Pearl necklace of Karelia. Summer tour for 9 days

Discount when booking more than 6 months before the tour — 10%, from 3 to 6 months — 5%, the price is indicated without discount.

We invite you to the tour — winner of the All-Russian award "Route of the Year".

The program is perfectly balanced, has no night crossings, is built taking into account a lot of time for sightseeing without haste and really covers the whole of Karelia!

You will visit Kizhi, Valaam, Solovki, Petrozavodsk. You will see the White Sea petroglyphs, take a walk in the Ruskeala Mountain Park, try the healing water at the Marcial Waters resort.

And also learn how to make Karelian gates, take a boat ride on the White Sea and have dinner in a real northern plague by the campfire.

Location

Republic of Karelia, Sortavala
from
$1,963
$1,692
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
9 Days
8 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 27 May – 4 June, 2025
    • 10 – 18 June, 2025
    • 24 June – 2 July, 2025
    • 8 – 16 July, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic+
  • Midscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 51 people
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

Boat trip
Take a walk along the Ladoga skerries, admire the Karelian landscapes and admire the sheer cliffs
Cooking class
Learn how to make Karelian gate — pies from rye unleavened dough with fillings
Marble Canyon of Ruskeala
You will see one of the main pearls of Karelia, and if you wish, take a ride on an atmospheric retro train
National flavor
Visit the ancient village of Sheltozero, where Veps folk songs will be performed live for you
Places of power
Admire the mysterious stone labyrinths on the Solovetsky Islands
Exploring the North Sea
You will visit the shore of the White Sea and take a boat ride along it

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - The holy island of Valaam. An ancient variety

    08:20 Meeting 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 in the morning by our bus, without additional payment.

    Our guide will meet you with a sign at the main entrance to the Sortavala railway station. Starting at 8 a.m., our bus will be on duty here, where you can put your things away immediately after arrival.

    08:40 Breakfast at the cafe.

    We are going on an excursion to Sortavala. It is one of two Russian cities with Swedish roots (the second is Vyborg).

    09:10-10:50 Sightseeing tour of the city of Sortavale with a visit to the main attractions of the city.

    Just look at how beautiful it is:

    • The building of the national school, built in 1929 in the neoclassical style.
    • The Seurahuone Hotel, built in 1908, where Nicholas Roerich stayed.
    • Leander's House (1905).
    • The building of the Finnish Bank, built in 1915, in which every detail informs about the inaccessibility and reliability of the bank.
    • The Siitonen Merchants' House is a typical Northern Art Nouveau built in 1907.
    • The Town Hall, built in 1882, is one of the most beautiful buildings: turrets, carved skates, pale pink color, with carvings and white frames, as if a lace napkin was thrown over.
    • A wooden fire station built in 1888.
    • The house with a lantern, built in 1920 and owned by the Helsinki Joint—Stock Bank, resembles a glass syringe in shape.
    • And, of course, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was built with the money of St. Petersburg merchants in 1873. It is built in the Russian style. Today, the main city temple of Sortavala.

    11:00 Departure by meteors to Valaam Island.

    We are going to the pier — there are high—speed comets waiting for us, which will rush us to the first holy island of our adventure - the island of Valaam.

    The holy island is not so far away — only 22 kilometers. By the way, did you know that in Ladoga, the only freshwater reservoir in Russia, there are seals — small black seals? No wonder they say that Ladoga is almost a sea.

    11:50-16:50 Arrival at Valaam, sightseeing tour of the central manor of the monastery, performance of the male choir, lunch in the monastery refectory.

    We arrive at the Monastery Bay. Here we will have a walking tour of the central manor of the monastery.

    We will visit the Transfiguration Cathedral, where the relics of Saints Sergius and Herman, the founders of the monastery, are located. And what a holy island without a concert of the creative team! This time the singers of the male ensemble "Valaam" will sing for us.

    After enjoying the beauty of the church hymn, we will move on the Meteor to Nikonovskaya Bay. Here we have already been waiting for a lenten lunch in the refectory, prepared within the walls of the monastery. And back on the road.

    The New Jerusalem tour will reveal unknown fragments of the island's history.

    We will visit the Resurrection Hermitage. Further along the forest road we will walk to the man-made Gethsemane Garden, where the cozy Gethsemane hermitage with the wooden church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located.

    The tour ends on the Mount of Olives, where one of the most poetic views of Ladoga opens.

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

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

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  • Day 2 - Ladoga skerries on boats. Kronid Gogolev Gallery. Viking Fortress Museum. Mount Paaso
  • Day 3 - Marble canyon of Ruskeala. Dinner at the Sami Plague
  • Day 4 - Petrozavodsk. The ancient Vepsian village of Sheltozero. Concert of the National Ensemble
  • Day 5 - The pearl of the Russian North is Kizhi Island. Master class on wickets
  • Day 6 - Mount Sampo. The resort "Marcial waters". Girvas volcano. Kivach Waterfall
  • Day 7 - Zaonezhye. The White Sea Canal. Petroglyphs
  • Day 8 - Solovetsky Kremlin — monastery and fortress
  • Day 9 - Nature and Places of Power on Solovki
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic+
  • Midscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels:

  • in Petrozavodsk — 4 nights;
  • in Sortavala — 2 nights;
  • in Kemi — 1 night;
  • on Solovetsky Island — 1 night.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

PlacementCost
Double occupancy175 000
Single occupancy195 000
Placement on the additional. location155 000

Female settlement is possible. The cost is the same as for double occupancy.

Discounts:

  • for children under 14 years old (inclusive) — 8,000 rubles;
  • for pensioners, veterans of the database, the disabled — 2,000 rubles.;
  • for groups of 5 people or more, a 7% discount is valid (it is important that there are at least 5 people in one order, the discount does not apply if one company has booked 2 separate orders).

Information on accommodation in Petrozavodsk:

To accommodate tourists, we provide comfortable rooms in superior hotels and service levels located in the city center and within walking distance from the waterfront of Petrozavodsk, restaurants and entertainment centers, souvenir and grocery stores. 

We accommodate guests in the following hotels: Severnaya, Prionezhsky, Onega Castle, Sakvoyazh, Cosmos, Boutique hotel 13 chairs, Peter INN, Petra, Frigate, Karelia Spa. These are some of the best hotels in Petrozavodsk, consistently providing a high level of service and high-quality accommodation.

You get breakfast at the hotel in the price of the tour

All excursions will also start from the hotels (a maximum of 10 minutes walk from the meeting point for the tour, including on the day of check—in and check-out, as some hotels are difficult to access by large buses). 

You can write your wishes in advance on choosing a specific hotel and we will try to ensure that you check into it, but the specifics of group tours are such that the accommodation grid is drawn up at the last moment, based on the available room quotas in the hotels we have booked.

"Severnaya" or "Prionezhsky" or 4 nights
"Severnaya"

Severnaya Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, just 1 km from Lake Onega and a 15-minute walk from the train station and public transport stops.

The Severnaya Hotel offers a wide range of rooms, suites and apartments equipped with everything necessary.

The hotel has a business center with meeting facilities.

The attentive staff of the Severnaya Hotel will assist in obtaining a visa and can arrange excursions on request.

Near the Severnaya Hotel, you can visit the shopping and business districts of the city, as well as restaurants and museums nearby. Guests can explore the neoclassical architectural heritage of Petrozavodsk or take a walk along Lake Onega.

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Another option
"Prionezhsky"

The Prionezhsky Club Hotel is located in Petrozavodsk, in its historical district, on the shore of the lake.

The hotel has comfortable rooms, the comfort and equipment of which allow you to relax after an eventful day. Apartments are recommended for long-term stays

Meals are served in the restaurant with a bright and cozy room, as well as impeccable service. The bartender will prepare any classic or exclusive cocktail.

The conference hall accommodates 45 people and has the necessary equipment and ergonomic furniture. Upon request, the staff will develop a coffee break menu.

The hotel is located in a picturesque area, which is suitable for walking, secluded recreation, as well as for active sports.

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Another option
Onega Castle

The Onega Castle Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk. From the windows of the hotel you can observe panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding area of the city.

All rooms are distributed according to comfort and furnishing. If desired, you can additionally order sleeping places. There are a number of attic rooms from which you can see the lake scenery.

There is a restaurant serving international and Russian dishes. You can try several dishes of Karelian cuisine. The bar provides various types of drinks, as well as cold snacks.

The swimming pool is open to the public, and you can also use the sauna or spa center. You can book a hall for special events.

The nearest attraction is the embankment with the monument "Fishermen". The local Museum of Local Lore is within walking distance.

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Another option
"The valise"

The Sakvoyazh Hotel is located in the northeastern part of the city of Petrozavodsk, in the vicinity of the city's embankment.

The hotel has different types of rooms, both standard and superior comfort. The facilities include comfortable beds, necessary furniture, a private bathroom with hygiene products, a TV, Wi-Fi. Some rooms have a sauna and a kitchenette. You can book rooms with a view of the courtyard or the city.

Breakfast is served every morning, which includes a variety of dishes made from organic products according to the buffet system.

The distance to the railway station is 2 kilometers, and Petrozavodsk Airport is 18 kilometers away. Nearby is Petrovsky Square and the Park of the Onega Tractor Plant.

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Another option
«Cosmos»

The modern Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel is located in a picturesque part of Petrozavodsk, not far from the famous Onega Lake. A wide range of services is provided for guests.

Comfortable rooms are provided for accommodation, made in a classic simple design. The rooms have all the necessary furniture and appliances, a private bathroom or shower with a bathroom.

There is a restaurant on site. There is a wide range of dishes.

You can hold a seminar or a business meeting in an equipped conference room with appliances.

The train station can be reached in 10 minutes by public transport, and the airport is 30 minutes away. Within walking distance there is a beautiful promenade along which you can walk.

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Another option
"Boutique hotel 13 chairs"

Boutique hotel "13 chairs" is located in the center of Petrozavodsk. It offers uniquely decorated rooms and an indoor pool with sauna. It offers free Wi-Fi and free private parking. 

All rooms are decorated in a classic style and feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a safe and a refrigerator. The bathroom comes with free toiletries, slippers and a hairdryer. A continental breakfast is served every morning in the hotel's cafe. Access to the swimming pool with sauna and hot tub is subject to an additional fee. 

A children's playground is available for the youngest guests. Lake Onega is a 5-minute walk away, and the lively Lenin Avenue is 900 m away.

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Another option
Peter Inn

The Peter Inn Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Petrozavodsk and offers guests high standards of service and a wide range of services. The reception is open 24 hours a day.

The rooms are bright rooms that are decorated in a modern style. Functional furniture and new appliances are installed in each category. The bathrooms are individual for each room. Some rooms offer stunning views of Lake Onega.

Meals are served in the restaurant, which offers local, Bavarian and international cuisine. In addition, there is a sushi bar and a lounge cafe on site.

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The Petra Hotel or Karelia Spa or 2 nights
Hotel in Sortavala or Hotel in Kemi 1 night
Hotel in the village of Solovetsky 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 51 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
9 days 8 nights
Group meets at
Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Included in price

  • meals specified in the program (9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 4 dinners, of which 2 in Sortavala, 1 in Sami plague on the third day, 1 in Kemi on the seventh day);
  • master class on cooking Karelian wickets; 
  • the work of a tour guide;
  • hotel accommodation; 
  • all entrance tickets according to the program; 
  • transport service by bus; 
  • boats for excursions to the Ladoga skerries, meteors to Kizhi and Valaam, a motor ship to Solovki.

Paid extra

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

It's important to know

Are train tickets included in the tour price?

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 use to get around?
What discounts are available for this tour?
What are the features of the tour?
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Dates and Prices

  • $1,692
    27 May – 4 Jun, 2025 9 days 8 nights
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  • $1,692
    10 – 18 Jun, 2025 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $1,692
    24 Jun – 2 Jul, 2025 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $1,692
    8 – 16 Jul, 2025 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $1,692
    22 – 30 Jul, 2025 9 days 8 nights
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Reviews

  • O
    Olga
    2 Nov, 2024
    about provider
    I was very impressed with the guides and would gladly recommend them to friends and family. Our guide, Marina, shared fascinating insights about Karelia and made sure everyone felt completely at ease.
    2 Nov, 2024
    5 more photos
  • N
    Natalya
    21 Oct, 2024
    about provider
    Ihr seid einfach großartig! Macht weiter so
    21 Oct, 2024
    2 more photos
  • G
    Galina
    26 Jul, 2024
    about provider
    The guides told us in an interesting way about the history of Karelia, the traditions and the way of life of the population who previously lived on this territory.
    26 Jul, 2024
    6 more photos