Tourists reviews of vacations in Karelia

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.

A wonderful tour to Karelia! The excursions were interesting, informative, and never boring. We were also very lucky with the weather. We highly recommend visiting these beautiful places in this vast country. For anyone planning to go, remember to follow the tour operator’s recommendations! :)

I really enjoyed the tour! Everything was well-organized, and in just a few days, we were able to take in the stunning beauty of Karelia and gain a deeper understanding of its history. A big thank you to all the providers.

Rafting on the Shuya River from July 8, 5 days. Saying Wow!, super!, or amazing! doesn’t even do it justice. In just 5 days, it felt like a COMPLETE reset! It’s as if a whole month had passed, thanks to the nonstop flow of incredible experiences and unforgettable moments. The organization was top-notch! Everything was well-planned and seamless! The care for each participant, the equipment, the food, the instructions, and the safety measures—absolutely outstanding! Huge thanks to SERGEY, OLEG, ANATOLY for their professionalism, great sense of humor, and kind hearts! You guys are the best!

A fantastic tour, we visited Karelia’s main attractions, including Valaam, Kizhi, and Ruskeala. The tour is suitable for all ages, just make sure to bring comfortable shoes and an umbrella/raincoat. The hotels and buses were very comfortable.

Thank you very much for organizing and running the tour.

It’s impossible not to fall in love with Karelia. The stunning landscapes, the sacred sites deeply connected to our homeland’s history—it all feels truly magical. Karelia will stay in my dreams, and the memories of this journey will last forever.

A wonderful trip! Saying we liked it would be an understatement! In just 5 days, we managed to visit all the most remarkable places. The itinerary was packed, yet by the evening of the second day, it felt like we had been in Karelia for at least a week :) at the same time, everything was well-paced, with no sense of rush or chaos. The only place where time really felt too short was Ruskeala Park: we were torn between taking photos and listening to our guide’s fascinating stories, and before we knew it, the time was up. But that just gives us a great reason to come back :) I was pleasantly surprised by the well-organized logistics and attention to detail throughout the trip. Now, I recommend this tour with "Big Country" to all my friends!

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.

Every detail of the trip was carefully planned, we were absolutely thrilled!! The food was fantastic too! Thank you!

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.

Fantastic tour! Perfect for anyone looking to reconnect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The guides were excellent, knowledgeable, responsible, and with a great sense of humor :) Everyone was in high spirits, and meals were always served right on time :D The tour included a scenic boat ride through the skerries, a visit to Pellotsaari Island, and a hike up Hiidenvuori Hill.

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

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.

Good evening, Julia!!! I am absolutely thrilled with the tour!!! It was simply amazing!!! Our guide, Anastasia, is a true professional, everything she shared was fascinating!!! A huge thank you to everyone for organizing such a fantastic trip!!!!! I feel so lucky to have found you online!!! The entire experience was wonderful!!!!!! I really hope to travel with you again!! Thank you so much 💕