Pearl necklace of Karelia. An abbreviated program

We invite you to an unforgettable six—day trip through Karelia, a land of lakes, rivers, forests and amazing sights.

You must admit that it is impossible to see all the main sights of Karelia at one time. However, in this adventure you will have the opportunity to fully enjoy the beauty and history of this amazing region. In six days you will be able to visit all the most important places: Kizhi, Valaam, Ruskeala, Kivach and many others.

Other, perhaps less well-known, but no less interesting objects are waiting for you as part of the tour. At the same time, you will be in the most comfortable conditions, and the program will be full of various activities.

The extended version of the tour can be found at the link.

Location

Republic of Karelia, Sortavala
from
$1,703
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
6 days
5 nights
Departures
9 - 14 Jun
23 - 28 Jun
7 - 12 Jul
21 - 26 Jul
4 - 9 Aug
18 - 23 Aug
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 51 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Group meet at
Republic of Karelia, Sortavala
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The beauty of the Marble Canyon
You will walk along the ecotrope with panoramic platforms in Ruskeala Park
The charm of Kizhi Island
Take a meteor to Kizhi Island, where you will take part in a guided tour of the museum-reserve.
By boat on Ladoga skerries
Take a boat trip through the unique ecosystem of stone islands, rocks and bays
The Holy Island of Valaam
Take part in a walking tour of the central estate of the monastery and listen to a concert by the choristers of the Valaam male ensemble
An unusual gallery
You will see an exhibition of paintings made in a unique manner of wood carving
Cooking class
Learn how to make Karelian pies wickets

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Sightseeing tour of Sortavala. Valaam Island

    08:20 Gathering of the group at the railway station of Sortavala. For those who cannot start the tour in Sortavala, it is possible to leave Petrozavodsk at 04:00 a.m. on our bus, at no extra charge.

    08:40 Breakfast at the cafe.

    09:10-10:50 Sightseeing tour of Sortavala with an inspection of local architecture — monuments of Northern Art Nouveau.

    11:00 Departure by meteor to Valaam Island. Crossing Lake Ladoga is 50 minutes.

    11:50 Arrival at the Monastery Bay.

    Walking tour of the central estate of the monastery: the Transfiguration Cathedral and the concert of the choristers of the male ensemble "Valaam".

    Transfer by meteor to Nikonovskaya Bay.

    Lenten lunch in the refectory.

    New Jerusalem Tour: visit the Resurrection Skete, walk to the man-made garden and Gethsemane skete with the wooden church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

    The tour ends on Mount of Olives with a picturesque view of Ladoga.

    16:50-17:50 Return trip by meteor to Sortavala.

    18:15 Check-in at the hotel, dinner, free time and rest.

    Please note! In the event of a storm and the cancellation of meteor flights within 3 days, a trip to Valaam Island is replaced by an excursion to the White Bridges Waterfall (Yukankoski) in a URAL car and a visit to the almadine pomegranate deposit with their extraction.

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  • Day 2 - Ladoga skerries. Kronid Gogolev Gallery. Viking Fortress Museum. Mount Paaso. Master class on gates
  • Day 3 - Ruskeala Mountain Park. Departure to Petrozavodsk. Akhinkoski Waterfalls
  • Day 4 - Petrozavodsk city tour. The Kalevala Universe exhibition. Concert of the national ensemble
  • Day 5 - The embankment of Lake Onega. Kizhi Island
  • Day 6 - Mount Sampo. The resort "Marcial waters". Girvas paleovolcano. Kivach Waterfall
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels.

There is a special offer for the tour: for bookings of more than 3 to 6 months, a 5% discount. The prices below are without discount.

The cost of the tour for 1 person:

  • adult – 123,500 rubles.;
  • preferential (pensioners, the disabled and veterans of military operations) – 119,500 rubles.;
  • children 3-14 years old – 115,500 rubles.

Additional payment for one.placement – 14,000 rubles. Discount for additional items.place – 7,000 rubles.

Female check-in is possible on this tour. The price is the same as for double occupancy.

The Ladoga Hotel or Sortavala Hotel or 2 nights
The Ladoga Hotel

Ladoga is located in the city of Sortavala. It offers: Wi-Fi, daily cleaning, 24-hour front desk, sauna. 

Cozy and bright rooms of various categories and pricing policies have been prepared for accommodation. Each room has the necessary furniture and appliances for a comfortable stay.

Meals are served in the hotel's restaurant. It serves delicious dishes and a la carte drinks.

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Another option
Sortavala Hotel

The Sortavala Hotel is located in the city of the same name.

The hotel offers 67 comfortable and cozy rooms of various categories. Each room has comfortable furniture and appliances, namely a TV with cable TV, a refrigerator, a hairdryer and a bathroom. There is an elevator for easier movement around the hotel.

A delicious and hearty breakfast is served every morning at the Boulevard Restaurant.

You can also use the beauty salon, sauna or medical room on the ground floor of the hotel.

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Another option
Piipun Piha Hotel

Piypun Piha Hotel is located in Sortavala, away from the hustle and noise of the city streets on the shores of Lake Ladoga.

There are 19 rooms of various categories for a comfortable stay and a cozy restaurant for a pleasant stay.

Elegant classics, splendor and original Karelian flavor are combined in the interior and surroundings of the hotel. The pastel colors prevailing in the design of the comfortable rooms and the guest area of the hotel create an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

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Another option
Kaunis Hotel

Kaunis is located in the very center of Sortavala. All conditions for a comfortable stay are presented here. Free high-speed internet is available throughout the property. Staff at the 24-hour front desk will help you stay and answer your questions.

Comfortable rooms of various capacities are available for accommodation. Each of them has functional furniture, a flat-screen TV, a telephone, and cable TV. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower, toilet, sink, hairdryer and toiletries. Each guest is provided with a set of towels.

Guests can visit cafes, canteens and restaurants within walking distance.

Kirov Square, St. Nicholas Church, the Rotunda landmark, and the Museum of the Northern Ladoga Region are located within two kilometers.

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The Severnaya Hotel or The Prionezhsky Hotel or 3 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 51 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
6 days 5 nights
Group meets at
Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Included in price

  • meals included in the program (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners (2 in Sortavala, 1 in Petrozavodsk);
  • master class on Karelian gates;
  • the work of a tour guide;
  • accommodation in hotels;
  • all entrance tickets according to the program;
  • bus transportation service;
  • meteor ride to Kizhi Island and Valaam Island;
  • boating on Ladoga skerries.

Paid extra

  • tickets to Sortavala/ Petrozavodsk and back from Petrozavodsk;
  • meals not specified in the program;
  • additional services and excursions;
  • tickets for the retro train.

It's important to know

Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What should I pay attention to?

Dates and Prices

  • $1,703
    9 – 14 Jun 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,703
    23 – 28 Jun 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,703
    7 – 12 Jul 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,703
    21 – 26 Jul 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,703
    4 – 9 Aug 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • IT
    Irina Tupitsina
    about provider
    27 May, 2026
    From the very beginning of the booking process by email to the end of the trip, everything was organized clearly, smoothly, and conveniently.
  • Z
    Zhanna
    about provider
    21 May, 2026
    Many thanks to the team at “Big Country” for the excellent organization. The tour went smoothly from start to finish, without any problems or disruptions.
  • I
    Irina
    about provider
    8 May, 2026
    Everything was perfectly organized.