Karelian highway: from St. Petersburg to Solovki

Great bus route across Karelia from St. Petersburg! Nothing superfluous — just iconic places, unique monuments and a complete immersion in the history and nature of the region. 

You will find the ancient Old Ladoga fortress and the charm of the village of Mandrogi, the world-famous Kizhi Island and the marble wonder of Ruskeala. In this adventure, you will see the noisy Kivach waterfall and the extinct Girvas volcano, touch the spirit of "Kalevala" on Mount Sampo and be transported back to the primeval times near the White Sea petroglyphs. 

The journey along the Karelian highway on the Solovetsky Islands will end, where the white stone walls of the monastery are adjacent to mysterious labyrinths.

Location

Saint-Petersburg
from
$1,861
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
7 days
6 nights
Departures
11 - 17 Jun
25 Jun - 1 Jul
9 - 15 Jul
23 - 29 Jul
6 - 12 Aug
20 - 26 Aug
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
  • or
    Hotel, Camp Site
    1 night
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Group meet at
Saint-Petersburg
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The charm of the capital of Karelia
Get to know Petrozavodsk and take a walk along the embankment of Lake Onega
Mighty Waterfall
Admire the Kivach Waterfall, one of the symbols of Karelia and a natural masterpiece that poets praised.
Interesting locations
Explore the mysterious White Sea petroglyphs, which are at least 4.5-5.5 thousand years old.
Scenic Mountain Park
Make a stop at the Ruskeala waterfalls on the Tohmoyoki River and take part in a walking tour of the Ruskeala Marble Canyon.
The charm of Kizhi Island
You will see the Kizhi churchyard, peasant houses, chapels, as well as the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Oshevnev house.
Legendary Solovki
Take part in a sightseeing tour of the village of Solovetsky and listen to a story about the Solovetsky Kremlin

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Departure from Saint Petersburg. Staraya Ladoga. The village of Mandrogi. Arrival in Petrozavodsk

    09:00 Departure by bus from St. Petersburg.

    11:00 Arrival in Staraya Ladoga, guided tour of the fortress without visiting churches.

    12:30 Transfer to the village of Mandrogi, an open–air museum of modern wooden architecture.

    14:30 Walk through the village and free time.

    Visit to the Museum of Russian Vodka with an excursion "The history of vodka, culture and drinking traditions".

    17:00 Departure to Petrozavodsk.

    19:30 Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.

    Free time.

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  • Day 2 - Kizhi Island. Petrozavodsk City Tour
  • Day 3 - Ruskeala Marble Canyon
  • Day 4 - Mount Sampo. Marcial Waters resort. A place called Girvas. Kivach Waterfall
  • Day 5 - Zaonezhye. The White Sea Canal and petroglyphs
  • Day 6 - Solovetsky Kremlin and Sekirnaya Mountain
  • Day 7 - Zayatsky Island and the village of Solovetsky
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
  • or
    Hotel, Camp Site
    1 night
Comfort
  • Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in standard rooms with amenities in hotels in Petrozavodsk, Kemi (for some arrivals, accommodation in Belomorsk is possible), etc.Solovetsky.

For bookings from 3 to 6 months — 5% discount. The prices below are without discount.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the chosen accommodation:
  • single occupancy – 151 000 RUB/person.;
  • double occupancy – 135,000 rubles/person.;
  • extra bed for double occupancy – 127 000 RUB/person.

Discounts:

  • children aged 5-12 years – 7,000 rubles/person.;
  • pensioners, combat veterans, and the disabled of all groups – 3,500 rubles/person.
The Severnaya Hotel or The Prionezhsky Hotel or 4 nights
The Severnaya Hotel

The Severnaya Hotel is located in the very center of Petrozavodsk, surrounded by major attractions and infrastructure facilities. 

Guests can take advantage of high-quality service: free Wi-Fi, luggage storage and a gym. 

The hotel offers comfortable and modern rooms, which are fully equipped with everything you need. Each room has everything you need: ergonomic furniture, modern appliances and an individual bathroom. Regular cleaning is carried out everywhere.

Delicious and hearty breakfasts are served every morning, which are fully equipped with everything you need. There is also a restaurant consisting of several halls.

There is a bus stop near the hotel, as well as a museum of local lore and picturesque parks for long walks.

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Another option
The Prionezhsky Hotel

The Prionezhsky Hotel is located in Petrozavodsk, in its historical district, on the shore of the lake.

The hotel has comfortable rooms, the comfort and facilities of which allow you to relax after an eventful day. Meals are served in the restaurant with a bright and cozy room, as well as impeccable service. The bartender will prepare any classic or exclusive cocktail.

The hotel is located in a picturesque area, which is suitable for walks, secluded recreation, as well as for active sports.

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Another option
Onega Castle Hotel

The cozy Onega Castle Hotel is located in the heart of Petrozavodsk. Some rooms offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Various categories are prepared for the accommodation of guests, differing in comfort and furnishing. Each room is decorated in a classic style and equipped with everything you need, including: private bathroom, TV and a set of functional furniture.

The hotel has a restaurant that serves fresh and delicious buffet breakfasts.

You can spend your free time enjoying the views of Lake Onega. Within walking distance there are: Issersonovsky Square, the Zakharov House, the Forge of the Kizhi Museum, the Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich Spring.

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Another option
Hotel "Bag of impressions"

The Bag of Impressions Hotel is located in the historical, business and cultural center of Petrozavodsk, in close proximity to all state institutions of the city, museums, theaters and shopping malls, which will delight guests, because it is so important to maintain punctuality in a large and bustling city. 

The very center of Petrozavodsk, but quiet and peaceful — the hotel is located on a one-way street, away from city highways and transport arteries. 

Within walking distance is the famous city embankment with parks, squares, recreation areas, Markelov exercise equipment and unsurpassed views of Lake Onega. 

The advantage of the hotel is a calm, intimate atmosphere that allows you to relax after a busy day, as well as hold a business meeting. The hotel staff is attentive to each guest and guarantees attention and impeccable quality of service in the field of hospitality.

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Another option
Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel

The modern Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel is located in a picturesque part of Petrozavodsk, not far from the famous Onega Lake.

Comfortable rooms are provided for accommodation, made in a classic, simple design. The rooms have all the necessary furniture and appliances, for example: a comfortable bed with fresh linens, wardrobe, desk, armchair, bedside tables, coffee table, air conditioning. Valuables can be put in the safe. The private bathroom has plumbing, a mirror, and cosmetics.

The rooms have a refrigerator. The on-site restaurant offers a wide range of dishes.

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Another option
The Piter Inn

The Peter Inn Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Petrozavodsk and offers its guests high standards of service and a wide range of services. The reception is open 24 hours a day.

The rooms are bright rooms that are decorated in a modern style. Functional furniture and new appliances are installed in each category. The bathrooms are individual for each room. Some rooms offer stunning views of Lake Onega.

The Paulaner restaurant, which serves Bavarian cuisine, is located on the ground floor of the hotel. There is also a cafe "Coffee Shop", where there is a wide variety of homemade tea, fragrant coffee, delicious desserts, and European cuisine is served there. 

Besovets International Airport is 14.4 km away from the hotel, and the railway station is 0.2 km away.

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Another option
The Petra Hotel

The Petra Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, in a historic building.

A small number of rooms will allow you to enjoy your stay in a homely and cozy atmosphere. They are equipped with air conditioning, a TV, a refrigerator and a private bathroom. A work area is installed, bottled water, a hairdryer are offered, and Wi-Fi is available on site.

The BOTTEGA gastro bar is located on the ground floor, serving dishes from Europe, Italy, Asia and the Middle East.

There are various parks and squares, pharmacies and shops nearby.

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Another option
Karelia SPA Hotel

The hotel is located in the city center at Gulling Embankment, 2.

The hotel has cozy and bright rooms, which have everything you need for a comfortable stay: comfortable furniture, TV, desk. The bathroom has a shower and toiletries.

It features a chic restaurant, a spa, a swimming pool and a sauna. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available on site. The restaurant serves breakfast and a variety of local dishes.

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Another option
The Fregat Hotel

The Fregat Hotel is located in the historical center of Petrozavodsk, on the embankment of Lake Onega. One of its distinctive features is the walls. They are decorated with drawings of ancient ships of the Russian navy.

There are 80 comfortable rooms of various categories available for guests. All of them are equipped with comfortable sleeping places, high-quality furniture and modern appliances.

Meals are served at the restaurant, which offers the largest selection of steaks and fish dishes in the entire city.

Nearby there is the city embankment, the National and Musical Theaters, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Petrozavodsk Bus and Train Stations are approximately a 10-minute drive away.

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Kemka Hotel or Tourist complex "Pier" 1 night
Solovetskaya Sloboda Hotel or The Solovki Hotel or 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
7 days 6 nights
Group meets at
Saint-Petersburg

Included in price

  • meals included in the program (6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner);
  • the work of a tour guide;
  • accommodation in hotels;
  • all entrance tickets according to the program;
  • bus transportation service;
  • travel by comet to Kizhi Island;
  • passage by boat to Solovki;
  • boat trip.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to St. Petersburg and back from Kemi;
  • meals not specified in the program;
  • eco-trail walk when visiting the Ruskeala waterfalls on the Tohmojoki River (optional);
  • personal expenses.

It's important to know

Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What will we visit on the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $1,861
    11 – 17 Jun 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,861
    25 Jun – 1 Jul 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,861
    9 – 15 Jul 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,861
    23 – 29 Jul 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,861
    6 – 12 Aug 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • IT
    Irina Tupitsina
    about provider
    27 May, 2026
    From the very beginning of the booking process by email to the end of the trip, everything was organized clearly, smoothly, and conveniently.
  • Z
    Zhanna
    about provider
    21 May, 2026
    Many thanks to the team at “Big Country” for the excellent organization. The tour went smoothly from start to finish, without any problems or disruptions.
  • I
    Irina
    about provider
    8 May, 2026
    Everything was perfectly organized.