Tourists reviews of vacations in Karelia

The “Pearl Necklace of Winter Karelia” tour was truly fascinating. The program was rich and well planned, and the guides were real professionals. They shared the history of their region in such an engaging way, with lots of interesting historical facts and stories. I came away from the tour with nothing but positive impressions and so many wonderful emotions. Karelia is especially beautiful in winter. During the trip we experienced all kinds of weather, from sunny days to real snowstorms, which made the atmosphere even more memorable. Special thanks to our guides: Olga, Nikita, and Irina.

The "Summer Karelian Voyage" railway cruise left us with unforgettable impressions, especially the visit to Kizhi Island, the Ladoga skerries, and Ruskeala Park. The scenery was absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views at every turn. Overall, the cruise was fantastic—the train was comfortable, the staff was welcoming, and the guides were knowledgeable and engaging. The only downside? It all ended too quickly. But Karelia has so much more to offer, and we’ll definitely be back one day.

The Top 3 Tour is wonderfully compact and incredibly informative. In a short time, I was able to see, experience, and learn so much. I immersed myself in Russian history, explored architectural monuments, and glimpsed the medieval era. Visiting Vyborg and Karelia left an unforgettable impression, and St. Petersburg will forever hold a special place in my heart. I'm so glad I stumbled upon the Big Country website and that this specific tour caught my attention. Thank you so much, truly thank you 💕!!!!!

Good afternoon! Our tour took place from July 8 to 13, 2024, with a group of 14 people. All planned activities were carried out, and despite the weather conditions, there were no major disruptions. The staff was professional and well-prepared, and both accommodation and meals were well organized. There were a few minor issues: the actual itinerary differed slightly from what was stated in the contract, and some excursions were delayed due to boat malfunctions and schedule changes. Nevertheless, we were able to see everything we had hoped for.

The tour was fantastic – I highly recommend it. Seven days was just the right amount of time to unwind and recharge. We were also really lucky with the weather.

I truly enjoyed every part of the trip — from being met at the railway station, to storing our luggage at the hotel, to the bus ride that took us to Rabochiostrovsk. Yes, there were a few minor issues, but nothing significant in hindsight. The tour itself was fascinating, and the local guide exceeded all expectations — she was well-organized, attentive, and always ready to help. I'm really glad I had the chance to visit Valaam and Solovki. In Petrozavodsk, I explored the riverside promenade on my own, visited a local shop just before closing, bought some delicious fish, and met many interesting new people.

An excellent tour that took us to some of the most fascinating places in Karelia. I especially enjoyed Kinerma, Ruskeala, rafting on the Shuya River, the Kivach and Yukankoski waterfalls, and Kizhi Island. All the guides were true professionals with a deep love for the Karelian region. Special thanks to our guide Oksana, who accompanied us throughout the entire trip. Attentive, punctual, knowledgeable, and simply wonderful!

A very eventful tour — we saw all the main sights, each accompanied by a guide. It would be great if the included dinner took place at a local restaurant to better experience the regional cuisine, rather than just being a standard meal. On the last day, it might be worth skipping the climb up Sampo Mountain and instead allowing more time at the Kivach Waterfall — half an hour there just isn’t enough.

My husband and I took this trip together and overall, we really enjoyed it. In our opinion, the tour was well thought out and organized. For a first visit to Karelia, it offers more than enough. What stood out the most? Without a doubt, the stunning natural beauty of Karelia – endless forests, lakes, and rivers. The boat ride across Lake Ladoga to Valaam was unforgettable, as were visits to Kizhi Island, the White Sea coast, and of course, the Solovki. On the Solovetsky Islands, I especially want to mention our guide Yuri – a remarkable person with encyclopedic knowledge, his own thoughtful perspective on historical events, and a clear, engaging way of speaking. It was truly a pleasure to listen to him!. On the way back from the Solovki, we had some rain and a slightly choppy sea, which added a bit of adventure to the trip. A tip for anyone traveling to Karelia: bring a good raincoat and an extra pair of shoes – ideally waterproof :D.. I highly recommend this tour for anyone discovering Karelia for the first time.

Thanks from all of us. We were a bit unsure at first, since all the booking and communication happened via Telegram. But in the end, we give it a solid 5 stars. Our guide Anna met us at the train station, special thanks to her for her professionalism. The hotel was excellent, and the itinerary matched exactly what was promised. We hope to travel with you again

We took the "Wonderful Places of Karelia" tour and overall, we really enjoyed it. Our guide Anna made the first 2 days especially interesting. The only downside, which is more on the providers, was that some people went to Baalam while those who stayed behind were left on their own. Because of that, we ended up wasting about 7 hours that day :'( The accommodation and food during the tour were excellent! I would definitely like to see more meals included in the package. We came away with so many great impressions, I highly recommend visiting Karelia! Thanks to the providers, and a special thanks to our guide Anna.

An excellent tour. I was traveling with my 12-year-old son and 5-year-old granddaughter, and the organization was top-notch. The itinerary was well thought out, and the bus was very comfortable. The hotels in Petrozavodsk and Kem were great. We visited many beautiful and historically significant places. Highly recommended.

Thank you so much for the amazing organization! 😊 The trip was rich, engaging, and informative! Beautiful destinations, excellent hotels, delicious food – everything was top-notch :)A special thanks to the guides who were with us every step of the way, offering help, support, and sharing both their knowledge and passion ❤️

From June 24 to June 30, 2024, we went on a tour of Karelia+the Solovki Islands. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and the stories we heard were fascinating. Visiting Solovki with our guide Yuri left a lasting impression. I’d love to go back.

I’d like to thank the providers and guides for an incredible tour. It was rich in experiences and meticulously planned down to the smallest detail. The breathtaking nature of Karelia and Solovki, combined with fascinating stories and insights from guides who genuinely love their homeland, made this trip truly outstanding!

The first two days were absolutely wonderful. The third day, however, felt half-empty. I don’t understand why the tour was scheduled with an evening departure when, even with the program stretched out, it still ended around 6.00 p.m. (including the stop at the shop). Good thing it didn’t rain, otherwise, where would we have spent the time until 10 p.m. (when the train 17 departed)?

A sea of impressions and yes, the White Sea :] Right from the start, it's worth mentioning that this trip is perfect for those seeking vivid, contemplative experiences and a true break from city life without needing trekking boots or a heavy hiking backpack. If you're into sun loungers and cocktails, this probably isn't for you. But for me, it was an amazing way to unwind and reset. We were lucky with the weather, in poor conditions, trips to the islands on Lake Onega, Lake Ladoga, and Solovki can be canceled or limited, so it’s good to be prepared for that. As the saying goes, “to each their own”: Ruskeala Park was highly recommended to me as a place of breathtaking beauty, but unlike Kizhi and Valaam, the former quarry didn’t quite deliver the same “wow” factor, though it was still a feast for the eyes :) Some people in our group ended their tour 2–3 days early due to shortened time on Solovki. Personally, I'd recommend staying longer and joining the additional excursions, they truly amplify the experience.

Thank you. Everything was perfect. "Karelia is like a wonderland- you turn a corner, and it’s gone."

It couldn't be better.

I took the "Legends of Karelia. Winter Trip tour from March 7 to 10, 2026, which included visits to Petrozavodsk, Mount Sampo, Kivach Waterfall, the Girvas Volcano, Ruskeala Mountain Park, the Filina Hills, and more. The program was very diverse: hikes across plains and mountains, walks along beautiful rivers and lakes, stops at scenic viewpoints, and an introduction to the centuries-old traditions of Karelia. The tour fully lived up to the description provided by the "Big Country travel company." I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, thanks in large part to the excellent organization, Svetlana in Moscow, the guides in Karelia (Vera and Tatiana), the tour coordinator Varvara, and the drivers all did a fantastic job. Everything worked together seamlessly. Thank you!