A weekend in Karelia. Summer travel

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A weekend summer tour is a great opportunity to see the "business cards" of Karelia.

You will travel by Meteor to Kizhi Island, visit the Marcial Waters resort, visit the Kivach Nature Reserve and the Ruskeala Mountain Park.

And you can also walk along the ecotrope with hinged bridges and ride the Ruskeala Express retro train.

Departure: 07:50 local time
Arrival: 18:05 local time

Location

Petrozavodsk

Sightseeing tours

Tour highlights

Sightseeing classics

You will see the main places that attract tourists in Karelia

Northern romance

Spend the weekend in the land of amazing northern nature and clean air

Traveling by retro train

If you wish, you can go to Sortavala on the Ruskeala Express

Itinerary

Day 1 - A tour of Petrozavodsk. Kizhi Island
We meet our dear guests at the Petrozavodsk railway station upon arrival of train No. 18 (~07:50).
The guide greets you with a sign saying "Weekend in Karelia".
Tourists who arrived on earlier trains or on their own transport approach the meeting place.
We recommend arriving by plane on the eve of the tour and booking an additional one. overnight at the hotel.
If tourists arrive later (train No. 92), they will be met at the railway station and provided with a free transfer to meet the group on the route. In this case, tourists have breakfast on their own.
Breakfast in a cozy cafe.
Guided tour of the capital of Karelia.
You will get acquainted with the historical center, the monument to Peter the Great, the Governor's Park. A promenade along the beautiful city embankment along Lake Onega, where there is a collection of original sculptures located in the open air.
Excursion to Kizhi Island, the pearl of Karelian wooden architecture (trip duration is 7 hours).
A Meteor ride along Lake Onega to Kizhi Island (1 hour and 30 minutes on the way).
Visit the famous open-air museum, where a unique collection of wooden architecture monuments is collected.
You will see the 22nd Transfiguration Church after restoration, visit the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin and the ethnographic exhibition in a peasant hut, where traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated.
Supper.
Accommodation at the selected hotel after the end of the excursion program.

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Day 2 - The resort "Marcial waters". Girvas volcano. Kivach Waterfall
Breakfast.
Country tour "The first Russian resort "Marcial waters" — volcano Girvas — Kivach waterfall".
An introduction to the interesting history of the Marcial Waters resort, founded by Peter the Great in the 18th century.
Tasting of water from three healing springs.
Inspection of the Church of St. St. Peter the Apostle, built in 1721 according to the drawings of the emperor himself.
Then the way lies to the area of the village of Girvas.
You will have the opportunity to see a unique natural monument: the Girvas volcano.
It is an extinct volcano in the riverbed of the Suna River.
Just imagine — he lived about two billion years ago. There are frozen lava, rocks, sand dunes, and dense pine forests.
Lunch at a cafe.
Tasting tincture of local berries as a gift!
Next, you will admire the most famous waterfall in Karelia, praised in Russian poetry as the "northern hero".
Here in the Kivach Nature Reserve you will see a real Karelian birch and visit the Nature Museum.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Visit to the branded store of the Alkovold distillery.
All products, including vodkas, bitter and sweet tinctures, gins, bitters and balms, contain only natural ingredients and are bottled in our own production, founded in 1879 in Petrozavodsk.

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Day 3 - Ruskeala Mountain Park
Breakfast. Room release.
Departure to the Ruskeala Mountain Park.
The crossing is about 250 km. Along the way, there are picturesque Karelian landscapes, the surface of forest lakes and a magnificent panorama of Lake Ladoga framed by rocks.
Travel information.
On the way, stop at the Ruskeala waterfalls on the Tohmajoki River, where the filming of the cult Soviet film "And the dawns here are Quiet" took place. Now it is a great place for walking and taking photos against the background of nature.
Here you can walk along the ecotrope with suspension bridges and look at the waterfalls from above (for an additional fee ~ 400 rubles / adult, 300 rubles/children, pensioners, students).
Land walking 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 (zip-line);
bungee.
There are several cafes and souvenir shops on the territory of the mountain park.
Additional services are purchased directly on the spot, at the ticket offices of the mountain park. They are not booked in advance.
17:00 Departure from the mountain park to the city of Sortavala by bus.
Arrival in Sortavala, a cozy old town in Karelia on the shores of Lake Ladoga.
We recommend purchasing a ticket for the Ruskeala Express retro train No. 922H on the Ruskeala — Sortavala route (departure at 17:00, arrival in Sortavala at 18:05).
This interesting journey will take place in the stylized atmosphere of the early 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.
Tourists leaving for St. Petersburg at 18:32 on the Swallow (train No. 824B) skip dinner. The cost of dinner is deducted from the tour.
In your free time, you can visit the exhibition hall of Kronid Gogolev, a national artist of Russia.
The master worked in a unique manner (wood carving), his works are known all over the world. The main themes in his work are devoted to the Russian North, its expressive nature, ordinary people, their everyday life and holidays.
Transfer to Sortavala railway station.
Departure home from Sortavala by train:
18:32 to St. Petersburg No. 824B "Swallow" (arrival at 22:43);
20:36 to Moscow No. 160A (arrival at 09:50 the next day).
If you want to extend your vacation in Karelia, please let us know in advance. We will book additional accommodation at the hotel or at the country club.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel.

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

	Double room placement	Single room placement	Additional place
The Runa Hotel	28 800	32 900	26 950
Hotel Severnaya 4*	31 200	36 400	28 500
Hotel "Fregat" 4*	33 800	39 500	28 800

Discounts:

a child under 7 years old — 2,500 rubles.;
a student under 16 years of age — 2,000 rubles.;
a pensioner over 60 years old — 300 rubles.;
a tourist leaving on Sunday by Swallow at 18:32 (for a missed dinner) — 550 rubles.

You can specify the accommodation requirements: DBL (2-bed room with one bed) or TWIN (2-bed room with two separate beds).

The Fregat Hotel

The Fregat Hotel is located in a quiet location in the center of Petrozavodsk, on the picturesque shore of Lake Onega. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. It offers a restaurant and secure parking.

The rooms are equipped with a minibar and a flat-screen TV with Smart TV technology. They are equipped with a work desk, a telephone and a safe. The modern private bathroom comes with underfloor heating, a hairdryer and toiletries.

The hotel's restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, as well as European and Russian cuisine. The gym and lobby bar of the Fregat Hotel are open around the clock.

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Another option

The Runa Hotel

This hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, 500 meters from the central train station. Runa Hotel offers free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk.

The bright rooms of the hotel are decorated in warm colors. Each room has a TV and an electric kettle.

There is a kitchen area with a refrigerator, microwave and necessary utensils. The hotel also has a cooler. A variety of cafes and restaurants can be found within a 10-minute walk.

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Another option

Severnaya Hotel

The Severnaya Hotel is located in the very center of Petrozavodsk, surrounded by the main attractions and infrastructure facilities. Guests can take advantage of high—quality service - free Wi-Fi, luggage storage and a gym.

The hotel offers cozy 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. Everything is prepared exclusively from fresh products.

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

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 50 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in rooms of the selected category (2 nights in Petrozavodsk);
meals according to the program (3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners);
sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk;
excursions:
- Kizhi Museum-Reserve;
- to the Kivach Nature Reserve;
- Marcial Waters Resort;
- Girvas volcano;
- Ruskeala Mountain Park;
transportation services according to the program;
the work of a guide and an accompanying person according to the program.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back from Sortavala;
meals not specified in the program;
entrance to the ecotrope at Ruskeala waterfalls:
- adults — ~400 rubles/person.;
- children, pensioners, students — ~300 rubles/person.;
ticket for the Ruskeala Express retro train.

It's important to know

1. Medical preparations for individual needs.
2. Documents: passport, insurance policy (medical).
3. Comfortable sports shoes:

sneakers or moccasins, but not new, but familiar and comfortable;
replacement shoes (light sneakers or sneakers).

4. Sportswear for hot and cool weather:

The jacket is windproof, waterproof;
raincoat;
warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants);
T-shirts with long (from sunburn) and short sleeves;
sports trousers;
shorts;
socks.

5. Headgear: cap, panama hat (with visor).
6. Bathing suit.
7. Personal hygiene products.
8. Useful equipment:

small backpack (20-30 l);
flashlight with spare batteries;
sunscreen (required);
sunglasses.

It is also important to remember that the period from early May to mid-June is particularly dangerous due to the activity of encephalitic ticks. Prepare in advance for a trip to Karelia during this period – get a preventive vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis, take a special ointment with you, as well as clothes and hats that cover all parts of the body as much as possible.

The best protection against ticks is compliance with safety regulations:

It is not recommended to climb into the impenetrable thickets of low-growing shrubs unnecessarily.
Moving along the forest road, do not tear off branches.
The legs should be completely covered (shorts are not recommended).
Sweatpants, tights (preferably with a smooth surface) should be tucked into socks.
It is mandatory to have a headdress (cap, shawl).
It is advisable to hide long hair under a headdress.
After hiking in the forest, it is necessary to check (shake off) both outerwear and underwear.
Examine the whole body.
Be sure to comb your hair with a fine comb. If you find a crawling tick, it must be burned. Ticks are very tenacious, it is impossible to crush it.

If you find a tick that has already dug into your skin:

In any case, do not pull it yourself, because you can tear the body away from the head (the head can exist without a body).
To remove the tick, it is necessary to pour it with camphor or vegetable oil, after 10-15 minutes carefully pull out the tick with tweezers.
Lubricate the bite site with green paint or iodine.

Vaccination provides the most effective protection. If the immunization schedule is followed, human diseases are extremely rare and usually occur in a mild form. The difficulty of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis lies in the duration of the course of vaccinations, you can find out more in detail at the vaccination center in your region.

It should be remembered that all vaccinations must be completed 2 weeks before the start of the tick activity season, i.e. by the end of March.

Tick bite insurance is not included in the tour price. We recommend that you insure your health.

Reviews

N
Nina

about provider

15 Jun, 2025

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Thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful experience. The excursions were heartfelt and meaningful, and the guides were fantastic. We visited some truly remarkable places and were very pleased.:) I’d especially like to mention our guide Lyudmila — a warm, kind-hearted woman who shared incredibly engaging and insightful information.
A
Anna

about provider

6 Jun, 2025

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I discovered the tour provider "Big Country" online while searching for vacation options on the White Sea. Out of many offers, theirs stood out and immediately caught my attention. I submitted a request and received a callback very quickly. From that point on, nearly all communication — including booking and registration — was handled through Telegram, with the occasional phone call when clarification was needed. The managers were consistently polite and friendly. It was my first time working with them, and I sincerely hope it won’t be the last. There are several things I especially appreciated about the organization of the Solovetsky Islands tour: 1). The option to book a private room (without roommates) for an additional fee — a big plus for solo travelers. 2). The ability to pay for the trip in installments by a set deadline. "Big Country" offers a convenient payment system where you can always check the total cost, the amount already paid, and the remaining balance. Multiple payment methods are accepted — card, bank transfer, and more. After each payment, I received Big Country receipts and confirmations via email and Telegram. 3). The managers responded promptly to any questions I had during the trip. 4). A transfer was provided from the train station to the hotel, with early check-in arranged at the hotel in Rabocheostrovsk. 5). Meals were thoughtfully included: breakfast before departing to the island, a set lunch after the island and monastery tour, and buffet breakfasts at the hotel. 6). We were accompanied by a lead guide who explained everything clearly, met us at the tourist base, and made sure the group knew where to go — from breakfast locations to the pier for the boat to Solovki. After the tour, she also ensured a smooth return to Kem. On the islands themselves, she handed us over to local guides for excursions and met us again afterwards. 7). The tour was very well organized. Aside from the scheduled excursions, there was plenty of free time to explore at your own pace. Some rented bikes to ride through the village or forest, others went on boat rides, and some simply wandered around enjoying the scenery. 8). A return transfer to the train station and a follow-up message after the trip — small touches, but much appreciated. All in all, the experience was outstanding — great service + excellent organization+ a high level of comfort. The providers really left a lasting impression.
S
Svetlana

about provider

17 May, 2025

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Thank you. Everything was excellent. From the warm welcome at the train station to the hotel check-out before heading home, everything was well organized. I also appreciated that we had some free time to explore the beautiful sights of Karelia on our own (although we were told we'd have two hours at each stop, they were often combined, which made the schedule feel a bit rushed).

A weekend in Karelia. Summer travel

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Reviews

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