Marble fairy tale and ancient Kizhi

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

In a few days on your trip to Karelia, you will spend time in its capital, Petrozavodsk, stroll through the historical center of the city founded by Peter the Great, visit one of the main attractions – Onega Embankment.

Head to Valaam Island to explore this open-air museum of Russian wooden architecture.

For the rest of the day, visit one of the largest plain waterfalls Kivach.

Location

the city of Sortavala
from
$381
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 Days
3 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 18 – 21 Aug
    • 25 – 28 Aug
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Easy
For any person
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)
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Tour highlights

Ruskeala
We will visit the unique marble canyon, which has no analogues anywhere in Europe and Russia
Kizhi
Let's admire the unique ensemble of the Churchyard, which is known all over the world
Petrozavodsk
Let's plunge into the friendly atmosphere of the northern city
Kivach Waterfall
We will see one of the largest flat waterfalls in Europe

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Excursion to Ruskeala Mountain Park

    08:28 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 the Ruskeala Mountain Park"Marble Canyon" (duration — 1 hour 15 minutes).

    The park was created in 2005 on the basis of a unique monument of the industrial heritage of Russia, the Ruskeala marble quarry.

    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, which 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 are quiet here" was filmed at this waterfall. 

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

    In 2010, a fantasy film "The Dark World" was shot here (entrance to the waterfall is paid on site).

    Arrival in Sortavala.

    Dinner at the cafe.

    Accommodation at the Piipun Piha Hotel. 

    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
For any person

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
Piipun Piha + 
North
Double room, adult36 80032 500
Double room, child under 16 years old35 300
Single room46 80039 000
Extra seat, adult31 80027 500
Extra place, child under 16 years old30 300
Piipun Piha Hotel 1 night

Located in Sortavala, it offers a restaurant and free Wi-Fi.

The rooms feature a terrace, a TV, a private bathroom with a shower, a bidet and a hairdryer, as well as 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 or Severnaya 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 specified in the tour program;
  • entrance to the Akhvenkoski waterfall — 450 rubles/person.;
  • excursion to Valaam Island (booked upon purchase of the tour, paid on the spot):
    • adults — 5,500 rubles/person.; 
    • children under 12 years old inclusive — 3,000 rubles/person.;
  • the fee for visiting the protected area "Valaam Archipelago" (payment independently on the website of the Directorate of Specially Protected Natural Territories of regional significance of the Republic of Karelia) is 100 rubles/person.

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?
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Dates and Prices

  • from
    $381
    18 – 21 Aug 4 days 3 nights
    No seats left
  • from
    $381
    25 – 28 Aug 4 days 3 nights
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    No need to pay now