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

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We invite you to an exciting acquaintance with Karelia!

You will enjoy a walk along Sortavala, a climb to Mount Paaso, a meeting with Siberian huskies, a trip to the Ruskeala Mountain Park and a visit to the Bastion Historical Park.

You can also diversify your trip and take a ride on a retro train, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the early twentieth century.

The tour is conducted on an individual request from 2 people.

Location

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Multi-faceted Sortavala

Explore the ancient city on the shores of Ladoga

The famous mountain park

You will visit one of the most picturesque places in Karelia and learn its history.

An indescribable atmosphere

You will spend three days in the land of amazing northern nature and the purest air

Friendly animals

Visit the Siberian Husky kennel, where you can take photos and chat with the adorable creatures.

An unusual train

Get the opportunity to ride the Ruskeala Express retro train on the Ruskeala — Sortavala route

Picturesque expanses

Climb Mount Paaso, where you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area, a century-old forest, a winding highway and a picturesque lake.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Sortavala. Sightseeing tour of the city. Mount Paaso
We meet our dear guests at the railway station in Sortavala upon arrival of the train from Moscow No. 160B (~08:22) or from St. Petersburg train "Swallow" No. 821H (~10:28).
The guide meets you at the railway station.
Breakfast.
Sightseeing tour of Sortavala.
A cozy old town in Karelia, located on the shores of Ladoga, near the Finnish border. Beautiful architecture, picturesque surroundings, favorable climate.
The unusual architectural appearance of the city was formed under the influence of three states: Sweden, Finland and Russia, to which its territory belonged at different times.
Climbing Mount Paaso. This is the site of an ancient settlement.
The mountain offers stunning views of the surroundings, a century-old forest, a winding highway and a picturesque lake, through which the famous Ruskeala Express train passes.
Lunch.
Accommodation at the hotel after the end of the excursion program.
In your free time, you can visit the exhibition hall of Kronid Gogolev, a national artist of Russia. The master worked in a unique manner (wood carving), his works are known all over the world. The main themes in his work are devoted to the Russian North, its expressive nature, ordinary people, their everyday life and holidays.

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Day 2 - Visit to the Bastion Historical Park. Additional excursion (optional)
Breakfast.
Guided tour for an additional fee:
Getting to know the Ladoga skerries on a high-speed comfortable airlisser.
The Winter Fairy Tale route. Ladoga Skerries are islands separated by numerous straits and picturesque bays.
The route passes through the most interesting places, with a landing on the island of Honkasalo.
The island of Khonkasalo was given the second name "Roof of Ladoga", because from there, from a height, you can see the vast expanses of the vast Ladoga.
On the island, you will have time to climb up to the observation deck and, of course, for unforgettable photos.
Season: until May 1st.
The duration is 2 hours.
Schedule: 10:00, 12:00, 14:30.
Cost (minimum number in a group of 6 people):
adult — 4,000 rubles/person;
a child from 3 to 10 years old inclusive — 3,500 rubles / person;
a child under 2 years old inclusive (if the child is in his arms) is free of charge.
Visit to the Bastion Historical Park (Sortavala).
The price includes visits to all museums in the park, themed excursions, costume areas and mead tasting!
The following locations are available for you in the park:
Viking Age Living History Museum "Svartbjarnarborg" – "Mustankarhunlinna" – "Black Bear Fortress".
The Four Fronts Museum of Living History, which is dedicated to the Soviet-Finnish armed conflicts of the 20th century.
Exhibition of wooden sculptures "The Secret life of insects".
Paid separately: master classes in the blacksmith shop, pottery and weaving workshops, shooting at a shooting range from various types of weapons (bow, crossbow, throwing spears and axes).
Lunch.
Return to the hotel.
Please note that the park will be closed from January 8 to January 25. If you decide to book a tour during this period, we suggest replacing the excursion to the Bastion Park with one of the following excursions:
Filina Mountain is a military historical museum (40 km from Sortavala). This is a huge man-made grotto inside a powerful granite rock. From 1943 to 1944, this facility was adapted as a command and staff bunker of the Finnish army with all the necessary communications.
Valley of Waterfalls Nature Park (54 km from Sortavala). Walk along the ecological trail about 1 km long along the Ihalanjoki River. Excursion to the deer farm, the Museum of ancient Karelians, and the blacksmith shop.

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Day 3 - Ruskeala Mountain Park
Breakfast at the hotel.
Room release.
Things can be taken on an excursion or left in the hotel's luggage room.
Guided tour of the Sled Dog Kennel — Ruskeala Waterfalls — Ruskeala Mountain Park.
At the beginning of the tour, visit the Siberian Husky kennel (25 km from Sortavala).
You will be introduced to the history of the Siberian Husky breed, riding and the way of life of the peoples of the north. There are currently 40 dogs living in the kennel. These are Siberian huskies and riding mestizos, they all work in a team. You can chat and take pictures with the dogs!
In addition to dogs, reindeer, foxes, raccoons, pigs, crows, owls, squirrels and rabbits live in the kennel!
For an additional fee: dog sledding.
On the way to the mountain park, we will stop at a picturesque place near the Ruskeala waterfalls.
The filming of the cult Soviet film "And the dawns here are quiet" took place here.
Now it is a great place for walks and photo shoots in nature.
Here you can walk along the ecotrope with hanging bridges and look at the waterfalls from above (for an additional fee of 500 rubles / adult, 400 rubles/children, pensioners, students).
Guided tour of the Ruskeala Mountain Park as part of a group (30 km from Sortavala).
Individual excursions are provided subject to technical availability with an additional fee.
For 300 years, marble has been mined here to decorate palaces and temples in the Northern Capital.
A marble lake was formed in a huge man-made bowl, which is now admired by numerous tourists.
The rocky grotto and tunnels cut into the rocks, the Italian quarry, the Marble Square will make an indelible impression on you.
There are no analogues to this unique natural object either in Russia or in Europe!
Additional services (to be purchased directly on the spot, at the cash desks of the mining
the park. They cannot be booked in advance):
Underground Ruskeala Tour;
Trolls over Lake Marmara (zip-line);
bungee;
visit to the historical and cultural center;
horseback riding in the territory of the mountain park on a sleigh.
There are several cafes and souvenir shops on the territory of the mountain park.
From the mountain park, we recommend taking the Ruskeala Express retro train on the Ruskeala — Sortavala route.
This interesting journey takes place in the atmosphere of the early twentieth century. There is also a dining car on the train.
Train tickets are purchased in advance on the Russian Railways website (tickets are not included in the price of the tour).
Departure home from Sortavala by train:
18:32 to St. Petersburg No. 822H "Swallow" (arrival at 22:43);
20:36 to Moscow No. 160A (arrival at 09:50 the next day).
See you soon in Karelia!

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel.

The cost of the tour for 1 person depends on the accommodation and the number of people in the group, RUB.:

Seurahuone Hotel
Group	Double room placement	Single room placement	Additional place
5 people	36 400	40 200	33 900
4 people	41 300	44 300	38 800
3 people	49 500	52 600	47 000
2 people	56 400	59 700	53 900

The prices shown are valid from 10.01 to 30.04.2025.

Discounts:

schoolboy — 800 rubles.;
student/pensioner — 500 rubles.

The calculation is made from 2 to 5 people. Upon request, we will calculate a tour for any number of people.

According to the accommodation options, we will take into account individual wishes. In the tour, the hotel option is calculated as an example.

This tour is relevant throughout the year. During the high season (summer, New Year holidays), the cost will be more expensive due to seasonal price increases.

The territory of Ladoga region (Sortavalsky district of Karelia) is in great tourist demand. Therefore, early booking is encouraged to ensure the right accommodation and services.

Seurahuone Hotel is located in Sortavala. The reception is open 24 hours a day and the hotel has free Wi-Fi.

All rooms at the hotel are equipped with a TV. Each room has a refrigerator.

A continental breakfast is served every morning at the Seurahuone Hotel.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 30 tourists

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Sortavala

Included in price

accommodation in rooms of the selected category (2 nights in Sortavala);
meals included in the program (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches);
sightseeing tour of Sortavala;
entrance fee to Mount Paaso;
sled Dog Kennel tour;
Ruskeala Mountain Park Tour;
transportation services according to the program;
the work of a guide and escort.

Paid extra

railway tickets to Sortavala and back;
guided tours for an additional fee;
meals not included in the price of the tour.

It's important to know

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

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

Individual dates available on request

10 Jan – 30 Apr, 2026

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10 – 12 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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17 – 19 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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24 – 26 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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31 Jan – 2 Feb, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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7 – 9 Feb, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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14 – 16 Feb, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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21 – 23 Feb, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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1 – 3 Mar, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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8 – 10 Mar, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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15 – 17 Mar, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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22 – 24 Mar, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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29 – 31 Mar, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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5 – 7 Apr, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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12 – 14 Apr, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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19 – 21 Apr, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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26 – 28 Apr, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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Reviews

N
Nina

about provider

15 Jun, 2025

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Thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful experience. The excursions were heartfelt and meaningful, and the guides were fantastic. We visited some truly remarkable places and were very pleased.:) I’d especially like to mention our guide Lyudmila — a warm, kind-hearted woman who shared incredibly engaging and insightful information.
A
Anna

about provider

6 Jun, 2025

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I discovered the tour provider "Big Country" online while searching for vacation options on the White Sea. Out of many offers, theirs stood out and immediately caught my attention. I submitted a request and received a callback very quickly. From that point on, nearly all communication — including booking and registration — was handled through Telegram, with the occasional phone call when clarification was needed. The managers were consistently polite and friendly. It was my first time working with them, and I sincerely hope it won’t be the last. There are several things I especially appreciated about the organization of the Solovetsky Islands tour: 1). The option to book a private room (without roommates) for an additional fee — a big plus for solo travelers. 2). The ability to pay for the trip in installments by a set deadline. "Big Country" offers a convenient payment system where you can always check the total cost, the amount already paid, and the remaining balance. Multiple payment methods are accepted — card, bank transfer, and more. After each payment, I received Big Country receipts and confirmations via email and Telegram. 3). The managers responded promptly to any questions I had during the trip. 4). A transfer was provided from the train station to the hotel, with early check-in arranged at the hotel in Rabocheostrovsk. 5). Meals were thoughtfully included: breakfast before departing to the island, a set lunch after the island and monastery tour, and buffet breakfasts at the hotel. 6). We were accompanied by a lead guide who explained everything clearly, met us at the tourist base, and made sure the group knew where to go — from breakfast locations to the pier for the boat to Solovki. After the tour, she also ensured a smooth return to Kem. On the islands themselves, she handed us over to local guides for excursions and met us again afterwards. 7). The tour was very well organized. Aside from the scheduled excursions, there was plenty of free time to explore at your own pace. Some rented bikes to ride through the village or forest, others went on boat rides, and some simply wandered around enjoying the scenery. 8). A return transfer to the train station and a follow-up message after the trip — small touches, but much appreciated. All in all, the experience was outstanding — great service + excellent organization+ a high level of comfort. The providers really left a lasting impression.
S
Svetlana

about provider

17 May, 2025

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Thank you. Everything was excellent. From the warm welcome at the train station to the hotel check-out before heading home, everything was well organized. I also appreciated that we had some free time to explore the beautiful sights of Karelia on our own (although we were told we'd have two hours at each stop, they were often combined, which made the schedule feel a bit rushed).

Weekends in Ladoga region