Getting to know Karelia. A week-long rafting on the Shuya River

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The Shuya River is ideal for the first acquaintance with Karelia. An exciting, full of impressions rafting along the most popular Karelian river awaits you, in which the complexity of the rapids increases gradually, which is convenient for beginners and family holidays.

Dynamic rapids combine harmoniously with beautiful lakes, and the culmination of a water hike will be a ride on the famous threshold of the Big Tolly. New reliable motor boats allow you to enjoy traveling on the lakes, and a light inflatable kayak will fully satisfy fans of sports rafting when riding on the Shuisky rapids.

With a group request of 6 people or more, it is possible to organize a tour in individual terms.

Location

Petrozavodsk

Rafting

from

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

The amazing nature of Karelia

Let's admire the landscapes around us, sunbathe and listen to the sounds of nature

A break from the hustle and bustle of the city

We will feel unity with nature, happiness from being surrounded by the fascinating landscapes of Karelia

Complete relaxation

After a fun camping day, we will relax in a hot tourist bathhouse

Active leisure

We relax, play active games, fish, swim and enjoy the views

Shotozero Lake

We will pass a beautiful lake with sandy shores by motor

Itinerary

Day 1 - The beginning of the alloy: por. Sizovsky — por. Doggy
We will meet on the platform at the entrance to the building of the Petrozavodsk railway station.
We are met by instructors (according to the arrival time of train No. 18 Moscow — Petrozavodsk).
To immediately set yourself up for a great adventure, we go to a restaurant for breakfast.
Breakfast will appeal to any traveler — the buffet is at your service.
We get acquainted with the accompanying person and other members of the group, share our first impressions of Karelia.
Our adventure begins! We take buses to the starting point of the rafting — Hautovaara (125 km).
After a long journey and before an intensive rafting trip, you need to refresh yourself. During a delicious lunch, the instructors will introduce you to general information about the upcoming route and answer all your questions.
After lunch on the shore, we begin to prepare for going out on the river: we inflate the rafts, the instructors conduct mandatory instruction on safety on the water and rowing techniques.
We receive helmets, life jackets and paddles, and pack all personal and general belongings in waterproof bags.
We are launching our vessels, and already in practice we are consolidating the theory — training sessions on the water.
Today's route: port. Sizovsky (3rd class) — por. Doggy (2 k.s.), only about 13 km.
Sizovsky Threshold is a great place to train.
We are learning to analyze thresholds: we study the structure, the components.
We train to enter the shaft and the barrel (its availability will depend on the water level) and practice mutual insurance.
After a couple of kilometers we pass the threshold of the Dog (also known as the Island).
Having rolled enough, we set up camp on the shore, participate in cooking dinner and go to rest.
We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow!

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Day 2 - Por. Doggy — por. Kenyakoski — por. Valoyne — por. Sarikoski — por. Kumio
We wake up, the cool morning breeze invigorates.
Exercise is a great way to stretch your legs.
We have breakfast and are on our way.
Our route today: port. Sizovsky — por. Doggie — Ignolskaya HPP — port. Kenyakoski (3-4 K.S.) — por. Valoine (1-2 c.s.) — por. Sarikoski (1-2 c.s.) — por. Kumio (2-3 villages), 15 km.
A couple of kilometers after the exit, we pass the threshold of the Dog (also known as the Island).
Before reaching the Ignoilsky hydroelectric power station, we pass a calm stretch of the river surrounded by wooded banks. We are demolishing the hydroelectric power station.
The passage is not difficult, about 400 meters.
While we are transferring the rafts, a delicious and hearty lunch is being prepared.
We gain strength and ask the instructors to tell us about the next obstacle.
The most difficult threshold today is the Kenyakoski threshold (3-4 kps).
Its name translates from Karelian as "Black Threshold", and all because the water appears black because of the rocks coming to the surface. Its length is about a kilometer, and at the outlet there are 2 meter-long drains with a large barrel (a large foam shaft with a countercurrent).
The decision to remove the Kenyakoski threshold and the Kumio threshold is made by the instructor, depending on the readiness of the group and the water level.
We discuss the threshold together with the instructors.
We insure each other from the shore, and do not forget to film the passage of the threshold on video and photos to capture the vivid events!
This is followed by the uncomplicated Valoine rapids (1-2 k.s.) and Sarikoski (1-2 k.s.).
On the latter, by the way, you can really break away: ride along the ramparts, go sideways or backwards, in general, as your imagination allows you.
And let all this be accompanied by ringing laughter.
The second difficult threshold awaits us further today — the Kumio threshold (2 k.s.).
It is also the most beautiful on the route: here the river winds between the banks of huge flat rocks.
We dock at the shore, set up camp.
We prepare dinner and go to rest.

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Day 3 - A day on the threshold of Kumio
It's daytime today, which means that there's no need to take off the camp, there's no need to rush anywhere.
We relax, play active games, fish, swim and enjoy the views.
If desired, you can unload the raft and go fishing away from the shore.
And today we will definitely flood the sauna.
A compact, quickly assembled tourist sauna in the field is the best way to relieve fatigue during a hike.
"Bath procedures" smooth out the effect of high doses of adrenaline, relax muscles, and relieve tension perfectly.
After the bath, we cook fragrant mulled wine!

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Day 4 - Por. Kumio — D. Sodder Lake. Shotozero
How did you sleep after the day? Do you feel that you rested and relaxed yesterday?
We have breakfast and hit the road again.
Route of the day: port. Kumio (2-3 grades) — D. Sodder Lake. Shotozero.
We are already familiar with the threshold of Kumio, but who would refuse to curb it again? There is such beauty around!
It is about 15 km from the threshold to the village of Sodder.
It's a long way, but we have a motor with us, so we'll go part of the way on the motor, part on the oars.
There will always be someone who wants to row.
On the way to the village we will meet many beautiful peat lakes.
Take our time, enjoy the beauty of nature around us.
After the village, we get to Lake Shotozero, which we pass under the engine.
Translated from Sami, Shotozero is a lake that is "cut through" by a river.
We'll stop for a snack and exercise on the way.
Shotozero is a lake with sandy shores, we move along it under the engine for 2-3 hours. A little later we stop on one of the shores to spend the night.
We set up camp, cook dinner, and spend time around the campfire with stories, memories, and games.

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Day 5 - From Lake Shotozero to the Svyatreka River
I slept great after a busy day and a hearty dinner.
We enjoy breakfast, pack our things and continue our journey.
Route: Lake. Shotozero — pore. Mostovoy (1-2 villages) — lake. Vagatozero — D. Kindasovo is a port. Kindasovsky (2nd class) — por. Khabakovsky (1-2 villages) — Svyatreka river, 35 km.
The distance from Lake Shotozero to Lake Vagatozero is about five kilometers. Our journey here is accompanied by high shores with mighty pine trees.
At the exit to Vagatozero we will pass a simple threshold of the Pavement.
On one of the shores of Vagatozero there are traces of the presence of primitive people, which date back to the III–II millennium BC.
Can you imagine?! We walk slowly along the lake about 10 km to the village of Kindasovo.
Her fame has spread far beyond Karelia — it is here that the famous humor festivals take place.
On the way to the village on the river, a very dynamic shiver cascade awaits us.
There are stones that appear 30-50 cm above the water. This place is popularly called the "rock garden".
Here we will test our raft control skills.
On the way, depending on the circumstances, we will stop for a full lunch or a snack without resorting to thorough cooking.
After the village of Kindasovo, there are several uncomplicated thresholds waiting for us: Kindasovsky and Khabakovsky.
Shortly after the thresholds, we get into the parking lot.
We spend the day watching the sun disappear below the horizon.

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Day 6 - Riding on the threshold of the Big Tolly
Over breakfast, we discuss our plans for the day, pack up the camp and personal belongings and move on.
The following route is planned today: Svyatreka River — port. Kutizhmensky (1-2 k.s.) — por. Yumanishki (2-3 c.s.) — por. Big Tolly (3-4 square meters), only 22 km.
To warm up, we pass the Kutizhmensky threshold: it is simple but dynamic.
Following him, we come to the threshold of Humor, which is popularly called a Curve.
It is considered the longest on the Shuya River (about 2 km). The higher the water level in the river, the more interesting it is to overcome it.
At low water, the threshold will remind us of the rafting area between Vagatozer and Kindasov.
And here it is the culmination of our vacation — the famous threshold of the Big Crowd.
This is the most powerful threshold on Shuya.
The Bolshoy Tolly Threshold is one of the most famous and most visited rapids in Karelia.
It annually hosts competitions among kayakers from Russia and neighboring countries.
To pass this threshold, we will need all the skills and abilities that we have acquired and practiced on this journey.
And it's worth it!
The afternoon was left especially for riding on this threshold.
Having rolled enough, we set up camp, participate in the preparation of dinner.

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Day 7 - Skating on the threshold of the Big Tolly and the shungite Room
Slowly we wake up.
Today is our final morning of our trip to Karelia.
Let's spend it in a measured manner, not in a hurry.
We have breakfast and spend our free time: shall we ride the Big Tolly again?
We come off to the fullest, enjoy the sounds of nature, and breathe in the clean forest air.
Don't forget to take photos!
Do you already have a photo with an oar and a helmet?
We're having lunch.
Well, what? How was our weekend: we rode the waves, enjoyed the Karelian landscapes, tasted delicious food, were reborn in a hot bathhouse — do you feel a surge of strength and desire to conquer a new peak?!
On the way to Petrozavodsk (110 km), we remember our little adventure and funny stories, look at photos and videos, and promise to meet in Karelia again!
Here we are at the train station.
We take photos, exchange contacts, and take evening trains home.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Tent

6 nights

Comfort

Basic

Throughout the tour, overnight stays in 3-seater tourist tents, check—in in tents for 3 people.

Please inform us about the need for a 2-bed tent when booking a tour.

The cost of the tour:

Rafting

8 participants + instructor

22,500 rubles/person.

Conditions for children:

discount for children from 8 to 12 years old — 15%;
the cost of the tour for children from 5 to 7 years old is 6,000 rubles.

The tour includes accommodation in a tent.

Tour conditions

Group

From 8 to 16 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

transportation services according to the program;
meals according to the program;
the work of instructors;
rental of rafting equipment: rafts, oars, helmets, life jackets, sealed packages, motor + fuel;
rental of camp equipment: campfire equipment, tents (3-seater), thermal insulation mats.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
sleeping bag (comfort temperature +6°, extreme 0°, payable when booking a tour) — 700 rubles/tour.;
accommodation in a double tent — 1,500 rubles/tour;
rent of a neoprene suit — 3,300 rubles/piece/tour;
insurance of medical and other unforeseen expenses — from 100 rubles/person/day.

It's important to know

1. A backpack without a machine or a travel bag.

2. Sleeping bag (if there is no personal one, you can rent it from the company, payment is made when booking a trip).

3. A set of clothes for changing clothes after rafting:

a set of dry comfortable outerwear;
dry comfortable shoes and socks;
beanie/bandana/buff;
a set of spare underwear.

4. Clothes for sleeping in a tent:

warm loose clothing (if available, thermal underwear);
warm socks (woolen ones are possible) and a thin hat (nights can be cool);
for the evening, a fleece jacket / sweatshirt / jacket.

5. For a trip to the tourist bath:

individual towel;
swimsuit (boys / girls go to the bathhouse all together, groups of 8-10 people);
slates/sandals are sporty.

6. Comfortable shoes without heels, 3 pairs:

one for rafting on the river;
the second one is for the camp (you can take rubber boots if it rains according to the forecast);
The third one is "urban".

7. Personal items:

knee pads (when rafting on a catamaran) – not necessary;
repellents (mosquitoes, midges);
flashlight with a set of spare batteries;
sunglasses and sunscreen and after sunburn, if it is sunny according to the forecast;
personal hygiene products (including toilet paper);
individual first aid kit;
small polyurethane seat mat;
portable charger;
personal tableware (mug, deep bowl, spoon).

8. Documents – passport, medical insurance policy (photocopy is possible) in an airtight package.

9. Money.
We recommend that you always have a small amount of cash with you so that, if desired, you can quickly buy the necessary things at stops along the route.

10. You can take a camera, there will be sealed packages on the rafts, in which it can be hidden at the moment of passing the threshold.

Failure to comply with safety regulations (personal safety) while on the water causes increased risks to life and health. Therefore, follow these instructions.

Before going out on the water:

listen to the safety instruction from the instructor, sign in to receive it;
match the size of the life jacket and helmet, adjust all fasteners;
take a seat on the ship so that it is comfortable and safe.

General rules on the water:

do not smoke on the ship;
do not drink alcoholic beverages on the water;
Always collect loose ropes;
keep an eye on the tightness of the packaging of things, and their secure fastening on the ship;
carefully pack the piercing and cutting objects;
do not move around the ship without the instructor's warning;
always moor (tie up) the vessel when going ashore;
secure oars, helmets, life jackets when going ashore;
go ashore carefully, avoiding falling into the water, as well as on the shore on wet rocks, if necessary, ask for help from an instructor or other group members;
it is forbidden to swim and dive from the ship;
observe the interval and the order of movement of vessels set by the instructor;
you can unbutton and take off your life jacket and helmet only with the permission of the instructor;
follow the instructions and instructions of the instructor;
do not exceed the standard number of people on the ship;
when on the water in sunny weather, use sunglasses, sunscreen and cover exposed areas of the body and head;
do not stay on the water during a thunderstorm.

When passing the thresholds:

everyone can refuse to pass the threshold;
before the threshold, check the reliability of securing things, the assembly of ropes, the degree of pumping of the vessel, if something is wrong, inform the instructor;
be sure to fasten your life jacket and helmet;
check that your clothes comply with the recommendations (neoprene, closed elbows and knees, shoes attached to the leg);
secure your legs so that you hold on securely, but you can easily free yourself when the ship turns over;
do not tie yourself to the ship, do not tie an oar to yourself, etc.;
follow the instructor's commands without committing unauthorized actions.;
Do not move around the ship;
do not push off the rocks with an oar without the instructor's command;
do not jump out on the rocks or into the water without the instructor's command.

In case of contact with water:

Before difficult thresholds, ask the instructor again in detail about your actions. If possible, practice getting on the ship from the water yourself in advance, swim in a life jacket, etc.

assess the situation, do not panic (remember that you are in a life jacket);
if your or a safety vessel is nearby, swim up to it so that you are upstream, grab the harness (rail);
if the ship is far away, but you have been thrown a spanker, take the spanker and hold it firmly, without fixing it on yourself or winding it on your hand;
if you are swimming along the stream, and the threshold does not end, turn on your back, with your feet downstream, bending them slightly at the knees, and swim, controlling the paddle;
if the "barrel" does not let you go, hold your breath and try to dive down where there is a jet;
do not let go of the paddle, it will be useful for controlling the jet, for going ashore;
do not try to get to the bottom on a strong jet, avoid jamming your feet in the rocks;
if you catch a spascon, avoid wrapping it around your body, neck, etc.