Weekend in Karelia: Marcial waters — Girvas — Kivach

A two-day tour of Karelia, including visits to famous sights of the region, is already waiting for you!

You can stroll around Petrozavodsk, visit the Marcial Waters resort, Kivach Waterfall and Girvas volcano, as well as choose a Kizhi excursion or rafting if desired.

Here you will not only enjoy the program, but also be able to spend the weekend surrounded by amazing northern nature and enjoy the clean air.

Location

Petrozavodsk
from
$206
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
2 days
1 night
Departures
13 - 14 Jun
20 - 21 Jun
27 - 28 Jun
4 - 5 Jul
11 - 12 Jul
18 - 19 Jul
25 - 26 Jul
1 - 2 Aug
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Group meet at
Petrozavodsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The legendary Kizhi Island
Get the opportunity to visit one of the largest museums of traditional wooden architecture in Russia
Friendly Petrozavodsk
Take a stroll along the beautiful waterfront, which is considered the hallmark of the city
The first Russian resort
You will learn the history of the Marcial Waters resort and taste the water from three springs.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Petrozavodsk. Getting to know the city. Country tour

    ~ 07:50 We meet the guests at the Petrozavodsk railway station from the side of the platform upon arrival of train No. 18.

    If you arrived by earlier trains or by your own transport, then come to the meeting time at the Petrozavodsk railway station.

    08:00 Breakfast.

    08:30 Acquaintance with the capital of the Republic of Karelia. Petrozavodsk is the younger brother of St. Petersburg, born in the same year. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1703. The city stretches along the picturesque shore of Lake Onega.

    You will take a promenade along the beautiful embankment, which is considered the hallmark of Petrozavodsk. You will see here a collection of unusual gifts from the twin cities in the form of original sculptures.

    The guide will lovingly tell you about the history of the city and show you the most significant sights.

    09:30 Departure for a country tour "The first Russian resort "Marcial waters" — the ancient volcano Girvas — Kivach waterfall" (duration 8 hours).

    An introduction to the interesting history of the Marcial Waters resort (55 km from Petrozavodsk), founded by Peter the Great in the XVIII century.

    Tasting of water from three healing springs.

    Inspection of the Church of St. St. Peter the Apostle, built in 1721 according to the drawings of the emperor himself.

    Then the way lies to the area of the village of Girvas.

    You will have the opportunity to see a unique natural monument – the Girvas volcano. It is an extinct volcano in the riverbed of the Suna River.

    Just imagine – he lived about two billion years ago. There are frozen lava, rocks, sand dunes, and dense pine forests.

    Lunch at a cafe.

    Next, you will admire the most famous waterfall in Karelia. He is praised in Russian poetry as the "northern hero".

    Here, in the Kivach Nature Reserve, you will see a real Karelian birch and visit the nature museum.

    Return to Petrozavodsk.

    Accommodation at the selected hotel after the end of the excursion program:

    • The Peter Inn 4* hotel is a comfortable hotel next to the railway station, and the restaurant serves several beers of its own production.;
    • The 4* Severnaya Hotel is located in the very center of Petrozavodsk. Nearby there are museums, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.
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  • Day 2 - Free day or guided tour for an additional fee
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes hotel accommodation.

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

 Double room
placement
Single room
placement
Additional place
Peter Inn 4* Hotel14 900 (twin/dbl)18 30013 400
Hotel "Severnaya" 4*14 900 (twin/dbl)18 30013 400

Discounts:

  • preschooler up to and including 6 years old — 500 rubles/person.;
  • a student from 7 to 16 years old inclusive — 400 rubles / person.;
  • pensioner (ID required) — 300 rubles/person.
The Piter Inn or The Severnaya Hotel 1 night
The Piter Inn

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.

1 more photo
Another option
The Severnaya Hotel

The Severnaya Hotel is located in the very center of Petrozavodsk, surrounded by major attractions and infrastructure facilities. 

Guests can take advantage of high-quality service: free Wi-Fi, luggage storage and a gym. 

The hotel offers comfortable and modern rooms, which are fully equipped with everything you need. Each room has everything you need: ergonomic furniture, modern appliances and an individual bathroom. Regular cleaning is carried out everywhere.

Delicious and hearty breakfasts are served every morning, which are fully equipped with everything you need. There is also a restaurant consisting of several halls.

There is a bus stop near the hotel, as well as a museum of local lore and picturesque parks for long walks.

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Tour conditions

Group
up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
2 days 1 night
Group meets at
Petrozavodsk

Included in price

  • accommodation in rooms of the selected category (1 night in Petrozavodsk);
  • meals included in the program (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch);
  • getting to know Petrozavodsk;
  • country tour: Kivach Nature Reserve, Marcial waters, Girvas volcano;
  • transportation services according to the program;
  • the work of the guide and the accompanying person according to the program.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
  • meals and extras. services not included in the price of the tour;
  • guided tours for an additional fee:
    • rafting on the Shuya River (order in advance when booking the tour, payment is made on the tour guide):
      • adult – 3,500 rubles/person.;
      • child under 14 years old inclusive – 3,000 rubles/person.
    • excursions to the Kizhi Museum-Reserve (booking in advance, prepayment of 1000 rubles/ person in advance, additional payment on the tour to the guide):
      • adult – 7,300 rubles/person.;
      • preferential (pensioner, student) – 6700 rubles/person.;
      • a child of 4-17 years old inclusive – 4800 rubles /person.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

1. Medical preparations for individual needs.
2. Documents: passport, insurance policy (medical).
3. Comfortable sports shoes:

  • sneakers or moccasins, but not new, but familiar and comfortable;
  • replacement shoes (light sneakers or sneakers).

4. Sportswear for hot and cool weather:

  • The jacket is windproof, waterproof;
  • raincoat;
  • warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants);
  • T-shirts with long (from sunburn) and short sleeves;
  • sports trousers;
  • shorts;
  • socks.

5. Headgear: cap, panama hat (with visor). 
6. Bathing suit. 
7. Personal hygiene products. 
8. Useful equipment:

  • small backpack (20-30 l);
  • flashlight with spare batteries;
  • sunscreen (required);
  • sunglasses.

9. For photo and video equipment, take care of an airtight package in case of rain.

Are there any possible changes in the program?
Is there a memo for rafting?
What else is useful to know before going on tour?
Are there any discounts on the tour?
What documents do children under 14 need when checking into a hotel?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
How to protect yourself from a tick bite?
What is the weather like on the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $206
    13 – 14 Jun 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $206
    20 – 21 Jun 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $206
    27 – 28 Jun 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $206
    4 – 5 Jul 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now
  • $206
    11 – 12 Jul 2 days 1 night
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    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • EI
    Elena Ievleva
    about provider
    1 Apr, 2026
    Everything was well organized. We were met and taken care of without any issues. Many thanks to the tour providers for a great experience.
  • N
    Natalia
    about provider
    18 Feb, 2026
    Action-packed and inspiring! :-) The tour program was excellent! There was enough time to explore, take walks, and still relax. It was quite active :-) with plenty of hiking, which was exactly what I was looking for. I breathed in the fresh air and soaked up the beauty of the forests and lakes. I’d love to visit Valaam again, but next time at a slower pace, staying for at least two or three days. Many thanks to our guide, Anna :-) She was attentive and had such a pleasant voice :-) Thank you all for this little travel reset! :-) * The photo was taken by someone else who is currently away, so I’m unable to attach it.
  • K
    Katya
    about provider
    8 Dec, 2025
    I really enjoyed everything...It all felt very genuine ..I travel a lot and I’m generally not picky :)... and the tour absolutely matched its price :) as for the downsides, there are only a couple :) the buses weren’t great in terms of air conditioning :) - it was either extremely stuffy or freezing cold. ..- probably because the bus was quite old :) and there was very little time in Ruskeala...1.5 hour is nowhere near enough...We barely managed to see anything...you need at least 3 hours there ... and definitely an extra hour on Valaam as well ...:)
    Photo Big Country Travel
    Big Country Travel
    Hello Ekaterina, thank you for your feedback! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the trip overall. We’ve shared your comments with our local partners, and our colleagues will do their best to take them into account in the future. We look forward to welcoming you again on one of our other tours in Russia!