Tastes of Karelia. Winter gastronomic tour

The Northern Ladoga region, where we are conducting the program, unites the traditions of different peoples — Karelians, Veps, Finns and Russians. Each of these ethnic groups has contributed to the Karelian gastronomic culture, and we will reveal its most delicious secrets for you!

This program is ideal for long weekends with family and friends or team building events.

The program is attended by the stars of gastronomy Olga Belonogova and Ivan Balin from the museum-restaurant "Vkareliiest", specialists in Karelian traditional and Karelian author's cuisine.

Location

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala
from
US$ 596
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
3 Days
2 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 13 – 15 Dec
    • 24 – 26 Jan, 2025
    • 21 – 23 Mar, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
Difficulty
Moderate
Low physical intensity for amateurs and non-experienced travelers
Group
Up to 26 people
Minimum age
14 years old
Group meet at
Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
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Tour highlights

Delicious master classes
Let's learn how to cook rainbow trout, Karelian dessert and famous wickets
Dome glamping on the island
A secluded and relaxing vacation on the shore of a frozen lake
Gala dinner with a view of Ladoga
In the panoramic lounge area, we will taste dishes of northern and Karelian cuisine
Time alone with yourself
In your free time, you can go skiing, try snowshoes, Finnish sledges or sit quietly by the fireplace
Ruskeala Express
After a walk through the Ruskeala Mountain Park, we will take a retro train through snow-covered Karelia
Climbing the Haukkariutta Rock
From a height of more than 40 meters you will have a wonderful view of the Ladoga skerries

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Havus Island itinerary, master classes: mushroom soup, lingonberry mousse

    The journey starts in Sortavala, where you need to get to on your own on the first day of the program. 

    We recommend purchasing tickets for train No. 160B upon arrival from Moscow. 

    After meeting at the Sortavala train station, you will go to the pier on the shore of Lake Ladoga, from where you will be transferred by airboat (10-15 minutes) to the island located in the very center of the Ladoga skerries.

    Arrival at glamping. 

    You will enjoy a welcome breakfast and then an active program awaits you: acquaintance with the nature of the island and the forest riches of Karelia.

    The route on Havus Island.

    You will go on an author's guided walking tour of Havus Island (duration 3 hours, length about 3 km). 

    You will walk through the Karelian taiga, see the oldest geological rocks and climb the 40-meter Haukkariutta rock, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Ladoga skerries.

    Lunch is a picnic.

    After the walk, you will have a delicious picnic lunch and a master class by the campfire with elements of Karelian cuisine: mushroom soup with moose meat and other delicacies of the Karelian forest.

    After lunch, you will have free time to go skiing, try snowshoes, Finnish sledges or sit quietly with a book by the fireplace.

    Master class — lingonberry mousse.

    In the afternoon, you will have a master class on lingonberry dessert and a guide's story about Karelian traditions, including gastronomic ones. 

    After an active day, you will have dinner and relax.  

    If desired, and for an additional fee, you can order a Russian bath or a furako bath right on the shore of Lake Ladoga. 

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  • Day 2 - On airboats on Ladoga skerries, master classes: "fish on a log", gravlax
  • Day 3 - Ruskeala Mountain Park, a master class on gates
Difficulty
Low physical intensity for amateurs and non-experienced travelers

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in the Lago Ladoga dome glamping. It is located in the most picturesque place of the Ladoga skerries — on the island of Havus, surrounded by a pine forest.

The surcharge for single accommodation in a tent is 15,000 rubles.

Discount for the third person in the tent, when placed in an additional sleeping place upstairs — 10%.

Lago Ladoga Dome glamping 2 nights

On the territory of glamping:

  • a panoramic lounge area where breakfast and dinner will be served for you, a dining and tea room (always available to guests) areas are organized inside the tent, as well as a relaxation area with a fireplace and board games;
  • There are 13 domed tents, each designed for 2-3 people. Inside there are two comfortable lower beds or one large one for couples and an extra bed upstairs, a bedside table, two armchairs and a coffee table by the panoramic window overlooking the forest and lake. There is also a wardrobe, sockets, a toilet and a washbasin. Each guest is provided with two towels. You will be warm, each dome has electric shutters and a fireplace with automatic fuel supply, you will not have to get up at night and throw firewood;
  • stylish and comfortable showers and toilets (on site);
  • 2 baths-furako — heated outdoor fonts right on the shore of the lake, here you can relax with a wonderful view;
  • a campfire area with seating where you can arrange atmospheric evening gatherings.
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Tour conditions

Group
up to 26 tourists
Minimum age
14 years old
Duration
3 days 2 nights
Group meets at
Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Included in price

  • double accommodation in glamping (2 nights);
  • three meals a day according to the program (except dinner on the last day);
  • transfers according to the program;
  • 5 cooking classes;
  • author's guided tour of Havus Island;
  • the airboat route along the Ladoga skerries;
  • tickets for the Ruskeala Express;
  • the work of chefs, waiters and other glamping staff.

Paid extra

  • train tickets to Sortavala and back;
  • a visit to the furako bathhouse (optional, a session up to 2 hours) - 6,000 rubles.;
  • visit to the Russian bath (optional, 2—hour session, up to 4 people) - 8,000 rubles.;
  • single accommodation in a tent — 15,000 rubles.;
  • dinner on the last day of the tour;
  • souvenirs and additional services in glamping (optional).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Personal belongings and equipment:

  • documents in sealed packaging: passport, medical policy;
  • backpack or travel bag;
  • an individual first aid kit;
  • personal hygiene products;
  • change of underwear;
  • bathing accessories (for visiting the bathhouse or furako).

Clothing and shoes:

  • a warm winter jacket and trousers (preferably windproof, a ski suit will do);
  • 2 pairs of comfortable and warm shoes, one of the pairs of shoes is better with water protection
  • a warm and light hat;
  • gloves or mittens (2 pairs);
  • wool socks (2 pairs);
  • thermal underwear;
  • comfortable clothes for glamping.
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Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • from US$ 596
    13 – 15 Dec 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from US$ 596
    24 – 26 Jan, 2025 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from US$ 596
    21 – 23 Mar, 2025 3 days 2 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now