Winter color. Private tour to Karelia

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This unique individual tour to Karelia is designed specifically for small groups. You will see the most interesting places and get unforgettable emotions and a boost of energy.

The tour is held from January 10 to April 15 for a group of two people on any day upon request.

Location

Petrozavodsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Snow-covered Petrozavodsk

Let's plunge into the friendly atmosphere of the northern city, the younger brother of St. Petersburg

Impressive Ruskeala

Let's admire the splendor of the most famous marble quarry in winter guise

Kivach Waterfall

We will see one of the largest flat waterfalls in Europe

Shungite Energy

We will visit the center for the production of shungite products and relax body and soul in the shungite room

Dog sledding

We will get great pleasure from riding with the wind in sleds in dog sleds – Siberian and Alaskan huskies

Delicious master class

We will learn about the history of gingerbread business, master the painting and decoration of gingerbread

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting. Petrozavodsk
We welcome our dear guests in Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia.
Possible arrival options: branded train No. 18 (double-decker train, compartment only); regular flight by plane to Petrozavodsk airport (airport 20 km from the city); by car.
Breakfast in the restaurant (buffet).
Private tour of the capital of the Republic of Karelia.
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.
Visit to the Karelian Design Center.
This is an introduction to traditional materials for the region through the work of Karelian artisans, exclusive designer furniture in the interior in the Karelian style, its own line of clothing and textiles with prints based on the embroidery of the National Museum of Karelia, souvenirs: interior decor made of Karelian birch, shungite, ceramics, gypsum, using traditional embroidery, yagel, Karelian flavors, petroglyphs.
All the items in the showroom are handmade by craftsmen from Karelia.
Gingerbread workshop in Karelian gingerbread workshop.
You will learn about the history of gingerbread making, master the painting and decoration of gingerbread. You can eat hand-decorated masterpieces on the spot during a tea party or take them with you along with wonderful emotions!
Accommodation in a 4* hotel.

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Day 2 - Shungite Center, kennel for sled dogs and reindeer, Kivach Nature Reserve
Breakfast (buffet).
Visit to the center for the production of shungite products.
This is a unique mineral that is mined only in Karelia. The healing properties of this stone have been known for more than 300 years ago, and in the time of Peter the Great, a decree was issued according to which every soldier was ordered to carry a piece of shungite in his backpack.
You will be told about its properties and treated to delicious Karelian tea. Here you will relax in a shungite cave to recharge your body with living energy, and you will be able to purchase shungite products from the manufacturer.
A trip to the kennel of sled dogs and reindeer.
You will be greeted by the best sled dogs of Russia – champions and participants of famous races. Thousands of kilometers of the most difficult snow trails have fallen under their paws, and now they are ready to share their experience and strength with you.
On a guided tour of the kennel, you will touch the unexplored world of dog sled racing. You will also find a story about tundra deer in nature and in captivity, their role in human life and the development of the Far North. You will not only be able to take memorable photos with these noble Arctic animals, but also feed them your favorite delicacy yourself – white moss yagel!
And now the most interesting part.:

The guide will instruct you on the basics of dog sled management, and you will ride a dog sled along a prepared track in the taiga forest for 2.5 km, accompanied by an instructor (2 people on one sled).
After skiing, have a tea party in the barbecue gazebo of a cat by a live fire.
On the way back to Petrozavodsk, you will visit the Kivach Nature Reserve.
In the reserve you will admire the Kivach waterfall, the most famous in Karelia. Here you will also see a Karelian birch tree, get acquainted with the arboretum collection and the nature museum.
Return to the hotel.

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Day 3 - Ruskeala, departure
Breakfast (buffet).
Room release. Departure for an excursion to the Ruskeala Mountain Park, we take our things with us (260 km from Petrozavodsk).
On the way, stop at a picturesque place near 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.
Ruskeala is currently the most visited tourist destination in Karelia.
A group land tour of the mountain park.
Individual excursions are provided subject to technical availability with additional payment!
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!
For an additional fee:
Underground Ruskeala tour*, trolls over Marmara Lake (zip-line), bungee jump, visit to the historical and cultural center. Horseback riding in the territory of the mountain park on a sleigh (maximum 4 people, duration 30-40 min.).
The cost is 5,500 rubles per group (it is better to book in advance).
Individual excursions are provided subject to technical availability with additional payment!
There are several cafes and souvenir shops on the territory of the mountain park.
Additional services are purchased directly on the spot, at the ticket offices of the mountain park. They are not booked in advance.
From the mountain park, we recommend taking the Ruskeala Express retro train on the Ruskeala – Sortavala route – this interesting journey will take place in the atmosphere of the early twentieth century. Buy train tickets 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. 824B "Swallow" (arrival at 22:43);
20:36 to Moscow No. 160A (arrival at 09:50 the next day).
It is also possible to return to Petrozavodsk and leave Petrozavodsk.
If you want to extend your vacation in Karelia, we will book additional accommodation in a hotel or a country club.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a 4* hotel.

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

Placement *4 hotel (standard rooms)**	Cost until 04/15/2025
For a group of 5 people	Double room — 39,400 Single room — 44,000 Additional place — 37,700
For a group of 4 people	Double room — 44 300 Single room — 48,900 Additional place — 42,500
With a group of 3 people	Double room — 52,900 Single room — 57,500 Additional place — 40,900
For a group of 2 people	Double room — 63,900 Single room — 68,500 Additional place — 62,200
Discounts	Student up to and including 12 years old — 2,500 Student from 13 to 17 years old — 500 Pensioner 60+ — 300

Let the manager know your suggestions on accommodation options. In the tour, the hotel option is calculated as an example.

Accommodation in a 4* hotel in Petrozavodsk.

Let the manager know your suggestions on accommodation options.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 5 tourists

Minimum age

3 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Petrozavodsk

Included in price

accommodation in a 4* hotel in Petrozavodsk (2 days);
meals according to the program (3 breakfasts, 1 tea party);
private sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk;
visiting Karelian design Center;
gingerbread workshop in the workshop of the Karelian gingerbread;
visit to the center for the production of shungite products;
individual program at the kennel of sled dogs and reindeer (excursion, dog sledding 2.5 km and tea party);
private excursion to the Kivach Nature Reserve;
excursion to the Ruskeala Mountain Park;
individual transport service;
the work of a guide and escort.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Petrozavodsk and back;
meals not included in the tour price;
railway tickets for the Ruskeala Express retro train (Ruskeala – Sortavala);
services and excursions for an additional fee.

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.

Dates and Prices

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

Individual dates available on request

10 Jan – 15 Apr, 2026

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Reviews

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).
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Irina

about provider

10 Apr, 2025

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