stalingrad battle tours

Rated 98% based on 1029 reviews

UK   0345 475 1815   USA (toll free)   877‑209‑5620   International   00 44 345 475 1815 [email protected] Rated 98% on feefo

Sign-in Latest News Subscribe Request Brochure

• Future Planning
• Military History and Battlefield Tours
• Classical History and Archaeological Tours
• Holocaust Tours
• General History Tours
• Experience Tours
• Walking Tours
• Early Periods
• 17th & 18th Century
• Victorian Era
• First World War
• Second World War
• Cross-Periods
• Destinations
• Our Expert Historians
• Historians Q&A
• Historical Tailor Made Tours
• School Tours
• Battlefield Studies
• Testimonials
• What to Expect
• Activity Levels
• Tour Diaries & Images
• Our Library
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Work For TCE
• General Booking Conditions
• Download Booking Form
• Tours by Date
• Tours by Theme
• Tours by Period
• Tours by Destination
• Latest News
• Request Brochure

The Eastern Front

Russia 1941-1943.

Military History and Battlefield Tours

To be confirmed

click here to register your interest

Your Holiday Essentials

Tour introduction.

A great opportunity to explore traditional Russia and sample its history, traditions, architecture and landscapes. Our ten day tour covers the three decisive turning points of the Great Patriotic War (as it’s known in Russia) the battles of Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk. We begin outside Moscow at Borodino, the site of Napoleon's victory in 1812 and coincidentally the same defence line held in 1941. Preserved trench lines and bunkers are visible here as are ruined buildings at Stalingrad (now Volgograd). At Kursk we peruse fascinating local museums, tank scrapes and restored trench complexes en route. Traditional Russian single storey wooden houses and iconic Orthodox churches form the backdrop to our journey, which involves considerable travel with internal flights to Volgograd and comfortable overnight in two-berth sleeper train to Kursk, other nights are spent in four star hotels or equivalent. We will also witness a magnificent Victory Day parade right outside of our hotel.

The battle for Moscow during the autumn and winter of 1941-2 was the first time a German Army was checked and then repelled during the Second World War. A second German summer offensive in 1942, another seemingly irresistible Blitzkrieg across the southern Soviet Steppe, ran out of momentum when it engaged in a costly battle of attrition at Stalingrad. Yet another Soviet surprise winter counter offensive surrounded and overwhelmed Paulus’s Sixth Army, the strongest Army in the German Wehrmacht, and threatened to cut off an entire army group in the Caucasus. The German summer offensive at Kursk in 1943 was the final gamble, involving 6,000 tanks, 4,000 aircraft and two million men, the highest concentration of men and material achieved up to this point in the history of warfare. It achieved a fleeting tactical success but the strategic initiative was irretrievably lost.

The tour explores how near the Germans got to Moscow in 1941, why Blitzkrieg failed at Stalingrad in 1942 and examines many of the myths surrounding the huge tank battle at Prokohorovka in 1943.

Please note that the order of this itinerary may be altered according to museum opening days as the Victory Day parade always takes place on 9 May, regardless of the day of the week.

• With military history expert Dr Matthias Strohn
• Visit the magnificent tank Museum at Kubinka
• Explore the new complex at Patriot Park
• The battlefield of Borodino
• Mamayev Kurgan heights and memorial complex
• View the impressive victory parade in Volgograd
• Enjoy a boat trip on the Volga
• Visit Lyudnikov's Island
• Visit to the Great Patriotic War Museum
• Teplov Heights monument
• Soviet general Rokossovky's bunker headquarters
• Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin
• Follow the German advance on Moscow through Istra and Chimk

What's Included

• Return flights from London (optional)
• Internal flight(s)
• First class train travel
• 3 & 4 Star Hotels
• Buffet breakfast each morning
• Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
• Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
• Dedicated Tour Manager
• Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
• Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
• Tour information booklet
• Access to the Cultural Experience app
• Helpful and friendly travel advice
• The company of like-minded travelers

"The duty of the men at Stalingrad is to die."

Adolf Hitler: during a lunch conference in January 1943

Day 1 - Arrive

Fly London-Moscow and check in to our hotel for three nights.

Day 2 - Kubinka and Patriot Park

Today is a special one for fans of military hardware. We visit the magnificent tank Museum at Kubinka and the new, huge complex at Patriot Park. Across these two exhibits you will be able see and get up close to almost every tank, armoured vehicle and self-propelled gun imaginable and not just form the Second World War. Examples of what we will see include the massive howitzer that bombarded Sevastopol, the 'Maus' Mark VIII Panzer, the biggest tank produced during the war, Tiger I and II tanks, as well as aircraft, naval ships and even intercontinental missiles!

Day 3 - The Defence of Moscow

We travel out to the battlefield of Borodino to explore and compare the battles of 1812 and 1941. We then follow the German advance on Moscow through Istra and Chimki, its closest point, just short of the Moscow ring road.

Day 4 - Stalingrad the Attack

Fly Moscow-Volgograd, landing at the former Luftwaffe airbase at Gumrak. We begin the tour of the Stalingrad city area from the Mamayev Kurgan heights, with its impressive memorial complex to overview the German assault. We visit the still preserved Grain Elevator, the Volga River crossings and Pavlov's House. Check in to our hotel at Volgograd for three nights.

Day 5 - Stalingrad The Defence

We visit the Panoramic Museum and Grudinin Mill to discuss street fighting and the final encirclement from von Paulus's final HQ at the Univermag department store. We drive to the western outskirts of the city, the edge of the Steppe, to see the Soldier's Field and the German entry points into the city.

Day 6 - Victory in Stalingrad

Today we view the impressive victory parade in Volgograd followed by a boat trip on the Volga to view the defence from the Soviet perspective. We travel to the north of the city to view the factory district, where the last German troops held out, and Lyudnikov's Island.

Day 7 - Moscow

After our return flight to Moscow we visit the Great Patriotic War Museum displaying much of the epic art and equipment of the war and more besides, before catching the train to Kursk and arriving late evening. Check-in to our Kursk hotel for two nights. 

Day 8 - Northern shoulder Kursk Salient

Today we drive north from Kursk to view Model's Ninth Army assault of Ponyri, 'the 'Stalingrad' of Kursk, visiting the railway station, the focus of the fighting, and the superb local museum. Moving to the Teplov Heights monument we view the furthest extent of Model's advance and visit the defending Soviet general Rokossovky's bunker headquarters.

Day 9 - Southern Advance to Prokhorovka

We drive the southern part of the salient following the 'death ride' of the Fourth Panzer Army to Prokhorovka, the site of the largest tank battle of the war. We follow the fortunes of the SS Adolf Hitler Battle Group, visiting preserved trenches and gun emplacements en route. We also visit the memorial bell tower and the impressive museum dedicated to the battle. Catch the overnight train from Kursk back to Moscow.

Day 10 - Moscow

After an early morning return to Moscow and a group breakfast, we head north to Yakhroma, where we hear of the crossing of the Moskva-Volga canal by the Germans in November 1941. This afternoon we enjoyed a guided tour around central Moscow ending in Red Square which is flanked by the GUM store, St Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. Check-in to our Moscow hotel for our last night.

Day 11 – Departure

A late morning check out in order to catch our afternoon return flight to London.

Recommended Reading List

• Assault on Moscow 1941
• Barbarossa: The Russian German Conflict: The Russian German Conflict, 1941-45 (CASSELL MILITARY PAPERBACKS)
• Kharkov, 1942: The Wehrmacht Strikes Back (Campaign)
• Kursk: The Greatest Battle
• Stopped at Stalingrad: Luftwaffe and Hitler's Defeat in the East, 1942-43
• The Forgotten Soldier: War on the Eastern Front
• War without Garlands: Operation Barbarossa 1941-1942
• When Titans clashed. How the Red Army stopped Hitler

Photo Gallery

• Group at St Basil’s Cathedral
• Col Bob Kershaw in Action
• Rokossovky's bunker
• Barmaley Fountain
• The Motherland Calls
• Victory Day Parade
• The Group At Grudinin's Mill
• Railway Gun At Great Patriotic War Museum
• Memorial at Soldiers Field

Tour Reviews

Read Our most recent tour diary here

View images of our 2018 Eastern Front Tour Here

Take a look at some independent reviews of this tour by previous participants here

direct link

Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter

For up to date news as well as details about all of our tours please subscribe to our fortnightly e-newsletter

Quick Links

Military History and Battlefield Tours Classical History and Archaeological Tours Holocaust Tours General History Tours Experience Tours Walking Tours Future Planning Request Brochure Site Map

The Cultural Experience 11B Mansfield Park Four Marks Alton GU34 5PZ United Kingdom

UK: 0345 475 1815 USA (toll free): 877 209 5620 International: 00 44 345 475 1815

[email protected]

© 2015 - 2024 Midas Tours Ltd - Hosted by SWD  -  Legal Info  -  Terms of Use  -  Privacy Policy / Cookies  -  Sign-in

• Testimonials
• Search Trip
• Trans-Siberian Tours
• Saint Petersburg
• Northern Lights
• Lake Baikal
• Russia For Expats
• Winter Trains
• Arctic & North
• Golden Ring
• Russia Cruises
• Trans-Mongolian

Sightseeing

• Trans Siberian
• Wildlife & Nature
• The Snow Empire
• Under 8 Days
• Kid Friendly
• Small Groups
• Senior Travels
• Expats Travel
• Luxury Trains
• Luxury Travels
• Russian Cruises
• Snowmobile Tours
• Youth Travel
• Why Book with Us
• Sustainable Travel
• At a glance
• Dates & Rates
• Terms & conditions
• Destinations
• Russia For Expats   Stalingrad

Weekend in Volgograd

Russia's most northern winery

Visit Stalingrad and battlefields of the world's most famous battle with the local experts

Explore Volgograd beyond headlines: visit provincial Dubrovka town

Guided tour to Mamaev Kurgan, the memorial complex

Sunset Volga River cruise

Degustation at the local winery and cheesemakers

Day 1, Arrive Volgograd

Day 2, 9 May in Stalingrad

Day 3, Discovering Volgograd region

Dates & rates

Accommodation.

• 2 nights Volgograd Park Inn 4*
• Breakfast daily in hotels
• Cheese degustation

Transportation

• Return airport transfers
• Transportation as per program in a comfortable van/minivan/coach
• Stalingrad highlight tour visiting Mamaev Kurgan
• Dubrovka tour: Volga steppe & Russia's most northern winter tour

We value your comfort

• Private English-speaking tour guide throughout the itinerary
• 24/7 support before and during your trip with us

CHECK OUT WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT TRAVELLING WITH US

Ross Cable, Australia: Discovery Russia Tours - a bespoke experience

Thank you! One of your our travel experts will contact you within 24 hours.

• Sign up for newsletter

•   Español
•   Italiano
•   Deutsch
•   Français

• Tour of Stalingrad

Central factory laboratory of the Red October plant

In the post-war Stalingrad, the decision to keep the three buildings in the form of ruins as a monument showing how the ruined city looked in 1942-1943, was made. The first one is Gerhardt mill standing in the city center, which is the part of the Panorama Museum today. The second one is the building on Lyudnikov Island. The third one is the ruins of the central laboratory of the "Red October” factory.

The building of the factory laboratory was built during 1928-1930. At the beginning of the battle for the territory of the plant, in October 1942, the headquarters of the 120th Infantry Regiment of the 39th Guards Rifle Division was placed in the basement of laboratory. Artillery observation post was placed in the attic of the building. For the first time the laboratory has become the epicenter of the fighting during the period from 15 to 25 October 1942. In those days, the 253rd Tarashchansky Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division soldiers fought fierce battles here. For the second time battles for the central laboratory occurred in mid-December 1942. The lab building was converted by the Germans in the heavily fortified center of resistance, making the battle for the building showing in particular the famous phrase that the battles were fought for every house, for every room. The building passed from one side to the other several times. The inscription made with paint: "Heroes of Taraschantsky regiment fought to the death here" appeared on the south wall of the laboratory at the end of the Battle of Stalingrad. Today this inscription is repeated in the memorial plaque on the wall of this building. Fighting for the laboratory ended with its occupation by the Red Army on 25 December 1942. The very territory of the plant was fully freed by January 10, 1943.

Kursk Tank Battlefield Tour

Three-day kursk tank battlefield tour, description.

We are pleased to offer full explaratory three-day tour of Kursk Battle starting in Kursk with visit to the most significant historical sights around Kursk, Lgov, Rylsk, Vinnikovo, Ponyri, Svoboda, Vorobievka, Prokhorovka, Yakovlevo and Belgorod.

 1st day 

The beginning of a tour of the city of Kursk: inspection of the city's main attractions. Drive to Marino. Tour of the palace and park complex "Marino". The palace was built as the main residence of the princely family Baryatinsky, ancient Russian noble family, and was conceived as a symbol of dignity and grandeur of the princely family. Until now, there has remained a magnificent stucco ceilings, marble fireplaces, pristine parquet, antique furniture items. The landscaped park today there are about 180 different species of trees. Great pond, dug his hands serfs of the prince, adorn the round and oval island with - 16-column rotunda (princely bath) and the Lutheran church. Free time for lunch. Drive to Rylsk (10 km)

Tour of the ancient city of Rylsk (first mentioned in the chronicles under the year 1152), to keep the atmosphere of the old county town merchant. Sightseeing: Ivan of Rila Mountain - place of the city's founding, the Assumption (1811) and Basil (1822). Temples with the highest 50-meter bell tower, Church of the Ascension (1866), stayed at home where the Russian rulers Peter the Great and Alexander I, house Prince Shemyaka, shopping ranks 18th and 19th centuries, the mansions of the richest merchants of Rila - Shelikhov, Filimonov, Vykhodtsev and others, the monument "Russian Columbus" discoverer "Russian America" ​​GI Shelikhov, filming location of the Soviet film "Die Hard." Return to Kursk.  

Tour to Ponyri. Tour of the battle sites of the northern border of defence of Kursk salient. Visit monuments military glory: monuments signalmen, sappers, artillerymen. Inspection Teplovskiy heights from which in good weather can be seen Kursk - the main target of the German operation "Citadel". Visit the memorial and "Poklonnaya height of 269" with a sculptural composition "Angel of Peace" Visit of Ponyri historical and memorial museum of the Battle of Kursk. Visit of the memorial "To Heroes of the Northern FAS Kursk Bulge" on Victory Square in Ponyri and memorial exhibition at the train station Ponyri. Drive to Svoboda. Free time for lunch. Visit to the museum "The command post of the Central Front" tour in the bunker of General KK Rokossovsky, where he in 1943 commanded a whole front. Excursion to a functioning monastery - Kursk Root Nativity of the Mother of deserts with a visit to temples and holy springs. This is one of the oldest Russian monasteries (16th century) built on the site where more than 700 years ago was attained one of the most important shrines of the Orthodox world - Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "The Omen". Return to Kursk.

Departure in Belgorod Region/Oblast. Tour of the places of battles southern face of the Battle of Kursk. A monument to lieutenant AK Gorovtsov (only Soviet pilot shot down in a dogfight 9 enemy planes). A memorial to the Battle of Kursk in the village. Yakovlev (tankers monuments, gunners, pilots, the temple of St. George, the Armenian khachkars, Muslim Kaaba). Drive to Prokhorovka. Excursion in a museum "Third battlefield of Russia" opened in 2010. Visiting the memorial temple of Peter and Paul. Free time for lunch. Tour of the Prokhorovka field, where the July 12, 1943 held the largest tank battle. Belfry tour, busts of Russian generals, the exhibition of military equipment of Victory Park. Drive to Belgorod. Sightseeing tour of the capital Belogoriya: Cathedral Square, Drama theater, monument, MS Shchepkin, Holy Trinity Boulevard, the eternal fire, an area three museums, Victory Park, a monument to the Afghans, the Transfiguration Cathedral with the relics of St. Iosaf Belgorod and an icon of St. Nicholas PATH, which about 500 years old; a panoramic area with great views of the city, the monument of St. Vladimir Equal to the Apostles, the campus, the embankment of the river Vezelka. Excursion to the museum-diorama "Kursk Bulge. Belgorod direction". Return to Kursk.

The price includes:

• transportation services (comfortable car with air-conditioner);
• skilled tour guide-interpreter (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian speaking);
• all entrance tickets, taxes and fees.

We also provide:

• Russian visa support (for free if the tour already ordered);
• Hotel reservations;
• Transportation services (airport-hotel-airport, railway station-hotel, or delivery from or to nearby towns etc).

3 steps to order one of our battlefield tours:

• Email your request for a tour;
• Specify the terms and the tour you would like to;
• Get the invitation and a hotel voucher from us to apply for Russian visa in the nearest consulate of Russia.

Going to visit Kursk, Prokhorovka and Belgorod Battlefields this year?

Our guides will take care you won't be lost. We provide constant support from meeting in airport, transportation, accommodation at the hotel, accompanied during the tour program, including the purchase of tickets to museums, etc., catering and other assistance during your stay in Kursk. We will advise you the best restaurants, stores, night clubs as well as accompany you there. We'll take care of everything for what you could worry about.