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.

I really enjoyed everything about the tour.

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.

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 💕

An amazing tour with a well-organized and informative itinerary! Comfortable buses pick you up directly from the hotel and take you to the excursion sites. During the ride, the guide continuously shares interesting facts about the landmarks we pass. I really enjoyed the routes and locations we visited. The boat trip on the Neva River was slightly spoiled by heavy rain, but it was still a great experience. As for the Hermitage, it’s definitely a place for true art lovers. After two hours of wandering through its grand halls, you start to lose track of where you are and where you're going. In contrast, the Yusupov Palace offers a fantastic glimpse into the opulence and customs of the past. Personally, I would have preferred to swap the Hermitage visit for a trip to St. Isaac’s Cathedral, including access to its observation deck. For those with a deep spiritual interest, a visit to Valaam is best planned as a two-day trip or longer. A five-hour excursion only allows you to see a small part of it, without fully experiencing the essence of the place. Overall, the tour left me with only positive emotions and unforgettable impressions. I completely fell in love with St. Petersburg!

Many thanks to the tour team !! The trip was amazing! We explored both St. Petersburg and Karelia. It was just a week of vacation, but it felt like a whole month of unforgettable experiences with my daughter