Autumn weekend in Karelia

A bright and dynamic weekend in fabulous Karelia! 

We will see the best sights of Karelia in all their glory and taste delicious dishes of national cuisine.

According to individual requests, the program can be organized on any date.

Location

Petrozavodsk
from
$395
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
3 Days
2 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
From 2 to 25 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Group meet at
Petrozavodsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

A trip to Kizhi
Let's take a fast Meteor to the legendary island with a temple complex
A trip to the Ruskeala Mountain Park
We will see an ancient marble quarry where rock was mined for the imperial palaces
A walk around Petrozavodsk
We will see the main locations of the capital of Karelia and walk along the Onega embankment

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Petrozavodsk city tour and a trip to Kizhi

    We welcome our dear guests at the Petrozavodsk railway station.

    07:50 Upon arrival of train No. 18, the guide meets you on the platform at the railway station building with a sign "Weekend in Karelia".

    Tourists who arrived on earlier trains or on their own transport approach the meeting place.

    Breakfast in a cozy cafe.

    *If tourists arrive later (train No. 92 at 09:18), they will be met at the railway station and a free shuttle service will be provided to meet the group on the route.
    In this case, tourists have breakfast on their own.

    Guided tour of the capital of Karelia (duration: 2-2.5 hours).

    Petrozavodsk is the younger brother of St. Petersburg, born in the same year.

    It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great.

    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.

    The guide will also show you cozy restaurants and cafes where you can taste national cuisine.

    Excursion to Kizhi Island, the pearl of Karelian wooden architecture (trip duration is 7 hours).

    Meteor ride on 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 hotel after the end of the excursion program:

    The 4* Severnaya Hotel is located in the very center of Petrozavodsk. Nearby there are museums, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.

  • Day 2 - The unique Ruskeala Mountain Park
  • Day 3 - "Marcial waters". Girvas volcano. Kivach Waterfall
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a Petrozavodsk hotel (breakfast buffet).

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

 Double RoomSingle RoomAdditional place
Hotel "Severnaya"31 20036 40028 500

Discounts on the tour:

  • a child under 6 years old — 2,500 rubles.;
  • a child from 7 to 16 years old — 2,000 rubles.;
  • a pensioner over 60 years old — 300 rubles.

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

Hotel Severnaya 4* 2 nights

Severnaya Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, just 1 km from Lake Onega and a 15-minute walk from the train station and public transport stops.

The Severnaya Hotel offers a wide range of rooms, suites and apartments equipped with everything you need.

The hotel has a business center with meeting facilities.

The attentive staff of the Severnaya Hotel will assist with visa processing and can arrange excursions on request.

Shopping and business areas of the city can be visited near the Severnaya Hotel, as well as restaurants and museums nearby. Guests can explore the neoclassical architectural heritage of Petrozavodsk or take a walk along Lake Onega.

4 more photos

Tour conditions

Group
From 2 to 25 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 specified in the program (3 breakfasts, 3 dinners);
  • sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk;
  • excursion to the Ruskeala Mountain Park;
  • excursions to the Kizhi Museum-Reserve;
  • excursion to the Marcial Waters resort, Girvas volcano and Kivach Nature Reserve;
  • transportation services according to the program;
  • the work of the guide according to the program (3 days).

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
  • meals not included in the tour price;
  • services not included in the tour price;
  • airport transfer;
  • a walk along the ecotrope at the Ruskeala waterfalls:
    • adult — 400 rubles/person.;
    • children, pensioners, students — 300 rubles/person.;
  • additional programs on the territory of the Ruskeala Mountain Park (purchased on site, not booked in advance):
    • boat trip;
    • excursion "Underground Ruskeala";
    • trolley ride (zip-line);
    • bungee;
  • 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 are the discounts on the tour?

Reviews

  • A
    Anna
    about provider
    6 Jun, 2025
    6 more photos
    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
    6 more photos
    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).
  • I
    Irina
    about provider
    10 Apr, 2025
    6 more photos
    Every detail of the trip was carefully planned, we were absolutely thrilled!! The food was fantastic too! Thank you!