May holidays in Karelia for 3 days

A world of fabulous nature, ponds, fluffy forests and waterfalls awaits you!

You will get acquainted with the capital of Karelia, visit the Marcial Waters resort and Kivach Waterfall, visit the Ruskeala Mountain Park and participate in a master class where you will master the painting and decoration of Karelian gingerbread.

You will also have the opportunity to visit sled dogs and reindeer, or take a ride on the Ruskeala Express.

Location

Petrozavodsk
from
$359
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
3 Days
2 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 30 April – 2 May, 2026
    • 7 – 9 May, 2026
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 30 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Group meet at
Petrozavodsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The history of Petrozavodsk
Explore the historical center, the Governor's Park and the monument to Peter the Great.
Marcial waters
Visit the first Russian resort and taste the waters from three springs, as well as visit the Church of St. Peter the Apostle
Kivach Nature Reserve
Admire the most famous waterfall in Karelia, which is praised in Russian poetry as the "northern hero"
Ruskeala Mountain Park
You will see the Marble Canyon, which was formed on the site of an abandoned quarry for the extraction of stone

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Petrozavodsk city tour. A master class on painting and decorating gingerbread. Sled dog kennel (for an additional fee)

    We meet our dear guests at the Petrozavodsk railway station upon arrival of train No. 18 (~07:50).

    The guide greets you with a sign saying "May holidays".

    • Tourists arriving on earlier trains or on their own transport approach the meeting place.
    • For tourists arriving by train No. 92 (~ at 10:00), a meeting will be arranged at the railway station and a free transfer to meet the group on the route. In this case, tourists have breakfast on their own.
    • Tourists arriving from St. Petersburg at 11:57 on the Swallow (train number 804H) skip breakfast, a sightseeing tour and a master class on national pastries. The cost of unproven services is deducted from the tour.

    Meeting of tourists at the railway station upon arrival of the Lastochka train.

    Breakfast in a cozy cafe.

    Guided tour of the capital of the Republic of Karelia (duration 1.5–2 hours).

    Petrozavodsk is the younger brother of St. Petersburg, born in the same year.

    It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great.

    You will get acquainted with the historical center, the monument to Peter the Great, the Governor's Park.

    A promenade along the beautiful city embankment along Lake Onega, where there is a collection of original sculptures located in the open air.

    The guide will also show you cozy restaurants and cafes where you can taste national cuisine.

    Gingerbread workshop from the Karelian Gingerbread Workshop. You will master the painting and decoration of gingerbread.

    You can eat hand-decorated masterpieces on the spot or take them with you along with a cheerful festive mood.

    A delicious lunch.

    Accommodation at the selected hotel after the end of the excursion program.

    Optional, for an additional fee, an excursion to the kennel of sled dogs and reindeer (duration 2.5–3 hours).

    Booking an excursion when ordering a tour.

    You will touch the beautiful world of the Far North and the distinctive culture of the ancient Sami, learn how tundra deer live.

    In the largest sled dog kennel, you will make friends with the best athletes in Russia — energetic Alaskan huskies, good-natured malamutes and sociable Siberian huskies.

    In the Sami village, you can visit the indigenous people of Karelia and try on the traditional costumes of the northern peoples.

    Cost (for a group of 4 people or more):

    • adult — 2,950 rubles/person.;
    • children from 3 to 14 years old — 2,700 rubles/person.

    Transportation service along the route is included, as well as a guided tour of the nursery.

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  • Day 2 - The resort "Marcial waters". Girvas volcano. Kivach Waterfall
  • Day 3 - Ruskeala Mountain Park
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel in Petrozavodsk.

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

 Double room
placement
Double room in the Junior Suite (1 extra bed is possible in the room)Single room
placement
Additional place

Karelia 4* Spa Hotel
breakfast buffet,

double room (no extra place)

29 60031 50035 40024 500

Peter Inn 4* Hotel
breakfast buffet,

double room "standard double", single room "standard"

28 40037 90023 500

Hotel "Severnaya" 4*
breakfast buffet,

Double room suite

31 20034 20024 500

Discounts:

  • child under 7 years old — 1000 rubles/person.;
  • a child of 8-16 years — 700 rubles / person.;
  • for tourists arriving by Lastochka train at 11:57 a.m. — 1,000 rubles/person.
Hotel "Severnaya" 4* or Peter Inn Hotel 4* or 2 nights
Hotel "Severnaya" 4*

The Severnaya Hotel is located in the very center of Petrozavodsk, surrounded by major attractions and infrastructure facilities. 

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
Peter Inn Hotel 4*

The Piter Inn is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, just a 2-minute walk from the central train station. It offers a 24-hour gym, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk.

Each room has a telephone, air conditioning, a TV with digital channels and a safe. The private bathroom comes with a hairdryer.

The Paulaner Restaurant, which has its own brewery, serves Bavarian, local and international cuisine. The cafe serves European cuisine, desserts and coffee.

The hotel has conference facilities. Guests can use the laundry service.

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Another option
Karelia Spa Hotel 4*

Karelia 4* Spa Hotel is one of the best representatives of hotel service in Petrozavodsk. It 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.

The hotel can host a business event of any format, with a variety of modern equipment available in the hotel's conference room. 

The train station is 2.1 km from Karelia Hotel, while Petrozavodsk Airport is 21 km away.

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Tour conditions

Group
up to 30 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
3 days 2 nights
Group meets at
Petrozavodsk

Included in price

  • accommodation in the selected hotel (2 nights in Petrozavodsk);
  • meals according to the program (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches);
  • Petrozavodsk sightseeing Tour;
  • Karelian gingerbread painting workshop;
  • Kivach Nature Reserve tour;
  • Marcial waters;
  • Girvas Volcano Tour; 
  • Ruskeala Mountain Park Tour;
  • transportation services according to the program;
  • the guide and accompanying person work for 3 days.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back from Sortavala / Petrozavodsk;
  • meals not included in the price of the tour;
  • excursion to the kennel of sled dogs and reindeer (reservation when ordering the tour, payment in cash to the tour guide):
    • adult — 2,950 rubles/person.;
    • children from 3 to 14 years old — 2,700 rubles/person.

It's important to know

Is insurance included in the price of the tour?

Insurance is not included in the tour program. You can purchase additional travel insurance on the website of a Large Country without commission directly from insurance companies.

How to protect yourself from a tick bite?
How are meals organized on the route?
What is the weather like on tour?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
What documents are required for children under the age of 14 when checking into a hotel?
Are there any possible changes in the program?
What do you need to know about the Ruskeala Express retro train?
Are there any discounts on the tour?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • from
    $359
    30 Apr – 2 May, 2026 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $359
    7 – 9 May, 2026 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

  • A
    Anna
    about provider
    6 Jun, 2025
    6 more photos
    I discovered the tour provider "Big Country" online while searching for vacation options on the White Sea. Out of many offers, theirs stood out and immediately caught my attention. I submitted a request and received a callback very quickly. From that point on, nearly all communication — including booking and registration — was handled through Telegram, with the occasional phone call when clarification was needed. The managers were consistently polite and friendly. It was my first time working with them, and I sincerely hope it won’t be the last. There are several things I especially appreciated about the organization of the Solovetsky Islands tour: 1). The option to book a private room (without roommates) for an additional fee — a big plus for solo travelers. 2). The ability to pay for the trip in installments by a set deadline. "Big Country" offers a convenient payment system where you can always check the total cost, the amount already paid, and the remaining balance. Multiple payment methods are accepted — card, bank transfer, and more. After each payment, I received Big Country receipts and confirmations via email and Telegram. 3). The managers responded promptly to any questions I had during the trip. 4). A transfer was provided from the train station to the hotel, with early check-in arranged at the hotel in Rabocheostrovsk. 5). Meals were thoughtfully included: breakfast before departing to the island, a set lunch after the island and monastery tour, and buffet breakfasts at the hotel. 6). We were accompanied by a lead guide who explained everything clearly, met us at the tourist base, and made sure the group knew where to go — from breakfast locations to the pier for the boat to Solovki. After the tour, she also ensured a smooth return to Kem. On the islands themselves, she handed us over to local guides for excursions and met us again afterwards. 7). The tour was very well organized. Aside from the scheduled excursions, there was plenty of free time to explore at your own pace. Some rented bikes to ride through the village or forest, others went on boat rides, and some simply wandered around enjoying the scenery. 8). A return transfer to the train station and a follow-up message after the trip — small touches, but much appreciated. All in all, the experience was outstanding — great service + excellent organization+ a high level of comfort. The providers really left a lasting impression.
  • S
    Svetlana
    about provider
    17 May, 2025
    6 more photos
    Thank you. Everything was excellent. From the warm welcome at the train station to the hotel check-out before heading home, everything was well organized. I also appreciated that we had some free time to explore the beautiful sights of Karelia on our own (although we were told we'd have two hours at each stop, they were often combined, which made the schedule feel a bit rushed).
  • I
    Irina
    about provider
    10 Apr, 2025
    6 more photos
    Every detail of the trip was carefully planned, we were absolutely thrilled!! The food was fantastic too! Thank you!