Four summer days in Karelia: Kizhi — Marcial waters — Kivach — Valaam — Ruskeala

On this tour you will visit an amazingly picturesque region with the most interesting monuments of architecture and history. 

As part of the trip, you will visit the main attractions of Karelia, get the opportunity to ride the Ruskeala Express retro train, get acquainted with the capital of Karelia, take a Meteor to Kizhi Island, visit the Marcial Waters resort and the Ruskeala Mountain Park.

Location

Petrozavodsk
from
$594
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 Days
3 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 28 June – 1 July
    • 5 – 8 July
    • 12 – 15 July
    • 19 – 22 July
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 50 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

The legendary island
You will take part in an excursion to Kizhi Island, where you will get acquainted with the temples of the Kizhi architectural ensemble.
Scenic Mountain Park
Take a land tour of the Ruskeala Mountain Park
The first Russian resort
Taste the water from three springs and get acquainted with the interesting history of the Marcial Waters resort

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Petrozavodsk. Marcial Waters Resort, Girvas volcano, Kivach Waterfall

    ~ 07:50 Meeting at the Petrozavodsk railway station from the side of the platform upon arrival of train No. 18.

    The guide greets you with a sign "Summer days in Karelia".

    If you arrived by earlier trains or by your own transport, then you need to arrive at the meeting time at the Petrozavodsk railway station.

    Breakfast in a cozy cafe.

    09:30 Departure for a country tour "The first Russian resort "Marcial waters" — the ancient volcano Girvas — Kivach waterfall" (duration 8 hours).

    An introduction to the interesting history of the Marcial Waters resort (55 km from Petrozavodsk), founded by Peter the Great in the XVIII century.

    Tasting of water from three healing springs.

    Inspection of the Church of St. St. Peter the Apostle, built in 1721 according to the drawings of the emperor himself.

    Then the way lies to the Girvas village area.

    You will have the opportunity to see a unique natural monument — the Girvas volcano. It is an extinct volcano in the riverbed of the Suna River.

    Just imagine – he lived about two billion years ago. There are frozen lava, rocks, sand dunes, and dense pine forests.

    Lunch at a cafe.

    Next, you will admire the most famous waterfall in Karelia. He is praised in Russian poetry as the "northern hero".

    Here, in the Kivach Nature Reserve, you will see a real Karelian birch and visit the nature museum.

    Return to Petrozavodsk.

    Accommodation at the selected hotel after the end of the excursion program.

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  • Day 2 - Petrozavodsk city tour. Kizhi Island Trip
  • Day 3 - Ruskeala Mountain Park
  • Day 4 - Free day. Wonderful Island of Valaam tour (optional)
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels.

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

  • When staying in Sortavala at the Seurahuone 2* or Ladoga 2* hotel:
 Double room
Accommodation (twin standard)
Single room
placement
Additional place
Peter Inn 4* Hotel
46 60053 30038 900
Hotel "Severnaya" 4*46 60054 30038 900
Hotel "Greenfeel" 3*46 60056 90036 900
  • When staying in Sortavala at the Rodina 4* hotel:
 Double room
accommodation (Twin standard Homeland)
Double room
accommodation (comfort double Rodina)
Single room
placement
Additional place
Peter Inn 4* Hotel
48 20050 40064 40036 900
Hotel "Severnaya" 4*48 20050 40060 80039 900
Hotel "Greenfeel" 3*48 20050 40061 80039 900

Discounts:

  • a child under 6 years old inclusive — 2,500 rubles /person.;
  • school students up to and including 16 years old — 2,000 rubles/person.;
  • a pensioner over 60 years old — 400 rubles/person.
Peter Inn Petrozavodsk Hotel 4* or Hotel "Severnaya" 4* or 2 nights
Peter Inn Petrozavodsk Hotel 4*

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 make use of the laundry service.

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Another option
Hotel "Severnaya" 4*

The Severnaya Hotel is located in the very center of Petrozavodsk, surrounded by major attractions and infrastructure facilities. 

The hotel offers comfortable and modern rooms, which are fully equipped with everything you need. Each room has everything you need: ergonomic furniture, modern appliances and an individual bathroom. Regular cleaning is carried out everywhere.

Delicious and hearty breakfasts are served every morning, which are fully equipped with everything you need. There is also a restaurant consisting of several halls.

There is a bus stop near the hotel, as well as a museum of local lore and picturesque parks for long walks.

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Another option
Greenfeel Hotel 3*

The Greenfeel Hotel is located in Pervomaisky district of Petrozavodsk. Lake Onega stretches 1.8 km away.

Double and triple rooms of various furnishings are offered for accommodation. Each has one or two comfortable beds, a TV, a small desk, and blackout curtains.

There are a lot of cafes, canteens, pizzerias and other places where you can have a delicious meal around the hotel.

If you want to visit the sights and get to know the city, you can go to the Nameless Stream Park, which is located nearby, or to the Botanical Garden. The distance to the railway station is 2.5 km, to the airport — 11.8 km.

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Seurahuone Hotel 2* or Ladoga Hotel 2* or 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
4 days 3 nights
Group meets at
Petrozavodsk

Included in price

  • accommodation in rooms of the selected category (2 nights in Petrozavodsk, 1 night in Sortavala);
  • meals according to the program (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners);
  • Petrozavodsk sightseeing Tour;
  • Kizhi Island tour;
  • excursion to the Marcial Waters resort, Girvas volcano, Kivach Nature Reserve;
  • Ruskeala Mountain Park Tour;
  • transportation services according to the program;
  • the work of the guide and the accompanying person according to the program.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back from Sortavala;
  • meals not included in the tour program;
  • railway tickets for the Ruskeala Express retro train;
  • Wonderful Island of Valaam tour:
    • adult — 6,700 rubles/person.;
    • a child under 12 years of age — 3,400 rubles/person.;
    • children under 6 years old — free of charge (upon presentation of a birth certificate);
  • visit to the specially protected natural area "Valaam Archipelago" — 200 rubles /person (self-paid).
  • entrance to the ecotrope with suspension bridges at Ruskeala waterfalls:
    • adult – 500 rubles/person.;
    • child, pensioner, student – 400 rubles/person.

Booking excursions in advance, when booking a tour, payment is made on the tour to the guide (in cash).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

1. Medical preparations for individual needs.
2. Documents: passport, insurance policy (medical).
3. Comfortable sports shoes:

  • sneakers or moccasins, but not new, but familiar and comfortable;
  • replacement shoes (light sneakers 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 visor). 
6. Bathing suit. 
7. Personal hygiene products. 
8. Useful equipment:

  • small backpack (20-30 l);
  • flashlight with spare batteries;
  • sunscreen (required);
  • sunglasses.
What are the rules for visiting the Valaam Monastery?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What is the weather like on tour?
What documents do I need to have with me?
How to protect yourself from a tick bite?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
What documents are required for children under the age of 14 when checking into a hotel?
Are there any possible changes in the program?
What do you need to know about the Ruskeala Express retro train?
Are there any discounts on the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • from
    $594
    28 Jun – 1 Jul 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $594
    5 – 8 Jul 4 days 3 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $594
    12 – 15 Jul 4 days 3 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $594
    19 – 22 Jul 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $594
    26 – 29 Jul 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

  • N
    Nina
    about provider
    15 Jun, 2025
    2 more photos
    Thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful experience. The excursions were heartfelt and meaningful, and the guides were fantastic. We visited some truly remarkable places and were very pleased.:) I’d especially like to mention our guide Lyudmila — a warm, kind-hearted woman who shared incredibly engaging and insightful information.
  • 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).