Wooden architecture of Prisvirye. Autumn-winter tour of the Leningrad region

Cross the Svir River and travel to the edge of 380 lakes, where you will be greeted by the oldest wooden church in Russia (1493) and the legendary chapel on the meadow. You will climb the bell tower of the temple by Lake Onega, find healing shungite on the shore and see the world's only monument to the "Well-read Lenin" above the volumes of Capital.

Next, you will find a decahedral temple from 1630 and a tent pearl in a village with a population of 13 people. There is also a chapel with a pre-Petrine mica window, a "gingerbread church" and a fraternal cemetery on the high bank of the Sviri River — a place with spectacular views of the hydroelectric power station and the memory of the heroes of the seventh army.

Location

Saint-Petersburg
from
$193
$205
The price is valid until 8 Jun
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
2 days
1 night
Departures
13 - 14 Jun
4 - 5 Jul
1 - 2 Aug
5 - 6 Sep
10 - 11 Oct
14 - 15 Nov
5 - 6 Dec
3 - 4 Jan, 2027
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
From 8 to 44 tourists
Minimum age
10 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

Treasures of the Onega Coast
Look for the healing stone shungite on the beach of the cleanest lake, climb the tent bell tower and taste the water, which is cleaner than Baikal
Absolute desolation and ferries
You will visit villages where only 13 people live permanently, and cross the stormy Svir River on a real ferry.
Touching Eternity
You will see the ancient wooden churches of Russia and the world's only ten-sided temple dating back to 1630.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Podporozhye, Homorovichi, village Yuksovichi, village Slits, village Ascension

    Transfer to Podporozhye.

    Podporozhsky district is the largest in the Leningrad region and the smallest. It occupies a vast area of 7830 square kilometers. On the eastern side, the area is washed by Lake Onega.

    In total, there are more than 380 lakes in the area. Among dozens of local rivers, the Svir and Oyat are the most famous. The area can rightfully be called the geographical peak of the region.

    The highest point is Mount Habselga (291 meters above sea level). It is a land of forests, rivers, lakes, ancient culture and unique wooden churches and chapels.

    A hearty and delicious lunch (extra charge).

    Transfer to the village. Homorovichi. Inspection of the Chapel of St. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

    The beautiful chapel of St. Nicholas, built in the 18th century, is located in an open wooden meadow. It does not have a belfry above the porch, but the sawn carvings on the roof ridge are clearly visible against the background of the blue sky.

    Transfer to the village. Rodionovo (Yuksovichi). Visit the Church of St. George and the Candlemas Church of the Presentation of the Lord.

    Yuksovichi is an ancient settlement mentioned in the Charter of Novgorod Prince Svyatoslav Olegovich in 1137.

    You will see the oldest standing wooden church in Russia and the third oldest surviving one, St. George's Church, built with worldly money in 1493 on the shores of Yuksovsky Lake.

    The temple was illuminated by St. Athanasius of Syandem, the cell attendant of Alexander Svirsky. Later, a refectory was added to the temple, encompassing the old building on three sides.

    The wooden church of the Presentation of the Lord was built on this site in 1864, as a warm church of the Yuksovsky parish. Since 2007, the compound of Alexander Svirsky Monastery has been organized here.

    Transfer to the village. Ascension Day.

    Ferry crossing across the Svir river.

    Transfer to the village. The cracks.

    Inspection of the church of Dmitry Solunsky Myrrh-streaming built in 1783. The village is located right on the shore of Lake Onega. There is a beautiful view towards the lake all year round, with paths leading down to it.

    One of them starts right from the impressive church of Dmitry Solunsky Myrrh—streaming, the main attraction of the village. The wooden five-domed church has an impressive, tower-like fortress, a tent-roofed bell tower that you can climb and explore the surroundings.

    Free time for a walk along the shore of Lake Onega (in summer).

    Here we have a chance to find the famous shungite, no wonder the Onega water is of very high quality.: it is cleaner than Ladoga and even Baikal.

    You will be offered herbal tea with pastries.

    Ferry crossing across the Svir river to the village Ascension Day.

    The village is located at the headwaters of the Svir River, which flows out of Lake Onega. The village of Voznesenye was formed in the middle of the 19th century, but some of the settlements included in it existed much earlier.

    In the 17th century, Voznesenskaya Pustan was mentioned, which gave the name to this settlement. The construction of the Mariinsky water system contributed to the development of this territory.

    Inspection of the stele to the builders of the obvodny Onega canal from the Vytegra to the Svir river.

    In the village Ascension begins the navigable bypass Onega Canal, built along the southern shore of Lake Onega. The construction of the canal was completed in 1852. Nowadays, the channel is used only for small vessels.

    Inspection of the monument to V. I. Lenin.

    The only monument of its kind to V. I. Lenin is the Well—Read Lenin. The 2.5-meter bust, towering over the volumes of the immortal Capital and Lenin's own collected works, was created in 1925 by workers at the Voznesensk Shipyard.

    Transfer to Podporozhye.

    Accommodation at the hotel “At Maksimych's.”

  • Day 2 - Kurpovo village, Soginitsy, village Zaozerye, village Posad, village Volnavolok, Podporozhye
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Midscale

The tour includes hotel accommodation “At Maksimych's.”

The cost of the tour for 1 person, rub.:

  • 2-bed accommodation: 14 150 rub.;
  • 1-bed accommodation: 15 150 rub.
Maksimych's Hotel 1 night

The guest house "U Maksimycha" is located in Podporozhye on Mekhanichesky Avenue in the Leningrad Region. In order for you to relax after a hard day, there is a sauna and a swimming pool for you, a taxi can be called for you, and you can park your car in the parking lot.

The room stock is represented by several categories, which include everything necessary to be able to stay for a long stay. There is a room for the newlyweds. Smoking is prohibited throughout the territory and it is carried out in specially designated areas.

In the cafe you can taste dishes prepared by caring chefs. You can also have lunch or dinner at any cafe or restaurant in the city.

There is a local history museum and a railway station nearby, and other attractions, as well as the airport, can be reached by bus or taxi.

1 more photo

Tour conditions

Group
From 8 to 44 tourists
Minimum age
10 years old
Duration
2 days 1 night
Group meets at
Saint-Petersburg

Included in price

  • transfer by comfortable bus;
  • professional support of an experienced guide;
  • accommodation in standard rooms with amenities;
  • meals included in the program: 1 breakfast;
  • entrance tickets to all tour facilities according to the program; 
  • ferry crossing.

Paid extra

  • railway tickets to Podporozhye and back;
  • meals not specified in the program: 2 lunches — 1,500 rubles and dinners;
  • personal expenses.

It's important to know

Are plane 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 discounts and special offers are available for this tour?

Dates and Prices

Reviews Leave a review

  • E
    Elena
    about provider
    10 Apr, 2025
    6 more photos
    I'm so glad I chose the 'Across the Expanses of Perm the Great' tour in July 2024. It was a high-quality, engaging, and thoughtfully designed journey through the entire Perm region. The trip was full of fascinating discoveries: ancient monasteries, unique museums, the distinctive Permian animal style and wooden deities, the history of salt production and the Stroganovs in the Urals, and much more. The natural beauty of Parma was breathtaking: dense forests, countless rivers, mountains, and even an ice cave. The hotels were comfortable, and the breakfasts and lunches were tasty, often featuring elements of local cuisine. Traveling in a small group made the experience even more enjoyable, after all, it's usually seasoned travelers who venture to the Perm region. One special moment was when we all got to bake and taste traditional gingerbread made from an old recipe, for many of us, it was a first. Huge thanks to our amazing guide, Andrey, and to Venaris, our incredibly skilled driver!