Christmas Karelia

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This tour provides an opportunity to see and feel the real Karelia.

From visiting a cozy ethnic village with master classes to exploring the legendary Kivach Waterfall and a winter snowmobile safari, every day of this trip is filled with unique experiences.

You will be able to taste Karelian dishes, meet huskies, deer and horses, as well as learn more about northern culture and traditions.

Location

Petrozavodsk

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Nature in all its glory

You will be enchanted by winter nature, starting from the powerful Kivach waterfall and up to the snow-covered expanses crossed by sleds and snowmobiles

Snow Adventures

Feel the wind on your face while riding a dog sled and snowmobiling

The Soul of Karelia

Explore the picturesque village of Rubchoila, where Karelian history and traditions have merged

Authentic atmosphere

Immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the north with traditional treats and relax in a cozy company in rustic conditions

Karelian dinner and cocktail master class

You will taste Karelian dishes and take part in a master class on making cocktails with Karelian tinctures

Itinerary

Day 1 - Rubchoil Village and a master class
8:00 Meeting at the railway station.
Welcome to the capital of Karelia – the city of Petrozavodsk. The port of the five seas, located on the shore of the second largest freshwater body in Europe – Lake Onega. A real European city, with a national Karelo-Finnish flavor, the same age as St. Petersburg, cozy, beautiful, with its own unique history. It was founded in 1703 by Peter I, as the city was founded by Catherine II in 1777.
Breakfast (buffet) is served from 8:00 to 9:00.
Transfer to the ethnic village of Rubchoila.
A tour of the village. A master class on cooking the national Karelian dish "kalitka" or on making a talisman.
Rubchoila is located (sometimes it is called Rubchoila) in the Pryazhinsky National district. From time immemorial, Karelians have merged in these places. Their descendants live here to this day. According to legend, the village was founded by three brothers who came here from the north in search of a better life. Three centuries ago, Rubchoila was a small village of 7 houses, but its population was prosperous. According to statistics, cattle were kept 2 times more than in the surrounding villages.
The villagers lived very richly. there was even a leather workshop here, and the chrome boots of the Rubchoyl craftsmen were appreciated far beyond these places.
Lunch is "like grandma's."
Transfer to the Sandal recreation center and check-in.
Supper.
Free time.
Day 2 - Kivach Waterfall, dog sledding and a master class on Karelian cocktails
Breakfast.
Departure to the husky, deer and horse kennel. It's time to enjoy the amazing beauty of Karelian nature on a short dog sled trip! In our kennel you will be greeted by 40 of the best sled dogs in Russia – champions and participants of famous races. Thousands of kilometers of the most difficult snow trails lay under their paws, with them you will make an unforgettable sled ride through the protected pine forest. You will also get acquainted with the beautiful reindeer, our reindeer breeder will tell you about them in as much detail as possible and provide you with the opportunity to feed them with yagel.
We offer a 2.5 km dog sledding trip. The guide's sled will move ahead on the route to ensure your safety. You can drive the sled yourself or enjoy the ride as a passenger.
Upon returning to the base, it's time to share your impressions with friends, relax, warm up around the campfire and drink tea with sweets in a traditional plague!
Transfer to the most famous waterfall "Kivach". This is truly one of the most beautiful places in our region. You will have an interesting tour with an inspection of the three sites of the handsome waterfall, acquaintance with the famous Karelian birch and the nature museum.
Transfer to the recreation center.
Lunch. Free time.
Karelian dinner and a master class on Karelian cocktails. Let's celebrate Christmas in a cozy company.
We invite you to a Karelian dinner: a beautiful table, delicious Karelian dishes, an interesting interactive with Karelian riddles and, of course, a master class on making cocktails with Karelian tinctures! A warm, cozy evening awaits us, filled with interesting conversations and laughter.

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Day 3 - Snowmobile Safari
Breakfast.
Preparing for a snowmobile safari: equipment, passing the briefing.
A two-hour safari, a rugged forest track, incredible landscapes and a lot of emotions are waiting for you. For children on safari, there is a master class in birch bark weaving in a cafe at the starting point.
With favorable ice conditions on safari, we will visit the ancient church, which turned 400 years old in 2020!
The architecture of the church on Lychny Island is identical to the architecture of the lost Assumption Church. The village on Lychny Island is one of the oldest and largest villages in Karelia, its fame is due to the famous church of Saints Peter and Paul, erected in 1620 and standing on the highest point of the island, the village has long been abandoned by its inhabitants, but their houses with carved porches and black baths on the shore have been preserved.
Speed, a whirlwind of snow and Karelian expanses will energize you for future achievements!
The end of the tour program is before 17:00 in Petrozavodsk.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Guest House

2 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation in a guest house of your choice in double rooms.

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

Placement option	Adult	Child (under 12 years old)
Placement option	In the main place	In the main place	In an additional place (cot)
Sandal Guest House	44 300	39 000	32 700
Glamp house "Sandalwood"	45 300	40 000	33 700

Sandalwood

The guest house has a large area (420 sq. m.), consisting of 6 separate rooms, a kitchen, a large hall with a children's play area and a relaxation room.

Each room has all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay and rest: all rooms are equipped with bathrooms with shower, toilet, sink, hairdryer and heated towel rail; large and comfortable rooms for two with comfortable beds, wardrobes, dressers, TV, the possibility of installing extra beds, with balconies overlooking the lake or forest.

The house is entirely made of wood, very eco-friendly and safe, has an autonomous sewage station of high biological purification, modern heating and lighting, using energy-saving technologies, equipped with video surveillance, fire and burglar alarms, fully complies with the highest modern quality standards.

The location of the house allows you not only to relax on the shore of Sandal Lake and the territory of the base, but also to make exciting trips to many Karelian attractions, since most of them are located near the base.

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Another option

Sandalwood (glamp house)

Cozy, modern glamp houses with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows were built in 2023.

Each house is designed for 1-2 guests. It is possible to install 1 additional child seat.

In each house: amenities (shower, toilet), kitchenette, double bed, panoramic window overlooking the forest and lake, terrace with sun beds.

Also for you - gazebos, barbecues and all additional services of our recreation center!

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 20 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation of the selected category;
transportation services;
meals according to the program: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners;
the program in the ethnic village of Rubchoyla;
entrance fee to Kivach Waterfall;
excursion program at Kivach waterfall;
visit to the husky and deer kennel;
sledding track 2.5 km;
snowmobile safari 2 hours (double boarding).

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
meals not specified in the tour program (you can also eat on the territory of the recreation center);
the deposit at the guest house is 1500 rubles (in cash, refundable upon check–out);
services not included in the program.

It's important to know

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

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

$443

3 – 5 Jan, 2025 3 days 2 nights

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