Solovetsky Islands. Tour Designer

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Embark on an unforgettable trip to the Solovetsky Islands — a place where history, nature and spirituality are intertwined in a unique harmony!

You will find the endless expanses of the White Sea, ancient monasteries, mysterious monuments and amazing landscapes that will remain in your memory forever.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a northern fairy tale, where every moment is filled with discoveries.

Location

G. Kem

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

The best in Solovki

You will see the unique architectural ensemble of the Solovetsky Monastery, active temples and monuments.

Flexible program

You will be able to choose excursions according to your taste.

Axe Mountain

Visit one of the highest points of Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, which offers an unforgettable view.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Kem
In the evening, take the train to the city of Kem (No. 092, No. 016 "Moscow — Murmansk"):
Train No. 092 — arrival on Saturday evening;
Train No. 016 — arrival on the night from Saturday to Sunday.
Meeting at the entrance to the railway station building.
Transfer to the tourist complex "Pier", located on the shore of the White Sea in the village of Rabochiostrovsk (12 km from the city of Kem).
Accommodation (overnight stay from Saturday to Sunday).
For those who arrive by other trains or by their own transport, check-in is possible on Saturday at check-out time from 14:00.
Day 2 - Tour of the Solovetsky Kremlin
Breakfast.
Boarding the ship (starts 30 minutes before departure).
08:00-10:00 Transfer by boat across the White Sea to Bolshoy Solovetsky Island (2 hours).
Arrival, transfer of things to the selected hotel: "Solovetskaya Sloboda" / "Solovki-hotel".
10:30 Sightseeing walking tour of the Solovetsky Kremlin (duration — 3 hours).
During the tour, you will see the unique architectural ensemble of the Solovetsky Monastery, active temples and monuments, and objects of the monastery's economic activities.
You will learn about the history of the Solovetsky Monastery, which mirrors the history of Russia.
All temples and monuments are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
13:30 Lunch.
Accommodation at the selected hotel after the end of the excursion program.
Optional, for an additional fee, guided tour "Sights of Bolshoy Zayatsky Island" (duration — 3 hours). Cost: 1,500 rubles/person.
Boat trip to Zayatsky Island (travel time 45 minutes).
You will visit the largest pagan sanctuary of the II-I millennia BC, stone labyrinths, a complex of religious and funerary structures, Russia's first stone harbor, and the monuments of St. Andrew's Skete.
In your free time, we suggest taking a walk to the Cape of Labyrinths.
This is a picturesque natural area on the shore of the White Sea. There are reconstructed stone labyrinths and the famous Solovetsky "dancing" birches.

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Day 3 - Free day. Guided tours for an additional fee (optional)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Optional for an additional fee (order when booking the tour, the number of seats is limited, payment is made on tour to the guide):
1. Walking tour "The history of the Solovetsky special purpose camp. 1923-1939." (duration — 2.5 hours).
On this tour, visitors will learn about the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp, the stages of the camp's development and its transformation into the Solovetsky Special Purpose Prison in 1937, as well as learn about the fate of prisoners.
They will visit a new exhibition about the camp and a monument to Solovetsky prisoners.
The cost is 800 rubles/person.
2. Boat trip along the Long Bay (duration — 4-5 hours).
An exciting ecological boat trip along the Long Bay, the "inner sea" of Solovki, where even in stormy weather there are rarely waves.
Driven by a fresh salty wind, a carbine boat with a motor will run past sandy beaches, countless islands and rocky ridges crashing into the water. One of them has a bird family, and the other one seems to have a seal basking in the sun.
Shallow depths allow you to see the underwater world: starfish are buried in the sandy bottom, translucent ultramarine jellyfish hover in the water, algae sway and stretch somewhere along with the sea currents.
The price of the tour includes a bus transfer to Long Bay and back, as well as a tasting of White Sea mussels – perhaps you are lucky enough to find a real White Sea pearl in one of them.
Don't forget to bring a light snack and drinks.
Cost: adult — 3,500 rubles/person; child 3-10 years — 2,200 rubles/ person.
3. Boat trip "Cape Beluzhy" (duration 2 hours).
Often, for tourists who find themselves on Solovki, the most desirable thing is to see belugas – northern white whales.
The peaceful inhabitants of the Arctic Ocean come to the White Sea in the summer.
They do not swim close, appear on the surface for a short time and then swim quite a long distance.
But there is a special place on Solovki – Cape Beluzhy – a sea trip here will be remembered by every minute. The cape water area is one of the few places on the planet where you can observe whales in the wild.
From the beginning of June to the middle of August, during low tide at sea, mating games of whales, birth and upbringing of cubs take place here.
There is also a station of oceanographers who have the opportunity to observe these beautiful creatures every day.
Bring good weather and intention with you, don't make any noise, and you may be able to see a beluga literally at arm's length, feel the power and beauty of these amazing marine mammals.
Cost: adult – 3,500 rubles/person; child from 3 to 10 years – 2,200 rubles/ person.
Attention: water excursions are conducted in favorable weather conditions and in the absence of a storm warning.
Day 4 - Excursion "Sekirnaya Mountain. Holy Ascension Hermitage" and "Botanical Garden"
Breakfast.
After breakfast, room release (check—out time is before 10:00).
Things are checked into the hotel's luggage room.
Sekirnaya Mountain bus tour. Holy Ascension Skete" and "Botanical Garden" (duration — 3.5 hours).
You will visit one of the highest points of Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, Mount Sekirnaya, from the top of which you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the island and the White Sea.
Get acquainted with the history and monuments of the current Holy Ascension Skete, where during the time of the Solovetsky camp there was a penal isolation unit – a place of detention and punishment of prisoners.
Visit to the northernmost botanical garden in Russia with a tour of the Archimandrite's cottage, the Alexander Chapel and the Cross of worship.
Free time.
Transfer from the hotel to the pier.
15:30 Boarding the ship (starts 30 minutes before departure).
16:00 Departure of the ship from Solovki to Kem (on request, a later time is possible
departure from Solovki is at 19:00).
18:00 Arrival at the port in the village of Rabochiostrovsk.
Transfer to the railway station in Kem.
Departure of tourists by night trains.
Please note! You can book an additional day at the tourist complex "Pier" after returning from Solovki. The next morning there will be a free transfer to Kem railway station.
Departure by the Murmansk — Moscow morning train (station No. 015 ~ at 6:19 or train No. 091 ~ at 10:06). Request and payment for an additional night when booking the tour.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Camp Site

1 night
Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel and a tour complex.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB:

Hotel	Placement option
"Pier" (Kem) + Solovetskaya Sloboda (Solovki) Standard room and standard attic at the same price.	double occupancy – 42,300
	single occupancy – 59,400
	additional placement. location – 29,800
"Pier" (Kem) + Solovki Hotel (Solovki) There are no additional beds in the Solovki Hotel in standard rooms, standard loft.	double room in a standard room – 43,500
	double room in standard loft (new building) – 48,800
	single occupancy – 61,900
	additional placement. location – 29,800

All rooms in the hotels have separate beds.

Additional payment for foreign citizens (including citizens of Belarus) for migration registration, self—payment upon check-in at the Prichal shopping center - 500 rubles/person.

Discount for children up to and including 9 years — 2,000 rubles/person.

It is possible to book an additional overnight at the Pier tourist complex after returning from Solovki for an additional fee (breakfast is not included in the price):

double room — 2,000 rubles/person.;
single room — 4,000 rubles/person.;
extra place — 1,800 rubles/person.

This is the largest hotel complex in the Kemsky district of the Republic of Karelia, with 8 cottages, located in a quiet location with a beautiful view of the White Sea.

It has a good location – 12 km from the railway station of the station "Kem", away from the main road and in close proximity to the sea pier.

There is a city bus stop near the tourist complex.

It offers 93 rooms with 190 beds. Each cottage is designed for a specific category of guests, depending on their wishes and available budget.

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Solovetskaya Sloboda Hotel

The Solovetskaya Sloboda Hotel is located in the center of the village, a 3-minute walk from the world-famous Solovetsky Monastery and 187 m from the Gulag Museum.

Each guest will be able to choose a suitable accommodation option from 45 comfortable and cozy rooms. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, a sleeping place, and a flat-screen TV. There is a billiard room and a library on site. A shuttle service is available upon request.

Breakfast is included in the room rate. For an additional cost, guests can purchase delicious local dishes, as well as lunches and dinners at the hotel's restaurant. There is a restaurant with a bar on site.

The guest house provides its guests with a spacious conference room for business events and banquets. The hall is equipped with necessary furniture and appliances.

Solovetsky Port is a 20-minute walk away. Within walking distance there is the Church of the Annunciation, the Solovetsky Monastery and the Assumption Church. The distance to the airport is 1.4 km, and the Kem Railway Station is 54.2 km away.

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Another option

The Solovki Hotel

The Solovki Hotel is located in the village of Solovetsky in the forest area, near the shore of the White Sea. The Cape of Labyrinths and the Solovetsky Monastery are located nearby. The hotel consists of 5 buildings built in the traditional Russian style. The administrative building houses a restaurant, a bar, a souvenir shop and an accommodation service.

The hotel has 46 Standard and Junior Suites. The rooms are decorated in the style of log cabins with mosquito nets on the windows. Each room has its own bathroom.

For lunch and dinner, guests can enjoy local cuisine. Packed lunches are available on request. The bar serves international cocktails.

Guests are provided with a conference room equipped with the most necessary furniture and appliances for comfortable seminars, trainings or conferences.

Arkhangelsk Airport is located at a distance of 240 km, the railway station is 235 km away. There are several churches, a monastery and a Holy Lake within walking distance.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 50 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

G. Kem

Included in price

accommodation in rooms of the selected category (1 night in Kemi, 2 nights in Solovki);
meals according to the program (3 breakfasts, 1 lunch);
3 excursions to Solovki:
- sightseeing tour of the Solovetsky Kremlin;
- Sekirnaya Mountain. Holy Ascension Skete;
- The Botanical Garden;
transportation service:
- transfer by ship across the White Sea "Kem — Solovki — Kem";
- bus transfers;
the work of an accompanying guide on all days of the tour according to the program.

Paid extra

railway tickets to Kemi and back;
additional excursions (booking of excursions at the time of booking the tour, payment is made on the tour to the guide)
- "Sights of Bolshoy Zayatsky Island" — 1,500 rubles/person.;
- "The history of the Solovetsky special purpose camp. 1923-1939." — 800 rubles /person.;
- Long Bay cruise (with mussel tasting):
  - adult — 3,500 rubles/person.;
  - child 3-10 years old — 2,200 rubles/person.;
- Cape Beluzhy boat trip:
  - adult — 3,500 rubles/person.;
  - child 3-10 years old — 2,200 rubles/person.;
meals not included in the price of the tour;
additional payment for foreign citizens (including citizens of Belarus) for migration registration, self—payment upon check-in at the Prichal shopping center - 500 rubles/person.;
extra night in the tourist complex "Pier" after returning from Solovki (breakfast is not included in the price):
- double room — 2,000 rubles/person.;
- single room — 4,000 rubles/person.;
- extra place — 1,800 rubles/person.

Book excursions in advance, when booking a tour, payment is made to the tour guide (in cash).

It's important to know

1. Medical preparations for individual needs.
2. Documents: passport, insurance policy (medical).
3. Comfortable sports shoes:

sneakers or moccasins, but not new, but familiar and comfortable;
replacement shoes (light running shoes or sneakers).

4. Sportswear for hot and cool weather:

The jacket is windproof, waterproof;
raincoat;
warm tracksuit (sweatshirt, pants);
T-shirts with long (from sunburn) and short sleeves;
sports trousers;
a cap;
gloves;
windbreaker;
shorts;
socks;
warm, comfortable shoes without heels;
trekking shoes;
a warm sweater;
swimsuit.

5. Headdress: cap, panama hat (with a visor).
6. Bathing suit.
7. Personal hygiene products.
8. Useful equipment:

small backpack (20-30 l);
a flashlight with spare batteries;
sunscreen (required);
sunglasses.

Other items: cash, insect repellent, camera, personal first aid kit.

It is also important to remember that the period from early May to mid-June is particularly dangerous due to the activity of encephalitic ticks. Prepare in advance for a trip to Karelia during this period – get a preventive vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis, take with you a special ointment, as well as clothes and hats that cover all parts of the body as much as possible.

The best protection against ticks is compliance with safety regulations.:

1. It is not recommended to climb into impenetrable thickets of low-growing shrubs unnecessarily.
2. When moving along the forest road, do not tear off branches.
3. The legs should be completely covered (shorts are not recommended).
4. Sweatpants, tights (preferably with a smooth surface) should be tucked into socks.
5. It is mandatory to have a headdress (cap, headscarf).
6. It is advisable to hide long hair under a headdress.
7. After hiking in the forest, it is necessary to check (shake off) both outerwear and underwear.
8. Examine the whole body.
9. Be sure to comb your hair with a fine comb. If you find a crawling tick, it must be burned. Ticks are very tenacious, it is impossible to crush it.

If you find a tick that has already bitten into your skin:

1. Do not pull it yourself, because you can detach the body from the head (the head can exist without a body).
2. To remove the tick, it is necessary to fill it with camphor or vegetable oil, after 10-15 minutes carefully pull out the tick with tweezers.
3. Lubricate the bite site with green paint or iodine.

Vaccination provides the most effective protection. If the immunization schedule is followed, human diseases are extremely rare and, as a rule, occur in a mild form. The difficulty of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis lies in the duration of the vaccination course, and you can find out more about it at the vaccination center in your region.

It should be remembered that all vaccinations must be completed 2 weeks before the start of the tick season, i.e. by the end of March.

Tick bite insurance is not included in the price of the tour. We recommend that you insure your health.

Dates and Prices

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$539

28 Jun – 1 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$539

5 – 8 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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12 – 15 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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19 – 22 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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26 – 29 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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2 – 5 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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9 – 12 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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16 – 19 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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23 – 26 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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30 Aug – 2 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

A
Anna

7 Jun, 2025

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This was my first-ever trip to the Solovetsky Islands — and my first time traveling as part of a tour group. I have to say, Solovki left me with a mix of impressions. On one hand, the natural beauty is stunning (rocky shores, the sea, dwarf trees and shrubs, soft moss). On the other hand, there are remnants of former prison barracks that evoke a quiet sadness. Right beside them, people live in simple homes that still hold a unique northern charm. The tour was thoughtfully organized to give first-time visitors a complete and authentic introduction to the island. After this experience, I could easily see myself returning — not just for three days, but for 5 to 7 — to truly immerse myself in village life, its rich history, long forest walks, mussel or fishing trips, boat rides around the island, and unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. Here’s a brief overview of our itinerary: 1. The evening before our departure, the group gathered for an introduction and briefing. 2. Early breakfast, hotel check-out, luggage loaded onto the boat, then a 50 km crossing of the White Sea. Upon arrival, our luggage was transported to the hotels while we had a guided tour of the village and the Solovetsky Monastery, followed by lunch and hotel check-in. Free time afterward. 3. Breakfast buffet. We had several excursion options: hiking to one of the bays, exploring old camp sites on foot, mussel fishing and tasting, or combining a couple of activities. Free time in the afternoon. 4. Breakfast, hotel check-out, excursion to the Botanical Garden and Mount Sekirnaya, free time, then transfer back to Kem by motorboat and on to the train station. 5. I want to give a special shout-out to our fantastic guides: Marina at the monastery, the incredibly charismatic and cheerful Vladimir (who made us delicious fire-grilled mussels), the friendly and knowledgeable Alexandr (Botanical Garden and Mount Sekirnaya), and the witty bus drivers who welcomed us with fun stories and safely saw us off. 6. My personal tip: don’t miss the mussel tour — it’s as tasty as it is interesting:), and either rent a bike (look out for flyers handed out at the pier) or just explore the island and village on foot. There’s so much to discover — photo opportunities and hidden gems around every corner! A "jeep tour" on local roads — which the locals jokingly call the ‘high-speed route’ — was a fun little adventure all its own. Search for the famous Meeting Stone, bike around, stroll through the village at sunset… All in all, a perfect introduction to Solovki — definitely a 5 star experience!!!
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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.
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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.