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

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A 5–day summer tour to Karelia is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this amazing region.

Here you will see many attractions, including the famous Ruskeala Mountain Park, the multifaceted Petrozavodsk, Kizhi Island, as well as the Kivach Waterfall and an exciting rafting trip along the Shuya River. As part of this tour, you will be able to visit all these unique places, as well as the Shungite Center.

All the most interesting things in Karelia on this trip!

Location

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

from

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

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Tour highlights

Kivach Waterfall

You will see one of the largest lowland waterfalls in Europe

Ruskeala Mountain Park

You will visit the mountain park, the marble quarry of which is an object of cultural heritage

Kizhi Island

Visit a place that is rightfully considered one of the "business cards" of Karelia and Russia

Karelian drive

Embark on an exciting rafting trip along the most famous river of Karelia

Multifaceted Petrozavodsk

Take a walk around the capital of Karelia and enjoy the views from the Onega embankment

Shungite Center

You can relax in the relaxation room and purchase a natural black stone as a keepsake.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting, Ruskeala Mountain Park
08:22 Meeting in Sortavala, train No. 160B at the entrance to the railway station from the city.
Breakfast in a cafe in the city.
Departure by comfortable bus to Ruskeala Mountain Park.
Excursion to Ruskeala Mountain Park – Marble Canyon.
The park was established in 2005 on the basis of the Ruskeala Marble Quarry, a unique monument of Russia's industrial heritage.
Marble mining was started here in 1769 by decree of Catherine II to decorate the famous buildings of St. Petersburg: the Marble Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Mariinsky Palace, etc.
The combination of Karelian nature and human activity has given these quarries a surprisingly picturesque appearance that attracts travel enthusiasts not only from Karelia.
The next stop is at the Ruskeala Akhvenkoski waterfall.
The bathing scene of one of the heroines of the film "And the dawns here are quiet" was filmed at this waterfall.
Amazingly picturesque nature invariably attracts the creators of modern films with its mysterious beauty and some kind of mysterious power.
In 2010, a fantasy film "The Dark World" was shot here (entrance to the waterfall is paid for on the spot at the box office).
Arrival in Sortavala.
Dinner at a cafe in the city.
Accommodation at Piipun Piha Hotel. Time to rest.
Day 2 - Valaam Island (additional fee). Departure to Petrozavodsk
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Room release. Boarding the bus with your belongings. Transfer to the pier.
For an additional fee, an excursion to Valaam Island (booked together with the tour, paid on site).
Departure by meteor to Valaam Island (45 minutes along Lake Ladoga).
Arrival at the monastery bay. Sightseeing tour of the central estate of the monastery with a visit to the Transfiguration Cathedral, chapels, cell buildings, household and hotel buildings.
Lunch in the monastery refectory.
Transfer to Nikonovskaya Bay.
Visiting the Resurrection and Gethsemane skeets.
Return to Sortavala.

Attention: the water excursion to Valaam Island will take place under favorable weather conditions!

Departure to Petrozavodsk (260 km).
19:00 Accommodation at the Peter Inn 4* hotel.
Time to rest.
Day 3 - Sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk. Kizhi Island
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Sightseeing tour of the capital of Karelia and a walk along the Onega embankment.
We invite you to plunge into the friendly atmosphere of the northern capital of Karelia, 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.
Be sure to visit the Governor's Park!
Excursion to Kizhi Island.
Ride on the "Comet" (1 hour 20 min. along Lake Onega).
Kizhi Island is a "calling card" not only of Karelia, but also of Russia.
The unique ensemble of the Churchyard is known all over the world, and every year the flow of tourists wishing to visit the island is only growing!
Guided tour of the museum-reserve with a visit to the Church of the Intercession and ethnographic exhibitions.
Return to Petrozavodsk. Time to rest.

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Day 4 - Shungite Center, Kivach Waterfall
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Visit to the Shungite Center.
Visit to the souvenir center, where you can buy figurines, cosmetics, jewelry made of shungite at wholesale prices.
As well as a visit to the relaxation room, filled with the vitality of shungite. The natural black stone is a real miracle.
A cure for many diseases, saving lives.
It is suitable for an old man and a baby, a man and his home, it can make any place bright, clean and blessed.
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 at a cafe.
Return to the Petrozavodsk hotel.
Day 5 - Rafting on the Shuya River
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Room release. Things in the hotel's luggage room.
9:45 a.m. Meeting with the instructor at the entrance to the Peter Inn Hotel.
Departure for rafting.
You must have spare clothes and shoes with you (shoes must be of a sports type – sneakers, sneakers, light summer shoes such as "flip-flops" are allowed, but with a fixed back).
In case of rain, a rain cape.
Departure to the beginning of the rafting in Yumanishki. Safety briefing.
Equipment delivery (spas. vests, paddles).
Rafting on the Shuya River, 8 km.
Arrival at the village of Polyana, handing over equipment, changing clothes.
Picnic by the campfire (fish soup, Navy pasta, sliced vegetables, water, tea).
Return to Petrozavodsk railway station approximately by 15:00.
See you soon!
Departure to Moscow: train No. 017A Petrozavodsk — Moscow at 21:57.
Departure to Saint Petersburg: train No. 805H (Lastochka) Petrozavodsk — Saint Petersburg at 18:00.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

The tour has large bus crossings of up to 300 km in one direction

Accommodation

Hotel

4 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour includes accommodation in hotels.

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

Placement	Piipun Piha + Peter Inn
Double room, Adult	49 200
Double room, child under 12 years old	47 200
Single room	64 500
Extra seat, adult	41 000
Extra place, child under 12 years old	39 000

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 comes with a hairdryer.

The Paulaner Restaurant, which has its own brewery, serves Bavarian, local and international cuisine. The cafe serves European cuisine, desserts and coffee.

The hotel has conference facilities. Guests can use the laundry service.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 35 to 50 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Included in price

accommodation in hotels;
transportation services;
tour service;
meals included in the program (5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 rafting picnic);
the work of the guide and instructors;
entrance tickets for excursions.

Paid extra

tickets to Sortavala and back from Petrozavodsk;
meals not included in the tour program;
entrance to the Akhvenkoski waterfall (self-paid on the spot at the ticket office);
excursion to Valaam Island (to be booked upon purchase of the tour, to be paid on the spot);
fee for visiting the protected area "Valaam Archipelago" (self-payment on the website of the Directorate of Specially Protected Natural Territories of Regional Significance of the Republic of Karelia).

It's important to know

1. Medical preparations for individual needs.

2. Documents: passport, insurance policy (medical), when traveling with children — birth certificate of children.

3. Comfortable sports shoes:

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

6. Bathing suit.

7. Personal hygiene products.

8. Useful equipment:

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

9. For photo and video equipment, take care of airtight packaging in case of rain.

To visit monasteries and temples, women will need a headscarf and a skirt below the knee, while men will need long trousers.

Please note that in summer, especially in early June, temperature fluctuations from +30°C to +10°C are possible. Therefore, take care in advance of warm clothes, windbreakers, hats and comfortable, well-worn shoes, as you will have to spend a lot of time on your feet.

Dates and Prices

$559

1 – 5 Jun 5 days 4 nights

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$559

22 – 26 Jun 5 days 4 nights

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$559

6 – 10 Jul 5 days 4 nights

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$559

10 – 14 Aug 5 days 4 nights

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