Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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Spend three magical days in the heart of the northern region: get acquainted with the history of Petrozavodsk, feel the magic of Grandfather Hull, ride a dog sled and admire the beauty of Kivach waterfall.

Location

Petrozavodsk

Sightseeing tours

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Tour highlights

Hall's Grandfather's Estate

Immerse yourself in the New Year's tale of Karelia: skiing and sleigh trials, campfire tales, souvenirs, and a meeting with Grandfather Hull himself

Winter Race

Race through the snowy expanses on a dog sled and enjoy the moments with friendly huskies

The nodding is majestic

Admire the power and beauty of the famous waterfall surrounded by the protected nature of Karelia

Itinerary

Day 1 - Petrozavodsk city tour, Grandfather Hall's workshop, Shungite Center
07:50 Meeting of trains No. 018.
If you arrive earlier: waiting for the arrival of the main group.
If you arrive later: transfer for an additional fee and program adjustments.
Breakfast in a cafe in the city.
Sightseeing tour of New Year's Petrozavodsk. You will get acquainted with the capital of Karelia. You will find out why Petrozavodsk was famous throughout the Russian Empire during the time of Catherine II, take a walk through the cozy center and see how history and modernity successfully combine in the appearance of the city.
Departure to the country interactive program: Welcome to the secret workshop of Grandfather Hull!
A place where the spirit of Christmas hovers, and a forgotten fairy tale comes to life! Here, in the heart of Karelia, in a remote forest, is the Karelian estate of Grandfather Hull, the most hardworking of the Frost brothers. The landlady Inkeri and his helpers, the housekeepers, live with him. The most favorite activity of housewives is telling children fairy tales around the campfire and treating them to delicious marshmallows.
But getting into the estate is not easy. You need to pass the tests: master the skills of skiing – shukshah and tobogganing – smoke. Did you manage? And now – to the workshops! For the youngest guests, a "Housekeeper's School" has been opened, where ryabyat will be taught magic tricks and will test their skills in making New Year's toys.
Meanwhile, the adults will learn the Karelian dance and make a talisman with their own hands, which they will take with them as a souvenir. Well, where's Hull's Grandfather? He watched your efforts and is now waiting for everyone in his office. Remember – the most important and cherished desires can be whispered in his ear!
Don't forget to check Grandfather Hull's mail and send a postcard with the estate's stamp. There is also a wonder shop on the estate where everyone can choose a souvenir.
As a souvenir of the trip, don't forget to order a photo from a local photographer! Well, at the end of a wonderful day, you will be treated to a traditional tea party!
Return to Petrozavodsk. Accommodation in the selected hotel from 15:00, in rooms of the selected category.
Free time. Rest.
Day 2 - Free day or additional excursion
Buffet breakfast in the hotel cafe.
Free day.
In your free time, you can visit additional excursions: (order when booking the tour)*
Option 1: excursion to the Ruskeala Mountain Park (with lunch).
Ruskeala is perhaps the most famous and visited modern attraction in Karelia. Marble has not been mined here for a single century, but today it is a mountain park, in the center of which there is an amazing canyon with sheer silver walls.
You will have a pleasant walk around the artificial lake, with stops at observation decks and a story about interesting facts from the history of the quarry and marble mining. Return to Petrozavodsk (the tour duration is ~ 12 hours).
Option 2: an excursion to O.Kizhi (via Zaonezhye).
A bus tour from Petrozavodsk to the village of Velikaya Guba will introduce you to interesting facts from the history of the region, its traditions, nature and notable places of Zaonezhye.
From D. Oyatevshchyna guests will be taken to Kizhi Island on hovercraft, where they will get acquainted with the ensemble of the Kizhi pogost: a sightseeing tour of the main exposition and acquaintance with the tea drinking traditions of the Olonets province.
Return to Petrozavodsk (the tour duration is ~ 14 hours).

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Day 3 - Sled dog kennel, Kivach Waterfall
Buffet breakfast in the hotel cafe. Room release before 12:00, check out with your belongings.
Departure to the countryside, to the kennel of sled dogs and to the Kivach Nature Reserve.
The "Breath of the North" program awaits you at the sled dog kennel: a guided tour of the kennel, feeding deer, and dog sledding 2.5 km. At the end of the program, we warm up with tea in the gazebo of the "grilled cat" by a live fire. The program duration is ~2 hours.
Transfer to Kivach Nature Reserve, to the famous Kivach Waterfall. Kivach means "snowy mountain" in Karelian, and "powerful" in Finnish. In any case, this "powerful snow mountain" will not leave anyone indifferent. Poets have always written poems about the waterfall, artists come here for open-air shows, and how many photographers are attracted by the unique views of Kivacha! It is not for nothing that he is the hallmark of Karelia.
Dinner at the cafe.
Return to Petrozavodsk railway station, approximately at 18:00. Returning home with pleasant memories of wonderful days in Karelia.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

1 night

Comfort

Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel.

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

Hotel	Hotel "Piter Inn" 4*
2-bed with amenities	33 500
1-bed with amenities	39 500
Additional place	28 500

The discount for children from 6 to 12 years old is 3,200 rubles, for children under 6 years old – 7,500 rubles.

Check-out time at the hotel: check-in after 15:00, check-out before 12:00.

The Piter Inn is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, just a 2-minute walk from the central train station.

It offers a 24-hour gym, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk.

Each room has a telephone, air conditioning, a TV with digital channels and a safe. The private bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer.

The Paulaner Restaurant with its own brewery serves Bavarian, local and international cuisine. The cafe serves European cuisine, desserts and coffee. The hotel has conference facilities.

Guests can make use of the laundry service.

The nearest airport is Petrozavodsk International Airport, 17 km from Piter Inn.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 50 tourists

Minimum age

1 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in the selected hotel;
sightseeing, transport services;
meals specified in the tour program:
- Day 1: breakfast, tea;
- Day 2: Breakfast;
- Day 3: Breakfast, dinner;
entrance tickets to the sightseeing facilities according to the program.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
additional excursions:
- excursion to the Ruskeala Mountain Park (with lunch) - 4,400 rubles./adult, 4,000 rubles./ children under 16 years old, 60+., 3,000 rubles./children under 6 years old)
- excursion to the islandKizhi (via Zaonezhye) - 7,500 rubles/adult, 7,200 rubles/children from 6 to 16 years old, 60+;
meals not specified in the tour program.

It's important to know

An identity document (for children — a birth certificate).
A compulsory medical insurance policy.
Comfortable shoes — sneakers or sneakers.
A warm jacket.
A warm sweater or a warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants).
Personal hygiene items: soap, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste.
Personal first aid kit.
Photo and video equipment.
A small backpack (20-30 l).

Dates and Prices

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

$380

5 – 7 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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Reviews

K
Konstantin

about provider

26 Jul, 2024

Grand tour of Karelia and the Solovetsky Islands, a very interesting and exciting tour. Comfortable accommodation and buses. Qualified guides. A competent, positive, responsible guide Vera Ivanovna. Thank you very much.

Christmas patterns of Karelia