The greatness of Kizhi and Valaam. Karelia Tour

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Welcome to Karelia!

In this three-day tour, you will enjoy fascinating excursions to ancient Valaam, mysterious Kizhi, Ruskeala Mountain Park and the famous Kivach Waterfall.

Discover the hospitable region and enjoy the dynamic route!

Location

Petrozavodsk

Sightseeing tours

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Ruskeala Mountain Park

You will see a man-made monument to the work of mountain craftsmen, surrounded by incredible Karelian nature

Fascinating Kizhi

Go on an excursion to the museum-reserve, where you can see the masterpieces of wooden architecture.

The Amazing Valaam

Get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the island's history during an eventful sightseeing tour.

Multifaceted Petrozavodsk

Take a walk along the Onega embankment and immerse yourself in the friendly atmosphere of the capital of Karelia

The Mighty Nodding

Enjoy the view of one of the largest lowland waterfalls in Europe surrounded by natural scenery

Cinematic locations

Visit the Akhinkoski Waterfall, where the bathing scene of one of the heroines of the film "And the dawns are quiet here" and the fantasy film "The Dark World" were filmed

Itinerary

Day 1 - Petrozavodsk and Kizhi
Meeting in Petrozavodsk at 07:50 at the entrance to the railway station from the platform upon arrival of train No. 018 Moscow-Petrozavodsk.
The guide will meet you with a sign.
Breakfast in a cafe in the city.
Sightseeing tour of the capital of Karelia. A walk along the Onega embankment.
And now we invite you to plunge into the friendly atmosphere of the northern city — the capital of Karelia — the city of Petrozavodsk.
On the sightseeing tour, you will see the beautiful embankment of Lake Onega, where you will find the "Tree of Desires" and other avant-garde sculptures donated to the city by the twin cities.
Be sure to visit the Governor's Park!
Excursion to Kizhi Island.
Ride on the "comet" (1 hour 20 min. along Lake Onega).
Kizhi Island is a "calling card" not only of Karelia, but also of Russia.
The unique ensemble of the Churchyard is known all over the world, and every year the flow of tourists wishing to visit the island is only growing!
Guided tour of the museum-reserve with a visit to the Church of the Intercession and ethnographic exhibitions.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Accommodation at the hotel.

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Day 2 - Marble canyon of Ruskeala. Valaam Island (optional)
Early rise.
Have breakfast with a lunch box.
05:30 Departure by comfortable bus to West Karelia (260 km).
In case of cancellation of the excursion to Valaam due to weather conditions, departure to Ruskeala at 09:00. Return to the hotel at 21:00.
Excursion to Ruskeala Mountain Park — Marble Canyon.
The park was established in 2005 on the basis of the Ruskeala Marble Quarry, a unique monument of Russia's industrial heritage.
Marble mining was started here in 1769 by decree of Catherine II to decorate the famous buildings of St. Petersburg: the Marble Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Mariinsky Palace, etc.
The combination of Karelian nature and human activity has given these quarries a surprisingly picturesque appearance that attracts travel enthusiasts not only from Karelia.
The next stop is at the Ruskeala Akhinkoski waterfall.
Translated from Finnish as "Okunevy threshold". Locals sometimes call it the "waterfall at the three bridges."
The bathing scene of one of the heroines of the film "And the dawns here are quiet" was filmed at this waterfall.
Amazingly picturesque nature invariably attracts the creators of modern films with its mysterious beauty and some kind of mysterious power.
In 2010, a fantasy film "The Dark World" was shot here (entrance to the waterfall is paid for on the spot at the box office).
Guests who do not go on an excursion to Valaam Island can stay longer in Ruskeala Mountain Park and come to Sortavala by taxi on their own (the cost is approximately 1,500 rubles) or come to Sortavala with a group and walk around the city.
For an additional fee, an excursion to Valaam Island (to be booked upon purchase of the tour, to be paid on the spot).
Arrival in Sortavala.
Departure by Meteor to Valaam Island (45 minutes along Lake Ladoga).
Arrival at the monastery bay.
Sightseeing tour of the central estate of the monastery with a visit to the Transfiguration Cathedral, chapels, cell buildings, outbuildings and hotel buildings.
Lunch in the monastery refectory.
Return to Sortavala.
Return to the hotel at 00:00.
Attention: the water excursion to Valaam Island will take place under favorable weather conditions!

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Day 3 - The center of Shungite. Kivach Waterfall
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Room release.
Visit to the Shungite Center.
Visit to the souvenir center, where you can buy figurines, cosmetics, jewelry made of shungite at wholesale prices.
As well as a visit to the relaxation room, filled with the vitality of shungite.
The natural black stone is a real miracle.
A cure for many diseases, saving lives.
Kivach Waterfall tour.
Kivach is one of the largest lowland waterfalls in Europe.
You will also visit the arboretum, the decoration and pride of which are the famous Karelian birches.
Karelian birch is a tree to which nature has given the amazing beauty of wood, which resembles marble in its pattern.
Even in the 21st century, there is a debate among scientists about the origin of this amazing tree!
Lunch at a cafe.
Return to Petrozavodsk railway station approximately at 16:00.
Farewell to the guide. See you soon!
Departure to Moscow by train No. 017A Petrozavodsk — Moscow at 21:57, St. Petersburg by train No. 805H (Swallow) Petrozavodsk — St. Petersburg at 18:00.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

The tour has large bus rides of up to 300 km each way.

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Premium

The tour includes hotel accommodation.

The cost of the tour for 1 person when staying at the Peter Inn 4* hotel, RUB.:

Placement	Cost
Double occupancy (adults)	35 500
Double occupancy (child under 16 years old)	33 500
Extra seat (adults)	31 500
Extra bed (child under 16 years old)	29 500
Single occupancy	41 500

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.

The Paulaner restaurant, which serves Bavarian cuisine, is located on the ground floor of the hotel. There is also a cafe "Coffee Shop", where there is a wide variety of homemade tea, fragrant coffee, delicious desserts, and European cuisine is served there.

Besovets International Airport is 14.4 km away from the hotel, and the railway station is 0.2 km away.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 35 to 50 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

hotel accommodation;
meals according to the program (3 breakfasts, 1 lunch);
transportation services along the route;
the work of a guide;
entrance tickets for excursions;
excursions included in the price of the tour:
- sightseeing tour of the city of Petrozavodsk;
- Kizhi Island tour;
- excursion to Ruskeala Mountain Park and Marble Canyon;
- excursion to Kivach waterfall;
- visit to the Kivach Nature Reserve Museum;
- visit to the arboretum of Karelian Birch on the territory of the Kivach Nature Reserve.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
meals not included in the tour program;
Valaam Island tour + lunch (to be booked upon purchase of the tour, to be paid on the spot):
- adults – 7700 rubles/person.;
- children under 12 years old inclusive – 4000 rubles/person.
the fee for visiting the protected area "Valaam Archipelago" (self–payment on the website of the Directorate of Specially Protected Natural Territories of Regional significance of the Republic of Karelia) is 200 rubles/person.;
entrance to the Akhinkoski waterfall (entrance to the waterfall is paid independently on the spot at the ticket office) – the cost is being specified;
taxi from Ruskeala to Sortavala (optional) – approximately 1,500 rubles.;
Many places to visit charge for photo and video shooting.

It's important to know

Clothing and shoes:

Please note that in summer, especially in early June, temperature differences from +30°C to +10°C are possible. Therefore, take care in advance of warm clothes, windbreakers, hats.
Shoes should be of a sporty type — sneakers, sneakers, light summer shoes such as "flip-flops" are allowed, but with a fixed back. Shoes should be comfortable, familiar to you, worn out, because you will have to spend a lot of time on your feet.
It is necessary to have spare clothes and shoes with you.
In case of rain, a rain cape.
To visit monasteries and temples, women will need a headscarf and a skirt below the knee, and men will need long trousers.

Documents:

An identity document placed in an airtight package.
For tourists traveling with children, a birth certificate of children is required.
A compulsory health insurance policy.

Do not forget to take with you the medicines that you take all the time, and those that you may need.

Dates and Prices

$490

8 – 10 Jun 3 days 2 nights

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$490

15 – 17 Jun 3 days 2 nights

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$490

22 – 24 Jun 3 days 2 nights

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$490

29 Jun – 1 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$490

6 – 8 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$490

13 – 15 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$490

20 – 22 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$490

27 – 29 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$490

3 – 5 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$490

10 – 12 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$490

17 – 19 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$490

24 – 26 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$490

31 Aug – 2 Sep 3 days 2 nights

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$490

7 – 9 Sep 3 days 2 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

K
Ksenia

about tour - The greatness of Kizhi and Valaam. Karelia Tour

26 Nov, 2025

A very full and interesting program. We spent our vacation on a tour in Karelia and truly enjoyed it 100%. Even though it was a very active trip, it was still fascinating, informative, and beautiful. The hotel, meals, excursions, and guide, everything was excellent!!! Thank you for a wonderful time!!! We’re planning a Golden Ring tour next year and will definitely book with you again.
A
Anton

about tour - The greatness of Kizhi and Valaam. Karelia Tour

27 Oct, 2025

There was so much interesting information that it never got boring! Lots of great impressions and positive emotions!
DD
Dmitri Danilov

about provider

23 Mar, 2026

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