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

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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

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Kizhi Island

Get the opportunity to visit the famous open-air museum, where you will get acquainted with the temples of the Kizhi architectural ensemble.

Friendly Petrozavodsk

You will get acquainted with the historical center, the monument to Peter the Great, the Governor's Park and stroll along the beautiful city embankment along Lake Onega.

The first Russian resort

You will learn the history of the Marcial Waters resort and taste the water from three springs.

Itinerary

Day 1 - The resort "Marcial waters". Girvas volcano. Kivach Waterfall
~ 07:50 We meet our dear guests at the Petrozavodsk railway station from the side of the platform upon arrival of train No. 18. The guide greets them with a sign "Weekend in Karelia".
If tourists arrived on earlier trains or on their own transport, they approach the meeting time at the Petrozavodsk railway station.
Breakfast in a cozy cafe.
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 Girvas village area.
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.

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Day 2 - Petrozavodsk city tour. Guided tours for an additional fee (optional)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Guided tour of the capital of Karelia (duration 2 hours).
Petrozavodsk is the younger brother of St. Petersburg, born in the same year. It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great.
You will get acquainted with the historical center, the monument to Peter the Great, the Governor's Park.
A promenade along the beautiful city embankment along Lake Onega, where there is a collection of original sculptures located in the open air.
We offer guided tours of your choice for an additional fee:
1. For lovers of nature and outdoor activities, an exciting and safe rafting trip along the Shuya River (duration – up to 6 hours). Cost: adult – 3,000 rubles/person; child under 14 years old inclusive – 2,700 rubles/person, child under 5 years old – free of charge.
Departure from Petrozavodsk.
Passing simple thresholds will give you a boost of cheerfulness, energy and a great mood!
After the rafting, all the guests will gather around the campfire for a delicious picnic lunch in an equipped forest camp.
Return to the city of Petrozavodsk.
2. Excursion to Kizhi Island (duration 7 hours). Preliminary cost for 2025: adult – 6,500 rubles/person; child up to and including 16 years old – 4,500 rubles/person, child up to 5 years old – free of charge.
The Kizhi Museum-Reserve is one of the largest museums of traditional wooden architecture in Russia, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.
You will travel to Kizhi Island by Meteor on Lake Onega (1 hour and 30 minutes in one direction).
In the famous open-air museum you will get acquainted with the temples of the Kizhi architectural ensemble.
Marvel at the beauty of the 22nd Transfiguration Church, visit the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin and the ethnographic exposition in a peasant hut.
You will observe the work of craftsmen who demonstrate traditional crafts.
Return to Petrozavodsk.
Departure by evening trains.
If you want to extend your vacation in Karelia, please let us know in advance. We will book additional accommodation in a hotel or at a country recreation center.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

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 Hotel**	13 800 (twin/dbl)	16 900	11 900
Hotel "Severnaya" 4*	13 800 (twin/dbl)	16 900	11 900
Hotel "Greenfeel" 3*	13 400	17 600	10 300

Discounts:

preschooler up to 7 years old — 500 rubles/person.;
school children from 8 to 17 years old — 400 rubles/person.;
pensioner (ID required) — 300 rubles/person.

Greenfeel Hotel 3*

The Greenfeel Hotel is located in Pervomaisky district of Petrozavodsk. Lake Onega stretches 1.8 km away.

Double and triple rooms of various furnishings are offered for accommodation. Each has one or two comfortable beds, a TV, a small desk, and blackout curtains.

There are a lot of cafes, canteens, pizzerias and other places where you can have a delicious meal around the hotel.

If you want to visit the sights and get to know the city, you can go to the Nameless Stream Park, which is located nearby, or to the Botanical Garden. The distance to the railway station is 2.5 km, to the airport — 11.8 km.

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Another option

Peter Inn Hotel 4*

The Piter Inn is located in the center of Petrozavodsk, just a 2-minute walk from the central train station. It offers a 24-hour gym, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk.

Each room has a telephone, air conditioning, a TV with digital channels and a safe. The private bathroom comes with a hairdryer.

The Paulaner Restaurant, which has its own brewery, serves Bavarian, local and international cuisine. The cafe serves European cuisine, desserts and coffee.

The hotel has conference facilities. Guests can use the laundry service.

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Another option

Hotel "Severnaya" 4*

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

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

7 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);
Petrozavodsk sightseeing Tour;
visit to 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 from Sortavala;
meals and extras. services not included in the price of the tour;
guided tours for an additional fee:
- Shuya River rafting:
  - adult – 3,000 rubles/person.;
  - a child under 14 years old inclusive – 2,700 rubles/person.,
  - A child under 5 years old is free of charge.
- Kizhi Island tour (only as part of the tour):
  - adult – 6,800 rubles/person.;
  - a child under 17 years old inclusive – 4,500 rubles/person.;
  - pensioner – 6,200 rubles/person.;
  - a child under 4 years old without a separate seat on the meteor is free of charge;
transfer to the airport.

Booking excursions in advance, when booking a tour, payment is made on the tour to the guide (in cash).

It's important to know

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.

It is also important to remember that the period from early May to mid-June is particularly dangerous due to the activity of encephalitic ticks. Prepare in advance for a trip to Karelia during this period — get a preventive vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis, take with you a special ointment, as well as clothes and hats that cover all parts of the body as much as possible.

The best protection against ticks is compliance with safety regulations.:

It is not recommended to climb into the impenetrable thickets of low-growing shrubs unnecessarily.
When moving along the forest road, do not tear off branches.
The legs should be completely covered (shorts are not recommended).
Sweatpants, tights (preferably with a smooth surface) should be tucked into socks.
It is mandatory to have a headdress (cap, headscarf).
It is advisable to hide long hair under a headdress.
After hiking in the forest, it is necessary to check (shake off) both outerwear and underwear.
Examine the whole body.
Be sure to comb your hair with a fine comb. If you find a crawling tick, it must be burned. Ticks are very tenacious, it is impossible to crush it.

If you find a tick that has already bitten into your skin:

In any case, do not pull it yourself, because you can detach the body from the head (the head can exist without a body).
To remove the tick, it is necessary to fill it with camphor or vegetable oil, after 10-15 minutes carefully pull out the tick with tweezers.
Lubricate the bite site with greenery or iodine.

Vaccination provides the most effective protection. If the immunization schedule is followed, human diseases are extremely rare and, as a rule, occur in a mild form. The difficulty of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis lies in the duration of the vaccination course, and you can find out more about it at the vaccination center in your region.

It should be remembered that all vaccinations must be completed 2 weeks before the start of the tick season, i.e. by the end of March.

Tick bite insurance is not included in the price of the tour. We recommend that you insure your health.

Dates and Prices

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31 May – 1 Jun 2 days 1 night

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7 – 8 Jun 2 days 1 night

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14 – 15 Jun 2 days 1 night

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21 – 22 Jun 2 days 1 night

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28 – 29 Jun 2 days 1 night

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5 – 6 Jul 2 days 1 night

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12 – 13 Jul 2 days 1 night

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19 – 20 Jul 2 days 1 night

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26 – 27 Jul 2 days 1 night

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2 – 3 Aug 2 days 1 night

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9 – 10 Aug 2 days 1 night

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16 – 17 Aug 2 days 1 night

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23 – 24 Aug 2 days 1 night

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30 – 31 Aug 2 days 1 night

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Reviews

I
Irina

about provider

10 Apr, 2025

Every detail of the trip was carefully planned, we were absolutely thrilled!! The food was fantastic too! Thank you!

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S
Svetlana

about provider

6 Nov, 2024

A wonderful trip with our fantastic guide, Lyudmila, who was with us every step of the way. Everything was quick, well-organized and professional. Thank you!

Weekend in Karelia: Marcial waters — Girvas — Kivach