Holy places of Karelia: Alexander Svir Monastery, Valaam and Kizhi

You will find the legendary Karelia, a region that is not only famous for its picturesque nature, but is also one of the most important centers of Orthodoxy in Russia. Here, stone monasteries sit side by side with wooden churches, holy springs gush from the ground, and the spirit of peace and harmony inevitably envelops everyone who visits them.

We invite you to travel to the holy places of Karelia, where in three days you will have time to feel the spiritual power of the Russian North, see the splendor of the temples of the Valaam Monastery, worship the holy relics in the Alexander Svir Monastery, admire the laconic severity of wooden churches on Kizhi Island.

Location

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk
from
$683
$719
Early Booker Deal
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
3 days
2 nights
Departures
10 - 12 Jun
17 - 19 Jun
24 - 26 Jun
1 - 3 Jul
8 - 10 Jul
15 - 17 Jul
22 - 24 Jul
29 - 31 Jul
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
4 years old
Group meet at
Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The Sacred Island of Valaam
Take a meteor ride to Valaam, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Russia, remote from civilization and located on islands in Lake Ladoga
Open-air Museum
You will see one of the pearls of Karelia – the Kizhi Museum-Reserve, which has attracted travelers and pilgrims for several centuries.
One of the oldest monasteries in the North
Visit the Alexander Svir Monastery and see its main shrines.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Alexander Svirsky Monastery and Olonets

    08:00 Group meeting at Petrozavodsk railway station and breakfast in a cafe.

    Departure to the Alexander Svir Monastery by bus. Travel time is 2.5-3 hours.

    11:00 Sightseeing tour of the monastery: Trinity and Transfiguration complexes, their temples and shrines.

    13:00 Lunch at a cafe.

    13:40 Departure to Olonets.

    14:20 Guided tour of the Olonets Karelian-Livvik National Museum.

    15:30 Sightseeing of the Cathedral of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God on the island of Mariam.

    16:30 Departure to Petrozavodsk.

    18:45 Accommodation at the hotel.

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  • Day 2 - Valaam Monastery
  • Day 3 - Kizhi Island
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Premium

The tour provides accommodation in standard rooms with amenities in a hotel in Petrozavodsk.

For bookings from 3 to 6 months — 5% discount, the price below is without discount.

The cost of the tour for 1 person:

  • adult – 52,800 rubles.;
  • preferential (pensioners, the disabled and veterans of military operations) – 50,800 rubles.;
  • children 3-14 years old – 48,300 rubles. 

Additional payment for one.placement – 6,000 rubles..

Discount for additional items.place – 4,000 rubles.

The Severnaya Hotel or The Prionezhsky Hotel or 2 nights
The Severnaya Hotel

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

Guests can take advantage of high-quality service: free Wi-Fi, luggage storage and a gym. 

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
The Prionezhsky Hotel

The Prionezhsky Hotel is located in Petrozavodsk, in its historical district, on the shore of the lake.

The hotel has comfortable rooms, the comfort and facilities of which allow you to relax after an eventful day. Meals are served in the restaurant with a bright and cozy room, as well as impeccable service. The bartender will prepare any classic or exclusive cocktail.

The hotel is located in a picturesque area, which is suitable for walks, secluded recreation, as well as for active sports.

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Another option
Onega Castle Hotel

The cozy Onega Castle Hotel is located in the heart of Petrozavodsk. Some rooms offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Various categories are prepared for the accommodation of guests, differing in comfort and furnishing. Each room is decorated in a classic style and equipped with everything you need, including: private bathroom, TV and a set of functional furniture.

The hotel has a restaurant that serves fresh and delicious buffet breakfasts.

You can spend your free time enjoying the views of Lake Onega. Within walking distance there are: Issersonovsky Square, the Zakharov House, the Forge of the Kizhi Museum, the Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich Spring.

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Another option
Hotel "Bag of impressions"

The Bag of Impressions Hotel is located in the historical, business and cultural center of Petrozavodsk, in close proximity to all state institutions of the city, museums, theaters and shopping malls, which will delight guests, because it is so important to maintain punctuality in a large and bustling city. 

The very center of Petrozavodsk, but quiet and peaceful — the hotel is located on a one-way street, away from city highways and transport arteries. 

Within walking distance is the famous city embankment with parks, squares, recreation areas, Markelov exercise equipment and unsurpassed views of Lake Onega. 

The advantage of the hotel is a calm, intimate atmosphere that allows you to relax after a busy day, as well as hold a business meeting. The hotel staff is attentive to each guest and guarantees attention and impeccable quality of service in the field of hospitality.

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Another option
Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel

The modern Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel is located in a picturesque part of Petrozavodsk, not far from the famous Onega Lake.

Comfortable rooms are provided for accommodation, made in a classic, simple design. The rooms have all the necessary furniture and appliances, for example: a comfortable bed with fresh linens, wardrobe, desk, armchair, bedside tables, coffee table, air conditioning. Valuables can be put in the safe. The private bathroom has plumbing, a mirror, and cosmetics.

The rooms have a refrigerator. The on-site restaurant offers a wide range of dishes.

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Another option
The Piter Inn

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. The bathrooms are individual for each room. Some rooms offer stunning views of Lake Onega.

The Paulaner restaurant, which serves Bavarian cuisine, is located on the ground floor of the hotel. There is also a cafe "Coffee Shop", where there is a wide variety of homemade tea, fragrant coffee, delicious desserts, and European cuisine is served there. 

Besovets International Airport is 14.4 km away from the hotel, and the railway station is 0.2 km away.

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Another option
The Petra Hotel

The Petra Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, in a historic building.

A small number of rooms will allow you to enjoy your stay in a homely and cozy atmosphere. They are equipped with air conditioning, a TV, a refrigerator and a private bathroom. A work area is installed, bottled water, a hairdryer are offered, and Wi-Fi is available on site.

The BOTTEGA gastro bar is located on the ground floor, serving dishes from Europe, Italy, Asia and the Middle East.

There are various parks and squares, pharmacies and shops nearby.

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Another option
Karelia SPA Hotel

The hotel is located in the city center at Gulling Embankment, 2.

The hotel has cozy and bright rooms, which have everything you need for a comfortable stay: comfortable furniture, TV, desk. The bathroom has a shower and toiletries.

It features a chic restaurant, a spa, a swimming pool and a sauna. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available on site. The restaurant serves breakfast and a variety of local dishes.

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Another option
The Fregat Hotel

The Fregat Hotel is located in the historical center of Petrozavodsk, on the embankment of Lake Onega. One of its distinctive features is the walls. They are decorated with drawings of ancient ships of the Russian navy.

There are 80 comfortable rooms of various categories available for guests. All of them are equipped with comfortable sleeping places, high-quality furniture and modern appliances.

Meals are served at the restaurant, which offers the largest selection of steaks and fish dishes in the entire city.

Nearby there is the city embankment, the National and Musical Theaters, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Petrozavodsk Bus and Train Stations are approximately a 10-minute drive away.

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Tour conditions

Group
up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
4 years old
Duration
3 days 2 nights
Group meets at
Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Included in price

  • meals included in the program: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches;
  • the work of a tour guide;
  • hotel accommodation;
  • all entrance tickets according to the program;
  • bus transportation service;
  • Meteor ride toKizhi and O.Valaam.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
  • meals not included in the tour program;
  • souvenirs and extras. expenses are optional.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Required: identification documents.

Recommended: 

  • repellent;
  • women's headdress for visiting the temple;
  • windbreaker with hood;
  • sunglasses;
  • comfortable shoes.
Are train tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What discounts and special offers are available for this tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $719
    10 – 12 Jun 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $719
    17 – 19 Jun 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $719
    24 – 26 Jun 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $719
    1 – 3 Jul 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $719
    8 – 10 Jul 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • IT
    Irina Tupitsina
    about provider
    27 May, 2026
    From the very beginning of the booking process by email to the end of the trip, everything was organized clearly, smoothly, and conveniently.
  • Z
    Zhanna
    about provider
    21 May, 2026
    Many thanks to the team at “Big Country” for the excellent organization. The tour went smoothly from start to finish, without any problems or disruptions.
  • I
    Irina
    about provider
    8 May, 2026
    Everything was perfectly organized.