers) .

It’s completely encircled by sandy beaches, so many people can walk completely around the island in under a half hour. It took me a little longer because I kept stopping to take pictures!

Just like at other cruise ports, many cruisers scope out the closest beach and plop down a towel. You’ll notice that the sands nearest the tender dock will be busy all day.

But if you walk around the island, you’ll be sure to find a sandy spot that’s a lot less crowded. I found an area on the other side of the island under a big shady tree to relax, then joined in with a group of snorkelers to spot schools of colorful fish. I even had the chance to swim for a bit with a sea turtle not too far from the shore!

Tip: Mystery Island doesn’t have any lifeguards, so avoid swimming or snorkeling too far offshore or in the most secluded areas.

5. What you can see and do on Mystery Island

If you’re visiting Mystery Island just to relax and soak up the sun on gorgeous sandy beaches, you can absolutely do that!

But it’s not just a Gilligan’s Island -style spot that’s completely deserted.

Residents of nearby islands boat over each day when a cruise ship is in port—often with the whole family—to offer a variety of services, amenities, and entertainment. Enjoy what they have to offer, or you can just discover the little island’s rustic charm by exploring its shady footpaths through the mangroves.

Here are some of my favorite things to do on Mystery Island:

• Buy souvenirs at the straw market
• Have your hair braided
• Enjoy a massage
• Snorkel with turtles or explore a shipwreck
• Visit the tiny WWII-era airstrip
• Have your picture taken in the famous “Cannibal Soup” pot
• Enjoy music and dance performances by locals
• Take a long beach stroll around the island

6. You’ll have several options for lunch and snacks on Mystery Island

If you’re planning to spend most of the day on Mystery Island, you’ll be happy to know that several lunch options are available, though they tend to focus on local seafood. You might also find grilled chicken or sausage, along with fried plantains, rice, fruit, and veggies.

I enjoyed a delicious lunch of yellowfin tuna, prepared on a wood-fired grill, at the open-air Mystery Grill & BBQ .

Boiled spiny lobster was also a popular lunch option, although this New England girl was shocked by the high prices!

You can also purchase packaged snacks and bottled soft drinks from a few vendors to enjoy on the beach. Vanuatu’s local beer, Tusker, is also available on the island.

7. Massages and hair braiding are very cheap on Mystery Island

If the spa prices on your cruise ship are too much for your budget, consider trying a relaxing massage during your beach day on Mystery Island!

I found several massage huts that charged $15 for a 20-minute massage, $20 for 30 minutes, and $40 for an hour. Prices varied a little, so walk around to find the best deal.

During the massage, you’ll wear a swimsuit and be in a small, mixed-gender hut for the service, but it’s very relaxing and an amazing value.

If you’re wearing a two-piece, your practitioner will undo the clasp of your top at some point and gently guide your arms through the straps to access your back. I found that they were very aware that I was in mixed company, and I never felt exposed. If this would make you feel uncomfortable, let the practitioner know at the start of your service.

Hair braiding is also very cheap on Mystery Island. My hair is a few inches past my shoulders and I’m always quoted well over $100 for hair braiding in port on Caribbean cruises. On Mystery Island it was just $12 for long hair!

Tip: If you find a massage or hair braiding venue you’d like to use but the wait is too long, ask if you can make an appointment! Instead of wasting an hour waiting in the sun, I was able to take a refreshing swim and then turned up a few minutes before my scheduled time.

8. Vendors on Mystery Island accept AUD

The local currency on Mystery Island is Vanuatu’s vatu, but I didn’t encounter a single vendor that didn’t accept Australian dollars. I also always received change in AUD, but I can’t promise that’ll be the case for every cruise.

Several vendors also listed prices in US dollars on their signs.

I didn’t see any vendors that accepted credit cards, so be sure to carry some cash with you for snacks, souvenirs, and excursions.

Tip: Although haggling over prices is common—and even expected—at markets in some parts of the world, it’s really not part of the culture in Vanuatu.

9. Most vendors on Mystery Island speak at least some English

The nation of Vanuatu has three official languages: Bislama, English, and French—and the popularity of the three languages is in that order. But since most visitors to Mystery Island are English-speaking, you probably won’t have much of an issue communicating with most of the vendors in English.

My American accent did pose a problem a few times, so I just slowed my speech down or tried French whenever I noticed that someone didn’t seem to understand me.

If you’d like to practice a few Bislama phrases before your visit, here are some of the most helpful basics:

10. You can skip the pricey ship excursions and book on the island

Some cruisers swear by booking shore excursions through the cruise line. Although it’s usually a more expensive option, the cruise line usually promises that you’ll make it back before all-aboard (and the ship will wait if the excursion is late).

This might make sense in many ports of call, but all of the shore excursions on Mystery Island are run by just a few local companies. You’ll be able to book most basic excursions right when you arrive on the island, often at a significant discount.

Excursions offered include snorkeling, paddleboarding, and clear kayak tours, along with boat tours to a turtle lagoon or shark cave.

But if you have your heart set on a specific excursion, like those that travel to the neighboring island of Aneityum, you might want to book through the cruise line to guarantee your spot.

11. You can’t stay on Mystery Island overnight on a cruise

Most South Pacific cruise itineraries that visit Mystery Island only stop for the day. However, you’ll occasionally find an overnight itinerary.

For example, on my recent cruise to Vanuatu and New Caledonia , our itinerary changed several times. When Isle of Pines announced they wouldn’t be accepting cruise ships for the foreseeable future, I was so excited to see that we’d have an overnight at Mystery Island instead!

When you have an overnight at most cruise ports, you don’t need to return to the ship and can book a hotel or stay with friends if you’d like to travel away from the port.

However, on a Mystery Island overnight, guests need to return to the ship in the evening and can tender back to the island in the morning.

12. Aneityum is just a short boat ride away

After spending a lazy beach day on Mystery Island, my plan was to take a shore excursion to Aneityum, the big island that you can see from your ship. It’s only a ten-minute boat ride from Inyeug, and most excursions include a village walking tour to see traditional homes, local schools, the medical dispensary, and the police station.

Other excursions might include a traditional kava ceremony and firewalking performance.

Sadly (due to a maintenance issue on the ship) our overnight at Mystery Island was canceled and so was my day on Aneityum.

However, I did chat with quite a few of my new cruise friends onboard who had done an Aneityum shore excursion (some chose this because they had already visited Mystery Island, and others just weren’t big beach fans), and everyone enjoyed their day learning how the locals live on the larger island.

13. Cruisers are encouraged to bring school supplies for area children

For the past several years, cruisers have been bringing school supplies for the children of Aneityum when they visit Mystery Island.

If you’re considering packing some school supplies for the local kids, here’s a quick list of what they’re looking for, according to an article in the Vanuatu Daily Post .

• Exercise books
• Colored pencils
• Glue sticks
• Pencil cases

14. The mystery of Mystery Island is a mystery!

There are several theories about why the tiny island of Inyeug is known as Mystery Island. The most popular is that cruise lines coined the name to make the island sound more appealing to potential guests.

Another theory is that during World War II when US troops created the airstrip on Inyeug, the runway was impossible to see from the water. The “mystery” came from the fact that it took a while before Japanese forces figured out where the planes were coming from.

But if you ask most locals, they’ll tell you that during Queen Elizabeth’s 1974 visit to several of Vanuatu’s islands, a reporter covering the tour asked the name of the island. When told that Inyeug means “small,” he decided that a headline of “Her Majesty Visits Mystery Island” would sell more papers than “Her Majesty Visits Small Island.”

15. What to pack in your day bag for Mystery Island

You won’t need to pack much in your day bag to enjoy your day on Mystery Island! Here are my essentials that you won’t want to forget when packing your Mystery Island beach bag:

• Waterproof sunscreen
• A swimsuit coverup
• A beach towel from the ship
• Snorkel gear
• Water shoes
• Cash (AUD, USD, or vatu)
• A waterproof phone case that fits your phone, cash, and cruise card

Related: 20+ Cute Swim Coverups for Cruises & Beach Travel

If you’re very fair-skinned or not used to the South Pacific sun, you might also want to include a lightweight top and bottom layer to completely cover your skin in case you feel yourself burning.

I slathered on the waterproof sunscreen before I snorkeled, but still managed to burn my backside an alarming shade of red! Having a lightweight and comfortable pair of beach trousers in my bag saved me from doing more damage after I left the water.

If your cruise embarks from a port close to home and you can carry on a small portable beach umbrella or pop-up shelter, I’d consider doing so. During my visit, there weren’t any umbrella rentals available on the island.

Want all the best cruise tips and guides to your favorite destinations? Just pop your first name and email in the box below to get the Should Be Cruising newsletter. As a free bonus, I’ll send you my exclusive printable Carry On Packing List at no charge!

Do you have an upcoming cruise to Mystery Island, Vanuatu? Or have you visited before? Drop me a comment down below, or ask me any questions you might have that I haven’t answered above.

Liked this post? Pin it for later!

• Recent Posts

• Carnival Cruise Line Salutes Military Women During Inaugural Fleet Week in Miami - May 10, 2024
• Holland America’s Culinary Teams Will Be Alaska Seafood University Certified - May 9, 2024
• Carnival’s Celebration Key Construction Empowering Grand Bahamian Workforce - May 8, 2024

Related posts:

Wednesday 12th of July 2023

My family have booked a cruise next summer visiting Mystery Island. We are very cautious about sun exposure and your article has me worried. Is there a way to guarantee a shaded beach spot on the island before our cruise?

Thursday 13th of July 2023

Hi Jacinta, when you visit Mystery Island all the spots on the beaches are first-come, first-served. I walked all over the island during my visit, and there aren't any shady areas on the beaches unless you're at the back edge of the sand near the island's central area. I'm also very cautious about sun exposure (I have very fair skin and I lost my dad when he was quite young to melanoma) so I understand your concern!

Here are my tips and ideas: (1) Lots of people carried pop-up beach shelters over, which you could do if you're driving to the port or can find a smaller one you can pack in your airline luggage (2) Get an early tender and head to the opposite side of the island. I found a low-hanging shady tree and set up camp underneath it so I could return whenever I needed a break from the sun. (3) Wear lightweight UV-resistant clothing like rash guards, and pack airy t-shirts and slouchy cotton pull-on trousers. (4) Pack lots of waterproof sun cream and reapply more often than you would at home.

Hope this helps, and happy cruising!

Mystery Island Tours

• See all photos

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mystery Island Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Welcome to P&O Cruises. This website presents a main menu on the left hand side from where you can browse our cruises, and a toolbar menu at the top page with search, live chat, support, and profile settings.

• Skip to side menu (Press enter)
• Skip to toolbar menu (Press enter)
• Skip to content (Press enter)
• Destinations
• Pacific Islands
• Mystery Island

Cruises to Mystery Island

Get stuck on a desert island (on purpose).

This incredibly beautiful conglomeration of pure white sand, palm trees and coral reefs provides the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Mystery Island is a tiny, uninhabited islet in Vanuatu’s Tafea Province, officially charted under the indigenous name Inyeug. Other than an airstrip, built by United States Military personnel to serve the nearby island of Aneityum, Mystery Island only has a few huts for overnighters, modern amenities for cruise passengers and some trails that bisect the island.

Header photo © David Kirkland

At A Glance

Zero. No one lives on the island as it is considered taboo to do so. The locals come across from nearby Aneityum on the days when our ships call into the island. The population of Aneityum is approximately 1,200.

Bislama, English and French as well as Anejom (the local language of Aneityum)

Parliamentary republic

What To See

Go snorkelling.

In the waters surrounding Mystery Island, the condition of the coral and the life within it are in a near pristine state. Visibility is usually a minimum of 10-15 metres, so you are bound to have a memorable experience. Snorkelling gear is available for hire or purchase onboard the ship.

Modern VILLAGE

Modern Village is home to a small community living on Aneityum, the mainland opposite Mystery Island. Join our ‘Modern Village Tour’ to discover how the locals Aneityum families live when you are welcomed into their home. Learn about village life, history, culture, food cultivation and preparation, and more!

More About Mystery Island

Your ship will anchor offshore and the ship’s tender boats will provide a regular service to and from Mystery Island throughout the day.

GETTING AROUND

You won’t need any transportation!

Locals occasionally sell food and drink onshore. Lunch will be served onboard as usual. Quarantine authorities do not generally allow food such as fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat products or sandwiches to be taken off the ship, however commercially packaged confectionery, chips and bottled drinking water are allowed subject to inspection.

Handicrafts, sarongs, woven hats, floral shirts and other locally made items are available for purchase from the stalls onshore. There is even a hair-braiding service. Any souvenirs thatare made of plant material or animal products must be declared to quarantine authorities on arrival in Australia or New Zealand. Plant material such as certain seeds and animal products including feathers may be restricted or need to be treated at the owners’ expense on arrival in Australia or New Zealand. Bargaining is not customary in Vanuatu.

The southern part of Vanuatu has a sub-tropical climate – sunny and humid with occasional rain showers. Dry season is from May to October. Make sure you stay hydrated and sheltered from the sun.

Credit cards and charge cards are not accepted anywhere on the island. Australian dollars are accepted, but change may not be available. We recommend that you take small denominations of Australian dollars ashore.

COMMUNICATION

There are no public telephones and no internet access on Mystery Island. Mobile coverage may be available as long as global roaming is selected prior to leaving home.

WHAT TO WEAR ASHORE

To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, please wear comfortable flat soled shoes, lightweight clothing and a hat - and don’t forget your swimwear! You are also advised to bring sunscreen, bottled water and an umbrella during the summer months. Please cover up when walking around the island.

To observe the local customs of the south pacific islands a respectful dress code is required. Swimwear should only be worn at the beach or pool and should be of a modest nature. G-strings, thongs and mankinis should not be worn. Topless sunbathing is also not permitted at anytime. When exploring the Islands and the local communities casual clothing should be worn. As a visitor to these beautiful islands please respect the wishes of local residents.

SHORE TOURS

Check with the Shore Tours desk onboard for information about tour availability.

ENVIRONMENT

Coral is an extremely precious marine organism. In an effort to preserve its natural beauty and habitat please avoid touching it in all circumstances. Furthermore, just as with Australia’s beaches, blue bottles can visit occasionally in the summer months. During your time ashore we also ask that you dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Please ask permission before you take photographs of Ni- Vanuatu (indigenous people).

Next Cruises To Mystery Island

Average temperature & rainfall, mystery island shore tours, most popular.

Guest favourites, the most booked Shore Tours at this port

Our handpicked Shore Tours are a must for any guest.

Did You Know?

In 1974 while Queen Elizabeth was sailing on her way from Port Vila to Australia aboard the Royal Yacht Brittania as part of a Pacific tour, she made an unscheduled stop at Mystery Island for a royal picnic in paradise. Many of the community elders fondly remember meeting the Queen.

Home » Travel Guides » Russia » 15 Best Day Trips from Moscow

15 Best Day Trips from Moscow

Moscow, the sprawling Russian capital, is a city that’s both full of history and contemporary culture.

This is the centre of the Russian world, a city that armies have invaded, where nations have clashed and where revolutions have played out through the centuries.

It’s a city on the fringe of Europe, but a place that is very much at the heart of European history and politics, and for visitors, it can be a complex and enthralling destination to visit.

As much as there is to see and to do in the city itself, there is just as much to experience on day trips from Moscow too.

While Russia is undoubtedly an expansive country, and many of the better-known cities such as St Petersburg or Volgograd are hundreds and hundreds of miles away, there are many more unknown and unusual destinations to visit within a few hours’ drive of the capital.

Immerse yourself in the Russian countryside, visit war memorials, battlefields and the lavish estates of the former Russian nobility. There are rural villages, grand Orthodox Monasteries and the chance to see Russian life outside of the city first-hand.

Here are the best day trips from Moscow.

Located just an hour north of the Moscow city centre, Korolev is an area that is almost a suburb of the expansive capital, but has retained its own unique identity. During the Soviet era, this was one of the most important industrial areas in the country, because this was the base for Soviet Space Exploration.

During World War II, the factories here produced anti-tank guns that helped keep the Soviet Union in the fight. After Germany was defeated, the factories and research centres began to focus on space.

The city became a ‘Science City’ as skilled workers from across the Union came here to settle and to launch the space programme. It became one of the more affluent areas in the country, and today, that distinction can still be seen on the streets and in the buildings.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, Korolev remained the headquarters of Russian space travel and still hosts Russian Mission Control.

2. Borodino

A two-hour drive to the west of Moscow is the battlefield of Borodino. This is a place that is revered in Russian history, and which perhaps should be much more well-known in wider European history too, because this is where the infamous French General Napolean Bonaparte fought the Russians during his invasion in 1812.

Although the French won the Battle of Borodino and went on to capture Moscow, this was the beginning of the end for Napolean, as he went on to be ravaged by the Russian Winter and was forced to retreat soon after.

Just outside the small village of Borodino is the green and grassy field where the battle was fought. On top of a substantial hill is a lasting monument to the important event.

Located to the south-east of Moscow is the city of Kolomna, which in comparison to the Russian capital is very much a small-town escape.

This is one of the oldest Russian cities in the region and there is a long and intriguing history to be discovered in the museums and monasteries.

Interestingly, the city was off-limits for much its tenure under the Soviet Union, because it was the site of important weapons factories. It was only in 1994 that the city was opened up and even now it is still very much unknown to tourists.

Kolomna makes for a great day trip, and you can explore the restored medieval walls, and the city’s very own Kremlin, a huge fortress which dates back to the 16th century.

4. Zvenigorod

Zvenigorod is as little as an hour’s drive away from Moscow city centre, and the small town makes for a pleasant break from the capital.

Zvenigorod is an old and historic place, with a history dating back almost a thousand years.

There are some beautiful monasteries to visit as well as the unusual Museum of Russian Desserts, where you can sample and explore this aspect of the local culinary culture.

Zvenigorod was also a town where the world-renowned Anton Checkov once lived, and you can visit a museum here that’s dedicated to his life.

5. Sergiyev Posad

North of the capital is the city of Sergiyev Posad, which is one of the few well-known tourist destinations in the surrounding region.

You will find this as a suggested stop on most travel itineraries to Moscow, and many tour companies include this as part of their excursions around the city because this city is home to the famous Trinity Lavra of St Sergius.

This is a huge Russian Orthodox Monastery which has been here for hundreds of years, and continues to be run by monks who look after the revered tomb of St Sergius, who was laid to rest here.

It’s an important pilgrimage place for Orthodox Christians and an important stop for tourists.

6. Kubinka Tank Museum

Outside Moscow, you can find an unusual museum which will give you a truly ‘Russian’ experience.

The Kubinka Tank Museum was once the location of a Red Army tank testing ground. Now, it’s been turned into a huge museum that showcases every conceivable type of armoured vehicle.

7. Arkhangelskoye Estate

The Arkhangelskoye Estate was built on the outskirts of Moscow and dates back to the late 18th century when it was constructed by a Rusian aristocratic family.

For over a century, it was the domain of the nobility, until of course, the Russian Revolution and the advent of Communism swept the family that owned the estate out of the country.

The estate was opened to the public by the Communists and turned into a museum, which it remains today.

Restoration work after the fall of the Soviet Union saved the Arkhangelskoye Estate from falling into disrepair and kept the grounds and the grand palace as a lavish example of pre-Revolution Russia.

8. Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is found a few hours to the north of Moscow and makes for a long day trip from the city. It’s worth the journey to experience one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations.

Yaroslavl is found on the banks of the River Volga and has been a historically important city throughout Russian history. The city has even been the capital of the country at various points.

You can explore the many museums and monasteries to learn more about this intriguing destination.

9. Rostov Veliky

Just south of Yaroslavl is the small but culturally rich town of Rostov Veliky.

This is another important site in Russian history, as the town can date its origins back to early Slavic settlement around Moscow.

Lake Nero is a beautiful and expansive lake near the town, fringed on one side by an ancient fortress, giving Rostov Veliky a wonderful atmosphere to experience.

10. Vladimir

Two hours east of Moscow is another historic Russian city that is very much on the regional tourist trail.

It makes for a great day trip from the capital because Vladimir dates back to the 12th century and is full of Russian history and culture.

This was one of the first Russian capitals and it still contains many beautiful medieval buildings that are hundreds of years old.

The small town of Suzdal is just a few kilometres north of the city of Vladimir.

The town is part of a fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the historic sites from both Suzdal and Vladimir.

The town was founded in medieval times and also acted for a time as an early capital for Russian kingdoms in the region.

Klin is a fairly unassuming town to the north-west of Moscow, but it’s worth visiting to see one particular sight, the house of Tchaikovsky.

The famous 19th-century composer spent his final days here and wrote his very last piece of work in the house in Klin. It is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.

It’s a grand estate and an interesting insight into pre-Soviet, Russian culture.

13. Melikova

A short trip past the Moscow suburbs will bring you to another famous estate, the house of renowned Russian writer and playwright Anton Checkov.

By the town of Checkov, which was renamed in his honour, the museum of Melikova will take you on a journey through his life and indeed, what the lives of many of his contemporary fellow Russians would have been like too.

14. Gorki Leninskie

On the southern edge of Moscow is Gorki Leniniskie.

This grand estate was once the realm of Russian nobles, but after the Russian Revolution it was personally taken over by Vladimir Lenin who turned it into his own home.

He spent much of his last years here, and after his death, the estate became a shrine to his life and legacy.

Today it still remains an interesting museum, and is still in many ways a shrine to communism.

15. Losiny Ostrov National Park

Losiny Ostrov National Park is a huge area of protected land that is found right on the edge of Moscow and is even surrounded on several sides by suburbs of the city.

It’s unusual to find such a large national park so close to a capital and it’s easy to spend the day exploring this veritable wilderness of beautiful scenery and plentiful wildlife.

15 Best Day Trips from Moscow:

• Sergiyev Posad
• Kubinka Tank Museum
• Arkhangelskoye Estate
• Rostov Veliky
• Gorki Leninskie
• Losiny Ostrov National Park

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

Day tour to the Borodino Battlefield

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

DAY TOURS FROM MOSCOW

► Tours ► Day Tours   ► From Moscow   ► Day tour to the Borodino Battlefield

  Day tour to the Borodino Battlefield – this is the site where the bloodiest battle of the 19th century took place. On 7 September the Grande Armee of France, led by Napoleon, and the army of Russia, led by Mikhail Kutuzov, finally met in an all-out battle. The battle lasted 12 hours and it is estimated that 6,000 people died each hour. The Battle of Borodino became the breaking point of the War of 1812 between Russia and France, as the army of Kutuzov inflicted a fatal wound on the French Army and was not completely destroyed, as Napoleon had wished.

Moscow → Mozhaisk (adds-on) → Borodino → Moscow

•  08:00  • 

•  10:30  • 

Upon arrival a tour of the Borodino Field – the place where the bloodiest day-long battle in history took place.

The highlights of the excursion include:

• Shevardino Redoubt  – the initial fortifications of the Russian army, close to the village of Shevardino. Before the battle the Russian defensive line was moved back but the Shevardino Redoubt remained manned. The battle for this redoubt took place two days before the actual Battle of Borodino. The French were successful in capturing the redoubt, but at a great cost.
• Raevsky Redoubt  – this redoubt was located on a hill from where the whole Russian position could be viewed from the New Smolensk Road in the north and Bagration's fleches in the south. Therefore the capture of this redoubt and its battery was of great significance to the French. The French eventually captured the Raevsky Redoubt too,with the Russian artillery men dying next to the cannons. However the Russian troops were still able to move to the rear without being destroyed.
• Spaso-Borodinsky Monastery  – this unique monastery was founded as a monument to the heroes of the Battle of Borodino. It was created on the initiative of Russian women and mainly paid for by the widows or elderly parents of those who died in the Battle of Borodino in memory to their husbands, sons or brothers.
• Borodino Field Museum-Reserve  – a memorial to two ‘patriotic’ wars and the oldest battlefield museum in Russia. The museum-reserve is spread over 110 square metres and has over 200 monuments and memorials. In addition, the reserve’s museum displays, among other items, a diary of a priest whose regiment fought at the Battle of Borodino, a painting depicting the French retreat from Moscow, a selection of surgery instruments of the time, plus signatures of Alexander I, Mikhail Kutuzov and Napoleon. The collections of uniforms, weapons, portraits, battlefield sketches and models of the battle also recreate a sense of the Battle of Borodino.

•  14:00  • 

•  15:30  • .

• The tour is available daily except Mondays. 
• A historical re-enactment takes place on Borodino Field on the first Sunday in September. The timetable and price of the tour on this date may therefore be changed.
• Some religious sights such as active monasteries require a specific dress code in order to be allowed to visit - for women a scarf to cover your head and a skirt covering your knees (no trousers); for men no shorts and all headwear must be removed. 

•  CANCELLATION POLICY  •

Date of the tour, number of travellers.

• Professional Guide
• Transport service according the programme
• Entrance fee to museums

• Tips for the guides and drivers (optional)
• Personal expenses

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.

Ukraine war latest: Moscow accuses West of being responsible for attacks in Russia; two dead in airstrike on major city

At least two people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a reported Russian attack on Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv. Russia says it sees the US and UK as responsible for recent attacks on its soil.

Friday 17 May 2024 18:11, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Two dead and 13 injured in Kharkiv attack
• Russia claims UK is 'de facto participant' in conflict | Moscow says it holds US and UK responsible for attacks on Russian soil
• Russian troops advance - but situation 'stabilised', says Zelenskyy
• Putin: Capturing major city 'not part of plan'
• Footage shows oil refinery fire and burning fuel depots after 'massive' overnight attack
• Analysis: Great power politics on display in China visit
• Were Putin and Xi really pictured with their 'nuclear footballs'?

Ask a question or make a comment

We're pausing our coverage of the Ukraine war for the moment.

Scroll through the blog below to catch up on today's developments.

One person has been killed and another eight injured in a Russian missile attack near the Black Sea port of Odesa, a Ukrainian official has said.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper said five people were being treated in hospital. He posted pictures showing emergency workers near the scene of the strike.

Sky News has not independently verified the report.

Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian missile and drone attacks.

President Vladimir Putin used his meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to "promote Kremlin narratives feigning interest in peace negotiations", analysts at the Institute for the Study of War say.

The pair signed a joint statement yesterday alluding to Russia's support for the China's proposed peace plan and a possible future Chinese-led negotiation to end the war in Ukraine.

In the statement, they claim both countries support a "sustainable settlement" for the "Ukraine crisis".

The ISW said it has "previously assessed" the Kremlin will "continue to use any calls for peace negotiations to feign interest in negotiations" in the hope of undermining Western support for Ukraine.

Moscow also hopes the West will force Ukraine into negotiations with Russia that make concessions on Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, the ISW added.

'Decisive' relationship

Meanwhile, the institute says, Mr Putin likely views Moscow's relationship with Beijing as "decisive" in his bid to further mobilise the Russian economy and defence industry to support his war in Ukraine.

"Putin and Xi highlighted bilateral trade and economic cooperation throughout their public speeches," the ISW says, adding the Russian delegation includes officials and businessmen.

"The Russian delegation likely aimed to expand cooperation with their Chinese counterparts that will facilitate increased economic ties between Russia and the PRC [People's Republic of China]."

China has previously signalled concerns its economic relationship with Russia may open it up to sanctions, the ISW says, and Mr Putin "likely intends to head off these concerns as the Russian defence industry grows increasingly reliant on the PRC".

Earlier today, we reported how a purported Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at an oil refinery in Krasnodar, Russia.

The blaze has forced an emergency shut down at the facility, owned by Rosneft, two sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters.

According to one source, the drones hit the liquefied petroleum gas production unit while the crude distillation unit remained undamaged. 

"There was no black smoke during the fire. That means it was just the gas burning", a source said.

Russia's state-run TASS news agency reported the fire was extinguished, citing local authorities. 

The Russian defence ministry said air defences downed 44 drones over the Krasnodar region and six over the Belgorod region. 

For context: The Tuapse plant's annual capacity is 12 million metric tons, or 240,000 barrels per day. 

It produces naphtha, fuel oil, vacuum gasoil and high-sulphur diesel, and supplies fuel mainly Turkey, China, Malaysia and Singapore. 

Most Russians would support an end to the war in Ukraine this week - but only if newly-gained territories were not returned.

That's according to  the independent Levada Centre , Russia's best known pollster, which ran a survey to canvass public opinion on Vladimir Putin and the war.

While 71% would back an end to the war "this week", this figure drops to just 30% if the condition for peace were to return territories.

Since September last year, Levada reports the level of support for the Russian army has stayed at about 75%, with older respondents more likely to remain in favour.

Mr Putin's approval rating appears to be at about 82%, the pollster reports.

However, those aged between 18 and 24 appear less likely to back M Putin, with 77% not approving of his activities as president.

Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko says no one should trust Vladimir Putin when he says he won't invade Russia's second city, Kharkiv.

The Russian leader does not have an opportunity to capture Kharkiv right now due to Ukraine's defensive forces, he said.

But in Vovchansk, where Mr Poroshenko visited yesterday, the town has been turned into "hell" - with no people or houses left.

"Don't trust Putin. Don't be afraid of Putin," he said.

"I can confirm that our strategy shall be as follows: Ukraine shall win, and Russia, undoubtedly, shall lose."

Moscow says it sees the US and UK as responsible for recent attacks because they are allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets.

The Russian foreign ministry said the UK, US, EU and Kyiv were "playing with fire" over attacks on Russian soil, state news agency Tass reports.

Such actions will not go unanswered, it warned.

"Once again, we should like to unequivocally warn Washington, London, Brussels and other Western capitals, as well as Kyiv, which is under their control, that they are playing with fire. Russia will not leave such encroachments on its territory unanswered."

Earlier today, Russia's ambassador to the UK said the UK was a de facto participant in the war.

This was because it has supplied Kyiv with weapons and shared real-time intelligence, said Andrei Kelin.

The number of victims from a reported Russian airstrike has risen, officials say.

At least two people are now said to have died, with another 13 injured - four of whom are in a "serious condition", regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

It is not clear what the attack targeted, but Mr Syniehubov said those injured are civilians.

Reports had initially claimed one person had died and four injured.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, and the surrounding region have long been targeted by Russian attacks but the strikes have become more intense in recent months.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of seeking to reduce the city to rubble.

A Ukrainian drone hit another oil terminal this morning, this time in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, according to sources and footage shared on social media.

The Importpischeprom oil products terminal and Sheskharis oil harbour were struck, with the port shut soon after the attack.

Oil loadings resumed later from Sheskharis, according to industry sources and LSEG data, while activity at Importpischeprom remains suspended.

It came as Russian officials reported another drone attack on an oil refinery, causing a fire in Tuapse, which is roughly 150km southeast of Novorossiisk.

Both are in the Krasnodar region.

Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneftdid not reply to a request for comment. Its subsidiary, Novorossiisk Commercial Sea Port Group (NCSP), which operates the Sheskharis oil terminal, declined to comment.

Novorossiisk is Russia's largest port on the Black Sea and is a key oil outlet for crude oil and transit in country's south. It also handles grain, coal, mineral fertilisers, timber, containers, food and chemical cargoes.

Four people have been hurt and at least one has died in an airstrike on the city of Kharkiv, according to local officials.

The regional governor says some of those injured are civilians, while it's reported Russia used guided bombs in the attack.

It's not immediately clear what exactly came under attack.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free