Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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We invite you to one of the most inaccessible places in the Northwest - Paan National Park!

Here, the mountain peaks are divided by deep gorges, numerous lakes, various swamps and stormy rivers with noisy rapids and waterfalls, and the mountain slopes and river valleys are covered with almost untouched forests – the landscapes are fascinating!

Accompanied by a guide, you will climb Mount Kivakka, discover the greatness of the Kivakkakoski and Myantyukoski waterfalls. Every day will be filled with adventures, and the evenings will be filled with the comfort of the camp under the starry sky and the sounds of nature.

Location

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Louhi urban-type settlement

from

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

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Tour highlights

Boat trip

You will see a lake of tectonic origin with crystal clear water

National Park

Explore Paanajarvi Park, where wildlife is represented in all its glory.: high mountains, clear rivers and deep lakes, as well as rare species of animals and plants listed in the Red Book

The voice of the waterfall

Take a light hike to Kivakkakoski Waterfall along a prepared trail

Itinerary

Day 1 - Group meeting. National Park "Paanarvi"
The journey begins in Louhi village, where you need to get there on your own. We recommend purchasing tickets for train No. 016 upon arrival from Moscow.
After meeting at the Louhi railway station, you will be transferred to the starting point of the tour – Pyaozersky village (109 km, about 2 hours on the way).
You will visit the Paanarvi National Park Visitor Center and the local museum.
Wildlife is represented in all its glory in Paanajarvi National Park.: high mountains, clear rivers and deep lakes, as well as rare species of animals and plants listed in the Red Book.
It is for these reasons that the park itself is divided into several zones: there is no access to two of them, but the third – recreational – is organized for tourists.
However, there are also strict household rules that must be followed.
All this is done in order to protect and preserve Red Book plants and animals and natural landscapes.
Accommodation in a tent camp at a specially equipped parking lot in the national park on the shore of Lake Paan.
Dinner and overnight in the field.

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Day 2 - Boat trip on Lake Paanajarvi. The rock of Ruskeakallio. Myantyukoski Waterfall
You will have breakfast at the camp and go on a boat trip on Lake Paanajarvi.
Lake Paanajarvi is of tectonic origin, it is the deepest among the lakes of Russia, Finland and Sweden.
The maximum depth is 128 meters. And its length is about 25 km, and its width is slightly less than 1.5 km. The water in it is crystal clear.
During the walk you will see the places of the former Finnish settlements, as well as enjoy the extraordinary beauty of this place.
The most impressive thing on the route is the steep 60–meter Ruskeakallio rock ("Brown Rock").
At the end of the route, you will dock at the mouth of the Myantyujoki River. There is another equipped parking lot where you can relax and have a snack.
Next, you will climb to the Myantyukoski waterfall.
The height of the waterfall reaches almost 9 meters, the water falls in five steps – it is very impressive.
Return to the parking lot, collect your belongings, and move to the parking lot in the Vartiolampi tract.
Dinner and overnight in the field.

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Day 3 - Kivakkakoski Waterfall
After breakfast, you will embark on a light hike to Kivakkakoski Waterfall (Finnish for "stone woman's threshold"). along a prepared path.
The route is simple and does not require any special physical activity. The entire route takes 3 hours (total mileage 9 km).
The route starts at the place where the village of Vartiolampi used to be.
All that remains of the village is an open space and various kinds of meadow grasses that were brought here by farmers.
In the middle of the Vartiolampi tract, an old Karelian house was restored, where you can see the exposition of Karelian life of the last century.
Three branches of the Olanga River connect in front of the waterfall, and a huge mass of water, trapped by the banks, collapses down from 12 meters.
You will hear the voice of Kivakkakoski Waterfall long before you see it.
You will return to the camp by lunchtime.
Free time.
Dinner and overnight in the field.

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Day 4 - Climbing Mount Kivakkatunturi. Departure
Breakfast at the camp.
Next, you will climb Mount Kivakkatunturi, or Kivakka. Kivakka means "stone guardian" in Sami. The way to the mountain is 5 km along a beautiful path.
During the ascent, vegetation changes from taiga to birch woodlands and mountain tundra at the top of the mountain. The approximate lifting time is 2 hours.
Return to the parking lot, lunch.
19:00 Transfer to the village. Pyaozersky, where you will have the opportunity to buy groceries for the way back and souvenirs.
Transfer to Louhi village (110 km, about 3 hours on the way).
Departure by night trains from Louhi station.
Return tickets must be purchased for the train departing from Louhi station on the next calendar day after the end of the tour, for example, train No. 015.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

The tour includes an ascent of Mount Kivakkatunturi, as well as a walking tour to Kivakkakoski Waterfall. The walking route is simple and does not require any special physical activity. The entire route takes 3 hours (total mileage 9 km).

Accommodation

Tent

3 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in three-person tents. Each participant is given an individual thermal insulation mat.

It is possible to stay in a double tent for an additional fee of 1,000 rubles/tour.

Please inform us about the need for a 2-bed tent when booking the tour.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 17 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Louhi urban-type settlement

Included in price

transportation services according to the program;
meals specified in the program;
instructors' work;
camp equipment rental: campfire equipment, tents (three-person), thermal insulation mats;
tour service in the Paanayarvi National Park.

Paid extra

railway tickets to Louhi station and back;
sleeping bag (comfort temperature +6°C, extreme 0°C) – 700 RUB/tour, payable when booking the tour;
insurance of medical and other unforeseen expenses – from 100 rubles/person/day;
rent of a double tent – 1,000 rubles/tour (optional).

It's important to know

1. A backpack with a volume of at least 70 liters.

2. Sleeping bag (if you do not have a personal one, you can rent it from the company, payment is made when booking a trip).

3. Trekking poles (optional, at least one). The company does not provide trekking poles.

4. The form of clothing for the running day:

comfortable sportswear (trousers and a sweatshirt / T-shirt), it is inconvenient to walk in jeans;
socks should be on your feet (not thin cotton, tighter);
it is advisable that the clothes be quick-drying.;
Recommended: wear a light Bolognese suit (protection from wind and moisture). Raincoats made of dense materials can be used.;
on the head: a cap or bandana.

5. A set of clothes for dressing up in the evening:

a set of dry comfortable outerwear;
dry comfortable shoes and socks;
beanie / bandana / buff;
a set of spare underwear.

6. Clothing for sleeping in a tent:

warm loose clothing (if available, thermal underwear);
warm socks (woolen ones are possible) and a thin cap (the nights can be cool);
for the evening, a fleece jacket / sweatshirt / jacket.

7. For a trip to the tourist bath:

individual towel;
swimsuit (boys / girls go to the sauna all together, groups of 8-10 people);
slates / sandals for sports.

8. Shoes:

comfortable flat shoes, 3 pairs;
worn trekking boots with thick soles that cover the ankle (this is the main component of success in the tour);
the second pair for the camp (you can take short rubber boots if it rains according to forecasts);
the third is "urban".

9. Personal items:

repellents (mosquitoes, midges);
sunglasses and sunscreen and sunscreen after sunburn, if it is sunny according to the forecast;
personal hygiene products (including toilet paper) and an individual first-aid kit;
small polyurethane seat mat;
a portable charger or a phone that will keep charging for a long time.;
personal utensils (mug, deep bowl, spoon).

10. Documents in sealed packaging:

passport;
medical insurance policy (photocopy is available).

11. Money:

We recommend that you always have a small amount of cash with you so that you can quickly buy the necessary items at stops along the route.

Dates and Prices

$441

23 – 26 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$441

13 – 16 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now

Paanarvi Trails in Karelia