Tales of the North: Karelia and Solovki

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This tour is for those who cannot devote much time to travel, but want to see the famous Karelian islands: Kizhi, Valaam and Solovki.

On this tour you will plunge into the world of amazing northern nature, visit the legendary monastery, see not only the famous Karelian islands, but also the equally iconic Kivach Waterfall, Ruskeala marble Canyon and interesting cities. This is just a small part of what awaits you on this exciting journey.

All the most interesting things are waiting for you!

Location

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Multifaceted Petrozavodsk

Go on a city tour, a pleasant addition to which will be a walk along the embankment of Lake Onega

Marble Canyon of Ruskeala

Visit the famous mountain park and admire the scenic views from the many panoramic platforms.

Legendary Solovki

You will participate in an interesting sightseeing tour of the village of Solovetsky with a local guide and will be able to explore the Solovetsky Kremlin.

The Mysterious Balaam

You will see a beautiful protected area where you can visit the Transfiguration Cathedral and the concert of the male choristers of the Valaam ensemble

The Mighty Nodding

Admire one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Russia and the nature reserve of the same name

The White Sea petroglyphs

You will see the archaeological complex of ancient rock paintings, which is a UNESCO site.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Old Sortavala, Valaam Island, Kronid Gogolev Gallery
08:20 Gathering of the group at the railway station in Sortavala. For those who cannot start the tour to 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, Mount of Olives with a picturesque view of Ladoga.
16:50-17:50 Return trip by meteor to Sortavala.
18:00 Visit to the art gallery of Kronid Gogolev, the famous woodcarver.
19:00 Check-in at the hotel, dinner, free time and rest.

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Day 2 - Ruskeala Mountain Park, Akhinkoski Waterfalls
08:45 Breakfast at the cafe and room release.
09:30 Departure to Ruskeala by bus or at 10:05 by retro train (tickets are purchased independently).
10:45 Sightseeing tour of Ruskeala Park (1.5 hours). The 1.5-kilometer-long eco-trail around the marble bowl of the quarry has many panoramic platforms.
Free time for walks and entertainment in the park.
14:00 Departure to Petrozavodsk. The journey takes 4 hours.
Stop at the Ahinkoski waterfalls on the Tohmajoki River. The famous Soviet film "And the dawns here are quiet..." was shot here. For those who wish, there is an ecological trail with bridges suspended directly over the waterfalls.
18:45 Arrival in Petrozavodsk and accommodation at the hotel.
Independent dinner.

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Day 3 - Kizhi Island and Petrozavodsk
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:30 Transfer to the river station.
09:30 Departure by meteor to Kizhi Island. Crossing the lake is 1.5 hours.
11:30 Guided tour of the museum-reserve: Kizhi cemetery, peasant houses, chapels. Visit the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Oshevnev House.
Free time.
15:30 Departure by meteor to Petrozavodsk.
17:00 Arrival at the River station.
17:00-19:00 Bus and walking tour of Petrozavodsk with a walk along the embankment of Lake Onega.
Free time. Independent dinner.

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Day 4 - Sampo Mountain, Marcial Waters, Girvas paleovolcano, Kivach Waterfall
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Departure for a guided tour of the Golden Ring of Karelia – sights near Petrozavodsk:
Mount Sampo is a tourist complex with art objects and a beautiful view of the forest and Lake Konchozero from the top.
Marcial Waters is the first Russian resort opened by Peter I. There are three wells with healing water with a high iron content on the territory.
The Girvas paleovolcano is a frozen lava flow at the site of an ancient vent and the picturesque nature around it. It's not for nothing that many films were shot here.
14:00-15:30 Drive to the Kivach Nature Reserve and get acquainted with the waterfall of the same name, which is a symbol of Karelia.
17:00 Return to Petrozavodsk.
Free time.
Independent dinner.

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Day 5 - Medvezhegorsk, Belomorsky petroglyphs
Breakfast at the hotel.
07:30 Departure to the city of Kem.
Stop and a short tour of Medvezhegorsk.
Inspection of the gateway of the White Sea-Baltic Canal in Povenets village and the Church of St. Nicholas, built in memory of the prisoners who died during the construction of the canal.
Visit to the Sandarmokh tract, a place of mass graves of repressed and GULAG prisoners.
12:30 Lunch.
16:15 Excursion to the White Sea petroglyphs, a UNESCO site, an archaeological complex, which is a gallery of rock carvings. The drawings are 4.5-5.5 thousand years old.
21:30 Arrival in Kem/P. Rabochiostrovsk.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

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Day 6 - Solovetsky Kremlin and Sekirnaya Mountain
06:45 Breakfast at the hotel.
07:30 Boarding the ship.
08:00 Sea crossing to Solovki. Travel time is 2 hours.
10:00 Sightseeing tour of the village of Solovetsky with a local guide.
11:00-13:00 Guided tour of the Solovetsky Kremlin.
Free time with the opportunity to go on an additional excursion to Sekirnaya Mountain.
19:00 Return trip by boat to Rabochiostrovsk.
21:00 Transfer to Kem railway station.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

5 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels along the route.

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

for double occupancy — 93,700 rubles.;
for single occupancy — 107,700 rubles.;
extra bed for double occupancy — 83,700 rubles.

Discounts:

for children from 4 to 14 years — 8,200 rubles.;
pensioners, combat veterans, and the disabled of all groups — 2,500 rubles.;

Information on accommodation in Petrozavodsk:

For accommodation, comfortable rooms are provided in superior hotels and service levels located in the city center and within walking distance from the embankment of Petrozavodsk, restaurants and entertainment centers, souvenir and grocery stores.

Accommodation 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 quality accommodation.

You will receive 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 large buses are difficult to access some hotels).

You can write your wishes in advance for choosing a specific hotel, but the specifics of group tours are such that the accommodation schedule is drawn up at the last moment, based on the available room quotas in the hotels we have booked.

Sortavala is a small but cozy town in the south of Karelia, on the shores of Lake Ladoga.

Accommodation in a small hotel with room facilities.

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Severnaya Hotel

The 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 you need.

The hotel has a business center with meeting facilities.

The attentive staff of the Severnaya Hotel will assist with visa processing and can arrange excursions upon request.

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

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Another option

The Prionezhsky Hotel

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 facilities 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 walks, secluded recreation, as well as for active sports.

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Another option

Onega Castle Hotel

The Onega Castle Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk. From the windows of the hotel you can enjoy panoramic views of the lake and the surroundings 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 that serves 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

Hotel "Sakvoyazh"

The Sakvoyazh Hotel is located in the northeastern part 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, and Wi-Fi. Some rooms have a sauna and a kitchenette. You can book rooms with a view of the courtyard or the city.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning, featuring various dishes made from organic products.

The train station is 2 kilometers away, and Petrozavodsk Airport is 18 kilometers away. Petrovsky Square and the Onega Tractor Plant Park are located nearby.

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Another option

Cosmos Hotel

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.

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

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

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 in 30 minutes to the airport. There is a beautiful promenade within walking distance along which you can stroll.

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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. There is an additional charge for access to the pool with sauna and hot tub.

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

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Another option

The Peter INN Hotel

The Peter Inn Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Petrozavodsk and offers its 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 serves local, Bavarian and international cuisine. There is also a sushi bar and a lounge cafe on site.

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Another option

"The Frigate"

The Fregat Hotel is located in the historical center of Petrozavodsk, on the shores of Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe.

The hotel building stands out among others due to its walls, which are decorated with images of ancient ships of the Russian fleet.

There are 80 rooms of various categories available for guests' accommodation. Each room has comfortable beds, high-quality furniture and modern appliances.

You can dine in the hotel's restaurant, which offers the largest selection of steaks and fish dishes in the city.

For business meetings, the hotel has several conference rooms that are suitable for both small and large-scale events.

The city's embankment, the National and Musical Theaters, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts are located next to the hotel. Petrozavodsk Bus and Train Stations can be reached in about 10 minutes by car.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 50 tourists

Minimum age

4 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Included in price

meals included in the tour program (6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, of which 1 in Valaam and 1 in Medvezhegorsk, 2 dinners, of which 1 in Sortavala and 1 in Kemi);
the work of a tour guide;
accommodation in hotels;
all entrance tickets according to the program;
bus transportation service;
Meteor ride to Kizhi and Valaam;
passage by boat to Solovki.

Paid extra

railway tickets to Sortavala and from Kemi;
meals outside the program;
retro train tickets;
additional tour to Sekirnaya Mountain;
additional expenses.

It's important to know

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

Dates and Prices

$1,161

2 – 7 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

9 – 14 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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16 – 21 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

23 – 28 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

30 Jun – 5 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

7 – 12 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

14 – 19 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

21 – 26 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

28 Jul – 2 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

4 – 9 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

11 – 16 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

18 – 23 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

25 – 30 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

1 – 6 Sep 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

8 – 13 Sep 6 days 5 nights

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$1,161

15 – 20 Sep 6 days 5 nights

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Reviews

S
Svetlana

12 May, 2025

My husband and I took this trip together and overall, we really enjoyed it. In our opinion, the tour was well thought out and organized. For a first visit to Karelia, it offers more than enough. What stood out the most? Without a doubt, the stunning natural beauty of Karelia – endless forests, lakes, and rivers. The boat ride across Lake Ladoga to Valaam was unforgettable, as were visits to Kizhi Island, the White Sea coast, and of course, the Solovki. On the Solovetsky Islands, I especially want to mention our guide Yuri – a remarkable person with encyclopedic knowledge, his own thoughtful perspective on historical events, and a clear, engaging way of speaking. It was truly a pleasure to listen to him!. On the way back from the Solovki, we had some rain and a slightly choppy sea, which added a bit of adventure to the trip. A tip for anyone traveling to Karelia: bring a good raincoat and an extra pair of shoes – ideally waterproof :D.. I highly recommend this tour for anyone discovering Karelia for the first time.

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S
Svetlana

about provider

11 May, 2025

The tour was well organized. The planned itinerary was mostly carried out, with a few changes — particularly concerning Valaam — but nothing major. We were very pleased with the comfortable buses, knowledgeable guides, good hotels, and solid meals throughout. After reading some mixed reviews about tours in Karelia online, we were pleasantly surprised. Everything exceeded our expectations — and even the mosquitoes and midges we were worried about hardly showed up :D

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L
Larisa

about provider

20 Mar, 2025

I would like to thank the tour providers for their excellent work in arranging accommodation, meals, transportation, tour registration, and selecting the sightseeing locations. A special thanks to our guide, Anna, whose love for her region shines through. She is not only a true professional but also a kind-hearted person. Many thanks!

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Tales of the North: Karelia and Solovki

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

Reviews

Similar tours