3 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 3 years old
Basic
Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Sightseeing Tours
A grand journey through a magical region. You'll visit the ancient, extinct volcano Girvas, see the powerful and majestic Kivach Waterfall, stroll across wooden bridges in Olonets and at the Akhvenkoski Waterfalls, visit the legendary Ruskeala Mountain Park, explore cozy Petrozavodsk, and meet friendly reindeer and huskies. The second day can be supplemented with a trip to Kizhi Island.
The Grand Tour is a captivating adventure that will take you to 15 of the most beautiful and memorable locations in Karelia. This tour won the 2019 Route of the Year award and has already become a true classic! If you want to enjoy the magical nature of Karelia while learning more about the region's history and culture, its peoples, and myths, join us on the Grand Tour "All Karelia"!
Over three days, we'll visit the famous, turbulent Kivach Waterfall, the mysterious Akhvenkoski Cascades, a 2.5-billion-year-old volcano, and a canyon where marble was quarried for St. Petersburg's most beautiful buildings. You'll learn about the lives of one of the region's indigenous peoples, the Livvi Karelians, their way of life, and their beliefs. You'll also tour the Alexander-Svirsky Monastery, which became the first stronghold of Orthodoxy in Karelia almost five centuries ago. You'll also enjoy a fun interactive program in the village of Kindasovo, an introduction to Karelian musical culture, and the most aromatic tea from a real samovar! After visiting the residence of Karelian Father Frost, you'll pet majestic reindeer and frolic with playful husky sled dogs. And if you're interested in traditional architecture and want to delve deeper into history, on the second day of the tour, you can opt to visit Kizhi Island to see masterpieces of wooden architecture.
* The hotel may be replaced with an equivalent one depending on availability on the dates of your tour.
A business-class hotel in the historic city center. Spacious, modern, and stylish rooms overlook the beautiful Lake Onega. The hotel's design is imbued with a maritime theme: paintings of old ships, an abundance of fish dishes in the restaurant, and blue and beige tones in the rooms and common areas. 24/7 room service and a friendly staff will make your stay as comfortable as possible.
A luxurious, modern hotel on the shores of Lake Onega. Most rooms offer stunning panoramic views. The spacious rooms are equipped with Italian furniture and all necessary appliances. Guests can relax in the sauna, play billiards, or sit comfortably in the glass-roofed lobby enjoying live music. The restaurant serves Karelian cuisine with a modern twist from the experienced chef.
We'll spend the first day of our journey getting to know the region's traditions and history. We'll depart early in the morning from St. Petersburg. Along the way, our guide will tell you about the peoples who have inhabited Karelia since ancient times and how Russian culture spread to these lands, creating a unique blend of beliefs and cultures. After a short stop at a farm where you can enjoy homemade baked goods, we'll reach the Alexander-Svirsky Monastery by 12:00. This architectural complex is nearly 500 years old, and it was here that the history of Orthodoxy in Karelia began. After lunch, we'll continue on to Karelia's first city, Olonets, a wonderful and cozy place where you can stroll across wooden bridges and learn more about the region's peoples and their way of life at the Karelian-Livvik Museum, which we'll visit. The next stop is Kindasovo, the "happiest village," where you'll take part in an interactive program full of music and laughter, and have the opportunity to showcase your talents on traditional instruments. In the evening, check into your hotel in Petrozavodsk.
Choose how you want to spend this day! You can take a tour of Petrozavodsk, visit the ancient Girvas volcano and the majestic Kivach Waterfall, or visit a sled dog kennel and a reindeer farm, both located near the residence of Talviukko, the Karelian Father Frost. You can also visit an authentic Sami village, where you'll experience their unique way of life and try on traditional costumes.
You can also take a Meteor boat ride to the Kizhi Island Museum-Reserve. You'll see incredibly beautiful and elegant examples of wooden architecture: churches, chapels, and mills, and you can also participate in the reserve's interactive activities.
On the final day of the tour, we'll visit two beautiful locations that will make you fall in love with the fabulous Karelian nature. First, we'll visit Akhvenkoski: a cascade of lowland waterfalls, quite small in height, but incredibly picturesque and atmospheric. The water flows over moss-covered rocks, taking on a slightly reddish, "rusty" color due to the high iron content, surrounded by a dense and mysterious forest. Suspension bridges span the water, offering unforgettable photos! Afterwards, we'll head to Ruskeala Mountain Park. The park's central attraction is the abandoned Marble Quarry, now flooded. You'll find colorful cliffs, secluded, quiet paths, and a variety of activities to suit every taste: visit the Italian Rock Garden, descend into the underground mines where marble was quarried for St. Isaac's and Kazan Cathedrals in St. Petersburg, take a photo at the observation deck, or ride a zipline over the canyon! You can leave Ruskeala on an authentic retro train (additional cost, tickets must be purchased in advance). We'll depart for the return journey in the late afternoon, stopping at the Trout Farm shop along the way. Arrival in St. Petersburg is by 11:30 PM.
Yes, the program is suitable for the whole family. Discounts are available for younger travelers.
The program price includes breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense; the average meal per person is 500-700 rubles.
All excursions and entrance fees are included in the tour price, with the exception of a visit to Kizhi Island (optional). You can also pay an additional fee for a walk along the Akhvenkoski eco-trail (400 rubles) and any activities in Ruskeala Park.
You can travel the Ruskeala-Sortavala route on the famous retro train. Tickets are purchased separately and must be purchased before the tour begins on the Russian Railways website. If you choose to depart by bus, you can stay longer in the mountain park. The group reunites in Sortavala and continues the return journey by bus.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
