Legends of the North: Karelia

We suggest you go on an interesting tour with a visit to the famous Karelian islands of Kizhi and Valaam.

You will fully enjoy the beauty of Ruskeala Mountain Park, picturesque views of waterfalls, appreciate the hospitality of the capital of Karelia, and also visit Mount Sampo, the Marcial Waters resort and the Girvas paleovolcano.

All the most interesting things are waiting for you!

Location

Republic of Karelia, Sortavala
from
$884
$931
Early Booker Deal
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 days
3 nights
Departures
8 - 11 Jun
15 - 18 Jun
22 - 25 Jun
29 Jun - 2 Jul
6 - 9 Jul
13 - 16 Jul
20 - 23 Jul
27 - 30 Jul
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
4 years old
Group meet at
Republic of Karelia, Sortavala
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

An ancient variety
Take a walk around the city and see the monuments of Northern Art Nouveau
The Sacred island of Valaam
Take a meteor ride to the most beautiful protected area
Open-air Museum
Appreciate the beauty of one of the pearls of Karelia — Kizhi Island
Picturesque marble Canyon
You will see one of the most popular tourist sites in Karelia, stunning with its fantastic views
The famous resort
Visit the first Russian resort "Marcial Waters"
Majestic waterfall
Explore the mighty Kivach Waterfall, which is considered one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Sortavala. Valaam Island

    08:20 Gathering of the group at the railway station of Sortavala.

    For those who cannot start the tour in Sortavala, it is possible to leave Petrozavodsk at 04:00 a.m. on our bus, at no extra charge.

    08:40 Breakfast at the cafe.

    09:10-10:50 Sightseeing tour of the city of Sortavala with an inspection of the local architecture — monuments of the Northern Art Nouveau.

    11:00 Departure by meteor to Valaam Island. Crossing Lake Ladoga is 50 minutes.

    11:50 Arrival at the Monastery Bay.

    Walking tour of the Central estate of the monastery: the Transfiguration Cathedral and the concert of the choristers of the male ensemble "Valaam".

    Transfer by meteor to Nikonovskaya Bay.

    Lenten lunch in the refectory.

    New Jerusalem Tour: visit the Resurrection Skete, walk to the man-made garden and Gethsemane skete with the wooden Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mount of Olives with a picturesque view of Ladoga.

    16:50-17:50 Return trip by meteor to Sortavala.

    18:00 Visit to the art gallery of Kronid Gogolev, the famous woodcarver.

    19:00 Check-in at the hotel, dinner, free time and rest.

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  • Day 2 - Ruskeala Mountain Park. Akhinkoski Waterfalls
  • Day 3 - Petrozavodsk and Kizhi Island
  • Day 4 - Mount Sampo. Marcial Waters resort. Girvas paleovolcano. Kivach Waterfall
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Premium

The tour provides accommodation in standard rooms with amenities in hotels in Sortavala and Petrozavodsk.

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

The cost of the tour is for 1 person:

  • adult – 67,500 rubles.;
  • preferential (pensioners, the disabled, and combat veterans) – 65,000 rubles.;
  • children 3-14 years old – 62,000 rubles. 

Additional payment for one.placement – 9,000 rubles. Discount for additional items.place – 6,000 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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The Ladoga Hotel or Sortavala Hotel or 1 night

Tour conditions

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

Included in price

  • meals included in the tour program (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch (in Valaam), 1 dinner (in Sortavala);
  • the work of a tour guide;
  • accommodation in hotels;
  • all entrance tickets according to the program;
  • bus transportation service;
  • Meteor ride toKizhi and O.Valaam.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Sortavala/ Petrozavodsk and back;
  • meals not specified in the tour program;
  • retro train tickets;
  • 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 tour price?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What are the features of the tour?
What discounts and special offers are available for this tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $931
    8 – 11 Jun 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $931
    15 – 18 Jun 4 days 3 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $931
    22 – 25 Jun 4 days 3 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $931
    29 Jun – 2 Jul 4 days 3 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $931
    6 – 9 Jul 4 days 3 nights
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    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • M
    25 Nov, 2025
    I really enjoyed the tour! it was rich in experiences, beautiful, well-organized, and presented in a very engaging way by our guide!
  • AG
    Anastasia Grechishnikova
    2 Nov, 2025
    I really enjoyed everything about this trip. We were always on time, and all the excursions listed in the program went exactly as planned. Our guide, Galina, was simply wonderful, attentive, caring, and a true professional. She showed us the most beautiful places, recommended great cafés, and helped us check into the best hotels in Petrozavodsk. The only thing I would suggest to the tour providers is to inform travelers in advance about the option to take the retro train to Ruskeala. It was mentioned in the program, along with a note that tickets should be purchased individually, but I wish there had been some guidance or help with booking BEFORE the trip. Since this was our first time in Karelia, we wanted to experience as much as possible but when we arrived, we found out that the train is so popular that tickets sell out a month in advance! Of course, it’s understandable that all the details were in the program and everyone is responsible for arranging their own tickets. Still, if the providers had been just a bit more proactive in helping with this, we would have had the chance to enjoy this wonderful train ride. Out of our group of 44 people, only two were lucky enough to get seats because someone had told them in advance how to do it. Please don’t take this as a complaint, I’m genuinely grateful for the rich itinerary and the excellent organization. I was just a little disappointed about missing the train. If someone had provided a bit more information like the train’s name, schedule, and a reminder to book early or even sent an email asking whether we’d like to include the retro train in our tour, that would have made everything absolutely perfect Thank you very much! I wholeheartedly recommend Big Country and the local tour partners and one piece of advice: book your Ruskeala Express tickets early! =D
    Photo Big Country Travel
    Big Country Travel
    Hello Anastasia, Thank you for your feedback! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the trip overall. We’ve shared your comments with our local partners, and our colleagues will do their best to take them into account in the future. We look forward to welcoming you again on one of our other tours in Russia!
  • M
    30 Sep, 2025
    I really enjoyed the tour! It was rich in experiences, beautiful, well organized, and the guide presented everything in an engaging way!