3 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 3 years old
Basic
Hotel
Russian
Trekking, Sightseeing tours
The beauty of northern nature reveals itself in a truly unique way in winter. We invite you to spend three days in a fairytale: you'll see ancient fortresses and towns, explore a mountain park, and visit stunning bays and waterfalls. You can choose your own itinerary for the second day—continue exploring the eclectic architecture of Sortavala or visit a garnet mine and the zoo.
On this journey, you'll visit Karelia's natural and historical landmarks—both the most famous and those hidden from most tourists. You'll see the picturesque Ladoga skerries with their numerous rocky islets, stroll across the bridges over Lake Akhvenkoski, through the tranquil Karelian taiga and mountain park trails, and peer into the calm waters of the Marble Canyon. You'll explore the beautiful town of Sortavala, whose appearance blends the national styles of Russia and Finland, classicism and constructivism, Western European motifs, and the unique character of the Russian North. You'll see numerous examples of religious architecture from various eras on a rocky cape, and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view from Mount Paaso and Kirjavalahti Bay, reminiscent of a majestic and mysterious Norwegian fjord. You'll also visit a shungite center—a stone with amazing healing properties—relax in a shungite room, and participate in a tasting of aromatic herbal teas.
Depending on your preferred vacation style and the experiences you're most interested in, you can choose your second day's program. Stay in Sortavala to explore the town or enjoy a day full of vibrant and varied activities—we'll head to a garnet mine and mine this precious stone ourselves, visit waterfalls and hydroelectric power plants, and the Karelian Zoo, where we'll admire mighty tigers, playful alpacas, and dozens of other animals and birds.
"Ruskeala Fairytale" is a rich and captivating tour that, in just three days, will introduce you to amazing Karelia, recharge your batteries, and leave you feeling harmonious and at peace.
* You can choose a hotel that suits your comfort level
This cozy hotel offers 31 rooms—even though they're compact, you'll feel right at home. The rooms are decorated in soothing tones and a classic, understated style. The hotel is located a few kilometers from Sortavala, surrounded by quiet parks and green spaces. Free Wi-Fi is available, and each room includes tea, coffee, bottled water, a TV, a hairdryer, and toiletries.
This hotel is located on the shores of Lake Ladoga, in the historic center of Sortavala. With only 19 rooms, each guest feels welcome and receives the utmost attention from the staff. The spacious rooms with high ceilings combine elegant classic furnishings with charming Karelian flair. The rooms are fully equipped, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Guests especially appreciate the national cuisine served at the hotel's restaurant.
The journey begins at 6:30 AM in St. Petersburg. On the way to Sortavala, we'll stop at the Korela Fortress, which has long been a vital outpost between Lake Ladoga and the Baltic. We arrive in Sortavala by 12:00 PM. During the bus tour, your guide will introduce you to the key milestones in the history of this amazing city on Lake Ladoga. Here, we'll have lunch at a local café. Then, we'll visit the beautiful Akhvenkoski Waterfalls—cascades of cascading water, crossed by suspension bridges, surrounded by mysterious forests. Afterward, we'll head to Ruskeala Mountain Park—its vast territory offers something for everyone: the Marble Canyon, secluded forest trails, an underground lake with majestic columns, and a zipline at an altitude of 400 meters. You can return to Sortavala by retro train (additional cost) or by bus.
Choose your vacation to suit your tastes. You can stay in Sortavala and continue immersing yourself in the Russian-Finnish history of this incredibly beautiful city—our guide will suggest the best places to visit.
If you'd like to explore Karelia's incredible natural beauty, we invite you on a tour. You'll visit a garnet deposit on the northern shore of Lake Ladoga, where mining has been going on for over half a century, and you'll even have the chance to mine a garnet bead yourself! Then, enjoy a relaxing walk through the Karelian taiga, where you'll see waterfalls: Upper and Lower Koirinoja, Prokinkoski, and operating hydroelectric power stations. After lunch, we'll visit the Karelian Zoo, home to 90 animal species and 20 bird species: ferrets, bison, tigers, camels, alpacas, peacocks... And our youngest guests will certainly appreciate the petting zoo. We'll return to Sortavala by 6:30 PM.
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll ascend to Paasonvuori, where we'll enjoy panoramic views of centuries-old forests and the Karmalanjärvi River. Then, incredible views of the famous Ladoga skerries—small rocky islands scattered across the lake's surface—and Kirjavalahti Bay await you. Our next stop is Cape Northern Thebaid, home to a unique architectural complex of Karelian chapels and replicas of wooden churches. You'll see how religious architecture blends into the stunning northern landscape and learn more about the history of Orthodox Christianity in Karelia. We'll also visit a trout farm shop where you can buy fish delicacies, take a tour of Sortavala, and stop at a shungite center—an amazing mineral with healing properties. Arrival in St. Petersburg is approximately 11:30 PM.
There is no age limit. We offer discounts for children, students, and seniors.
The program includes breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are available for an additional fee; the average bill per person is 500-700 rubles.
If you wish, you can take a walk along the ecological trail near Akhvenkoski (adult ticket without discounts - 400 rubles), and also choose any entertainment in Ruskeala Park (according to the park's price list).
You can travel from Ruskeala to Sortavala on the famous Karelian retro train (optional, paid separately).
Average winter temperatures are -10 to -15°C, with occasional drops to -25°C and below. We recommend checking the weather forecast for your tour date shortly before departure.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
