Tastes of Karelia. Winter gastronomic tour

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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 from the museum-restaurant "Vkareliiest", specialists in Karelian traditional and Karelian author's cuisine.

Location

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

Delicious master classes

We will learn how to cook chowder with gifts of the earth, Karelian gates and participate in the process of salting rainbow trout

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 - Arrival. Walking tour of Havus Island, dessert master class
After meeting at the railway station in Sortavala, you will take a bus to the pier on the shore of Lake Ladoga, from where you will take airboats to the island located in the very center of the Ladoga skerries (transfer along the lake 20-30 minutes).
After the meeting at the Lago Ladoga glamping, you will have a welcome breakfast and then an active program.
You will go on an author's guided walking tour of Havus Island (duration 3 hours, length about 3 km).
The culmination of the route will be an exit to the Haukkariutta rock (fin. "falcon reef").
From a height of more than 40 meters you will have a wonderful view of the Ladoga skerries.
During the walk, a picnic lunch will be organized with a master class on cooking chowder with gifts of the earth: mushrooms, plants and wild animals.
After returning, you will have some free time to go skiing, try snowshoes, Finnish sledges or sit quietly by the fireplace.
Before dinner, we will hold a dessert master class: in this master class you will learn about the features of Karelian desserts.
What were the ancient sweets, how they were served and why they are associated with magic.
And our chef will help you create your own authentic Karelian dessert.
Real ancient sweets were born in the oven, and you and I will try to cook using modern equipment, but we promise that it will be hot at the master class!
After an active day, the guide will tell you about the traditions of Karelia, including gastronomic ones.
Next, you will have dinner with dishes with elements of Karelian cuisine.
If desired, and for an additional fee, you can relax in the furako sauna right on the shore of Lake Ladoga.

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Day 2 - Ladoga skerries on airboats, gravlax master class
In the morning, a Karelian-style breakfast will be served for you.
After breakfast, the guide will tell you about Ladoga, and then you will go on an airboat route along the Ladoga skerries (about 3 hours) with an ascent to the panoramic points of the Ladoga skerries.
A hot picnic lunch with fish on a log, shot down and more will be organized on the route.
After the tour, you will have the opportunity to relax.
You can play board games in the large dome, sit by the fireplace or take a walk around the glamping area.
Next, you will have a master class in gravlax: as part of this master class, we will dive "under water" and get acquainted with the inhabitants of our rivers and lakes.
Let's study the ancient features of cooking fish that have come down to our days!
And, of course, we will participate in the process of preparing and salting rainbow trout!
In the evening, you will have a gala dinner in the panoramic lounge area overlooking Ladoga.
You will taste dishes of northern and Karelian cuisine: Finnish egg salad with red caviar, trout cutlets, Karelian pies (with white fish, dessert with berries).

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Day 3 - Ruskeala Mountain Park, a master class on gates. Departure
After breakfast, a master class on wickets with traditional fillings will be organized for you.
The gate is the main symbol and brand of the Republic of Karelia.
At our master class, you will learn about the oldest ways of baking traditional gates, get acquainted with the gastronomic customs of ritual baking and create your own unique gate!
Lunch at glamping and departure by airboat to the pier in Sortavala and transfer to the Ruskeala Mountain Park (1 hour on the way).
Here our guide will take you on a ground tour of the mountain park.
After the tour of the mountain park, you will go back to Sortavala on the unique Ruskeala Express.
This is a retro steam-powered tourist train running along the route of the overland road that delivered Ruskeala marble to Lake Ladoga.
You will have an evening walk with a guide, a story about the city of Sortavala.
Visit the souvenir shop and go home.

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Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

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%.

The discount for children from 7 to 14 years old is 10%.

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 17 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Included in price

2-bed accommodation in glamping (2 nights);
3 meals a day according to the program (except dinner on the last day);
services of experienced guides, instructors, captains and chefs;
transportation services along the route (minibuses, airboats);
author's guided walking tour of Havus Island;
Ladoga Skerries tour;
land tour of the Ruskeala Mountain Park;
A retro train ride;
tour of Sortavala;
master classes: mushroom soup; semolina mousse, fish on a log, gravlax, wickets.

Paid extra

train tickets to Sortavala and back;
a visit to the furako bathhouse (optional, session up to 2 hours, up to 4 people) - 6,000 rubles.;
visit to the Russian bath (optional, 2—hour session, up to 4 people) - 8,000 rubles. (each additional person + 500 rubles, comfortably up to 6 people);
1-bed accommodation in a tent — 15,000 rubles.;
dinner on the last day of the program (optional);
souvenirs and additional services in glamping (optional).

It's important to know

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).

Clothes 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.

Dates and Prices

Individual dates available on request

1 Sep – 31 Oct, 2025

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$578

13 – 15 Dec 3 days 2 nights

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$578

24 – 26 Jan, 2025 3 days 2 nights

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No need to pay now
$578

14 – 16 Feb, 2025 3 days 2 nights

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No need to pay now
$578

7 – 9 Mar, 2025 3 days 2 nights

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No need to pay now
$578

28 – 30 Mar, 2025 3 days 2 nights

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$558

5 – 7 Sep, 2025 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - Tastes of Karelia. Autumn gastronomic tour

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No need to pay now
$558

17 – 19 Oct, 2025 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - Tastes of Karelia. Autumn gastronomic tour

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No need to pay now