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

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You will have 4 unforgettable days in festive Karelia.

During this time, you will have time to: uncover the mystery of the fabulous capital of Karelia, meet Hall's Grandfather, attend a master class on gates, ride a sled and get into the kingdom of the Snow Queen.

There are many magical and vivid impressions ahead that you can get on this New Year's journey!

Location

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Tour highlights

The protected "Kivach"

Visit a nature reserve with an ice-free waterfall

Sledding

Make friends with friendly huskies and take a ride with the breeze

Delicious master class

Take part in an exciting master class dedicated to gingerbread art

The fusion of marble and ice

You will enter the kingdom of the Snow Queen and see the magic of the Ruskeala Mountain Park

Winter Petrozavodsk

Immersion in the beauty of the winter city, its history from the reign of Peter the Great to the present day

Itinerary

Day 1 - Petrozavodsk. The National Museum of the Republic of Karelia. Hall's Grandfather's Estate
08:00 Gathering of the group at the main entrance to the railway station, a landmark guide with a sign.
08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast in the restaurant.
09:00 – 11:00 Getting to know the capital of Karelia – sightseeing tour "The charm of winter Petrozavodsk". You will find an interesting immersion in the history of the city from the reign of Peter the Great to the present day.
You will learn how Petrozavodsk was founded, and even see the places at the mouth of the Lososinka River, where Petrovskaya Sloboda originated. With his fascinating story, the guide will take you back to the time of the construction of the Petrovsky plant.
You will walk along the beautiful old squares and avenues, take a lot of photos at art objects and monuments in the open-air museum on the famous Onega Embankment.
11:00 – 12:00 New Year's reception at the Governor's House. In the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia, real New Year's wonders await you: together with the revived characters of history, you will get acquainted with traditions, winter signs and customs.
Accompanied by the "Olonets Governor", you will learn how Christmas was celebrated in the 19th century, and even learn some movements from ballroom dancing.
And at the end of this short journey into such an exquisite past, the friendly "maids" will offer you a glass of champagne!
12:00 Lunch at the cafe.
13:00 – 15:30 Trip to the secret workshop of Grandfather Hull! Here, in the heart of Karelia, is the estate of Grandfather Hull, the most hardworking of the Morozov brothers. The landlady Inkeri and his helpers, the housekeepers, live with him. The most favorite activity of housewives is telling children fairy tales around the campfire and treating them to delicious marshmallows.
For the youngest guests, the "School of Housewives" is open, where children will be taught magic tricks and test their skills in making New Year's toys. Adults will learn the Karelian dance and make a talisman with their own hands, which they will take with them as a souvenir.
Well, where is Hull's Grandfather? He has been watching your efforts and is waiting for everyone in his office. Remember – the most important and cherished desires can be whispered in his ear!
At the end of a wonderful day, a traditional tea party awaits you!
16:00 Return to Petrozavodsk and accommodation in a 4* hotel.
A free evening for walking around the festively decorated city, visiting New Year's performances and going to restaurants for gastronomic impressions.

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Day 2 - Karjala Park
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 Transfer to the Karyala Park tourist complex (30 km from Petrozavodsk).

10:30 – 11:30 You will take a ride on a picturesque forest track on a dog sled!

Here, in Karjala Park, one of the best husky kennels in Karelia is located. Each inhabitant of the nursery has not only its own external features, but also its own character. They have one thing in common – they are truly beautiful, powerful and incredibly kind dogs.

You will hear an interesting story from a cabin instructor about the inhabitants of the kennel, learn the history of the breed, the features of breeding and maintenance. And after passing the safety briefing, take a ride on a dog sled.

The route (1 km.) will pass through a flat area in a snow-covered pine forest along the banks of the Shuya River.

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at the cafe.

14:00 – 15:30 Fascinating master class dedicated to gingerbread art!

The program includes:
an excursion into history: immerse yourself in the fascinating world of gingerbread, learning about the traditions and secrets of their preparation;
Gingerbread art exhibition: enjoy the magnificent works created by the masters of their craft;
Creative master class: take part in a master class where you can create your own unique gingerbread under the guidance of experienced craftsmen;
Tea party: end the evening with a cup of fragrant tea with gingerbread treats.
Transfer to the hotel, rest.
12/31/2024 - on request, for an additional fee, a New Year's banquet in a restaurant in the city. For more information, contact the manager.

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Day 3 - Northern Ladoga region
Breakfast at the hotel.
12:00 We leave for the Northern Ladoga region (260 km, about 4 hours one way).
We are going to the Ruskeala Mountain Park by the time the magic backlight is turned on in the Marble Canyon.
16:00 – 17:15 The famous Ruskeala Mountain Park was created at the historical sites of marble mining, which was mined here for centuries to decorate the architectural masterpieces of St. Petersburg.
A lake has formed in a huge man—made quarry, from which marble slopes grow, and in winter it turns into an ice fairy tale - the real kingdom of the Snow Queen.
In the evening, artistic lighting is turned on here, adding even more charm and magic to what is happening.
You will walk along the main route around the canyon, learn interesting facts from the history of mining, take photos with the best views of the marble slopes. You will walk along the "dry tunnel", where you will feel the power and scale of the rock mining, look into the "marble heart" sinkhole, from where you can see the underground part of the park.
17:15 – 19:00 Free time in the park.
19:00 – 23:00 Return to Petrozavodsk.

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Day 4 - Marcial waters, Kivach
After breakfast, we leave the hotel. We leave our things on the bus.
12:00 – 13:00 Transfer to the resort "Marcial waters". This is the first Russian resort that was founded Peter the Great in 1719 on the basis of ferruginous mineral springs.
You will visit the Museum of the History of the resort, visit the Church of the Apostle Peter and taste the water from three healing springs.
14:00 – 15:00 Lunch at the cafe.
15:00 – 16:00 Visit to the Kivach Nature Reserve, the pearl of which is the ice-free waterfall. It is located on one of the largest rivers in Karelia — the Suna. You will learn a beautiful Karelian legend related to this fact.
You will have the opportunity to admire the waterfall and take great photos from three viewing platforms.
During the tour of the cozy Nature Museum located in the reserve, you will see the exposition of the animal and plant world of the area.
In the protected arboretum, in addition to other unique trees, you will see the famous Karelian birch. You will find out why she is so appreciated and whether it is true that she does not have the usual rings.
You will have the opportunity to walk among the ancient trees and enjoy the purity of the Karelian air.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
17:30 Transfer to the railway station. The end of the program.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in one of the 4* hotels. Petrozavodsk.

The main hotel for accommodation is the Peter Inn. Accommodation at the Fregat Hotel is available with an additional fee of 3,000 rubles/person.

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

49,500 rubles/adult – when staying in a double room;
61,300 rubles/adult – when staying in a single room;
40,200 rubles/adult – when placed in an additional place.

Discounts:

discount for children under 9 years old – 3,500 rubles.;
discount for children under 16 years of age – 2000 rubles.

The Peter Inn Hotel

The Peter Inn Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Petrozavodsk and offers 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.

Meals are served in the restaurant, which offers local, Bavarian and international cuisine. In addition, there is a sushi bar and a lounge cafe on site.

Another option

The Fregat Hotel

The Fregat Hotel is located in the historical center of Petrozavodsk, on the embankment of Lake Onega (which is the second largest lake in Europe). One of its distinctive features are the walls. They are decorated with drawings of ancient ships.

There are 80 comfortable rooms of various categories available for guests. All of them are equipped with comfortable beds, high-quality furniture and modern appliances. Meals are served at the restaurant, which offers a wide selection of steaks and fish dishes.

The city embankment, the National and Musical Theaters, and the Museum of Fine Arts are located nearby. Petrozavodsk Bus and Train Station is about a 10-minute drive away.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 25 tourists

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in rooms of the selected category at the hotel (3 nights);
meals specified in the program (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 tea parties);
rental of transport and all transfers according to the program;
all entrance tickets to museums and nature reserves;
excursion service according to the program and the services of an accompanying guide;
participant's health and life insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
meals not specified in the program;
additional services along the tour route;
New Year's banquet on 31.12.2024 (optional) in a restaurant in the city. The cost and the program are being specified.

It's important to know

personal items. Travel clothes should be, first of all, comfortable. Take with you what you usually wear for hiking and recreation. The weather in Karelia is capricious and changeable;
camera or video camera, charger (powerbank);
cash or cards (for souvenirs, other personal expenses);
individual first aid kit.

Karelian New Year holidays