+7 (812) 313-43-39 +7 (953) 140-80-89 [email protected] Following the crescent moon

The history of Islam on the territory of counts more than one thousand years. Islam spread shortly after its appearance mainly in the Caucasus and the Volga region and throughout the history of Russia played a significant role in the life of the state. By the last population census more than 20 million people practice Islam all over modern Russia. We invite you to visit republic, the land of medieval Muslim cities and elegant mosques. On the territory of Bolgar, one can admire the world’s largest printed Quran. Being a part of , Qul Sharif Mosque is one of the most beautiful in Russia. We creat-ed a special tour for tourists with special needs. During the tour we add prayer time in most significant mosques. All meals included are halal. We offer this tour as a part of our Muslim-friendly trips to Russia. We can combine the visit to Kazan with special tours to St. Petersburg and as well as to Astrakhan and Cau-casus region.

DAY 1 Kazan wonders

Arrival at Kazan airport. Transfer to the hotel. Breakfast Welcome to Kazan, a thousand-year old city and the capital of Tatarstan republic. Let’s feel the difference between Russian regions. During our city tour we will visit the main sites of the city as well as very authentic Tatar district and try a distinguished Tatar cuisine in a Na-tional cultural center. Midday prayer Zuhr. After lunch we will have a Kremlin walking tour. Kazan Kremlin is one of the most beautiful fortresses of Russia, showing a harmonious mixture of traditional Russian and Tatar archi- tecture and culture, including Russian orthodox Annunciation cathedral and the impressive Qolşärif Mosque. Midmost prayer Asr. Free time for a nice walk along Baumana and Petersburg’s pedestrian streets. They are es- pecially atmospheric in the evening, with numerous street musicians and open-air cafes. DAY 2 Medieval capital of Bolgar

After breakfast we will travel along the longest Volga River by a local vessel to see Bolgar, the medieval capital of Volga Bulgaria and one of the biggest cities of the Golden Horde. Let’s admire the greatness of Volga in its widest part with picturesque sceneries around. Volga Bulgars are considered to be the ancestors of Kazan . They have chosen Islam as their religion and laid the foundation for the very specific Tatar culture. The city of Bolgar was destroyed in early 15th century by an army of Moscow duke and since that time Kazan started to be a new capital of Volga Bulgaria and Kazan Khanate. Nowadays Bolgar is listed as a UNESCO heritage site where visitors can admire the architectural memorials of 13-14th centuries.

There are some modern objects as well. An elegant White Mosque was built to celebrate the date of adoption of Islam in a region and to host the world’s largest printed Quran with 2 meters’ tall pages and solid malachite cover. Midday prayer Zuhr. At the end of the tour we will visit the Bread Museum, with functioning wind and water mills, miller’s house and bakery.

The trip takes about 12 hours. Meals during the day are included: B L

DAY 3 Muslim shrines and Tatar traditional arts +7 (812) 313-43-39 +7 (953) 140-80-89 [email protected] Breakfast Visit to ‘the Church of all religions’ that was built at the initiative of one of the local residents. It is not a traditional church for religious services, but more a symbol of unity of human be-ings. A symbol of Hope and Faith forming a foundation for mutual understanding and re-spect between representatives of different confessions. We will have a bus day trip to the suburbs of Kazan to see several Muslim shrines. Azimov’s mosque is sometimes called the most authentic mosque of Tatarstan, with stained glass windows, complex design of fence and monumental decor of entrance gate. Shamil’s mosque, famous for its multivoiced heal-ing prayers – is a place of Muslim pilgrimage. Tinichlik mosque imam is mufti (the highest clergyman) of Tatarstan – Kamil Khazrat Simigullin. Midday prayer Zuhr. We will visit mufti library with some rare versions of Koran.

On the way back to Kazan we will have a stop in College of applied arts to see students’ workshops and learn some technologies of traditional Tatar crafts. You will have a chance to buy some unique local souvenirs. Lunch in a forest hotel. Free time for nice walk around the territory with a park, man-made lake and a private zoo.

The trip will take 6,5-7 hours. Meals included: B L Free evening in Kazan. We recommend you to visit touristic national village «Tugan avilim» for purchasing best souvenirs in the city.

DAY 4 Departure day

Departure day Transfer to the airport is included.

Price Number of people* 2pax 4 pax 6 pax 8 pax 10 pax

TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE IN EUR 952 € 619 € 497 € 456 € 412 € WITH 3* HOTELS

TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE IN EUR 1018 € 685 € 563 € 522 € 478 € WITH 4* HOTELS

*We offer discounts for groups more than 10 pax. To enquire about group rates, please contact us.

This four-day tour is available all year long and includes:  Accommodation in ½ TWN in the chosen 3* or 4* hotels  Breakfasts in the hotels  English-speaking guide’s services as per the program  Comfortable transportation with A/C  Admission fees to all museums according to the program  Water in the bus  Visa support

Price doesn’t include:  Meals and beverages  Tips  Photo and video shooting fee  Visa fee