A 2-day trip to the Northern Ladoga Region

Plunge into an exciting two-day adventure through picturesque Karelia!

On this tour, you will enjoy the beauty of the Ruskeala Mountain Park, appreciate the grandeur of the waterfalls on the Tohmajoki River, and if you wish, you can diversify your trip by riding the atmospheric Ruskeala Express retro train and visiting the legendary Valaam Island.

Location

Petrozavodsk
from
$225
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
2 days
1 night
Departures
15 - 16 Jun
22 - 23 Jun
29 - 30 Jun
6 - 7 Jul
13 - 14 Jul
20 - 21 Jul
27 - 28 Jul
3 - 4 Aug
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 30 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Group meet at
Petrozavodsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
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Tour highlights

Spectacular waterfalls
You will make a stop at Ruskeala Waterfalls, where the filming of the cult Soviet film "And the dawns are quiet here" took place
The famous mountain park
Take a land tour of Ruskeala Park, where marble has been mined for about 300 years to decorate palaces and temples in St. Petersburg
Adventures to suit your taste
If you wish, complete your trip with an excursion to Valaam Island and a ride on the Ruskeala Express retro train

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Petrozavodsk. Ruskeala waterfalls. Ruskeala Mountain Park

    Gathering of the group at the Peter Inn Petrozavodsk hotel (address: Gagarin Square, 1, next to the railway station) ~ 08:30 (the exact time of gathering will be known 3-4 days before arrival). The guide greets you with a sign "Northern Ladoga region".

    Guided tour to the Ruskeala Mountain Park (the duration of the trip is about 10 hours). The crossing is 250 km.

    Along the way, you will see picturesque Karelian landscapes, the smoothness of forest lakes and a magnificent panorama of Lake Ladoga framed by rocks. On the way, you will learn many interesting stories and legends from the guide.

    On the way, stop at the Ruskeala Waterfalls on the Tohmajoki River. The filming of the cult Soviet film "And the dawns here are quiet" took place here. Now it is a great place for walking and taking photos against the background of nature.

    If desired, you can walk along the ecotrope with hanging bridges spanning waterfalls and look at them from an unusual angle (for an additional fee).

    Land tour of the Ruskeala Mountain Park. It is the most visited tourist site in Karelia at the moment. For about 300 years, marble has been mined here to decorate palaces and temples in the Northern Capital.

    A marble lake was formed in a huge man-made bowl, which is now admired by numerous tourists. The rocky grotto and tunnels cut into the rocks, the Italian quarry, the Marble Square will make an indelible impression on you. There are no analogues to this unique natural object either in Russia or in Europe!

    Free time on the territory of the mountain park.

    For an additional fee: boat trip, Underground Ruskeala tour, trolls over Lake Marmara, bungee jumping. There are several cafes and souvenir shops on the territory of the mountain park.

    You can purchase additional services directly on the spot, at the ticket offices of the mountain park. They cannot be booked in advance.

    17:00 Departure from the mountain park to the city of Sortavala by bus.

    We recommend purchasing a ticket for the Ruskeala Express retro train No. 922A on the Ruskeala — Sortavala route (departure at 17:00, arrival in Sortavala at 18:10). It will be an atmospheric journey in interiors stylized for the beginning of the twentieth century. There is a dining car on the train. Purchase train tickets in advance on the Russian Railways website (not included in the price of the tour).

    The bus will meet you at the railway station in Sortavala.

    Supper.

    Accommodation in the selected hotel:

    1. Seurahuone 2* is a hotel located in the heart of the city of Sortavala on the shore of Ladoga, within walking distance from the main architectural monuments and main attractions of Sortavala. The hotel does not have an elevator.
    2. Piypun Piha 3* is one of the best hotels in Sortavala. You will feel cozy and comfortable. It has its own well-maintained territory on the shore of Lake Ladoga Bay. The hotel has a Finnish sauna, a guarded parking lot. Buffet breakfasts in the restaurant overlooking Ladoga.
    3. Za Sortavala is a hotel located in a quiet area of Sortavala, just 2 km from the center. From here it is convenient to walk around the city and build routes to the natural locations of Karelia. Cozy modern rooms.
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  • Day 2 - Free day or guided tour for an additional fee
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation at the Sortavala Hotel.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation:

HotelPlacement option
Hotel "Seurahuone" (Sortavala)

16,300 rubles/person. – in a double room (with a double bed/twin beds).

20,500 rubles/person – single occupancy.

15,300 rubles/person – for an additional fee. the place.

Piypun Piha 3* Hotel (Sortavala)

19,400 rubles/person – in a 2-bed superior room

22,300 rubles/person – in a 2-bed Elegant room

26,700 RUB/person – 1-bed in superior room

15,500 rubles/person – for an additional fee. location

Za Sortavala Hotel (Sortavala)

20,300 rubles/person – in a double room (with a double bed/with separate beds).

28,600 rubles/person – single occupancy.

15,700 rubles/person – for an additional fee. the place.

Rodina 3 * Hotel (Sortavala)

20,300 rubles/person – in a 2-bed room (two single beds)

20,500 rubles/person – in a 2-bed room (double bed)

22,500 rubles/person – in a 2-bed comfort room (double bed)

29,800 rubles/person – 1-bed in a standard room (two single beds)

31,400 RUB/person – 1-bed in a standard room (double bed)

16,200 rubles/person – for an additional fee. location

Discounts:

  • children under 6 years old inclusive – 1,500 rubles/person;
  • children 16 years old inclusive – 300 rubles / person.

Discounts are provided upon presentation of a birth certificate or passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.

Seurahuone Hotel or Piipun Piha Hotel or 1 night
Seurahuone Hotel

The Seurahuone Hotel is located in Sortavala. The building has a fairly convenient location. 

Comfortable, cozy rooms. equipped with necessary furniture, a flat-screen TV. There is also a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and all accessories.

There is a cafe on site. There are various shops and restaurants in the immediate vicinity, where you can also eat delicious food.

The nearest airport is 96 km away.

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Another option
Piipun Piha Hotel

Piypun Piha Hotel is located in Sortavala, away from the hustle and noise of the city streets on the shores of Lake Ladoga.

There are 19 rooms of various categories for a comfortable stay and a cozy restaurant for a pleasant stay.

Elegant classics, splendor and original Karelian flavor are combined in the interior and surroundings of the hotel. The pastel colors prevailing in the design of the comfortable rooms and the guest area of the hotel create an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

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Another option
Hotel "3A Sortavala"

Cozy rooms, quiet area and quick access to the city center. Nearby there are walking embankments, a park and the main points of attraction of Sortavala. 

There is a cafe on site; the reception is open 24/7. Free parking is available for guests by car.

For a comfortable stay in the rooms, blackout curtains and improved sound insulation are used. Access to high-speed Internet and a work corner allow you to quickly and comfortably solve work issues.

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Another option
Rodina Hotel

Rodina is a hotel in the city of Sortavala, which has a good location and offers first—class service. The services include daily cleaning, laundry, parking for cars and Wi-Fi.

The hotel includes 25 rooms in a stylish design. An LCD TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator are provided for your stay. The private bathroom has a shower cabin, as well as bathrobes and cosmetics.

The in-house restaurant serves a wide range of dishes. Room service is also available.

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Tour conditions

Group
up to 30 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
2 days 1 night
Group meets at
Petrozavodsk

Included in price

  • accommodation in rooms of the selected category (1 night in Sortavala);
  • meals included in the program (1 breakfast, 1 dinner);
  • Ruskeala Mountain Park Tour;
  • transportation services according to the program;
  • the work of the guide and the accompanying person according to the program.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back from Sortavala;
  • meals not included in the price of the tour;
  • trip to Valaam Island: 2 excursions, lunch, Meteor ride on Lake Ladoga (reservation in advance, when booking the tour, payment on the tour):
    • adult – 7,700 rubles/person.;
    • a child under 12 years old inclusive – 3,900 rubles/person.;
    • Children under 6 years old are free of charge (upon presentation of a birth certificate).
  • railway tickets for the Ruskeala Express retro train are purchased independently before the start of the tour (sale starts 90 days in advance);
  • visit to the specially protected natural area "Valaam Archipelago" — 200 rubles /person (self-paid).

It's important to know

What do you need to know about the Ruskeala Express retro train?

The Ruskeala Express retro train runs daily between the Ruskeala Mountain Park and the town of Sortavala. The journey takes about 1 hour. The route follows the route of the overland road that transported Ruskeala marble to Lake Ladoga. 

The train runs on steam traction. 

The interiors of the train and the shape of the conductors are stylized for the era of Nicholas II. There are carriages with different levels of comfort: seating compartments, seats in the dining car, and there is also a "Royal compartment", which is fully redeemable for 4 people. 

Tickets for this train are sold on the Russian Railways website. The demand for this train during the high season is huge. Ticket sales start 90 days in advance.

What else is important to know?
Are there any discounts on the tour?
Are there any possible changes in the program?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $225
    15 – 16 Jun 2 days 1 night
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  • $225
    22 – 23 Jun 2 days 1 night
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  • $225
    29 – 30 Jun 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $225
    6 – 7 Jul 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $225
    13 – 14 Jul 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • EI
    Elena Ievleva
    about provider
    1 Apr, 2026
    Everything was well organized. We were met and taken care of without any issues. Many thanks to the tour providers for a great experience.
  • N
    Natalia
    about provider
    18 Feb, 2026
    Action-packed and inspiring! :-) The tour program was excellent! There was enough time to explore, take walks, and still relax. It was quite active :-) with plenty of hiking, which was exactly what I was looking for. I breathed in the fresh air and soaked up the beauty of the forests and lakes. I’d love to visit Valaam again, but next time at a slower pace, staying for at least two or three days. Many thanks to our guide, Anna :-) She was attentive and had such a pleasant voice :-) Thank you all for this little travel reset! :-) * The photo was taken by someone else who is currently away, so I’m unable to attach it.
  • K
    Katya
    about provider
    8 Dec, 2025
    I really enjoyed everything...It all felt very genuine ..I travel a lot and I’m generally not picky :)... and the tour absolutely matched its price :) as for the downsides, there are only a couple :) the buses weren’t great in terms of air conditioning :) - it was either extremely stuffy or freezing cold. ..- probably because the bus was quite old :) and there was very little time in Ruskeala...1.5 hour is nowhere near enough...We barely managed to see anything...you need at least 3 hours there ... and definitely an extra hour on Valaam as well ...:)
    Photo Big Country Travel
    Big Country Travel
    Hello Ekaterina, thank you for your feedback! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the trip overall. We’ve shared your comments with our local partners, and our colleagues will do their best to take them into account in the future. We look forward to welcoming you again on one of our other tours in Russia!