Christmas weekend in Karelia

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Welcome to Karelia, a land of picturesque nature, secrets of shungite and northern wonders!

This tour is an interesting adventure for those who like vivid impressions: walking along the Onega embankment with avant-garde sculptures, diving into the unique energy of shungite, the power of the Kivach waterfall, lively emotions from meeting sled dogs and the magic of the Talviukko residence.

Three days of memorable encounters with nature, culture and the true northern spirit are all you need to wake up from everyday life and be filled with inspiration.

Location

Petrozavodsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

The majestic Nodding

Visit one of the largest lowland waterfalls in Europe and the arboretum, the decoration and pride of which are the famous Karelian birches.

Amazing Sled Dogs

Take a two-kilometer dog sledding trip with Santa Claus through the picturesque snowy Karelian forest

Talviucco Hospitality

Go to the residence of the main Santa Claus of Karelia, where you will visit a study, a fabulous reception room and a laboratory of miracles

Rozhdestvensky Petrozavodsk

Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the city and see the beautiful embankment of Lake Onega

A variety of activities

If you wish, you can ride a reindeer or dog sled at the Talviucco residence.

Interesting tastes

Enjoy a hot lunch with lochikeitto, wicket, northern berry morse and other interesting flavors

Itinerary

Day 1 - Getting to know Petrozavodsk. Shungite relaxation room. Kivach Waterfall
We will meet you at the Petrozavodsk railway station upon arrival of train No. 018 Moscow — Petrozavodsk at the entrance to the railway station from the platform. A guide with a sign.
Breakfast in a cafe in the city.
And now we invite you to plunge into the friendly atmosphere of the northern city – the capital of Karelia – the city of Petrozavodsk.
On the sightseeing tour, you will see the beautiful embankment of Lake Onega, where you will find the "Tree of Desires" and other avant-garde sculptures donated to the city by the twin cities.
Today we will get acquainted with the mysterious shungite, which is mined only in Karelia.
We will learn about the properties of shungite and its application, and visit the shungite relaxation room, where relaxation will give you an incredible boost of vibrant energy.
Visit Kivach Waterfall, one of the largest lowland waterfalls in Europe.
You will also visit the arboretum, the decoration and pride of which are the famous Karelian birches.
Karelian birch is a tree to which nature has given the amazing beauty of wood, which resembles marble in its pattern.
Even in the 21st century, there is a debate among scientists about the origin of this amazing tree!
Lunch on the way to a cafe.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Time to rest.

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Day 2 - Country kennel for sled dogs
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Departure for the excursion program to the country dog kennel is the only kennel of Chukchi sled dogs in Russia, and there are also other breeds of sled dogs, such as: Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Taimyr sled dogs, Samoyedic dog.
Getting to know the cabins and sled dogs.
Participation in the preparation of the team for the trip, briefing.
Enjoy a dog sled ride with Santa Claus through the picturesque snowy Karelian forest 2 km away.
And in the Polar explorer's House, by the fireplace with a live fire, you will write a real letter to the North Pole, which will be delivered and sent to you by a famous polar explorer on a real Arctic expedition.
A unique opportunity to touch the little-studied and almost forgotten life of the northern peoples.
Feel the spirit of the Far North!
A hot lunch with lochikeitto, a rustic plate (pickles and smoked meats), a wicket, a drink made from northern berries, herbal teas and a tasting of Karelian tinctures of various strengths (for persons over 18 years old).
Return to the hotel.

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Day 3 - Talviucco Residence
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Room release.
Departure for an excursion program outside the city to the residence of Talviukko— the main Santa Claus of Karelia!
We will visit the office where weather contracts are concluded, the fabulous reception room, which has been visited by the most wonderful people and magical creatures, and the laboratory of miracles.
If you make a wish in it, it will certainly come true!
You will be warmly welcomed by the ubiquitous puniki forest men, friends and assistants of the Karelian Santa Claus, who will involve you in fun games and amusements. You definitely need to play with them, then playful hunters will easily agree to show you amazing things: a reindeer farm, a Sami village and a sled dog kennel, the largest in Russia.
The main Santa Claus of Karelia Talviukko and the Karelian snow maiden Lumiki will be glad to congratulate you personally.
Let's get acquainted with the legend of Talviucco.
And free time, which can be spent at your discretion for an additional fee.:
reindeer sledding;
dog sledding 500 m.;
dog sledding 1500 m.
Transfer to Petrozavodsk railway station approximately by 16:00.
Farewell to the guide.
See you soon!

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour includes hotel accommodation.

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

*Accommodation option at the Peter Inn 4 hotel**	Cost
Double occupancy (adult)	34 100
Double occupancy (child under 12 years old)	32 600
Extra seat (adult)	28 500
Additional location: hotel (child under 12 years old)	26 500
Single occupancy	40 800

The hotel is located in the city center at 1 Gagarin Square, Petrozavodsk, next to the railway station.

Due to its convenient location, well-developed infrastructure and the highest standards of service, guests of the capital of Karelia choose the hotel for business trips and leisure.

Check-out time for entry (check-in) is from 15:00. Check-out time is before 12:00.

The PITER INN 4 hotel has 180 comfortable European-level rooms of four different categories. The hotel's rooms include 129 standard rooms, 23 superior rooms, 21 junior suites, 4 suites and 3 rooms for guests with disabilities.

Standard rooms are equipped with comfortable furniture, a work area and a desk, a telephone, a safe, a shower cabin and a hairdryer. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, climate control and wireless high-speed internet access.

Guests can enjoy:

buffet breakfast (additional charge);
free Wi-Fi;
24-hour gym;
children's playroom;
secure parking;
laundry and dry cleaning services;
room service;
sauna;
extensive conference facilities - 5 meeting rooms and 1 multifunctional conference room.

Pets are not allowed.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 40 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

hotel accommodation;
meals included in the program (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches);
transfer along the route;
the work of the guide and animators;
entrance tickets for excursions;
Petrozavodsk sightseeing Tour;
Kivach Waterfall Tour;
Husky tour and dog sledding;
visit to the Talviukko patrimony.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
additional services at the Talviucco Residence:
- reindeer sledding:
  - adults — 2,500 rubles/person;
  - children under 12 years old — 2,300 rubles/person.;
- dog sledding 500 m:
  - adults — 2,500 rubles/person.;
  - children under 12 years old — 2,300 rubles/person.;
- dog sledding 1,500 m:
  - adults — 3,000 rubles/person.;
  - children under 12 years old — 2,800 rubles/person.;
Many places to visit charge a fee for photo and video shooting (from 10 to 150 rubles).

It's important to know

identity document;
For those traveling with children, a birth certificate is required.;
compulsory medical insurance policy;
warm, windproof and waterproof clothing.

Dates and Prices

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

$470

6 – 8 Jan, 2027 3 days 2 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

DD
Dmitri Danilov

about provider

23 Mar, 2026

Actions spoke louder than words.
A
Anton

about provider

7 Mar, 2026

I really enjoyed everything and was very happy with the trip. The excursions and the support throughout the tour were of a very high standard. I will definitely recommend you to all my friends and acquaintances. Thank you very much, and I wish you continued success!!!
Y
Yuri

about provider

12 Feb, 2026

Many thanks to the providers for putting together such a well-planned tour and selecting great hotels. And of course, bravo to all the guides. Truly friendly, knowledgeable, and highly professional!