7 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 3 years old
Basic
Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Cruises, Trekking, Excursion tours
This tour will take you to over 20 of the region's landmarks! These include breathtaking natural locations (waterfalls and lakes, islands and a mountain park, the White Sea), majestic Orthodox shrines, and renowned museums and architectural complexes. There will also be plenty of interactive activities, such as a visit to a husky kennel or boat rides.
This is the most ambitious and comprehensive journey through Karelia, during which you'll visit its most important sights—including those not included in standard tours! You'll visit the White Sea and the Solovetsky Islands, home to a beautiful monastery and the former site of a notorious special-purpose camp. Here, you can choose your own itinerary—immerse yourself in history or take a cruise along the sea, see pagan temples, and taste White Sea mussels. You'll also enjoy panoramic views of the sea and archipelago from Mount Sekirnaya and stroll through the northernmost Botanical Garden in the country.
Besides the White Sea, you'll also visit Karelia's most beautiful lakes: Lake Onega, home to the legendary Museum of Wooden Architecture, Lake Kizhi (we'll visit that too!), and Lake Ladoga, with a visit to the majestic Valaam and a boat trip among the breathtaking Ladoga skerries. For those who don't want to visit Valaam or have already been there, an alternative option is a trip to the Yanisjoki River Valley, the White Bridges waterfall, and a garnet mine.
And, of course, on this trip we'll visit the gems of Karelia: Kivach, one of Europe's largest lowland waterfalls; the ancient extinct volcano Girvas; Ruskeala Park; and the Akhvenkoski waterfalls with their graceful wooden bridges. You'll also discover what a real Sami village looks like, meet friendly huskies and graceful reindeer, and, if you choose, take a ride on an atmospheric retro train. A whole week in incredible Karelia awaits!
*You can choose other hotels from those available for your travel dates. Please note: changing your accommodation will affect the final tour price.
This modern, atmospheric hotel is located close to the Solovetsky Monastery. Rooms and common areas are decorated in a discreet, classical style. Guests are provided with all European-standard amenities, including appliances and toiletries. The hotel has a bar and a café where breakfast is served.
A European-standard hotel in the city center. Stylish, light-filled rooms, with every detail thoughtfully designed. Guests praise the friendly and attentive staff, as well as the tranquil, quiet atmosphere and superbly comfortable beds. The hotel restaurant serves local and Bavarian cuisine.
This cozy hotel offers 31 rooms. The rooms are decorated in calming tones and a discreet, classic style. The hotel is located a few kilometers from Sortavala, surrounded by quiet parks and green spaces. Free Wi-Fi is available. The rooms are equipped with all the necessary amenities, from tea and coffee making facilities to a hairdryer and toiletries.
The program begins in the town of Kem on the White Sea, where you'll arrive by train. Then, a short transfer to the village of Rabocheostrovsk (just 12 km), from where we'll depart by boat for Solovki. Ahead lies a two-hour crossing of the beautiful and rugged White Sea. Upon reaching the Solovetsky Archipelago, after checking into your hotel and enjoying lunch, you'll enjoy a three-hour tour of the Kremlin. Your guide's stories will immerse you in the history of this place, which seems to reflect the history of our entire country. The Solovetsky Monastery is a unique architectural ensemble, listed as a World Heritage Site. Afterward, you'll have free time to spend as you wish—for example, a stroll to the seashore and the Cape of Labyrinths, home to mysterious pagan temples where stones are arranged in narrowing circles.
Today, you can choose how to spend your day. We offer three exciting options. The first is a walking tour during which you'll learn about the history of the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp. It lasts two and a half hours. The second option is a boat cruise along the bay, known as the "inner sea" of the Solovetsky Archipelago. During this cruise, you'll spot noisy birds and plump seals, and through the amazingly clear water, you can glimpse starfish and jellyfish. A tasting of freshly caught mussels is also included in the price of this tour. This program lasts 4 to 5 hours. Finally, the third option is a trip to Zayatsky Island, where stone labyrinths, ancient pagan sanctuaries, and an ancient harbor await. The walk and tour last 3 hours.
A bus tour awaits you to a picturesque natural landmark—Mount Sekirnaya, offering incredible views of Lake Beloye and its islands. You'll also visit the Holy Ascension Skete and learn about its complex history, and stroll through the beautiful Botanical Garden, the northernmost in Russia. At the end of the tour, we'll head to the pier and bid farewell to Solovki. Back on the mainland, you'll board a train to Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia.
In the morning, you'll head to the pier to board the high-speed ship "Meteor." The "Meteor" will whisk you across the surface of Lake Onega to the legendary Lake Kizhi, a unique museum of wooden architecture. A local guide will take you on a tour of the island's most fascinating sites, immersing you in the culture of the Russian North. You'll see not only stunningly beautiful wooden buildings, including the famous 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration, but also a wealth of art and everyday objects, from icons to kitchenware. After your guided tour, you'll have free time on the island. There's something for everyone, from hiking, horseback riding, and boat rides to workshops. Return to your hotel in the evening.
On the fifth day of your journey, a kaleidoscope of impressions awaits! The day begins with a tour of Petrozavodsk, focusing on the Onega Embankment, home to a vast array of unusual sculptures from around the world. We'll then take a bus to Girvas, an ancient, eroded volcano. More than 2 billion years ago, it spewed fire, but today, all you'll see are solidified lava flows and unusual rock formations. Our next stop is the Kivach Nature Reserve and its waterfall. It's a surprisingly peaceful place where you can truly appreciate the subtle and enchanting beauty of Karelian nature. After lunch, we'll travel to the residence of Karelian Father Frost, where we'll visit a sled dog kennel and a reindeer farm. A multitude of friendly animals, the dwellings of the indigenous Sami people, and the Wonderful Forest await you.
We continue exploring the unique Karelian nature. After leaving Petrozavodsk, we head to the famous Ruskeala Mountain Park. Along the way, we'll stop at Akhvenkoski Falls (also known as Ruskeala Waterfalls), where suspended wooden bridges span the cascading waters. An eco-trail is also available (additional charge). We'll then arrive at Ruskeala Mountain Park, the crown jewel of which is the beautiful Marble Canyon. After a short excursion, you can enjoy whatever you like: simply stroll along hidden paths, take a walk along the quarry's waters, descend into flooded adits, or stroll through souvenir stalls. Those who wish can depart the park on a retro train (tickets must be purchased in advance), while the rest of the group will depart Ruskeala by bus. In the evening, we arrive in Sortavala and have free time after checking into the hotel.
Decide how to spend the last day of the tour! You can stay in Sortavala to explore this eclectic town on your own, or choose one of three programs. The first option is a grand tour of Valaam Island. We'll arrive here on a Meteor boat across Lake Ladoga. You'll enjoy a walking tour of all the sights of Valaam: the monastery complex, Mount Tabor, the main cathedral, and St. Nicholas Skete. A guide will accompany you throughout your stay on Valaam. The second option is a self-guided tour of the island, followed by a refreshing boat ride after lunch, visiting the beautiful Ladoga skerries, known as miniature Scandinavian fjords. Finally, during the third excursion, we'll visit the Upper Koirinoya and White Bridges waterfalls, one of the oldest hydroelectric power plants in the country, a garnet mine, and the Yanisjoki River valley. If you choose this option, you'll have time after lunch for a boat cruise along the Ladoga skerries, visiting their main attractions—for example, the uninhabited island of Khavus and the Falling Rock. At 6:45 p.m., the group leaves Sortavala by bus. We'll arrive in St. Petersburg between 11:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
The tour price includes breakfast at hotels. Lunches and dinners are at your own expense.
There's an additional fee for activities you choose yourself (days two and seven).
You can also pay separately for a visit to the Akhvenkoski Waterfalls eco-trail and any activities in Ruskeala Park.
Since this tour includes many boat excursions, there is a small chance they may be postponed or cancelled in the event of adverse weather or a storm warning. In this case, we will offer you alternative activities.
Karelia is a northern region, so even in summer it's not too hot. Average daytime temperatures in June are 16°C, in July 20°C, and in August 18°C. In the evenings and at night, temperatures can drop by 3-5°C. Be sure to bring windproof and weather-resistant clothing—this is especially important for all boat trips.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
