November weekend in Karelia

Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

Transfer to Ruskeala Mountain Park (258 km).

On the way, stop at Tohmajoki Waterfall. This is a very picturesque place, the waterfall flows into a small lake closed from all sides by high shores, from different shores of which there are different views of the waterfall.

Ruskeala Marble Canyon Tour. During this tour you will get acquainted with the unique natural landscapes.

For more than 70 years (until the middle of the nineteenth century), decorative light gray marble was broken out in local quarries to decorate the temples and palaces of St. Petersburg, the fountains of Petrodvorets, the columns of Tsarskoye Selo and Gatchina.

Magical lakes with clear water in a beautiful Ruskeal marble bowl will make an indelible impression.

Departure from the mountain park.

Transfer to Sortavala.

Lunch at a cafe.

Sightseeing tour of Sortavala. Sortavala will surprise you with elegant wooden houses, boring stories and a park with wonderful views.

You will be transported back a century and look at the city as an encyclopedia of Finnish architecture. You will learn about the outstanding inhabitants of the past, hear about the rune singers and get useful tips on holidays in Karelia.

Later return to Petrozavodsk.

Transfer to the hotels.

Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

Room release.

Departure for an excursion.

A visit to the unique Shungit.Life facility, which manufactures products from the most useful mineral on earth — shungite from the Zazhoginsky deposit.

The homeland of shungite is Zaonezhye, one of the most distinctive places in Karelia and the Russian North.

Recently, shungite has become known far beyond the borders of Karelia due to its properties. Visitors tend to buy products made from this unique stone. And what is its uniqueness? Is it only found in Zaonezhye? Are his extraordinary qualities valid? What is the mystery of shungite, which has become a real "brand" of Karelia these days?

You can form your opinion by visiting the "shungite cave", where you can have a relaxation session. The walls of the room are lined with shungite tiles.

Products made of "black stone" will be offered to your attention, which you can purchase as souvenirs at manufacturer's prices.

Sampo Mountain climb.

Mount Sampo is a rocky ridge that was formed during the movement of a glacier thousands of years ago. Its height is about 40 m.

Tourists of any age and level of training can climb the mountain: there are hiking trails, stairs, and observation decks.

The reward for those who walk the path is a stunning view of the forest and the lake with islands. According to legend, ancient people performed rituals here.

Visit to the first Russian resort Marcial Waters.

Marcial Waters is the 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 Apostle Peter of the XVIII century, built according to the sketches of Peter himself, has been preserved here. You will be able to see everything with your own eyes, drink healing water and take it with you.

Lunch at a cafe.

Kivach Nature Reserve with a visit to one of the largest lowland waterfalls in Europe. Kivach is a waterfall framed by diabase rocks.

The Song River, which is slow until a certain time, suddenly breaks down in seething streams, overcoming four ledges, which makes the waterfall very spectacular.

Inspection of the Karelian birch arboretum.

The arboretum Collection, founded in 1948, is the result of scientific experiments on the cultivation in Karelia of fast—growing, technically valuable and suitable for landscaping cities and towns of tree and shrub species from other climatic zones.

Return to Petrozavodsk.

Transfer to the railway station. You will be at the railway station by 18:00.