To Karelia in the summer. Kizhi and Valaam Railway Cruise

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The most famous islands of Karelia by train are Kizhi, a museum reserve, a UNESCO cultural heritage site, and Valaam, home to one of the most visited monasteries in Russia.

We will take a promenade through Petrozavodsk, the port of the five seas, located on the shores of Lake Onega, and explore Vyborg, the only city in Russia where you can experience the atmosphere of medieval Europe and appreciate the necklace of squares. We will take a boat trip to the legendary island of Valaam, hear the choristers of the monastery and learn amazing stories related to local shrines.

Location

Russia, Moscow

from

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

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Tour highlights

Independent study of Valaam

We will have a unique opportunity to explore the island without a guide, at our own pace.

The atmosphere of medieval Europe

The cobblestone streets of Vyborg, the best views and the fascinating story of the guide

The Pearl of Zaonezhye

We will visit one of the largest open—air museums in Russia, a unique historical, cultural and natural complex.

Boat trip

On the motor ship "Comet" we will walk along the surface of Lake Onega to Kizhi Island

Sightseeing tour

We will get acquainted with the history and modern appearance of the capital of the Prionezhye region, as well as take a walk along the embankment.

Diving into the old days

We will stay in a traditional peasant's house, learn about Karelian crafts and listen to the bells.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Departure. Moscow
Independent boarding on the tourist train No. 928 (carriage number, seats will be indicated on the voucher).
21:05 Departure of train No. 928 from Leningradsky railway station in Moscow.

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Day 2 - Bus and walking tour of Petrozavodsk. Kizhi Island Tour
Breakfast on the train.
07:50 Arrival of train No. 928 in Petrozavodsk.
Meeting with the guide on the platform.
The group number is indicated on your voucher.
Petrozavodsk is a port of five seas located on the shore of Lake Onega.
The city has a real Karelo-Finnish national flavor, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
The history of Petrozavodsk, the same age as St. Petersburg, began in September 1703, when construction of a state-owned arms factory was started on the shores of Lake Onega by decree of Peter the Great.
Sightseeing bus and walking tour of Petrozavodsk— a city where the northern severity is perfectly combined with Scandinavian balanced charisma.
You will get acquainted with the history and modern appearance of the capital of the Prionezhye region, take a walk along the embankment, which is the hallmark of the city.
This is a real open—air gallery of modern art, where amazing sculptures are located - gifts from the twin cities.
Transfer by motor ship "Comet" on Lake Onega to Kizhi Island (travel time on Lake Onega is about 1 hour and 20 minutes, stay time on the island is 4 hours, in September – 3 hours).
Kizhi Island tour.
Kizhi Island and the Kizhi Museum-Reserve located on it are the pearl of Zaonezhye.
It is one of the largest open-air museums in Russia and a unique historical, cultural and natural complex, which is a particularly valuable object of cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia.
The basis of the museum collection, the ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost, is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
During the tour, you will visit a traditional peasant's house, learn a lot about Karelian crafts, listen to the bells and see one of the main Orthodox shrines of the Russian North — the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus.
Transfer by motor ship "Komet" on Lake Onega to Petrozavodsk.
Free time for independent walks and souvenir shopping.
Self-service transfer to the train station.
22:20 Departure of train No. 928 to Sortavala.
Overnight on the train.

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Day 3 - Getting to know Valaam. Vyborg Bus and Walking sightseeing tour
Breakfast on the train.
07:18 Arrival of train No. 928 in Sortavala center.
Water transfer (boat) on the island of Valaam.
08:30 Arrival at Valaam island.
The entrance fee to the monastery is paid separately (charged directly on the island).
Independent exploration is your adventure: on this tour you will have a unique opportunity to explore Valaam without a guide, at your own pace.
You can:
walk along the trails to distant hermitages, where there is a special atmosphere of solitude.;
Enjoy the silence by the lake, take amazing photos;
visit the monastery refectory (optional, for an additional fee).
What can I see:
The main attraction of the island is the Spaso—Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery, founded, according to legend, back in the 10th century.;
The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord is a majestic temple in the neo—Byzantine style, offering stunning views of Ladoga;
Nikolsky Skete is the first thing that travelers see when sailing up to Valaam: a snow-white church on a small island;
Gethsemane Hermitage is a secluded place among the coniferous forest with a wooden chapel and trails for meditative walks.
Incredible landscapes:
Ladoga Skerries — dozens of small islands around Valaam, creating a picturesque maze;
The cliffs are sheer cliffs with panoramic views of the lake.;
Valaam forests are ancient pines, mossy boulders and silence, broken only by the cries of seagulls.
Be sure to bring your passport (birth certificate for the child).
13:00 Water transfer (boat) to Sortavala.
Free time.
15:00 Departure of train No. 928 from the station. Sortavala center in Vyborg.
17:45 Arrival of the train in Vyborg.
Meeting with the guide on the platform, boarding the bus (the bus number will be indicated on the voucher).
An exciting bus and pedestrian sightseeing tour of Vyborg awaits you - the only city in Russia where you can experience the atmosphere of medieval Europe and appreciate the necklace of squares — Market, Cathedral, Petrovsky, and of course Thorgilskaya, where there is a monument to the founder of the city, Thorgils Knutsson.
You will see the Town Hall Square, the House of the Merchant Guild of the Holy Spirit, the Townsman's House, the Clock Tower, the Burgher's Manor and the House on the Cliff.
And you will definitely have the opportunity for an external inspection of Vyborg Castle on Castle Island.
Dinner at a cafe in the city.
Transfer to the railway station.
23:43 Departure of train No. 928 to Moscow.

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Day 4 - Arrival in Moscow
10:16 a.m. Arrival of tourist train No. 928 in Moscow at Leningradsky Railway Station.
The time in the program is indicated approximately.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Train

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Premium

The tour provides for travel in wagons of the selected category along the route.

The cost of the tour for 1 person for arrivals from 06/20/2025 to 07/04/2025, RUB.:

Category	4-seat compartment	2-bed accommodation in a 4-bed compartment
For adults	49 800	63 100
For children from 0 to 9 years old inclusive (with a seat)	49 100	62 500
For children from 0 to 4 years old inclusive (without a seat)	30 700	30 700

The cost of the tour for 1 person for arrivals from 07/11/25 to 09/05/25, rub.:

Category	4-seat compartment	2-seater compartment	1-bed accommodation in a 2-bed compartment
For adults	49 800	63 100	94 600
For children from 0 to 9 years old inclusive (with a seat)	49 100	62 500	—
For children from 0 to 4 years old inclusive (without a seat)	30 700	30 700	—

Purchase of one additional seat in a 4-seater compartment — 14,900 rubles.

Accommodation takes place only in mixed compartments, there is no division into male and female.

For arrivals on 06/20/2025, 06/27/2025, 07/04/2025 there is a 2-storey train, accommodation in 4-seater compartments, a dry closet, air conditioning shared per car. A shower car is attached separately to the train).

The tourist train includes comfortable compartment cars.

Departures from 07/11/25

2-storey carriages, 1 shower +3 WC with sinks per carriage

4-seat compartment

2 lower + 2 upper shelves, 2 safes, it is possible to set the temperature in the compartment itself, 1 medium towel for 1 person, linen change (for an additional fee), compartment cleaning- every day, traveler's kit (slippers, brush + toothpaste, soap).

Service in the car – tea/coffee from the coffee machine in unlimited quantity, boiler with drinking water

When fully loaded, there are about 54 people in the car.

2-seater compartment (similar to SV)

2 lower ones+There are 2 upper shelves, but they are folded back (in connection with which it is not an office, but a 2-bed compartment), 2 safes, it is possible to set the temperature in the compartment itself, 1 medium towel for 1 person, linen change (for an additional fee), cleaning every day.

When fully loaded, there are about 36 people in the car.

Service in the car – tea/coffee from the coffee machine in unlimited quantity, boiler with drinking water

There is a bistro car in the train.

20.06.2025, 27.06.2025, 04.07.2025

4-seat compartment

On the dates indicated below, there is a 2-storey train, accommodation in 4-seater compartments, a dry closet, and shared air conditioning per car. A shower car is attached separately to the train.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 50 tourists

Minimum age

3 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Moscow

Included in price

travel in wagons of the selected category along the route;
meals specified in the program:
- Day 1: not included;
- Day 2: Breakfast;
- Day 3: breakfast, dinner;
- Day 4: not included;
transportation and sightseeing services, including entrance tickets to the sightseeing facilities according to the program.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Moscow and back;
personal expenses;
meals not specified in the program;
entrance fee to the monastery on the island of Valaam (charged directly on the island);
purchase of one additional seat in a four–seater compartment - 14,900 rubles.

It's important to know

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

It is impossible to know in advance whether passengers can board and disembark at non-fixed stops, upon arrival at which the tour service is provided (there may be parking on the train, but boarding/disembarking may not be allowed. There are various reasons for this. For example, the length of the platform does not allow, the train is on the sidings, and there is basically no platform.). The tour operator is not responsible for boarding and disembarking passengers when the train stops without sightseeing services.
Guests can join the tourist route at any part of it, where there is a train parking with an excursion day service. But without recalculating the cost of the tour in terms of railway transportation. Since a cruise train ticket is issued from the start point of the tour to the end point of the tour, there will be no recalculation of the cost of railway travel in this case. For sightseeing days when tourists will not be present on excursions, we will recalculate the cost.
In a 4-seater compartment for two people, top+bottom accommodation is provided. Placement on the two lower shelves is possible only in a 2-seater compartment or a ST.
The purchase of the fourth seat in the compartment is optional, accommodation with check-in is possible.
Tours on the territory of the Russian Federation do not imply the presence of a notarized consent from one of the parents / legal representative for the child's trip accompanied by a third party. However, we recommend a handwritten consent from one of the parents / legal representatives to make a decision if medical care is needed for the child + a copy of the first page and the page with the registration of the parent / legal representative giving the handwritten consent.
Smoking is prohibited on the train (both electronic and plain cigarettes; a fine of 1,500 to 2,500 rubles). You can smoke in the train parking lots, if possible, get off the train in smoking areas specially designated on the platforms.
The tour operator issues railway tickets according to the tariff without transportation of animals (for group railway transportation of tourists, this tariff is not possible for registration). In addition, it is not allowed to enter the tour bus with animals (there may be allergies in the group). Pets are also not allowed to enter the museums.

Dates and Prices

from
$637

27 – 30 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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from
$637

4 – 7 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$637

11 – 14 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$637

18 – 21 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$637

25 – 28 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$637

1 – 4 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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8 – 11 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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$637

15 – 18 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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$637

22 – 25 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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$637

29 Aug – 1 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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5 – 8 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

M
Marianna

about provider

14 Jun, 2025

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Everyone was really attentive, and it was especially nice that they considered our preferences .
A
Alla

about provider

8 Jun, 2025

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An amazing trip – I truly enjoyed every moment! Everything was great: the guides, the excursions, the meals, and the accommodations! Hats off to the providers! I highly recommend it — you definitely won’t regret it!
N
Nariman

about provider

24 May, 2025

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The tour was excellently organized, with great guides and fascinating destinations. Truly an unforgettable experience.