Marble fairy tale and ancient Kizhi

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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

Sightseeing tours

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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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
Meeting in Sortavala (train No. 160) at 08:25 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 Park — Marble 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. Translated from Finnish as "Okunevy threshold". Locals sometimes call it the "waterfall at the three bridges."
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.

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Day 2 - Excursion to Valaam Island (additional fee)
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Room release.
Boarding the bus with your belongings.
Transfer to the pier.
For an additional fee, an excursion to Valaam Island (booked with the tour, paid on site).
Departure by Meteor to Valaam Island (45 minutes along Lake Ladoga).
Arrival at the monastery bay.
Sightseeing tour of the central estate of the monastery with a visit to the Transfiguration Cathedral, chapels, cell buildings, outbuildings and hotel buildings.
Lunch in the monastery refectory.
Transfer to Nikonovskaya Bay.
Visit to the Resurrection and Gethsemane skete.
Return to Sortavala.
Attention: the water excursion to Valaam Island will take place under favorable weather conditions!
Departure to Petrozavodsk (260 km).
19:00 Accommodation at the Peter Inn 4* hotel.
Time to rest.

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Day 3 - Sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk. Excursion to Kizhi Island
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Sightseeing tour of the capital of Karelia and a walk along the Onega embankment.
We invite you to plunge into the friendly atmosphere of the northern capital of Karelia, Petrozavodsk.
On the sightseeing tour, you will see the beautiful embankment of Lake Onega, where you will find the "Tree of Desires" and other avant-garde sculptures donated to the city by the twin cities.
Be sure to visit the Governor's Park!
Excursion to Kizhi Island.
Ride on the "Comet" (1 hour 20 min. along Lake Onega).
Kizhi Island is a "calling card" not only of Karelia, but also of Russia.
The unique ensemble of the Churchyard is known all over the world, and every year the flow of tourists wishing to visit the island is only growing!
Guided tour of the museum-reserve with a visit to the Church of the Intercession and ethnographic exhibitions.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Time to rest.

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Day 4 - The Shungite Center. Kivach Waterfall
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Room release.
Visit to the Shungite Center.
Visit to the souvenir center, where you can buy figurines, cosmetics, jewelry made of shungite at wholesale prices.
As well as a visit to the relaxation room, filled with the vitality of shungite.
The natural black stone is a real miracle.
A cure for many diseases, saving lives.
It is suitable for an old man and a baby, a man and his home, it can make any place bright, clean and blessed.
Visit Kivach Waterfall, one of the largest lowland waterfalls in Europe.
You will also visit the arboretum, the decoration and pride of which are the famous Karelian birches.
Karelian birch is a tree to which nature has given the amazing beauty of wood, which resembles marble in its pattern.
Even in the 21st century, there is a debate among scientists about the origin of this amazing tree.
Lunch at a cafe.
Return to Petrozavodsk railway station approximately at 16:00.
Farewell to the guide.
Departure to Moscow by train No. 017A Petrozavodsk — Moscow at 21:57, to St. Petersburg by train No. 805H (Swallow) Petrozavodsk — St. Petersburg at 18:00.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

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

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.:

Placement	Piipun Piha + Peter Inn
Double occupancy (adult)	46 500
Double occupancy (child under 16 years old)	43 500
Additional place (child under 16 years old)	36 200
Extra seat (adult)	39 200
Single occupancy	62 700

Piypun Piha Hotel is located in Sortavala, away from the hustle and noise of the city streets on the shores of Lake Ladoga.

There are 19 rooms of various categories for a comfortable stay and a cozy restaurant for a pleasant stay.

Elegant classics, splendor and original Karelian flavor are combined in the interior and surroundings of the hotel. The pastel colors prevailing in the design of the comfortable rooms and the guest area of the hotel create an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 35 to 50 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

the city of Sortavala

Included in price

accommodation in hotels;
meals included in the program (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner);
transportation services along the route;
The guide's job;
entrance tickets for excursions;
Ruskeala Mountain Park tour — Marble Canyon;
Petrozavodsk City Tour;
Kizhi Island Tour;
Kivach Waterfall Tour;
visit to the Karelian Birch Arboretum in the Kivach Nature Reserve;
visit to the Kivach Nature Reserve Museum.

Paid extra

tickets to Sortavala and back from Petrozavodsk;
meals not included in the tour program;
entrance to the Akhvenkoski waterfall (to be paid independently on the spot at the ticket office) – the cost is being specified;
excursion to Valaam Island (to be booked upon purchase of the tour, to be paid on the spot):
- adults – 7700 rubles/person.;
- children under 12 years old inclusive – 4000 rubles/person.
the 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) is 200 rubles/person. For benefits, you must have supporting documents with you.

It's important to know

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.

Dates and Prices

$641

7 – 10 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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$641

28 Jun – 1 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$641

26 – 29 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$641

9 – 12 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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$641

23 – 26 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

DD
Dmitri Danilov

about provider

23 Mar, 2026

Actions spoke louder than words.
A
Anton

about provider

7 Mar, 2026

I really enjoyed everything and was very happy with the trip. The excursions and the support throughout the tour were of a very high standard. I will definitely recommend you to all my friends and acquaintances. Thank you very much, and I wish you continued success!!!
Y
Yuri

about provider

12 Feb, 2026

Many thanks to the providers for putting together such a well-planned tour and selecting great hotels. And of course, bravo to all the guides. Truly friendly, knowledgeable, and highly professional!