Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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How can you visit Karelia in the summer and not go rafting on the Shuya River?

During the tour, you will learn the basics of rafting and visit the memorable places of the republic: Kivach Reserve with the famous waterfall, Kizhi Island, Ruskeala Mountain Park with Marble Canyon, Shungite center and, if desired, Valaam Island.

Location

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Active leisure

Take a rafting trip along the river to the village of Polyana and have a picnic by the campfire

Picturesque mountain park

Visit the famous Ruskeala Park and take cool photos

Impressive waterfalls

You will see one of the largest flat waterfalls in Europe and walk through the arboretum with Karelian birches

Itinerary

Day 1 - Rafting on the Shuya River
Arrival in Petrozavodsk, self-delivery of things to the storage room of the Peter Inn hotel.

09:45 Meeting with the instructor at the Peter Inn hotel.

Departure for rafting.
You must have: spare clothes, shoes (shoes must be of a sporty type – sneakers, sneakers, light summer shoes such as "flip-flops" are allowed, but with a fixed back). In case of rain, a rain cape.
Departure to the beginning of the rafting of M. Yumanishki.
Safety instructions. The issue of equipment (saved. vests, paddles).
Rafting on the Shuya River, 8 km. Arrival in the town of Polyana, delivery of equipment, changing clothes.
Picnic by the campfire (fish soup, pasta in Navy style, sliced vegetables, water, tea).

Return to Petrozavodsk approximately by 16:00.

Independent accommodation in a hotel. Free time.
Day 2 - Petrozavodsk and Kizhi Island tour
A buffet breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
08:30 Meeting with the guide in the lobby of the Peter Inn hotel.
Sightseeing tour of the capital of Karelia and a walk along the Onega embankment.
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! An excursion program through the museum-reserve with a visit to the Intercession Church and ethnographic expositions.

Return to Petrozavodsk.

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Day 3 - Ruskeala, Akhvenkoski Waterfall and Valaam Island
Early rise. Breakfast with a lunch box.

05:30 Departure by comfortable bus to West Karelia (280 km).
In case of cancellation of the excursion to Valaam due to weather conditions, departure to Ruskeala at 09:00h. Return to the hotel at 21:00h.

Excursion to the Ruskeala mountain Park "Marble Canyon".
The park was created in 2005 on the basis of a unique monument of the industrial heritage of Russia, the Ruskeala marble quarry. 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, which attracts travel enthusiasts not only from Karelia.
The next stop is at the Ruskeala Akhvenkoski waterfall. Translated from the Finnish language, "Perch threshold". Locals sometimes call it the "waterfall at three bridges". A bathing scene of one of the heroines of the film "And the dawns are quiet here" was filmed at this waterfall.
Amazingly picturesque nature invariably attracts the creators of modern films with its mysterious beauty and some mysterious power. In 2010, a fantasy film "The Dark World" was shot here (entrance to the waterfall is paid independently on the spot at the box office).
Guests who do not go on an excursion to Valaam Island can stay longer in the Ruskeala Mountain Park and come to Sortavala by taxi on their own (cost approximately 900 rubles) Or come to Sortavala with a group and walk around the city.

For an additional fee, an excursion to Valaam Island (booked upon purchase of the tour, paid on site).

Arrival in Sortavala.
Departure by meteor to Valaam Island (45 minutes on Lake Ladoga). Arrival at the monastery bay.
Sightseeing tour of the central manor of the monastery with a visit to the Transfiguration Cathedral, chapels, cell buildings, household and hotel buildings.
Lunch in the monastery refectory.
Return to Sortavala at 20:00.
Return to the hotel at 00:00.
The water excursion to Valaam Island will take place under favorable weather conditions!

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Day 4 - Shungite Center and Kivach Waterfall
Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Room release.
Visit to the Shungite Center.
A 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.
Natural black stone is a real miracle. A cure for many diseases, saving lives. It is suitable for an old man and a baby, a man and his home, it can make any place bright, clean and blessed.

Excursion to Kivach waterfall.
Kivach is one of the largest plain 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, reminiscent of marble in its pattern. Even in the 21st century, there is a debate among scientists about the origin of this amazing tree!
Lunch at the cafe.
Return to Petrozavodsk to the railway station approximately at 16:00.
Departure:
to Moscow – train No.17A Petrozavodsk-Moscow at 21:57;
to St. Petersburg - train No. 805H ("Swallow") Petrozavodsk-St. Petersburg at 18:00.

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Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

We recommend traveling with children from 7 years old, as there are large bus crossings on the tour – up to 300 km in one direction.

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Premium

The tour includes accommodation at the Piter Inn 4* hotel.

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

	Double room	Single room	Additional place
Adult	37 900	46 400	33 000
Child under 16 years old	35 900	-	31 000

The Peter Inn Hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk and offers its guests a high level of service and a wide range of services.

The reception is open 24 hours a day.

The rooms are decorated in a modern style and equipped with functional furniture and new appliances. Each room has a private bathroom. Some rooms offer beautiful views of Lake Onega.

The hotel's restaurant serves local, Bavarian and international cuisine. There is also a sushi bar and a lounge cafe on site.

The hotel has an equipped conference room for business meetings, conferences and trainings.

Besovets International Airport is 17 kilometers from the hotel.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 50 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in selected hotels;
meals specified in the program (3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 picnic on the rafting);
transportation services along the route;
the work of a guide;
entrance tickets for excursions;
city tour of Petrozavodsk;
Kizhi Island tour;
excursion to the Ruskeala mountain Park "Marble Canyon";
excursion to the Kivach waterfall;
visit to the Kivach Nature Reserve Museum;
visit to the arboretum of Karelian birch on the territory of the Kivach Nature Reserve;
rafting on the Shuya River.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
excursion to Valaam Island (booked upon purchase of the tour, paid on the spot) — the cost is being specified;
fee for visiting Valaam Island (see "Important to know");
meals outside the program.

It's important to know

To visit monasteries and temples, women will need a headscarf and a skirt below the knee, and men will need long trousers. Shoes for the trip should be comfortable;
Do not forget to take with you the medicines that you take all the time, and those that you may need;
Please note that in the summer, especially in early June, temperature differences from +30 to +10 are possible. Therefore, take care in advance of warm clothes, windbreakers, hats and comfortable, familiar, worn shoes, because you will have to spend a lot of time on your feet;
An identity document placed in an airtight package;
For tourists traveling with children, a birth certificate of children is required;
A compulsory medical insurance policy.

Dates and Prices

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1 – 4 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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8 – 11 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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15 – 18 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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22 – 25 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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29 Jun – 2 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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6 – 9 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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13 – 16 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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20 – 23 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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27 – 30 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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3 – 6 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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10 – 13 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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17 – 20 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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To Karelia in summer for 4 days