GRAN TOUR OF KARELIA

GRAND TOUR OF KARELIA

1 day: Arrival, meeting with the Guide at the railway station, beginning of the “Grand tour of Karelia”. Breakfast in the city cafe. Petrozavodsk bus tour + Pedestrian walk to the open air museum of contemporary art (exhibition of sculptures on the embankment of Lake Onega).
During the tour you will know the history of the city and its modern appearance. Visiting the historic squares, a visit to Governor’s Park. The Cathedral of A. Nevsky and a walk along the embankment of Lake Onega. OPTIONAL: A trip on the “comet” around. Kizhi (1 hour 20 minutes on Lake Onega, 4 hours on the island) Kizhi is a pearl of Zaonezhie, located between the rocks of Kizhi. The main attraction of the island is the Museum of wooden architecture, in the center of which is the Kizhi Pogost ensemble. During the excursion on the island you will visit the traditional farm, you will learn a lot about Karelian handicrafts and traditions, listen to the bells and admire one of the main Orthodox sanctuaries in the north of Russia, the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus.
Return to Petrozavodsk. Dinner in the restaurant. Accommodation in the chosen hotel (rooms with all comforts). For those who do not go to Kizhi – accommodation from 14:00.

2nd day:Breakfast. Transfer to the city of Sortavala (250 km). During the tour – visiting the memorial “Poklonnaya Cross”, established in memory of the Winter War1939-1940. Arrival in Sortavala.
Departure for the Ladoga lake to the island of Valaam. (45 minutes on the road). AT THE COMPLETE VALAAM PROGRAMME: Excursion to the monastery’s central manor and excursion to the Skete Resurrection. Lunch in the refectory of the monastery. Valaam-North Athos, the holy dwelling, the magical land. At one time, N. Roerich, I. Shishkin, A. Kuindzhi, F. Tyutchev, representatives of the Romanov dynasty, prominent figures in the church, loved visiting Valaam. Valaam will not leave you indifferent! Return to Sortavala. SUPPLEMENT: an excursion to the Ruskeala mountain park – the famous marble canyon. Steep canyon marble walls make a strong impression on visitors. After the end of the tour – a visit to the Tohmina Falls, where the film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” was filmed. Arrival in Petrozavodsk.

3rd day: Breakfast in the hotel café. Departure for rafting. Rafting on rafts (inflatable rafts) along the Shuya River – 8 km distance, 4 rapids, 1 category of complexity. Safety is guaranteed by expert instructors. There are no age restrictions. Picnic in the nature – lunch. Return to Petrozavodsk.

4th day: Breakfast at the hotel’s café. Departure by a comfortable bus to Kem (470 km)
On the road – Excursion in the countryside to the Kivach reserve – the oldest in Russia and the first in Karelia. During the tour to the reserve you will see the most famous waterfall of Karelia – Kivach and the arboretum of the famous Karelian birch. Lunch in Medvezhyegorsk.
Arrival in Kem, accommodation at the hotel “Prychal”, located on the coast of the White Sea (rooms with private facilities)

5th day: Breakfast at the hotel’s café. Departure by ship for Solovki. White Sea transition (duration 2.5 hours). Arrival at the island. Excursion to the central manor of the monastery “History and architecture of the Solovetsky monastery”. Lunch. Free time. We advise you to visit: (payment on the spot) -Morskoy Museum and learn about the deep traditions of the maritime culture of Russia and the Solovetsky monastery. – Exhibition “Solovetsky camp and prison” and know the fate of Solovki prisoners. Return to Rabochaostrovsk. Overnight stay at the “Prichal” hotel.

6th day: Breakfast (packed lunch). Transfer to Kem train station. Departure by train to Moscow / St. Petersburg

The price includes: hotel accommodation, transport and 2 meals per day (except for the 6th day),
admissions to museums. It’s important:
2.check in at hotels after 14:00, check out before 12:00!
3. The agency reserves the right to change the order of the excursions without modifying the programme as a whole.
4. Excursions to the island of Kizhi, Valam and Solovki – depend on weather conditions. In case of force majeure (storm, fog) the excursions are canceled with the subsequent recalculation and refund.
5. When visiting holy places, please follow the dress code (a long skirt for women, a shawl, covered shoulders, trousers for men (not shorts) Foreign nationals will have to pay the registration fee on site.