Why go?
Take a walk through the forests and mountains, go on a boat to explore the skerries, raft along the stormy Shuya and touch the mysteries of Valaam and Kizhi
Land of a thousand lakes and rivers
Karelia is a triumph of the water element. The majestic expanse of Lake Ladoga with its numerous secluded bays and rocky islands, tiny forest lakes - “lambushki”, deep Shuya framed by protected forests, foamy caps of waterfalls... These incredible wonders of nature are generously scattered throughout Karelia.
Maximum comfort
Not only a contemplative, quiet holiday awaits you, but also many active and even extreme adventures! You can ride a husky sled or go on a high-speed race on a professional racing track, go rafting or on a jeep tour. And fishing lovers will definitely be satisfied with the catch on Ladoga or Lake Onega!
Unique program
Choose only those activities and excursions that you like! We will create a personal tour program and take care of all the nuances: from transport and accommodation to menus and photo and video shooting. Our team will accompany you 24/7 so you don't have to worry about anything. Just relax and enjoy!
Karelia: the land of lakes and the first Russian resort
Karelia is one of the most beautiful northern regions of Russia. First of all, it attracts, of course, with its harsh and at the same time peaceful nature. Ancient coniferous forests, moss-covered cliffs, 73 thousand (!) lakes, cozy skerries and even dormant volcanoes: all this attracts and delights.
But the atmosphere of Karelia consists not only of its natural resources. The region has a rich history and authentic culture. In time immemorial, it was visited by Vikings, it was part of the rich Novgorod Republic, marble was mined here for the construction of St. Isaac's and Kazan Cathedrals in St. Petersburg. It is quite symbolic that Karelia became the first resort in Russia: in 1718, under Peter the Great, Marcial Waters was founded here. And today, several centuries later, tourists come to enjoy the nature of this amazing region, get acquainted with its traditions and visit world-famous attractions from the UNESCO cultural heritage list: Kizhi, Valaam, Solovetsky Monastery.
Season: summer - beginning of June-end of September, winter - end of December-April.
Transport: business class cars, Mercedes V-class minibus, Yamaha speed boats, buggies and ATVs, MI-8 helicopter or Eurocopter
Petrozavodsk
The capital of the republic is a city immersed in greenery and surrounded by dense forests on the shores of Lake Onega. Petrozavodsk has a long and fascinating history: it was founded in 1703 and was originally a metallurgical and then an arms factory. Today it is the starting point for most tours in the region.
Igora Drive
The circuit was designed by architect Hermann Tilke, the creator of most Formula 1 tracks. Here you can test drive a sports car or arrange a group go-kart ride. Experienced drivers will instruct you and accompany you during your stay at the circuit.
Fishing
Karelia is an ideal place for trophy fishing. You will go fishing on high-speed boats 115-300 l/s, accompanied by a fishing captain. All fishing equipment is provided. The caught fish can be cleaned in a specially designated place, frozen and taken with you.
Kizhi
A mysterious island, an open-air museum, a unique monument of wooden architecture. The architectural ensemble of Kizhi has no analogues in the world and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The island is beautiful in any season, and in the summer there are numerous vibrant festivals and celebrations.
Ruskeala Mountain Park
One of the most famous sights of Karelia is located on the site of an inactive marble mine. Here, surrounded by incredible views, you can go through underground adits, or just stroll surrounded by picturesque marble rocks and clear lakes.
Ruskeala Express
Antique-style carriages convey the atmosphere of Tsarist Russia. The interiors of the “Ruskeala Express” are not the only reason to take a trip on it: the retro train will take you through the most picturesque places in Karelia, including the most beautiful bridge.
Ladoga skerries
Norwegian fjords in miniature, one of the most recognizable views in all of Karelia. The Ladoga skerries are numerous islands and bays that were declared a national park several years ago. You can see the skerries up close - while walking along them on a speedboat.
Balaam
The Valaam archipelago on Lake Ladoga is famous primarily for the monastery located on the main island. Surrounded by natural and man-made masterpieces, the calm waters of Lake Ladoga and inland forest lakes - “lambushki” - you feel incredible peace. They say that even the air on Valaam heals both soul and body.
Karjala Park
Here you will not only be positively charged by interacting with charming sled dogs, but you will also be able to take a master class on working with them, as well as go for a sled ride. In addition, ATV or snowmobile tours are available at Karjala Park.
Solovetsky Islands
The largest archipelago (347 sq. km) in the White Sea. Solovki are six large islands with a centuries-old history. But it is also incredible northern nature, beautiful in its restraint. Here you can watch beluga whales or go for a walk through ancient stone labyrinths.
We know the recipe for an unforgettable trip!
Tour program of your choice
A storm of bright emotions on the race track
We invite you to drive a racing car on a circuit designed by a Formula 1 track architect! “Igora Drive” will be an incredibly exciting experience for both beginners and experienced racers. In 2022, a new site was opened here with spectacular elevation changes. Drive, extreme speed and extreme sports - this is what awaits you when visiting the circuit.
Depending on your level of training and experience, you can choose one of two formats. Beginners can take a ride in a “race taxi” - sitting in the passenger seat of a racing car driven by a professional pilot. Do you want to get behind the wheel of a powerful sports car yourself? Then a master class will be held for you: the pilot instructor will introduce you to the features of the track and suggest the correct tactics for passing it, and then you will ride along the track accompanied by him. Finally, you can simply watch from the sidelines from a separate comfortable box with drinks, snacks and a wonderful view of the track.
Available cars: various modifications of BMW M2 and PORSCHE CAYMAN.
Meals: in a restaurant of Karelian cuisine.
Transport: business class cars, Mercedes V-class minibus
Adrenalin
Speed
Legends of the tracks
BOR 812
Every lover of a steam bath should definitely stay at the BOR 812 country club!
There are 8 bathhouses for every taste: white, black, “Petrovskaya” for relaxing with a large group (up to 22 people), baths with a hay loft, private terraces and plunge pools, hammam, multi-level steam room “Bochka”... You can choose any of the baths You can enjoy yourself accompanied by professional bath attendants who know how to properly warm up the body and steam, and will also complement your experience with the use of aromatic oils, massage, peeling and other luxurious spa treatments. We will stay in a stylish hotel at the bathhouse complex on the first day of the trip. The designer interiors of local rooms and hot steam rooms will set you up for a further vacation.
Rafting on the Shuya River
Even people without special training can raft down the rapids of the deep-water Shuya.
It is ideal for your first introduction to water sports, and the surrounding landscapes - pine forests and picturesque beaches - will be a great addition to the adrenaline of rafting. The adventure begins 40 km from Petrozavodsk, at the threshold of Yumanishka. Here, experienced instructors will provide instructions and select suitable equipment for everyone. The low level of difficulty means that even children can go rafting, so it's truly fun for the whole family! Stormy waters, splashes of cool water, fresh air and unique Karelian nature, and at the end of the rafting - a picnic by the fire with aromatic fish soup! If desired, you can arrange fishing on this day: at the Shuya rapids you can catch pike, perch and pike perch.
Food: Karelian fish soup made from fresh fish
Transport: business class cars, Mercedes V-class minibus
Water element
Extreme
Forests and open spaces
Mountain Park "Ruskeala"
We start from the Sortavala station on the atmospheric retro train “Ruskeala Express”.
On the way to the mountain park, you can enjoy the surrounding views and taste traditional Karelian teas, jams, and hot pastries. Arriving at the station, you transfer to a horse-drawn carriage and go on a sightseeing tour of the park. The central object of “Ruskeala” is, of course, the Marble Canyon. The open quarry is filled with water, from which colorful rocks rise, surrounded by coniferous and birch forests. Previously, marble was mined here, which was used, among other things, for cladding the St. Isaac's and Kazan Cathedrals in St. Petersburg. If you wish, you can go on a boat trip along the emerald waters of Lake Marmara or go underground into abandoned adits and follow the path of mountain masters.
Meals: in a restaurant of Karelian cuisine.
Transport: retro train “Ruskeala Express”
Panoramic views
An excursion into the past
Marble patterns
By boat to Valaam and the skerries
Lake Ladoga is truly the pearl of Karelia, a must-see in this region.
After a delicious breakfast we will go to the pier, from where we will take a boat to the island of Valaam. Here, surrounded by forests, rocks and small forest lakes, is the Valaam Monastery. A visit to it and a tour of the territory will be interesting even for those who are neutral about religion. After all, Valaam is not only a spiritual center, but also a fascinating history, closely intertwined with the history of our country, as well as picturesque views and an indescribable atmosphere of untouched nature, harmoniously combined with the majestic buildings of the monastery. On the way back we will see the famous Ladoga skerries: secluded creeks and bays among the numerous islands scattered across the surface of the lake. If you wish, you can go ashore on one of the islands to take beautiful photos and swim in the cool, invigorating water.
Meals: picnic in the open air with a view of Ladoga
Transport: Yamaha speed boat
Cozy skerries
Harmony
Space
Park Hotel Dacha Wintera
It combines the highest standards of service, the rich history of the region and its traditions.
The Park Hotel "Dacha Wintera" is harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape and at the same time is literally a working museum: it contains interior items, photographs and documents from the beginning of the 20th century, when the dacha of the outstanding doctor Gustav Winter was located here. You can choose accommodation in hotel rooms (including junior suites and suites) or accommodation in cottages and townhouses with a terrace. The hotel restaurant will introduce you to traditional Karelian cuisine, and its panoramic windows offer breathtaking views of Lake Ladoga with its beautiful skerries.
By boat to Kizhi island
Kizhi is an island in Lake Onega, which is interesting primarily for its incredible wooden architecture.
Here are real masterpieces of wooden architecture - houses and outbuildings, churches and chapels. Supplemented with objects of traditional life, they allow you to get an idea of how people lived in the villages of the Russian North for a long time. During the excursion around Kizhi we will see monuments of wooden architecture, including the famous three-hundred-year-old temple “without a single nail.” You will witness the fascinating process of restoration of historical heritage, learn a lot of interesting things about local crafts, and plunge into the peasant life of these unusual places. A trip to Kizhi will appeal even to those who consider themselves indifferent to architecture: here you can visit the museum, taste the local cuisine, stroll through fields and ancient villages, go to the chapel or climb the bell tower to see the island and the Onega skerries from a dizzying height.
Meals: lunch in a restaurant (traditional cuisine of Karelia)
Transport: Yamaha speed boat
Rest the body
Relaxation
Mental harmony
Jeep tour to Girvas and Kivach volcanoes
The Kivach Nature Reserve was created around the waterfall of the same name, the second largest flat waterfall in Europe.
The non-freezing waterfall on the Suna River is the majesty of stormy water, the sound of whirlpools, caps of snow-white foam, paths on rocky shores. We will also go in prepared jeeps to the oldest volcano in the world: scientists estimate that Girvas is about three billion years old! The trip to the crater itself is also an adventure: wild places, high-speed sections, sand dunes, protected forests and even conquering a rapid on the Suna River await you. We will climb Mount Sampo and the Girvas hydroelectric power station to enjoy panoramic views and capture them in photographs. By the way, Mount Sampo is considered a place of power. According to legend, you can make any wish here (and to be completely sure, shout it from the top), and it will definitely come true!
Meals: picnic overlooking the volcano.
Transport: individual transport Land Cruiser 200
Stormy waterfall
Speed and adrenaline
Places of power
Hotel complex "Ladoga Estate"
Premium resort on the shores of Lake Ladoga, surrounded by rocky hills and forests, in the cozy Niemelyanhovi Bay.
There is an amazing atmosphere of peace and unity with nature here, and the interiors of the rooms and cottages will please even the most demanding guests: spacious and bright rooms are equipped with everything necessary. You can also visit the Ladoga restaurant, cook your own aromatic dishes in the barbecue area, relax in solitude on the terrace, go for a walk along the eco-trail or relax in the sauna complex. For guests with children, the complex has a “Creative Living Room” with a variety of activities, an ornitarium, a squirrel farm, and a children’s playground.
Husky and reindeer nurseries
For the northern regions, dog sledding is an important tradition.
We will go to the husky kennel, where you will learn more about these amazing, hardy and beautiful dogs, listen to the story of an experienced musher about the intricacies of their training, have the opportunity to ride a sled along a prepared picturesque route (only in the winter season, as a passenger or musher), do beautiful photos and recharge yourself with positivity. In addition to dogs, the farms are also home to majestic reindeer, which you can feed by hand. You can also ride a reindeer sled. If desired, we can visit a Sami village with traditional dwellings of the northern peoples - yarangas and chums, get acquainted with the life of the northern nomads, and take a photo with polar bears.
Meals: culinary master class on preparing traditional dishes
Transport: business class cars, Mercedes V-class minibus
Friendly animals
Life of the Sami
Dog sled
Ahvenkoski waterfalls
Despite their small size (the height difference is only 3-4 m), the water cascades impress with their beauty: snow-white foam and gray rocks covered with moss, the green of coniferous forests - this bright palette seems to have come out of the paintings of an inspired artist and will definitely be remembered for a long time.
The local landscapes may seem familiar, as they were depicted in the famous film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” and the fantasy thriller “The Dark World”. You can look at the waterfalls, take beautiful pictures and touch the magic of the surrounding forests while walking along the “Alley of Fairy Tales” eco-trail. Part of the route passes over suspended wooden bridges over rough waters.
Meals: Karelian cuisine in a restaurant à la carte
Transport: business class cars, Mercedes V-class minibus
Colors of nature
Sound of water
Fairy tales and legends
Eco-hotel “Point on the map”
"A point on the map.
Priozersk" is a unique design hotel on Cape Mayachny, with indescribable aesthetics and a convenient location. The hotel has been repeatedly awarded national awards. All rooms have separate entrances and panoramic windows, so you can feel truly at one with nature. Natural materials were used in the design. On the territory there are private barbecue gazebos, a cafe with original cuisine, and a rental office for sports equipment. Here you can enjoy the cleanest air of a pine forest, decent service and thoughtful ergonomics of spacious rooms.
Solovetsky Islands acquaintance with Belukha whales
If you are going to Karelia for a week or longer, be sure to set aside 2-3 days in your program for a trip to the Solovetsky Archipelago in the White Sea.
The first traces of human presence on the islands date back to the 6th BC, and in the 15th century a famous monastery was founded here and the first churches were built. In the 20th century, the notorious Solovetsky camp was located on Solovki, where criminal and political prisoners were kept. But the Solovetsky Islands are not only about religion and dark pages of history. They are notable for their amazing nature and picturesque views. From Cape Beluzhy you can see adult white whales and the whale “nurseries” where newborn belugas are nursed. On Hare Island there are mysterious stone labyrinths covered with moss and grass. Their origin and purpose are unknown, but of course there are many legends associated with this place. You can also go on boat trips on the islands' inland lakes.
Transport: speed boats to go to the islands and observe the Beluga whales
Religion and history
Meeting the whales
Secrets
Karelian cuisine
Karelian, or Eastern Finnish cuisine is an amazing combination of cooking from many peoples inhabiting this region: Karelians, Vepsians, Izhorians, and neighboring Finland.
While traveling around Karelia, you will definitely try numerous authentic dishes that use the gifts of nature: wild plants, berries, and, of course, fish - the basis of the local diet. Karelian fish soup, kalaruoka, deserves special attention; it is prepared differently in different parts of the region: it can be, for example, milk fish soup or “spring fish soup”, the bitterness of which is removed by straining the broth through birch charcoal. It’s worth trying the legendary kalitka, a “Karelian pie” made from rye dough and with a variety of fillings. And the fragrant fish pies are notable for the fact that, according to the classic recipe, unpeeled fish with scales is placed there
Fish dishes
Unique combinations
Palette of tastes
Choose the right format
Ready-made program or individual adventure?
Getting to know Karelia Most Popular
from 230,000 ₽
per person / from 5 days- Accommodation in the best hotels in Karelia
- Outdoor picnics on excursions
- Transfers in a comfortable car
- Personal guide throughout the tour
- On a boat on Lake Onega to Kizhi
- On a boat to Valaam and along the skerries of Ladoga
- Ruskeala and a trip on the Ruskeala Express
- Akhvenkoski waterfalls and tour of Sortovala
- Rafting on Shuya or husky and deer nursery
- Lots of Karelian cuisine and fish
Premium tour with helicopter Most Popular
from 490,000 ₽
per person / from 5 days- Accommodation in the best hotels in Karelia
- Transfer by business class car/SUV
- Individual menu for every day
- Karelian dinners from the chef
- Personal guide throughout the tour
- Drive racing cars on the racetrack
- Ruskeala and premium compartment on a retro train
- Helicopter ride to Valaam or Kizhi
- Yacht trip to Valaam or Kizhi
Corporate adventure Most Popular
individually
any dates/durationCONDITIONS FOR GROUPS OF 7 PEOPLE- Complete an interview with an expert on the region (20-30 minutes) and we will create a personalized tour for you.
- The program you will receive is thought out to the smallest detail: accommodation, transport, timing, map of the day, menu, list of specialists involved.
- A corporate adventure can be of any length. We have extensive experience working with corporate and VIP groups.
