Marble fairy tale and ancient Kizhi

An excursion tour to Karelia, characterized by a wide variety.

Stunning landscapes, unique monuments of nature and history, as well as the atmosphere of northern hospitality await you. 

You will see the beauty of Ruskeala Mountain Park, feel the power of waterfalls, get the opportunity to visit the mysterious Valaam and admire the beauty of Kizhi Island. 

This tour is a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, get filled with the energy of nature and discover new facets of our country.

Location

the city of Sortavala
from
$449
$430
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 Days
3 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 1 – 4 June
    • 22 – 25 June
    • 6 – 9 July
    • 10 – 13 August
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 50 people
Minimum age
7 years old
Group meet at
the city of Sortavala
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Marble Grandeur
Visit the famous Ruskeala Marble Canyon, where nature and man have created a unique masterpiece.
The Wooden Wonders of Kizhi Island
Take a guided tour of the museum-reserve with a visit to the Church of the Intercession and ethnographic exhibitions.
Friendly Petrozavodsk
Take a walk along the picturesque embankment, where art and nature merge together.
The Mighty Nodding
Hear the noise and feel the power of one of the largest waterfalls in Europe
The power of shungite
Get acquainted with the unique properties of shungite and feel its energy in the relaxation room
Unity with nature
You will see the Karelian birch, a tree to which nature has given the amazing beauty of wood.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Ruskeala Mountain Park. Akhvenkoski Waterfall

    08:22 Meeting in Sortavala (train No. 160) at the entrance to the railway station from the city. A guide with a sign greets you.

    Breakfast in a cafe in the city.

    Departure by comfortable bus to Ruskeala Mountain Park.

    Excursion to Ruskeala Mountain ParkMarble Canyon (duration — 1 hour 15 minutes).

    The park was established in 2005 on the basis of the Ruskeala Marble Quarry, a unique monument of Russia's industrial heritage.

    Marble mining was started here in 1769 by decree of Catherine II to decorate the famous buildings of St. Petersburg: the Marble Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Mariinsky Palace, etc.

    The combination of Karelian nature and human activity has given these quarries a surprisingly picturesque appearance that attracts travel enthusiasts not only from Karelia.

    The next stop is at the Ruskeala Akhvenkoski waterfall.

    The bathing scene of one of the heroines of the film "And the dawns here are quiet" was filmed at this waterfall. 

    Amazingly picturesque nature invariably attracts the creators of modern films with its mysterious beauty and some kind of mysterious power.

    In 2010, a fantasy film "The Dark World" was shot here (entrance to the waterfall is paid for on the spot at the box office).

    Arrival in Sortavala.

    Dinner at the cafe.

    Accommodation at the Piipun Piha Hotel.

    Time to rest.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Excursion to Valaam Island (additional fee)
  • Day 3 - Sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk. Excursion to Kizhi Island
  • Day 4 - Kivach Waterfall
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Tour organizer's comments

The tour has large bus rides of up to 300 km each way.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale

The tour includes accommodation in hotels.

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

PlacementPiipun Piha + 
Peter Inn
Double room, Adult42 100
Single room54 900
Extra seat, adult35 500
Piipun Piha Hotel 1 night

Featuring a restaurant and free Wi-Fi, this hotel is located in Sortavala.

The rooms come with a terrace, a TV, a private bathroom with a shower, a bidet and a hairdryer, and cable TV.

Piipun Piha Hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a terrace, a bar, conference facilities and a tour desk. Ticket office services are provided.

Sortavala Train Station is 2.5 km away.

4 more photos
The Piter Inn Hotel 2 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
4 days 3 nights
Group meets at
the city of Sortavala

Included in price

  • hotel accommodation;
  • meals according to the program (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner);
  • transportation services along the route;
  • the work of a guide;
  • entrance tickets;
  • tour service:
    • city tour of Petrozavodsk;
    • Kizhi Island tour;
    • excursion to the Ruskeala mountain Park "Marble Canyon"; 
    • excursion to the Kivach waterfall;
    • visit to the Kivach Nature Reserve Museum;
    • visit to the arboretum of Karelian Birch on the territory of the Kivach Nature Reserve.

Paid extra

  • tickets to Sortavala and back from Petrozavodsk;
  • meals not included in the tour program;
  • entrance to the Akhvenkoski waterfall (self-paid on the spot at the ticket office);
  • excursion to Valaam Island (to be booked upon purchase of the tour, to be paid on the spot);
  • fee for visiting the protected area "Valaam Archipelago" (self-payment on the website of the Directorate of Specially Protected Natural Territories of Regional Significance of the Republic of Karelia).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

1. Medical preparations for individual needs.

2. Documents: passport, insurance policy (medical), when traveling with children — children's birth certificate.

3. Comfortable sports shoes:

  • sneakers or moccasins, but not new, but familiar and comfortable;
  • replacement shoes (light sneakers or sneakers).

4. Sportswear for hot and cool weather:

  • The jacket is windproof, waterproof;
  • raincoat;
  • warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants);
  • T-shirts with long (from sunburn) and short sleeves;
  • sports trousers;
  • shorts;
  • socks.

5. Headdress: cap, panama hat (with visor).

6. Bathing suit.

7. Personal hygiene products.

8. Useful equipment:

  • small backpack (20-30 l);
  • flashlight with spare batteries;
  • sunscreen (required);
  • sunglasses.

9. For photo and video equipment, take care of an airtight package in case of rain.

To visit monasteries and temples, women will need a headscarf and a skirt below the knee, and men will need long trousers. 

Please note that in summer, especially in early June, temperature differences from +30°C to +10°C are possible. Therefore, take care in advance of warm clothes, windbreakers, hats and comfortable, familiar, worn shoes, because you will have to spend a lot of time on your feet.

What are the requirements for clothing for visiting temples?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Are there any changes in water excursions?
What else do you need to know about the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $430
    1 – 4 Jun 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $430
    22 – 25 Jun 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $430
    6 – 9 Jul 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $430
    10 – 13 Aug 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now