New Year holidays in Karelia, Kizhi and Zaonezhye

Breakfast at the hotel.

We get on the bus and go on a tour of the New Year, cozy and very beautiful Petrozavodsk.

In the first part of the tour we will get acquainted with the city: we will travel through the epochs — Petrozavodsk of the time of Peter the Great, Petrozavodsk of Catherine the Great, Soviet Petrozavodsk.

We are waiting for a walk along the main city attraction — the embankment of Lake Onega.

Here, ancient history, rooted in mysterious Hyperborea and modernity, comes to life in a unique collection of avant—garde sculptural monuments - seida stones, "Tree of Desires", "Wave of Friendship", "Thinking Reed", "Mermaid"… This is the most beautiful place in the capital of the Northern Territory at any time of the year!

After a short walk around the city, we will go to the "Doll House".

Tatiana Kalinina's Doll House is represented by three small halls.

In the hall of the author's doll, you can get acquainted with dolls made in various techniques and styles; the Spirits of Karelia hall introduces visitors to brownies, mermaids and other creatures of the other world that our ancestors believed in; the exposition of the third hall is constantly changing.

In addition, you can look into the workshop and see how dolls are created, and even buy and take your favorite doll or pet home.

Lunch at a cafe.

We invite you to the festive program "Celebrating the New Year with Kantele!"

We will introduce you to the folk traditions of New Year's Eve celebrations.

You will be surrounded by one of the most famous folklore groups of Karelia, which knows how to delight guests with cheerful dances, mesmerize with the sounds of ancient instruments and the performance of Karelian and Finnish songs.

Romantic New Year's mood, live music, familiar melodies, rousing dances, a medley of ageless favorite New Year songs.

The Kantele ensemble will set you up for a holiday!

New Year's Eve at the Kantele House will be a valuable educational experience in the formation of cultural baggage based on samples of national art and traditions of Karelia.

17:00 Check-in at the hotel. Free time, rest.

For check–in on 30.12-03.01:

21:00-05:00 New Year's banquet. It is paid separately when booking the tour. For more information, see the "Important to know" section.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure of the bus to visit Karelian Santa Claus — Talviukko!

Here you will get acquainted with the best sled dogs in Russia, admire the reindeer and their timid fawns, as well as touch the unique culture of the forest Sami and tea made from Karelian medicinal herbs. And most importantly, visit, chat and take memorable photos with the Talviucco — Karelian Santa Claus, in his personal northern residence!

Russia's largest kennel of sports sled dogs, where you will make friends with the famous Alaskan huskies, Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies, feel the boundless trust and love of these beautiful creatures, and take kind keepsake photos.

Talviucco's assistants will conduct an excursion and tell you many amazing things about summer and winter riding sports, the diversity and purpose of each of the riding breeds, the character traits and roles in the team of each of the four-legged athletes.

In a dense forest near a small lake, real reindeer live, Talviukko's special pride and love.

Winter Grandfather's assistants will show you a deer farm, where you will chat with cautious reindeer and admire their timid fawns.

You will visit authentic Sami dwellings, see ancient household items, drink tea made from Karelian medicinal herbs, taste real Karelian pastries and for a moment be transported back to ancient times when man and the forest were one.

You will have a chance to see the laboratory of wonders of Winter Grandfather Talviukko, his office, where weather contracts are concluded, and the reception room, which has been visited by a variety of people and magical creatures.

And then you will ride down the miracle slide with excitement (do not forget about winter warm sports shoes and clothes).

For everyone, for an additional fee:

• The Palace of Lumikka, the Karelian Snow Maiden, where we will see the exhibition "Karelia in miniature" — an analogue of the "Grand Layout of Russia" with Solovki, Kizhi and other Karelian sights.
• Dog sledding or reindeer sledding is Karelian folk fun! Huskies and malamutes will take you through the snowy forest with a breeze and you will feel the drive and speed wrapped in a warm cape. Sledges and dogs, as well as deer, have always been used in the North to move from one point to another, walking from 80 to 100 kilometers in 1 day.

Additional services can be purchased directly on the patrimony.

Return transfer to Petrozavodsk.

Late lunch.

Evening master class "The mystery of the national Karelian Doll".

At Christmas, it will be nice to receive an Angel as a gift, and a handmade one will be doubly so.

The Angel doll is very easy to make, but at the same time very original.

In 1 hour we will tell you about the Karelian customs of folk dolls, as well as make a charm doll with our own hands, which each guest will take with them.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Departure for an excursion to Ruskeala.

Today we are waiting for the Northern Ladoga region, another amazing natural treasure trove of Karelia.

Ladoga Lake is decorated with the first largest lake in Europe — Ladoga Lake.

The journey is 260 kilometers.

But we will start with another pearl of Ladoga region — we will see Tokhminsky or Ruskealsky waterfalls.

The famous Soviet film "And the dawns here are quiet..." was shot here.

For those who wish, for an additional fee, there is a newly opened ecological trail with bridges suspended directly over the waterfalls.

Today we will eat at the Lutheran Church.

Ruskeala Marble Canyon is a Karelian brand of modern times.

We are also waiting for a walking tour of the Marble canyon (1 hour).

The 1.5-kilometer-long ecotrope around Ruskeala has many panoramic platforms offering views of this unique place.

In addition, you will be able to move away from the main path a little and go into the depth of the through cave (tunnel).

Here you will discover the real secrets of the canyon, its heart.

You can also look at the deposits of Italian marble.

After a sightseeing tour around the canyon, we provide free time (2.5 hours).

Additional services in the mountain park in winter: Trolls (zipline) over the canyon, guided tour "Underground Ruskeala".

You can also go to the railway station (10 minutes from the ticket office of the mountain park) and visit the retro train, enter the restaurant car and take pictures in the interiors of the 19th century train.

All additional services are purchased on the spot, at the ticket offices of the mountain park: on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to availability. Unfortunately, the park administration does not provide the possibility of pre-booking.

In addition, on the territory of Ruskeala Park there is an opportunity to eat in cafes and buy souvenirs in shops.

At 4:30 p.m., a real show awaits us — the inclusion of color lighting, thanks to which the canyon will sparkle with new colors and the glare of light on the luxurious marble will shock your imagination!

Ruskeala Canyon is beautiful at any time of the year.

Full of impressions, and very satisfied, we go to the hotel in Petrozavodsk.

21:00 Arrival in Petrozavodsk.

Breakfast at the hotel. Room release.

Karelian nature has created amazing monuments — rocks, waterfalls, volcanoes, springs.

We suggest visiting the most important of them, located in Karelia, on a day trip to the Golden Ring of Karelia.

The tour starts from the Sampo mountain. It was here that the legendary Soviet fairy tale film "Sampo" was shot, based on the Karelo-Finnish epic "Kalevala".

Karelian rocks are unique — they are amazingly harmonious and beautiful. And the view from them is amazing. Sampo Mountain offers a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding area.

But we are already on our way to Marcial Waters, the very first Russian resort. Tsar Peter, who founded it, visited these regions four times and advised everyone to drink iron-rich water found in local springs for health.

By the way, the church of the XVIII century, built according to the sketches of Peter himself, has been preserved only here.

You will be able to see everything with your own eyes, drink healing water and take it with you.

The Pearl of the North is a natural masterpiece: the Kivach waterfall.

This is the most famous waterfall in Karelia, sung by the first governor of our region, the Russian poet Gavrila Derzhavin: "The mountain is pouring diamonds..". Indeed, the falling water and its power are fascinating. Everyone should see this.

17:30 Arrival at Petrozavodsk railway station.