On the Karelian land. Snowmobile Safari

Touch eternity in Karelia in two days of traveling on snowmobiles and snowshoes. You will see a "sleeping" Karelian village in winter landscapes, real bears and other forest inhabitants at arm's length, the icy expanses of Lake Syamozero and the snow-covered Karelian forest. 

You will learn about the traditions and legends of the ancient village of Rubchoila, how the national Karelian music sounds, amazing animal stories in the Three Bears zoo complex. 

Location

Petrozavodsk
from
$372
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
2 Days
1 Night
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 12 – 13 January, 2025
    • 19 – 20 January, 2025
    • 26 – 27 January, 2025
    • 2 – 3 February, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    1 night
Comfort
  • Basic+
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
Up to 16 people
Minimum age
10 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

Snowmobiles
Let's learn how to drive a snowmobile and take a ride through the most beautiful places
Nature of Karelia
Let's feel the silence and grace of the winter coniferous forest
Local cuisine
We will try dishes of national Karelian cuisine, jam made from local berries and fragrant Karelian pastries, farm cheese

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Snowmobiling to the ancient village of Rubchoila

    We will meet at the Petrozavodsk railway station under the clock on the main building from the platform (according to the arrival time of train No. 18 Moscow – Petrozavodsk).

    We go to a restaurant for breakfast to immediately set ourselves up for a great adventure. 

    The buffet is at your service – here everyone will find food to their liking. During breakfast, we get to know the guide and other tour participants better.

    Let's get on the buses and go on an adventure! 

    We reach the Cloudberry base, where we will stay for the night, get acquainted with the instructors and select equipment – today we are going on a snowmobile safari. 

    We carefully listen to the instruction on driving a snowmobile, get into the cars and go to the training ground

    We get used to the equipment a little and go along the planned route.

    We overcome a section of the highway along the paths of the winter forest and begin a real safari in the expanses of the frozen lake Syamozero

    We gradually increase our speed, feel confident and incredibly free! We are heading to the ancient village of Rubchoila.

    The village of Rubchoila was founded by the Karelians more than 300 years ago. 

    Today it is a unique complex monument of folk wooden architecture of Karelia of the XIX century, which includes 18 peasant houses, including black baths.

    The keeper of the traditions of the village tells about the history, way of life, traditions of the indigenous people. 

    Among all the buildings, the Ermolaev house stands out, which now houses the ethnographic museum.

    Here we not only inspect the exposition, but also get acquainted with the folklore tradition of the Syamozero region, during gatherings in a real Karelian house – a folklore group performs for us, which sings folk songs in Karelian and Russian. 

    No one lets the guests go hungry – local housewives treat us to a rustic lunch consisting of dishes of national Karelian cuisine.

    We stop at the family artisan cheese factory Alasalmi

    A table with locally produced cheeses has already been set for us here: Lumi, Halloumi with mint, Jarvi, Alasalmi, Caciotta with walnuts, herbs and Provencal herbs.  

    We taste cheeses, drink tea made from boiling water. 

    Behind the glass wall we can see all the subtleties of cheese production, learn about the cooking technology and how farm cheese differs from factory cheese. 

    And the most curious can get acquainted with the inhabitants of the farm – Mike, Gertrude, Buckle, Milka, Horn and other well-groomed cows and goats

    A bright and full of impressions day of immersion in the life of a typical villager is slowly coming to an end, we return to the recreation center on snowmobiles.

    We have dinner and go to rest.

    Distance: 70 km by snowmobile.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - To visit the inhabitants of the forest in the zoo complex "Three bears"
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    1 night
Comfort
  • Basic+

The tour provides accommodation at the suburban base "Cloudberry".

The cost of the tour for 1 person with double occupancy:

  • 2 people on a snowmobile – 38,700 rubles/person;
  • 1 person on a snowmobile – 60,700 rubles/person.

Discount for additional accommodation. place – 3,000 rubles/person.

Recreation center "Cloudberry" 1 night

The base is located 85 km from Petrozavodsk, on the shore of Lake Syamozero.

Double room (two single beds).

A separate entrance from the street, its own porch, a vestibule for outerwear and outdoor shoes, an entrance hall, a bathroom equipped with a shower cabin and underfloor heating.

Each room has 2 single beds, a mirror, a desk, a wardrobe, a TV, bedside tables, chairs according to the number of seats, a bathroom, a shower cabin. Solid wood furniture (pine). Heating, electricity.

Double Room (double bed) + extra bed (sofa).

A separate entrance from the street, its own porch, a vestibule for outerwear and outdoor shoes, an entrance hall, a bathroom equipped with a shower cabin and underfloor heating.

Each room has one double bed, a mirror, a desk, a TV, bedside tables, chairs according to the number of seats, a bathroom, a shower cabin. Solid wood furniture (pine). Heating, electricity.

Tour conditions

Group
up to 16 tourists
Minimum age
10 years old
Duration
2 days 1 night
Group meets at
Petrozavodsk

Included in price

  • transportation services according to the program;
  • meals specified in the program;
  • accommodation according to the program: 2 people in a double room (1 night);
  • the work of instructors and an accompanying/guide translator;
  • snowmobile and equipment rental, fuel;
  • tour of Karelian villages, with a visit to ancient chapels;
  • a tour of the zoo complex.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
  • accommodation before the start of the tour and after its completion;
  • meals not included in the tour program;
  • insurance (from 100 rubles/person/day);
  • other unforeseen expenses.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  1. Backpack or travel bag. It is highly undesirable to bring things in a suitcase, because it does not fit into the trunk of a snowmobile and is inconvenient to transport.
  2. Clothing for an active snowmobile day:
    • thermal underwear (pants and jacket);
    • comfortable warm sportswear is an optimal suit for snowboarding or downhill skiing. We recommend not to come in jeans, because they restrict movement and do not warm;
    • fleece jacket or sweater;
    • socks should be on your feet (thin cotton + necessarily warm wool);
    • gloves and a hat.
  3. A set of clothes for the night:
    • a set of spare underwear;
    • comfortable shorts/sweatpants and T-shirt;
    • slippers or warm socks.
  4. For a trip to the sauna:
    • a swimsuit (if you need one);
    • slates/sandals for sports.
  5. Shoes: comfortable warm shoes WITHOUT heels.
  6. Personal items:
    • personal hygiene products (individual shower sets (shampoo, soap) are available in the rooms at the recreation center;
    • individual first aid kit;
    • hair dryer (if you need it);
  7. Documents:
    • passport;
    • medical insurance policy (photocopy is available).
  8. Money. We recommend that you always have a small amount of cash with you so that, if desired, you can quickly buy the necessary things at stops along the route.

If you wear glasses, then you should remember that under the helmet the shackles can press and cause discomfort. Also, from your breathing under the helmet, the glasses fog up, and freeze quickly in the cold. Also, the glasses fog up when you want to go into a warm room from the cold. If possible, lenses should be provided.

Clothing should be suitable for outdoor activities (extreme types of tourism), that is, not to interfere with movement, protect from adverse environmental factors, and meet special safety requirements for the type of extreme tourism.

What kind of equipment is provided on the route?
What are the rules of conduct on the route?
What are the rules to follow when driving a snowmobile?
What are the rules for the operation and storage of equipment and equipment?
Can a child take part in a snowmobile tour?
How can I prepare for the tour?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Which snowmobile landing should I choose: one person on a snowmobile or two?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • from
    $372
    12 – 13 Jan, 2025 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $372
    19 – 20 Jan, 2025 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $372
    26 – 27 Jan, 2025 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $372
    2 – 3 Feb, 2025 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $372
    9 – 10 Feb, 2025 2 days 1 night
    Submit request
    No need to pay now