Winter fairy tale in Ladoga region

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The magical attraction of the winter Ladoga region is really great! For everyone who wants to experience the charm of snowy silver and the beauty of sleeping nature, we offer to spend three days of New Year holidays in beautiful Karelia.

With us you can see the main sights of Sortavala, ride a retro train, plunge into the past of the region in the historical park. You will enjoy a walk through the Ruskeala Mountain Park and a climb to Mount Paaso, as well as unforgettable snowmobile rides through the forest and aeroglissers on a frozen lake.

Location

Republic of Karelia, Sortavala, railway station

from

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

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Tour highlights

The greatness of the winter "Marble Canyon"

Get acquainted with the famous Ruskeala marble quarry, surrounded at this time by the kingdom of snow and ice

Snowmobiling

You will drive along a picturesque forest road to one of the lakes of Karelia

A ride on airlifters on the ice of the lake

Take a ride on the frozen Lake Ladoga to the scattering of islands on a hovercraft

Traveling by retro train

You will ride on a steam locomotive in carriages decorated in the style of the XIX-XX centuries

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sortavala city, retro train trip, Ruskeala Mountain Park, Akhinkoski Waterfall
08:30 Meeting at the railway station of Sortavala (arrival from Moscow and St. Petersburg by train No. 160B).
08:30-09:30 Breakfast at the city restaurant.
09:30-10:30 Sortavala City Tour. Sortavala is a classic European town, but it has the status of a historical city. It is often called the open-air museum of Finnish architecture.
If the weather is good, you will walk to Vakkosalmi Park, climb the observation decks of Mount Kuhavuori, from where you can enjoy views of the city, the bay and the islands.
10:50-12:05 Let's start with a little adventure – you will be transferred to the Ruskeala Mountain Park on the Ruskeala Express retro train. A beautiful smoking steam locomotive with entourage carriages in the style of the XIX–XX centuries will take you to the mountain park in 1 hour.
You will see the picturesque changing landscapes outside the window and enjoy the atmosphere of the era of imperial Russia.
12:30-14:00 Marble Canyon tour in Ruskeala Mountain Park. How long has it been taking your breath away from the contemplation of natural beauty? Ruskeala is the place that will leave an indelible mark on your memory.
You will walk along the main route around the marble quarry, learn interesting facts from the history of mining, take photos with the best views of the slopes.
You will walk along the "dry tunnel", where you will feel the power and scale of the rock mining, look into the "marble heart" sinkhole, from where you can see the underground part of the park.
14:00-16:00 Free time on the territory of the mountain park for an independent lunch and additional excursions.
16:30-17:30 Visit to the Akhinkoski waterfall. This is one of the four famous Ruskeala waterfalls located in South Karelia.
You will walk along eco-trails and suspension bridges over frozen waterfalls, each of which has frozen into a majestic, unusual sculpture.
18:00 Accommodation in the landscape hotel "Rantala" in double rooms of the standard category. The hotel is located on the shore of Lake Ladoga Bay among the mesmerizing northern landscapes.
The hotel has a Karelian restaurant "Gard", where all dishes are prepared from local products, and the interior is decorated in a soft Scandinavian style.

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Day 2 - Snowmobiling, Mineral Center of the Northern Ladoga region, Bastion Historical Park
08:00-09:00 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
09:00-09:30 Transfer to the snowmobile tour "Forest fairy tale".
10:00-12:00 Delivery of equipment (snowmobile suit, warm boots, gloves, helmet and balaclava), passing a safety briefing and accommodation for 2 people per snowmobile.
The route runs along a picturesque forest road to one of the many lakes of Karelia. The peaceful winter nature of Karelia is all around, and only you and your team are rushing rapidly through the 20-kilometer snow-covered expanse of the north.
Recommended clothing: thermal underwear, fleece sweatshirt, sweatpants and a replaceable pair of socks.
12:30-13:30 Visit to the Mineral Center of the Northern Ladoga region. This is not just a museum, but a real art space where you will be immersed in the world of Karelian minerals.
You will visit the shungite room, touch the collection of fascinating minerals, and explore a small art gallery of local photographers and artists.
13:30-14:30 Lunch at the restaurant.
14:30-17:30 Excursion to the Bastion — the living history Park. You will find an entourage of locations – from the fortress of the early Middle Ages to the military unit of the last century and an immersion into the era in a game format.
In the museum "Fortress of the Black Bear" we will go through the general outlines of the time of the Vikings, we will figure out who was still called a Viking and why an entire epoch was named after them. And we will also get acquainted with the feasting culture and traditions of the Vikings, and the methods of cooking mead in the IX century in Russia's largest "Honey Hall".
You will also see the Four Fronts Museum, the Stone Age eco-site and the Secret Life of Insects exhibition. You will have the opportunity to try on various costumes, chain mail, and hold medieval weapons in your hands.
For an additional fee, you can try yourself in workshops at the blacksmith shop or in archery and crossbow shooting.
18:00 Return to the hotel.
Day 3 - Aeroglisser ride to Ladoga Skerries, Kronid Gogolev Museum, Mount Paaso
08:00-11:00 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Room release.
11:30-12:00 Transfer to the Sortavala pier.
12:00-14:00 Trip to Ladoga skerries. You will take a ride on the frozen Lake Ladoga on an aeroglisser – it is a comfortable, warm and safe vessel capable of passing through the ice.
The magic of the Ladoga skerries – the islands of majestic Ladoga – fascinates and attracts travelers from all over the world. You will see extraordinary rocks, blue ice and trees growing on the rocks.
You will have a walk on the island of Honkasalo, from the height of which you will see the vast expanses and take dizzying photos. Relaxing and hot tea with a view of the snow-covered islands of the skerries.
14:30-15:30 Lunch at a restaurant in the city.
15:30-16:30 We visit the exhibition of the famous woodcarver – Kronid Gogolev. The main part of the works of the exhibition is a sculptural relief in wood.
The theme of the Russian North, expressive nature, ordinary people, their way of life and holidays are vividly reflected in the work of this outstanding artist.
17:00-18:00 We conclude our journey by conquering Mount Paaso, which is near the town of Sortavala.
You will climb a beautiful wooden path to a height of 79 m above the level of Ladoga, the path will be accompanied by an entourage of wooden lighting, creating a fabulous mysterious atmosphere.
Paaso is not just a mountain with poetic views, at the end of the 19th century a Finnish archaeologist discovered a settlement of ancient Karelians of the XII–XIII centuries here! At the top, you will admire the serene views of the surrounding area and take photos for memory.
18:30 Transfer to the railway station. The end of the program. Departure from Sortavala by train to Moscow or St. Petersburg.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

Hiking and snowmobiling are waiting for you

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour includes accommodation at the Rantala Hotel in standard rooms.

The cost of the tour for 1 person at the time of accommodation:

in a double room — 71,900 rubles;
in a single room — 91,950 rubles;
in an additional place — 63,000 rubles.

Discount for children under 16 years of age — 3,000 rubles.

Children receive a discount if they have a copy of their birth certificate.

The landscape hotel "Rantala" is a high level of your rest in the picturesque surroundings of the village of Kiryavalakhti, on the shore of the bay of the same name.

Comfortable rooms with a private bathroom, necessary furniture and an LCD TV are offered for check-in. Guests can also use personal hygiene items, a hairdryer and disposable slippers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

Vacationers at the country hotel can visit the cafe, where the menu offers delicious dishes and snacks, as well as cooling or warming drinks.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 14 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Karelia, Sortavala, railway station

Included in price

accommodation at the Rantala Hotel in standard rooms (2 nights);
meals according to the program: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 tea party;
rental of transport and all transfers according to the program;
sightseeing tour of the city of Sortavala;
ride on the Ruskeala Express retro train;
Marble Canyon tour in the Ruskeala Mountain Park;
entrance tickets to the Ahinkoski Waterfalls;
snowmobile tour "Forest fairy tale";
visit to the "Mineral Center of the Northern Ladoga Region";
entrance tickets and an excursion to the Bastion Historical Park;
an aeroglisser trip to the Ladoga skerries;
visit to the Museum of Kronid Gogolev's private collection;
Visit to Mount Paaso;
services of a tour guide along the route;
life and health insurance for tour participants.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Sortavala and back;
meals not specified in the tour program.

It's important to know

Warm and comfortable things: thermal underwear, a fleece jacket and sweatpants.

Dates and Prices

Individual dates available on request

1 Jan – 31 Mar, 2025

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$703

3 – 5 Jan, 2025 3 days 2 nights

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