Reserved Karelia: Zaonezhye and Besov Nose

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We invite you to travel to the most mysterious and picturesque corners of Karelia.

Ancient Onega petroglyphs and unique monuments on Kizhi Island are waiting for you — both sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These historical and cultural monuments immerse you deeply into the atmosphere of Karelia's antiquity and uniqueness.

Walking through the marble park "Belaya Gora" and Zaonezhye will allow you to feel the magic of Karelian nature and history, as well as enjoy the stunning landscapes of this amazing land.

Location

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Open-air Museum

Visit one of the pearls of Karelia – the Kizhi Museum-Reserve, an amazing place that has been attracting travelers and pilgrims from all over the world for several centuries.

Onega Petroglyphs

You will see one of the most striking petroglyphs – a 2.5-meter image of a humanoid creature, which was named "The Devil" back in the 16th century

Cuisine and traditions of the Zaonezhye peoples

A homemade dinner from the hostess of Zaonezhsky awaits you in a beautiful guest house in a picturesque location on the shores of Lake Onega

Itinerary

Day 1 - Petrozavodsk – Belaya Gora Marble Park
Arrival in Petrozavodsk by morning train (before 10:00), gathering of the group at the main entrance to the railway station, a landmark guide with a sign.
08:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
09:00-11:00 Acquaintance with the capital of Karelia – sightseeing tour "From the history of Petrozavodsk". You will find an interesting immersion in the history of the city from the reign of Peter the Great to the present day.
You will learn how Petrozavodsk was founded and even see the places at the mouth of the Lososinka River, where Petrovskaya Sloboda originated. With his fascinating story, the guide will take you back to the time of the Petrovsky Factory construction.
You will stroll through the beautiful old squares and avenues, take a lot of photos at art objects and monuments in the open-air "museum" on the famous Onega Embankment.
12:30-13:30 Transfer and excursion to the unique natural site – White Mountain. This is a quiet, incredibly picturesque and peaceful place where you will relax your soul and learn about the history of marble mining in Karelia, which dates back to the XVIII century.
Marble was mined here in 7 types of pink-red shades! You will be transported to the ancient ruins by self-propelled ferry across Lake Gizhozero.
A walk through historical sites among marble blocks and high steep cliffs. And from the top of the park there is a magnificent panorama of the lake and the beautiful village of Belaya Gora.
14:00-15:00 Lunch at a cafe.
15:00-19:00 Transfer to the village of Karshevo (300 km).
Check-in at the guest house, in rooms with amenities.
Supper.

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Day 2 - Onega petroglyphs of Cape Besov Nos
Breakfast.
08:00 Boarding a boat, transfer to Lake Onega along the picturesque Chernaya River.
09:00-13:00 Walking tour along a forest trail and a snow-white sandy beach to the rocky cape Besov Nos (2.5 km).
One of the most striking petroglyphs is a 2.5–meter image of a humanoid creature, which was named "The Devil" back in the 16th century.
The cape's rock art collection is the largest on the entire coast of the territory that unites Scandinavia and Finland.
The picturesque cape with rocky shores and a northern forest reaches 750 m in length and about 200 in width.
Approximately 3000 years BC. e. for the ancient people who lived in the vicinity, this place was something like a sanctuary. In addition to the demon, the main petroglyphs are images of otters and burbot, carved at the very edge of the water.
13:00 Lunch-picnic.
15:00 Return to the village.
15:00-18:00 Transfer to the city of Medvezhegorsk (220 km).
Arrival at Chelmuzhskaya spit, located on the shore of Lake Onega.
These places are called the "Karelian Maldives" – the nature here is incredibly picturesque and unique. The widest point of the cape reaches only 500 meters.
We will walk along the beach with snow-white sand, see the endless expanses of Lake Onega and take gorgeous photos.
Accommodation in the Malaya Medvezhka country complex, in rooms with amenities.

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Day 3 - Zaonezhye
Breakfast.
10:00-11:30 Transfer to Shunga village, the oldest and most famous village of Zaonezhye.
You will see the world's only deposit of shungite, a stone with unique healing properties.
12:00-13:00 Walking tour of Tolvuya village, accompanied by a local guide. In addition to the main historical facts related to the imprisonment of nun Marfa (Ksenia Romanova), the mother of the first Russian tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, the invasion of Polish-Lithuanian troops during the time of troubles, and the Finnish occupation during the war.
You will learn many interesting stories about the ordinary life of the Zaonezhans, about their family traditions that have been preserved for several centuries.
At 13:30 we will make a stop at one of the most famous springs in Karelia, Tsaritsyn Klyuch, which is famous for its crystal clear water, which has an amazing taste and soothing effect.
14:00 Walking tour of Foimoguba with a visit to the spring. You will be surprised to learn that in the 17th century, Foimoguba, now a small village, was the center of industry in the Olonets region.
German and Dutch engineers lived and worked here, and trade developed. And there was even a Lutheran church. Today, Foimoguba is a modest village that is not on the map.
Among the attractions are the Folk Museum of Rural Life, as well as a unique Village Art Gallery: all the paintings are gifts from famous Karelian and Russian artists who visited the Foimogube in the open air.
15:00-15:30 Transfer to the village of Velikaya Guba.
15:30-16:00 Lunch.
16:30 Transfer to the village of Oyatevshchyna.
Boat transfer to the village of Yersnevo.
17:00 Accommodation in the guest house "Kizhi grace" (2-bed rooms with amenities).
19:00 Dinner from the Zaonezhsky hostess.
Day 4 - Kizhi Island
Breakfast.
Transfer by boat to Kizhi Island.
Meeting with the museum guide on the island, the beginning of the tour of the main exhibition "Masterpieces of Kizhi Island".
68 monuments of traditional wooden architecture are collected here in the open air.
You will see the foundation of the museum collection — the ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. The pearl of the collection is considered to be the 22nd Transfiguration Church (1714), 37 meters high!
You will have the opportunity to visit the equally picturesque winter church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary and see the masterpieces of ancient Russian art.
After the tour, be sure to take a picture between the mill and the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, it is from there that you can see the ensemble in which both churches merge together!
Lunch at a restaurant on the island.
Additional program on the island (according to the technical opportunities):
thematic tour "Meeting with the master";
"Tent bell tower of Kizhi churchyard";
Sergeyev's house. Exhibition of traditional shipbuilding on Kizhi Island.
Transfer by meteor to Petrozavodsk.
Transfer to the railway station.
The end of the program is approximately at 17:00.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

The tour includes long-distance bus crossings, boat trips to the islands, and long walks.

Accommodation

Guest House

3 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation in guest houses along the route.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, rub.:

Double occupancy	57 500
Single occupancy	66 100

Kizhi Blagodat Guest House is located in the village of Yersenevo in Kizhi, at a distance of 2.7 km from the center.

Infrastructure and features of Kizhi Blagodat: services include: equipped private beach, 24/7 reception, ski equipment drying/storage area, high-speed Internet access, paid shuttle service, non-smoking rooms, beautiful garden, steam room. Smoking is prohibited in the entire area.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 6 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation along the route;
meals according to the program: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners;
services of an accredited tour guide;
tour service and entrance fees;
rental of water transport to the visited islands;
rental of transport and all transfers according to the program;
participant's health and life insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk;
meals not specified in the program;
personal expenses.

It's important to know

warm clothes;
comfortable shoes;
raincoat/umbrella;
repellents;
balm after bites;
a standard set of medicines.

Dates and Prices

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19 – 22 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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17 – 20 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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14 – 17 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

VE
Viktor Egorkin

about provider

7 Apr, 2025

The tour was well organized. We received all the necessary information in a timely manner — including the contract, payment details, voucher, and contact information for the tour coordinators and guides. All of our inquiries were answered promptly, and everything ran smoothly without any issues.

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