From Kazan to Chally by water: the river route along the Kama is being relaunched after decades.

      Meteor launches on the Volga and Kama: high-speed service to open on May 1

      "This is the revival of river transport on high-speed vessels on the Kama"

      Tomorrow, passenger navigation will open in Tatarstan. More than ten socially significant routes will be organized from the river port of Kazan. On May 1, a new high-speed route will be launched on the Volga and Kama – from Kazan to Naberezhnye Chelny and back. The route will connect other cities in the republic – Chistopol, Yelabuga, and Nizhnekamsk, where stops are planned. "In my opinion, this is a historic project, it is the revival of river transport on high-speed vessels on the Kama. We hope that this route will be liked by the residents of Tatarstan, regardless of which district they live in, and will be interesting to our guests and tourists. I remind you that more than 4 million tourists visit the republic every year," said Sergey Ivanov, chairman of the State Committee for Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan, at a press conference today at "Tatar-inform." For Tatarstan residents and guests from other regions of Russia who choose this route, interesting programs have been prepared in each city. "The city of Naberezhnye Chelny will truly become a tourist center. There is great hope for the 'KAMAZ' visitor center, which was opened last year. This is a legendary factory, a team. And, of course, the history of the city as a whole is interesting. I think that for many it is still unknown," Ivanov emphasized. In addition, according to him, during the river journey, one can admire the beautiful nature of Tatarstan.

      "The route is planned to be annual"

      The route will be open until August 30. The vessel will depart from Kazan on Fridays and Saturdays, and from Naberezhnye Chelny on Saturdays and Sundays, said Roman Lizalin, general director of the "Flot RT" company. "The schedule has already been formed. At 8:30, the vessel will leave Kazan and arrive in Naberezhnye Chelny at 14:20. The return trip from Naberezhnye Chelny will leave the next day at 1 PM and arrive in Kazan at 18:50. On Saturday, another vessel will leave Kazan and return to the capital of Tatarstan on Sunday," he reported. The route will use "Meteor-2020" vessels, which the company acquired at the end of last year's navigation. "We have already managed to test them in October and November of last year. Both vessels have performed very well," Lizalin noted. According to him, the route is planned to be annual, with additional stops to be introduced. For example, by the middle of the navigation, "Flot RT" wants to make a stop in Kama Ustye, and later in Rybnaya Sloboda.

      "We will take feedback from our passengers on this route. In the future, it is possible to increase the number of trips. And, of course, in the coming periods, we will expand the stops. This is a unique project that we have long pursued. Such a regular route existed only during the Soviet Union," Lizalin stated. Over time, it is also planned to provide an audio guide service on this route. In the cities where "Meteor" will stop – Chistopol, Yelabuga, and Nizhnekamsk – travelers can continue their journey or stay and go on an excursion.

      In Chistopol, tourists will be able to stroll through the merchant's estate

      Thus, in Chistopol, "Meteor" will arrive at 11:35. From the river port, tourists can head to the Holy Nicholas Cathedral. They will then learn about the history of the city during a sightseeing tour, visiting the Memorial Museum of Boris Pasternak, the City History Museum, or the Museum and Exhibition Center, as per their choice. Next, they will visit the merchant's estate. "This is our new tourist showcase, ready to open its doors for the new season. A tour of the merchant's estate is planned, including a visit to the main house with authentic interiors, stories about everyday life, and the traditions of the merchant family," said Zemfira Khusnutdinova, deputy director for tourism development at the Chistopol State Historical, Architectural, and Literary Museum-Reserve.

      "Nizhnekamsk thermal springs have become a tourist attraction for visitors from other regions of Russia"

      In Nizhnekamsk, "Meteor" will make a stop at 13:20. Tourists wishing to stay will be met at the pier and taken to the hotel. On the first day, a walking tour "Spring – the beginning of creation" is planned, and optionally, a visit to the Nizhnekamsk thermal springs. On the second day, there will be a bus and walking tour "Young Green Nizhnekamsk." It includes familiarization with the main attractions of the city – the central mosque "Djamig" and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God temple, as well as a visit to the museum of the People's Artist of Tatarstan Akhsan Fathutdinov. "Nizhnekamsk is famous for its parks, squares, and landscaping, so tourists will definitely not remain indifferent to this. And, of course, the Nizhnekamsk thermal springs have become a tourist attraction for visitors from other regions of Russia. Today, this is one of the most successful projects," said Lenar Akhmetov, deputy head of the Nizhnekamsk district of Tatarstan.

      In Yelabuga, a gastronomic festival will take place on Saturdays

      In Yelabuga, "Meteor" will dock at 13:35. Tourists will be greeted by a representative of the tourist information center of the Yelabuga Museum-Reserve, who will provide brochures and maps of the city's attractions. In addition, a shuttle bus will operate, taking guests to the central historical square or to Chertov Gorodishche, said Vladislav Pychenkov, deputy director of "Merchant Town." "In both locations, there will be either mobile or stationary tourist information centers where various programs and tours of our city can be purchased," he noted.

      The Yelabuga Museum-Reserve has also prepared special programs, including sightseeing tours of the city with visits to various attractions. "On the beach near the pier, during the swimming season, sun loungers, catamarans, and scooters will be available. Every Saturday at the beach from 2 PM, a gastronomic festival will take place. The chefs of our city and district, along with special guests, will prepare very delicious dishes and share the secrets of their preparation," Pychenkov emphasized.

      "A new attraction that has drawn attention is the 'KAMAZ' visitor center"

      In Naberezhnye Chelny, a sightseeing tour of the city, a visit to the 'KAMAZ' visitor center, and the local history museum are planned for tourists. "A new attraction that has drawn attention is the 'KAMAZ' visitor center. Here, one can learn about the history and modern technologies of one of the largest automobile manufacturers in Russia. This is a digital space. You can sit in the cabin of a 'KAMAZ' and feel what it’s like to drive," noted Natalia Kropotova, deputy head of the executive committee of Naberezhnye Chelny. According to her, the city also has a large number of parks and a dolphinarium.

      Excursion tours in Chistopol, Nizhnekamsk, Yelabuga, and Naberezhnye Chelny can be purchased immediately upon arrival in these cities. This can also be done remotely on the municipalities' tourist websites. "We plan to form package tours. We are currently working on this," Lizalin told a correspondent from "Tatar-inform."

      On the topic

      Navigation-2026 in Tatarstan: a route to Chelny for the first time since the Soviet era and more than 10 routes

      Photo: © Mikhail Zakharov / "Tatar-inform"