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

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Embark on an eventful journey through Karelia!

You will have 8 days of exciting adventures: a walk through the streets of Petrozavodsk, a trip on the "Comet" to Kizhi Island, an unforgettable rafting trip and a culinary master class.

Get acquainted with the sights of Karelia, enjoy the beauty of nature and plunge into the atmosphere of solitude and tranquility.

Location

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

On the "comet" to Kizhi Island

You will see the main attraction of the island – the museum of wooden architecture, in the center of which is the ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost.

Cooking class

Take part in a culinary master class on cooking national dishes with tasting

Rafting

Embark on an exciting rafting trip along the beautiful Shuya River

A vacation to suit your taste

You can spend the day on your own or choose an additional excursion that will diversify your vacation.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival. Sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk
Upon arrival of train No. 18. Meeting with the guide at the railway station under the steeple from the platform.
If you arrive earlier, then wait. If you arrive by later trains than train No. 18, transfer to the location of the group with partial loss of the program, without recalculation.
Breakfast in a cafe in the city.
A bus sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk and a walking tour of the unique open-air museum of modern art (an exhibition of sculptures 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 the historical squares, visit the Governor's Park and walk along the embankment of Lake Onega.
Transfer outside the city to the Verkhovye recreation center.
Culinary master class on Karelian pastries. Tasting of freshly prepared pastries with tea on Karelian herbs.
Acquaintance with the base, accommodation in rooms after 15:00.
Welcome dinner.
Rest.

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Day 2 - Free day. For an additional fee, Valaam and Ruskeala tour
Breakfast at the cafe.
Free day of rest.
For an additional fee, the Valaam + Ruskeala tour (reservation is required in advance when buying the tour).
Duration of the tour: 18-20 hours.
Get up early to see everything.
Please take a lunch box breakfast on the way at the reception desk of your hotel.
For those who are not traveling, breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the Northern Ladoga region — Sortavala (250 km). On the way, visit the memorial "Poklonny Krest", erected in memory of the Winter War.
Excursion to Ruskeala Mountain Park, the famous marble canyon. The sheer marble walls of the canyon make a strong impression on visitors.
Visit to the Tokhminsky waterfalls (Akhinkoski 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 min. on the way on the Meteor).
Valaam has a full program. Stay on the island for 5 hours, walking programs.
Guided tour of the Central estate of the monastery and an excursion to one of the hermitages of the Valaam archipelago (according to the technical capabilities of the monastery).
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 Valaam. Valaam will not leave you indifferent!
Return to Sortavala. Late arrival at Verkhovye.
Dinner (in case of late arrival from the tour, dinner in the rooms).

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Day 3 - A day to explore Petrozavodsk on your own
Breakfast at the cafe.
Transfer to Petrozavodsk (group: to Petrozavodsk at 11:00, back at 18:00).
A day to explore the city on your own: buying souvenirs, visiting museums, restaurants in the city.
Day 4 - Kizhi Island
Breakfast at the cafe.
Transfer to the pier in Petrozavodsk.
The trip by "comet" to Kizhi Island is 1 hour and 20 minutes. 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 the Upper Reaches.
Dinner at the cafe.
Rest.

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Day 5 - Interactive program "Immersion in Karelia"
Breakfast at the cafe.
Departure to the Karelian eco-estate.
Interactive program "Immersion in Karelia": master class and tea party.
This travel program connects the past and present of the northern territory. Here, ancient traditions come to life in a unique location among the picturesque nature on the shores of the purest lake.
Return to the Upper Reaches.
Rest.
Dinner at the cafe at the base.

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Day 6 - Rafting
Breakfast at the cafe.
Transfer to the beginning of the rafting area.
Rafting (inflatable rafts) on the beautiful Shuya River — a distance of 8 km, 4 rapids, 1 difficulty category. Safety is guaranteed by experienced instructors.
There are no age restrictions.
Picnic lunch in nature.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Supper.

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Day 7 - Relaxing by the pool. Cooking class
Breakfast in the cafe.
Relaxing by the pool (in gazebos) with tasting of Karelian drinks and ice cream with Karelian berries.
Culinary master class on cooking national dishes with tasting - lunch.
Supper.
Day 8 - Mount Sampo. Marcial Waters. Girvas volcano. Kivach Nature Reserve. Completion of the tour
Breakfast at the cafe.
Room release, check-out with your belongings.
Departure for a country tour.
Visit to the Sampo mountain. Sampo Mountain in Karelia is considered a place of power and impresses with its beauty.
Sampo Mountain is small in height, easy to climb, and the view from the top is amazing.
Excursion to the first Russian resort "Marcial Waters".
The main object of the exhibition is the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, an architectural monument of the Peter the Great era. The building was built in 1721 by order of Peter the Great, perhaps even according to his design and drawings.
This church is the only architectural monument preserved from the buildings of the resort of Peter the Great and associated with the stay of the tsar in the region. A unique opportunity to taste the healing water from 3 springs known since the time of Peter I.
Visit the ancient volcano Girvas.
Fortunately, the volcano is no longer active, but we can see frozen lava, volcanic rocks and amazing landscapes.
Lunch is on the way.
Departure for a country excursion 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, and the nature museum.
Transfer to the railway station at approximately 18:00.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

7 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour provides accommodation at the Verkhovye recreation center.

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

Double Room (main location)	Single room (main location)	An adult for an additional fee. location (euro clamshell)
68 300	82 300	64 800

Discount for children under 12 years of age — 3000 rubles.

Check—out time at the hotel is check-in after 15:00, room release before 12:00.

The Verkhovye Country Hotel is located in the village of the same name near the village of Shuya in Karelia.

It is located in a quiet, secluded, picturesque place of the republic, not far from the capital of Karelia, Petrozavodsk, on the shores of Lake Onega.

The hotel has a private territory with a huge number of century-old pines, firs and other trees. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay, sleep and rest for visitors.

A cozy catering establishment (mini-cafe), a wood-burning wooden sauna, and a private swimming pool are at guests' disposal. For younger guests, there is a nursery where tame squirrels live, which can always be fed with nuts. A bicycle rental point is available for sports and outdoor enthusiasts.

To accommodate visitors, cozy, comfortable cottages are provided, designed for companies from two to four people at most.

A cafe is open daily on the territory of the country hotel, where guests can taste dishes of Russian and national cuisine of the Republic of Karelia.

A parking space for private vehicles is provided for visiting visitors.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 50 tourists

Minimum age

3 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in the selected room category;
meals according to the program (8 breakfasts, 2 tea parties, 3 lunches + 1 lunch when booking an excursion for an additional fee on the second day of the tour, 6 dinners);
transportation and tour services;
entrance fees;
the work of a guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
meals not specified in the tour program;
personal expenses;
excursions are optional (to be booked when making a tour).

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 boots;
waterproof, windproof jacket;
raincoat;
a warm sweater or a warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants);
sports trousers;
headdress;
personal hygiene items: soap, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste;
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

$775

1 – 8 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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$775

8 – 15 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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$775

15 – 22 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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$775

22 – 29 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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$775

29 Jun – 6 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$775

6 – 13 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$775

13 – 20 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$775

20 – 27 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$775

27 Jul – 3 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$775

3 – 10 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$775

10 – 17 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$775

17 – 24 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$775

24 – 31 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$775

31 Aug – 7 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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$775

7 – 14 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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Reviews

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.

Karelian patterns