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

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We invite you to an interesting program on Karelia and the Solovetsky Islands.

You will find unique natural landscapes, rich history and culture, as well as amazing sights that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Get acquainted with the identity of Karelia, enjoy the beauty of wooden architecture, feel the power of waterfalls and the pacification of holy places.

This tour is the perfect way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of harmony and inspiration.

Location

Petrozavodsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Solovetsky Archipelago

Get acquainted with the history of the famous Solovetsky Monastery and visit the Cape of Labyrinths

Kizhi Island

Take the "comet" to the pearl of Zaonezhye and visit the museum of wooden architecture

Kivach Nature Reserve

You will see the most famous waterfall of Karelia and the arboretum of Karelian birch

Itinerary

Day 1 - Petrozavodsk city tour. Interactive program
Upon arrival of train No. 18, a meeting with a guide at the Petrozavodsk railway station, a sign "Grand tour of Karelia".
Breakfast in a cafe in the city.
Bus sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk and a walking tour of the unique open-air museum of Modern Art (sculpture exhibit on the embankment of Lake Onega).
During the tour, you will get acquainted with the history of the city, as well as its modern appearance.
You will explore historical squares, visit the Governor's Park, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and walk along the embankment of Lake Onega.
An interactive program.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Accommodation in the selected hotel, standard rooms with amenities.

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Day 2 - Free day. Excursion "Valaam and Ruskeala" (for an additional fee)
Free day.
Breakfast at the hotel (lunch box for those who go on an additional tour).
Additionally (for an additional fee) excursion "Valaam and Ruskeala" (reservation in advance, payment on the spot).
The duration of the tour is 18-20 hours.
~05:00 Early departure to see everything.
Please take a "lunch box" on the way at the reception desk of your hotel.
Transfer to the Northern Ladoga region (250 km).
On the way, visit the memorial "Poklonny Krest", erected in memory of the Winter War.
Land tour in Ruskeala Mountain Park, the famous marble Canyon.
The sheer marble walls of the canyon make a strong impression on visitors.
After the tour ends, visit the Tokhminsky waterfalls (Akhvenkoski waterfalls), where the film "And the Dawns here are quiet" was shot.
Transfer to the port of Sortavala.
Departure along Lake Ladoga to Valaam Island. (45 minutes on the way by Meteor).
Full program on Valaam (5 hours stay on the island, walking programs):
Guided tour of the Central manor of the monastery.
Excursion to one of the hermitages of the Valaam archipelago (according to the technical capability of the monastery):
An excursion to the Nikolsky hermitage is one of the most beautiful monasteries of Valaam.
"The New Jerusalem." The Resurrection Skete, the Gethsemane Skete, ascend Mount Olivet to the Chapel of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Lunch in the monastery refectory (lenten).
Valaam is the Northern Athos, the holy monastery, the magical land. At one time, N. Roerich, I. Shishkin, A. Kuindzhi, F. Tyutchev, representatives of the Romanov dynasty, and prominent church figures loved to visit Wallam.
Valaam will not leave you indifferent!
Return to Sortavala.
~00:00 Late arrival in Petrozavodsk.

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Day 3 - Kizhi Island
Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
Meeting with a guide on the embankment of Petrozavodsk (independent arrival at the specified time).
A trip by "comet" to Kizhi Island (1 hour 20 min. along Lake Onega. It's 4 hours on the island).
Kizhi Island is the pearl of Zaonezhye, located among the Kizhi skerries.
The main attraction of the island is the museum of wooden architecture, in the center of which is the ensemble of the Kizhi cemetery.
During the island tour, you will visit a traditional peasant's house, learn a lot about Karelian crafts and traditions, listen to the bells and see one of the main Orthodox shrines of the Russian North — the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Free time.

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Day 4 - Kivach Nature Reserve. The center of Shungite. Moving to Kem
Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
Room release, check-out with your belongings.
Departure by comfortable bus to Kem (470 km).
Visit to the Shungite Center.
You will get acquainted with the mysterious mineral, here you will learn about the properties of shungite and its application, visit the shungite relaxation room, rest in which will give you an incredible charge of living energy.
After that, we will treat you to Karelian ivan tea.
On the way, a country tour to the Kivach Nature Reserve, the oldest in Russia and the first in Karelia.
During the tour of the reserve you will see the most famous waterfall of Karelia — Kivach and the arboretum of the famous Karelian birch.
Lunch at a cafe on the way.
Arrival in Kem (Rabochiostrovsk), accommodation at the Prichal Hotel, located on the shore of the White Sea (economy hotel, rooms with amenities).

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Day 5 - Solovki. The central manor of the monastery is the Cape of Labyrinths
Early rise.
Breakfast in the cafe of the tourist complex.
Departure of the ship to Solovki.
Crossing the White Sea (2 hours on the way).
Arrival on the island. Transfer to the Solovetsky Monastery.
Sightseeing tour of the Central manor of the monastery (walking, duration 2.5 hours).
The tour introduces visitors to the history of the Solovetsky Monastery.
Tourists visit the territory of the central complex of the monastery, active temples, monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, objects of economic activity of the monastery, the Solovetsky fortress.
Lunch at a cafe.
A walk to the Cape of labyrinths on the picturesque shore of the White Sea.
Here you can see dancing birches and labyrinths of stones.
Free time to buy souvenirs, visit shops.
Independent arrival at the port.
Departure to the mainland.
Return to Rabochiostrovsk.
Overnight at the Pier Hotel.

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Day 6 - Departure
Breakfast (lunch box for early check-out).
Transfer to the Kem railway station to the departure trains.
Departure by train to Moscow/Saint-Petersburg.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights
Camp Site

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels.

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

	Hotel Zarechnaya 3* (Petrozavodsk) + Pier (Kem)	*Fregat 4 Hotel (Petrozavodsk) + Pier** (Kem)	Peter Inn 4* Hotel (Petrozavodsk) + Pier (Kem)
Double room with amenities	56 800	62 700	57 100
Single room with amenities	69 000	76 600	71 400
Additional place	—	53 000	51,500 (on request)

Discounts:

children under 9 years old inclusive — 5,600 rubles/person.;
children under 12 years old inclusive — 2,800 rubles /person.;
pensioners over 60 years old — 1000 rubles /person.

When foreign citizens check in at the tourist complex "Pier" (Rabochostrovsk, Kem), a registration fee is charged (self-payment on site).

The Zarechnaya Hotel

The hotel is located in the central part of the city, on the banks of the Lososinka River.

The famous landmark of Petrozavodsk, the Doll House, as well as the Provincial Park and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral are within walking distance.

All rooms have modern furniture, European-level plumbing, double-glazed windows with mosquito nets, LCD TV, refrigerator, Internet, telephone.

Single room (standard).

The room is equipped with a large bed, refrigerator, telephone, mirror, TV, bathroom, shower and toilet.

Double Room (standard)

The room is equipped with two beds, bedside tables, refrigerator, telephone, mirror, TV, bathroom, shower, toilet.

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Another option

The Fregat Hotel

The Fregat Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, in a quiet and picturesque location on the shores of Lake Onega. The hotel has a restaurant. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and secure parking is available.

The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV with Smart TV technology. They are equipped with a mini-bar, a work desk, a telephone and a safe. The modern private bathroom comes with underfloor heating, a hairdryer and toiletries.

The hotel's restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, as well as European and Russian cuisine. The fitness center and lobby bar at the Fregat Hotel are open 24 hours a day.

The hotel is located in the city center, a 5-minute walk from the beautiful Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The Karelian Republic Theatre is a 7-minute walk away.

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Another option

Peter Inn Hotel

The Peter Inn Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Petrozavodsk and offers its guests high standards of service and a wide range of services. The reception is open 24 hours a day.

The rooms are bright rooms that are decorated in a modern style. Functional furniture and new appliances are installed in each category.

Meals are served in the restaurant, which serves local, Bavarian and international cuisine. There is also a sushi bar and a lounge cafe on site.

Business meetings, conferences and trainings are held in the equipped conference hall. The staff will organize a business meeting of any format and will take into account all the details and nuances.

Besovets International Airport is 17 kilometers away from the hotel.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 50 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in hotels according to the program;
sightseeing and transportation services;
meals included in the tour program (6 breakfasts, 2 lunches + 1 lean lunch for those going on an additional tour on the second day of the tour);
transportation and tour services;
entrance tickets to museums.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back from Kemi;
Valaam + Ruskeala tour (reservation in advance, payment on the spot):
- from 05/01/2025:
  - adult — 12,100 rubles/person.;
  - child under 12 years old — 7,700 rubles/person.;
  - pensioners (from age 60), schoolchildren aged 12-17, students — 11,600 rubles/person.;
- until 05/01/2025:
  - adult — 11,000 rubles/person.;
  - child under 12 years old — 7,300 rubles/person.;
  - pensioners (from age 60), students — 10,500 rubles/person.;
visit to the Valaam Archipelago specially protected natural area (self-paid on the website of the Directorate of Specially Protected Natural Areas of Regional Importance of the Republic of Karelia);
meals not included in the tour program;
registration fee for the settlement of foreign citizens in Kemi (self-payment on the spot).

It's important to know

an identity document in an airtight package (for children — a birth certificate);
compulsory medical insurance policy;
comfortable shoes — sneakers or sneakers;
waterproof, windproof jacket;
raincoat;
a warm sweater or a warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants);
sports trousers;
lightweight headdress;
bathing suit;
sunglasses;
personal hygiene items: soap, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste;
repellents and remedies for mosquito and tick bites;
personal first aid kit;
photo and video equipment + sealed packaging for them in case of rain;
a small backpack (20-30 l).

Dates and Prices

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1 – 6 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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8 – 13 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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15 – 20 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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22 – 27 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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29 Jun – 4 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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6 – 11 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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13 – 18 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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20 – 25 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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27 Jul – 1 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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3 – 8 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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10 – 15 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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17 – 22 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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24 – 29 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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31 Aug – 5 Sep 6 days 5 nights

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Reviews

K
Konstantin

about provider

22 Apr, 2025

The local tour operator was excellent. Vera did a fantastic job, she shared lots of interesting information along the way, which made the journey enjoyable and far from tiring. Many thanks to all the staff who accompanied us throughout the trip.

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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.

Grand Tour of Karelia