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

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Discover the magic of Karelia, where every moment is filled with secrets, legends and picturesque landscapes!

Thanks to the optimal busy route, you will see the most famous sights of Karelia without fuss and haste, which attract thousands of visitors every year.

This trip will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the glorious past, enjoy the natural beauty and feel the energy of such unique places as Ruskeala Mountain Park, Akhinkoski and Kivach waterfalls, the first Russian resort "Marcial Waters" and the museum-bunker "Filina Mountain".

Location

Petrozavodsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Scenic Mountain Park

Admire the beauty of the spectacular place, which is known for its unusual stone formations and magnificent forest landscapes.

Mighty Waterfall

During the tour of the Kivach Nature Reserve, you will see Karelia's most famous waterfall, the nature museum and the arboretum of the famous Karelian birch

The beauty of Petrozavodsk

Take part in a walking tour of the unique open-air museum of modern art on the embankment of Lake Onega

Itinerary

Day 1 - Getting to know Petrozavodsk. Shungite Center
Upon arrival of train No. 18, a meeting with a guide at the railway station under the steeple from the platform side, a sign "Legends of Karelia".
Breakfast in a cafe in the city.
Bus sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk.
Walking tour of the unique open-air Museum of Modern Art (sculpture exhibition 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.
Visit the shungite center, you will get acquainted with the mysterious mineral, you will visit the shungite relaxation room, after which we will treat you to Karelian ivan tea.
Lunch at a cafe in the city.
Accommodation in the selected hotel from 15:00 (standard rooms with amenities).

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Day 2 - Mount Sampo. Marcial Waters. Girvas volcano. Kivach Nature Reserve
Buffet breakfast in the hotel cafe.
Departure for a country tour "Sampo Mountain — Marcial Waters — Girvas volcano — Kivach Waterfall".
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.
Moving to the first Russian resort "Marcial Waters" is a unique opportunity to taste the healing water from 3 springs known since the time of Peter I.
Inspection of the Church of St. Peter the Apostle (1721).
Visit the ancient volcano Girvas.
Fortunately, the volcano is no longer active, but we can see frozen lava, volcanic rocks and amazing landscapes.
Stop for lunch at a cafe on the way for an additional fee.
Transfer to 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, the nature museum and the arboretum of the famous Karelian birch.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
The duration of the tour is about 7 hours.

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Day 3 - Akhinkoski Waterfalls. Ruskeala
Buffet breakfast in the hotel cafe.
Room release, check-out with your belongings.
Departure to the most beautiful corner of Karelia — Northern Ladoga region (260 km, approximately 4 hours on the way).
On the way, stop at the Akhinkoski waterfalls, the place where the film "And the dawns here are quiet ..." was shot.
Arrival at Ruskeala Mountain Park, ground tour of the park.
A monument of industrial culture (mining) at the end of the XVIII-beginning of the XX century. There is no such monument in Europe anymore, which is a man-made bowl in a solid array of marbles, cut through by a system of mines, tunnels and drifts.
From here, blocks were obtained for cladding many architectural creations of St. Petersburg, including the majestic St. Isaac's Cathedral. There are a number of viewing platforms around the perimeter of the canyon.
It is notable for being made entirely of marble. Even in winter, the Ruskeala marble Canyon will delight with bright colors.
Free time in the park, about 1-2 hours.
After the tour ends, you have a unique opportunity to take a retro train to Sortavala.
Arrival in Sortavala.
Dinner at a cafe in the city.
Accommodation in a hotel in Sortavala (tour class hotels, standard rooms with amenities).
Free time, rest.

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Day 4 - Sortavala. Exhibition of Kronid Gogolev. Filina Mountain Bunker Museum
Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
Room release, check-out with your belongings.
Sightseeing tour of the ancient city of Sortavala — sightseeing of the historical center of the city, acquaintance with the original Finnish architecture in the style of "Northern Art Nouveau".
Visit to the exhibition of the unique woodcarver Kronid Gogolev.
Visit Mount Paaso, a 10th—12th century Karelian settlement discovered by Finnish archaeologist Otto Appelgren.
You will admire the fantastic panoramas and find out why the ancient Karelians settled on the highest cliffs.
Lunch at a cafe in the city.
Departure to the underground museum-bunker "Filina Mountain" is a unique man—made headquarters of the Finnish army, made in a rock.
In addition to the bunker itself and the museum in it, you will see a park of military equipment.
Return to the city of Sortavala.
Transfer to Sortavala railway station, approximately at 18:00.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

4 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels.

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

	Severnaya 4* (Petrozavodsk) + hotel in Sortavala	Fregat 4* (Petrozavodsk) + hotel in Sortavala
Double Room	48 500	51 700
Single room	52 000	53 700
Additional place	46 400	46 400

Discount for schoolchildren, students, and pensioners over the age of 60 — 1000 rubles.

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

Hotel "Fregat" 4*

The 4* Fregat Hotel is located in a quiet location in the center of Petrozavodsk, on the picturesque shore of Lake Onega. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. It offers a restaurant and secure parking.

The rooms are equipped with a minibar and a flat-screen TV with Smart TV technology. They are equipped with 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 gym and lobby bar of the Fregat Hotel are open around the clock.

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Another option

Severnaya Hotel 4*

It is located in the business and cultural center of Petrozavodsk and has convenient transport links to all areas of the city. Within a 15-minute walk from the hotel there are railway and river stations, ticket offices of the airport terminal, theaters and cinemas, the embankment of Lake Onega, many shops.

Accommodation options:

One-room single room with a single bed. Room facilities: TV, mini-bar / refrigerator, bathroom, telephone.
One-room double room with one double bed or two separate beds. Room facilities: TV, bathroom, mini-bar / refrigerator, telephone.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 50 tourists

Minimum age

3 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in the selected hotel;
sightseeing and transportation services;
meals included in the program (4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner);
entrance tickets to sightseeing sites.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back from Sortavala;
meals not specified in the tour program or indicated for an additional fee.

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

from
$623

13 – 16 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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$623

20 – 23 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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27 – 30 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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4 – 7 Oct 4 days 3 nights

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11 – 14 Oct 4 days 3 nights

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18 – 21 Oct 4 days 3 nights

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$623

25 – 28 Oct 4 days 3 nights

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$623

1 – 4 Nov 4 days 3 nights

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$623

8 – 11 Nov 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

A
Alexandra

about provider

29 May, 2025

We went on the Reboot tour in Karelia and came away with so many positive emotions and impressions. The organization was excellent, everything ran smoothly with no delays or confusion. We always knew who was picking us up, where we were going, and when we’d be back. We've been on other trips, so we truly appreciate how well this one was managed, thank you for that. We really loved staying at the Verkhovye Hotel. It had such a warm, family-like atmosphere that it made us want to come back again. We returned home rested and in great spirits. Thank you.
K
Konstantin

about provider

22 Apr, 2025

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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.
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.

Legends of Karelia. Autumn trip