Pearl necklace of Karelia. New Year's Tour from Saint Petersburg

Special offer! Additional 5% discount when booking a tour more than 6 months before arrival.

Imagine a winter fairy tale made of sparkling snow, ice from the great lakes, and the age-old might of Karelian forests. 

In six days you will immerse yourself in the magic of the North: feel the breath of history in an ancient fortress and a Karelian village, admire the frozen beauty of waterfalls and Ladoga skerries, touch the grandeur of Kizhi and Ruskeala in their winter decorations, warm up with huskies and deer and discover the secrets of Karelian cuisine. 

This is a trip for those who are looking for not just a vacation, but a real immersion into the harsh and beautiful soul of the Russian North.

Location

Saint-Petersburg
from
$971
$1,022
Early Booker Deal
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
6 days
5 nights
Departures
2 - 7 Jan, 2027
4 - 9 Jan, 2027
19 - 24 Jan, 2027
26 - 31 Jan, 2027
2 - 7 Feb, 2027
9 - 14 Feb, 2027
16 - 21 Feb, 2027
23 - 28 Feb, 2027
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
From 18 to 50 tourists
Minimum age
4 years old
Group meet at
Saint-Petersburg
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The splendor of Kizhi Island
Admire the amazing architectural ensemble of the Kizhi cemetery
Charming Sortavala
Take part in a sightseeing tour of the city with a tour of the monuments of northern Art Nouveau and visit the exhibition hall of Kronid Gogolev
Delicious master class
You will learn about the peculiarities of the national Karelian cuisine, learn how to cook wickets, and also be able to try your creations with Karelian tea.
Legends of the North
Visit Kivach Waterfall, Sampo Mountain, Girvas Volcano and Marcial Waters resort
Winter Petrozavodsk
Get acquainted with the capital of Karelia and stroll along the embankment of Lake Onega
Visiting Talviukko
Go to the ethnopark to visit the patrimony of Karelian Santa Claus

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Departure from Saint Petersburg. The fortress of Korela. The city of Lahdenpohja. Valley of Waterfalls Eco-Park

    09:00 Departure by bus from St. Petersburg.

    11:30 Arrival in Priozersk and guided tour of the Korela Fortress, an ancient fortification.

    13:30 Visit to the Valley of Waterfalls eco-park. A walk along the eco-trail along the Iyjoki River, on which four small waterfalls are located one after the other.

    15:30 Walk through Lahdenpohja: streets with Finnish-built houses, a park with the heroes of the epic "Kalevala".

    17:00 Arrival in Sortavala, late lunch and hotel accommodation.

    Free time.

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  • Day 2 - Sortavala. Ruskeala Mountain Park
  • Day 3 - Ladoga skerries and the Karelian village of Kinerma
  • Day 4 - A trip to Zaonezhye with a visit to Kizhi Island
  • Day 5 - The patrimony of the Karelian Santa Claus. Guided tour of the capital of Karelia. Master class on gates
  • Day 6 - Kivach Waterfall. Mount Sampo. Girvas volcano. Marcial waters
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Premium

The tour provides accommodation in standard rooms with amenities in hotels in Sortavala and Petrozavodsk.

Please note! The surcharge for New Year's dates (arrivals on January 2 and 4) is 25,000 rubles/person.

Discount for bookings made more than 6 months before the tour — 10%, from 3 to 6 months — 5%, the price below is without discount.

The cost of the tour for 1 person:

  • single occupancy – 82,500 rubles/person.;
  • double occupancy – 74,900 rubles/person.;
  • extra bed for double occupancy – 67,500 rubles/person. 

Discounts and benefits:

  • children from 3-14 years old – 4,000 rubles/person.;
  • pensioners, combat veterans, disabled people of all groups – 2,000 rubles/person. 
Sortavala Hotel or Rodina Hotel or 2 nights
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
Rodina Hotel

Rodina is a hotel in the city of Sortavala, which has a good location and offers first—class service. The services include daily cleaning, laundry, parking for cars and Wi-Fi.

The hotel includes 25 rooms in a stylish design. An LCD TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator are provided for your stay. The private bathroom has a shower cabin, as well as bathrobes and cosmetics.

The in-house restaurant serves a wide range of dishes. Room service is also available.

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Another option
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
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
The White Nights Hotel

The White Nights Hotel is located in the village of Helyulya, 77 m from the State Farm public transport stop. Telman."

The cozy and bright rooms can accommodate from two to three guests. They have everything ready for a comfortable stay: Wi-Fi, LCD TV, hairdryer and private bathroom with shower.

Guests can arrange their own meals at the restaurant, which serves Russian and Caucasian cuisine.

There is a river next to the hotel, and a local cultural center is within walking distance. 

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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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Another option
The Valoranta Hotel

The VALORANTA Hotel is located on the shores of Lake Ladoga, in the historical part of Sortavala, where the bustling port of the Northern Ladoga Region once stood.

VALORANTA is a place where you can feel the tranquility of the northern nature and the power of Lake Ladoga.

On the territory of VALORANTA, you can visit the VOLNA restaurant, located in the same building.

The Severnaya Hotel or The Prionezhsky Hotel or 3 nights

Tour conditions

Group
From 18 to 50 tourists
Minimum age
4 years old
Duration
6 days 5 nights
Group meets at
Saint-Petersburg

Included in price

  • meals included in the program (5 breakfasts, 6 lunches);
  • master class on gates;
  • the work of a tour guide;
  • accommodation in hotels;
  • all entrance tickets according to the program;
  • bus transportation service;
  • passage to Kizhi Island by hovercraft;
  • riding on Ladoga skerries.

Paid extra

  • tickets to St. Petersburg and back from Petrozavodsk;
  • meals not specified in the program;
  • retro train ticket;
  • additional services.

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 will we visit?
What discounts and special offers are available for this tour?

Dates and Prices

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.