Classic Petersburg. Ruskeala and Valaam

This tour is for those who appreciate the beauty of nature and history, as well as are ready for adventures and long trips. 

In 7 days you will visit the most famous sights of St. Petersburg, such as the Hermitage, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Peterhof, Tsarskoye Selo and much more. You will plunge into the atmosphere of the great past and see amazing monuments of architecture and history.

The journey will continue in Karelia, where you will visit picturesque canyons, waterfalls, Ruskeala marble Canyon and the legendary Valaam. You can enjoy the beauty of nature and stroll through national parks and nature reserves.

Location

Saint-Petersburg
from
$517
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
7 Days
6 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 2 – 8 June
    • 9 – 15 June
    • 23 – 29 June
    • 30 June – 6 July
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    6 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Group meet at
Saint-Petersburg
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Historical heritage of Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof
Admire the beauty of Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo, which embody the sophistication of the imperial court and the wealth of the state.
Architecture of St. Petersburg
You will admire the imperial scale of the squares, peer into the intricate elements of the facades and feed on the spirit of the city on the Neva.
Hermitage Ticket
Visit the world-renowned museum and the largest museum exhibition in Russia dedicated to Western European art.
The Pearl of Karelia
Take a walk through the Ruskeala Mountain Park. This is one of the main attractions of Karelia, striking with its beauty at any time of the year.
Holy Valaam
Not only experts of Russian architecture and pilgrims seek to visit Valaam. The island attracts lovers of harsh northern landscapes and solitude.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival. Bus sightseeing tour. St. Isaac's Cathedral

    Arrival in Saint Petersburg. 

    Self-placement.

    10:10 and 12:30 Meeting at Ladoga railway Station at the information board (by prior request). Group transfer.

    11:00 and 13:00 Meeting at the monument to Peter the Great at the Moscow Railway Station (by prior request). Group transfer. Independent placement.

    13:00-14:30 Free time for lunch and accommodation.

    Meeting with the guide in the lobby of the base hotel, the sign "Greets Petersburg".

    1 Bus:

    14:30 Departure from the Rossiya Hotel. (including for guests from the Elkus Hotel).

    15:00 Departure from the Teatralnaya Hotel and the Sadovaya Express (meeting in the Teatralnaya lobby). (including for guests from the Admiralteyskaya, Azimut, Ambassador, Domina, Court INN, Port Comfort Sennaya, Rimsky-Korsakov hotels).

    Bus 2:

    14:30 Departure from the Dostoevsky Hotel (including for guests from the hotels Yes on Marata, Sokroma This is Peter, Sokroma Library, Oktyabrskaya, Marata Station M19).

    14:45 Departure from the hotel "Rus" (including for guests from the hotels "Arbat Nord", "Indigo", "Oktyabrskaya", "Radisson Sonya", "St. Petersburg").

    Bus sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg. 

    We will be able to see the monumental monument to Peter the Great – the Bronze Horseman, about which A.S. Pushkin wrote in his poem, St. Isaac's, Senate and Trinity Squares, drive along the arrow of Vasilyevsky Island, and also see the famous and majestic Cruiser Aurora.

    16:00 Excursion to St. Isaac's Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in St. Petersburg and the second tallest building in the historical center of the city after Peter and Paul Cathedral. 

    Continuation of the sightseeing tour.

    19:00 Transfer to the base hotels. 

    Free time.

    2 more photos
  • Day 2 - Hermitage
  • Day 3 - Bus tour "Under the shadow of the Tsarskoye Selo Gardens"
  • Day 4 - Peterhof
  • Day 5 - Temples of St. Petersburg Bus Tour
  • Day 6 - Ruskeala Mountain Park
  • Day 7 - Valaam Island. Departure
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    6 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes hotel accommodation in St. Petersburg and Sortavala (fortuna).

The cost of the tour depends on the accommodation, the price is indicated for 1 person in rubles:

Basic hotels (hotels where the group gathers in St. Petersburg):

Russia 3* (Saint Petersburg), Buffet breakfast + Optima 3* Hotel (Sortavala), Buffet breakfast:

Check-in datesDouble + DoubleSingle + Single
 Standard + Standard

02.06.25-07.07.25 

(except for the period 16.06-22.06 – prices on request)

5105070150
14.07.25-18.08.254855064900
08.09.254555059150

Rus 4* (Saint Petersburg), Buffet breakfast + Optima 3* Hotel (Sortavala), Buffet breakfast:

Check-in datesDouble + DoubleSingle + Single
 Classic + Standard

02.06.25-07.07.25

(except for the period 16.06-22.06 – prices on request)

5930070650
14.07.25-08.07.255355065150

Dostoevsky 4* (Saint Petersburg), Buffet breakfast + Optima 3* Hotel (Sortavala), Buffet breakfast:

Check-in datesDouble + DoubleSingle + Single
 Standard + Standard

02.06.25-21.07.25

(except for the period 16.06-22.06 – prices on request)

6180081900
28.07.256105080500
04.08.25-08.09.255805074900

Hotels from which guests independently approach the starting point of excursions in St. Petersburg:

Admiralteiskaya 3* (Saint Petersburg), Buffet breakfast + Optima Hotel (Sortavala), "cover" Breakfast:

Check-in datesDouble + DoubleSingle + Single
 Standard + Standard
02.06.255005065150
09.06.255085066650
16.06.25 prices on requestprices on request
23.06.25-18.08.255205068900
08.09.254930063150

Elkus 3* (Saint Petersburg), Breakfast "Swedish line" + Optima Hotel (Sortavala), Breakfast "cover":

Check-in datesDouble + DoubleSingle + Single
 Comfort + Standard

02.06.25-23.06.25 

(except for the period 16.06-22.06 – prices on request)

5130069400
30.06.254890064400
07.07.25-21.07.254830063150
28.07.254815062900
04.08.25-18.08.254755061900
08.09.254705060650

Socroma Apartments Library / Socroma Is Peter Apartments. (Saint Petersburg), Lunch box + Optima Hotel (Sortavala), "cover" Breakfast:

Check-in datesDouble + DoubleSingle + Single
 Standard + Standard
02.06.255180068650
09.06.255305071150
16.06.25prices on requestprices on request
23.06.255180068650
30.06.25-14.07.255105066900
21.07.25-18.08.255005065150
08.09.254780060400

Port Comfort Sennaya 4* (Saint Petersburg), Buffet breakfast + Optima Hotel (Sortavala), "cover" Breakfast:

Check-in datesDouble + DoubleSingle + Single
 Standard + Standard

02.06.25-23.06.25

(except for the period 16.06-22.06 – prices on request)

6130090650
30.06.25-14.07.255680081400
21.07.255770083250
28.07.25-18.08.255680081400
08.09.255205071900

Discount for students under 14 years of age (Russian Federation): 2,350 rubles.

Discount for students aged 14-16 (Russian Federation): 850 rubles .

Discount for students (Full-time Russian State universities): 950 rubles .

60+ discount for pensioners (Russian Federation): 950 rubles .

Additional payment for foreign tickets (excluding the Republic of Belarus): 2,250 rubles . (all tours are in Russian).

Please check the prices when booking.

Dostoevsky 4* or Russia 3* or 4 nights
Dostoevsky 4*

The Dostoevsky Hotel awaits you in St. Petersburg. It offers Wi-Fi, parking, sauna, gym.

The atmosphere and comfort of this place will be remembered only by positive emotions. Each of the rooms has everything for comfort.

There is a restaurant on site where you can taste delicious dishes from the menu, as well as have a great time.

There is a conference room equipped with related equipment for various events.

Metro stations, historical sights, beautiful squares and parks of the city on the Neva River are within walking distance.

4 more photos
Another option
Russia 3*

The three-star Rossiya Hotel is located in St. Petersburg. Car owners will be able to use private parking.

The hotel has 392 rooms. All of them are decorated in bright colors and equipped with modern furniture. Guests will enjoy the availability of a telephone, TV and a private bathroom. A free Wi-Fi connection is available throughout the property.

Delicious breakfasts are included in the price of your stay. There are bars and restaurants on site where you can have a delicious and satisfying meal.

For business people, there are several specially equipped conference halls and meeting rooms, which are equipped with the latest technology.

The St. Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex is about a 10-minute walk away. Near the hotel you will find several attractions of the city. The distance to the airport is 8.2 km.

4 more photos
Another option
Rus 4*

Rus is a four-star hotel located in St. Petersburg. Facilities for residents: parking, Internet access, 24-hour front desk, shuttle service, laundry, daily cleaning, luggage storage, tour service, billiards, sauna.

Accommodation is offered in comfortable rooms of various categories, which are equipped with all amenities. Each room has: air conditioning, wardrobe, flat-screen TV, desk with chairs.

A delicious and hearty breakfast is served daily for guests, and in the on-site restaurant you can have lunch and dinner, as well as have a good time.

For seminars, negotiations, business meetings and corporate events, there are 4 spacious conference halls with a maximum capacity of up to 250 people.

Nearby are Nevsky Prospekt, the Tauride Palace, and the Kazan Cathedral. The convenient location allows you to easily move around the city and visit famous attractions.

2 more photos
Another option
The Elkus 3 Hotel*

Elkus is a modern hotel located in the Moskovsky district of St. Petersburg.

The hotel has 258 rooms ranging from compact and ergonomic to spacious and atmospheric with fireplaces and terraces. They are equipped with air conditioning, a TV, a private bathroom and Wi-Fi. From the 5th to the 16th floor, the rooms offer panoramic views of the city.

An electric kettle and a refrigerator are provided. You can have a snack in the hotel's restaurant or lobby bar.

There is a covered parking, a fitness club, as well as a playroom for children. Aviator Park and Moscow Victory Park, the museum "Russia - My Story" are nearby. Pulkovo Airport is 9 km away, and Baltiyskiy Railway Station is 3.4 km away.

1 more photo
Another option
Admiralteiskaya Hotel

The Admiralteiskaya Hotel is a unique hotel located in the historical center of the cultural capital of Russia, where every corner is saturated with myths, legends, stories, intrigues, secret connections and real adventures.

The room stock is divided into categories. Family and double rooms are available for accommodation. Maximum occupancy is up to five people. Each room has everything you need: soft mattresses, crisp white linens, fluffy towels, modern appliances and free Wi-Fi.

The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, which is included in the price of your stay. You can also always order lunches and dinners for an additional fee.

For those who are used to being constantly at work, there is a small meeting room, as well as a spacious conference room. Both are equipped with modern appliances.

Free guarded parking is available around the clock (provided upon prior reservation, the number of places is limited). The Mariinsky Theatre and the Conservatory, the Yusupov Palace and the island of New Holland, St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Neva embankments are located next to the hotel.

1 more photo
Another option
Apart-hotel Port Comfort by Sennaya Square

The apart-hotel "Port Comfort by Sennaya Square" is located in the Admiralteysky district of St. Petersburg, not far from the Yusupovsky Garden and within walking distance from Sadovaya metro station. It offers Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk.

Tourists can relax after a busy day in the prepared cozy apartments. They have a fresh, modern renovation in warm shades. There are pleasant upholstered furniture, a TV, and a private bathroom with toiletries.

The kitchen is equipped with a headset, a hob, a kettle and a set of dishes. There are cafes and restaurants nearby where you can dine.

Among the attractions are museums, ancient architectural buildings, and park areas. The distance to the airport is 13.2 km, to the railway station - 1.3 km.

3 more photos
Another option
Apartment Sokroma Library

Apartment Sokroma Biblioteka is located in the Central District of Saint Petersburg. Important infrastructure facilities and attractions of the city are located nearby.

The bright apartments are furnished with comfort and attention to decorative details. Comfortable upholstered and cabinet furniture, LCD TV, and free Wi-fi are installed. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower.

The kitchen area has the necessary household appliances and a set of dishes. There are a large number of restaurants and cafes serving a variety of dishes within walking distance.

Guests can visit the Museum of the Arctic and Antarctic at 101 m, the Museum of Nonconformist Art at 255 m, St. Vladimir's Cathedral at 411 m, or take a walk in the San Galli Garden, located 544 m from the apartment. Pulkovo Airport is 15.2 km away, and Moskovsky Railway Station is 421 km away.

1 more photo
Seurahuone or Sortavala Hotel or 2 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
7 days 6 nights
Group meets at
Saint-Petersburg

Included in price

  • accommodation for 5 nights in a selected hotel in St. Petersburg;
  • 1 night in Sortavala;
  • breakfast after the first night;
  • guided tours and daily transportation services according to the program;
  • tickets to museums according to the program;
  • guide support;
  • Headphones are provided free of charge for more comfortable listening to the guide. 

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to St. Petersburg and back;
  • meals not included in the tour program;
  • additional excursions;
  • lunches, dinners;
  • the resort fee of 100 rubles/day will be paid by the guests directly at the hotel, and cannot be included in the tourist package (from 04/01/2024 in St. Petersburg);
  • additional payment for foreign tickets (excluding the Republic of Belarus): 2,250 rubles .;
  • private transfer.

It's important to know

Are the tickets included in the price of the tour?

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

Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What is the check-out time at the hotel?
What important information do you need to know about the tour?
The location of the hotels relative to the departure point of the bus to Karelia

Dates and Prices

  • from
    $517
    2 – 8 Jun 7 days 6 nights
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  • from
    $517
    9 – 15 Jun 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $517
    23 – 29 Jun 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $517
    30 Jun – 6 Jul 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $517
    7 – 13 Jul 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now

Reviews

  • A
    Anna
    about provider
    13 Feb, 2025
    My daughter and I took the St. Petersburg Collection tour for 7 days, and I highly recommend it for first-time visitors to the city like us. The tour is well-designed, allowing you to see the main attractions in a short period of time. A great advantage is that you can join on any day. Everything was well-organized—excellent guides, comfortable buses, and provided radio headsets for better communication. There were no delays or long waits. The schedule was planned in a way that left plenty of free time in the evenings for walks or additional sightseeing. The tour package includes hotel accommodation, with several options to choose from. I stayed at the Rossiya Hotel near Pobeda Park and was very satisfied. The rooms were clean, with daily housekeeping, fresh towels, and air conditioning—which was perfect given the pleasant temperatures of 24–30°C during our stay. A buffet breakfast was included—simple but sufficient to start the day. It was really convenient, as we would bring a small snack for the day and have dinner somewhere in central St. Petersburg. The hotel is within walking distance of the blue metro line, making it easy to reach the city center without transfers. There’s also a supermarket nearby, along with plenty of street food options. It’s also worth mentioning that additional excursions are available. We took a boat trip to the forts of Kronstadt and joined a nighttime tour to see the city's famous drawbridges—both were unforgettable experiences
  • E
    Elena
    about provider
    12 Feb, 2025
    First and foremost, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our personal manager in Big Country, Ksenia, for carefully selecting a tour that matched our preferences and for swiftly handling the changes to our group size. We had six unforgettable days on the banks of the Neva River! A huge thank you for the well-organized excursions, led by true professionals—Irina and Olga. We would be delighted to recommend traveling with Big Country to our friends and family!
  • M
    Margarita
    about provider
    12 Feb, 2025
    Many thanks to Big Country for the tour—everything was top-notch! We’ll definitely be back. Thank you!