All Shades
of Karelia

The day will start with the city tour around Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, Petrozavodsk is the same age as St. Petersburg. And it is also an important port city with access to 5 seas. Standing on the bank of Lake Onega, the city has a beautiful embankment offering wonderful views. During the walk through the embankment, you will not only admire the immense water surface of Lake Onega, but also the distinctive feature of this place: extraordinary sculptures “Wish Tree”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Fishermen” and “Wallet”. You will also get acquainted with the architectural sights of the city in the historic centre.

Later on, we will have an excursion to the wooden architecture museum on Kizhi Island. The territory of the museum is giant. There are numerous wooden buildings, some of them preserved from the 17th century. Wooden houses, churches, mills help to imagine the mode of life of peasants of that time. The most famous building is the Church of the Transfiguration with its striking silvery domes. After a fire destroyed the original church, it was built again in 1714 without using a single piece of metal, but instead small wooden pegs that acted as nails and resisted wear. The guide will tell you more interesting facts and some peculiar details about wooden architecture.

Early in the morning tourists will be transferred to Sortavala – a port city on the shore of Lake Ladoga, almost on the border with Finland. Sortavala differs from other cities of Karelia as at different times it was under the authority of three different countries: Sweden, Finland and Russia. 

Sortavala will be a starting point of our journey to the Valaam Islands by hydrofoil. Surrounded from all sides by water, removed from the bustle of the world, it seems that Valaam is created for a quiet, monastic life. The first monks settled here in the 10th century and founded the Valaam Monastery. It is now the main sight of the islands. 

The next point on the route is Ruskeala Mountain Park. It strikes everyone with its picturesque marble cliffs and their reflection in the light green water of perfectly clean lakes. A lot of architectural masterpieces in St Petersburg, like St Isaac’s Cathedral, are built with the use of Ruskeala marble. At the end of the day, the group will get back to Petrozavodsk to pack suitcases and have some rest before the next day’s adventures.

Surrounded by the taiga forest, Kivach Waterfall is the highlight of the Karelia area. It stays unfrozen even in winter. Its milky-white streams are bumping into rocky banks with a roar. Thanks to the unique ecosystem of the reserve tourists will be able not only to enjoy breathtaking landscapes but also to feel its crystal clear air.

After spending much time in the fresh, without any doubt, you will be very hungry. Luckily we have planned a lunch. And you will not only fill up but also try a famous Russian dish – shashlik (grilled meat).

In the second part of the day we are going to see the ancient volcano Girvas. The volcano and the dense pine forests surrounding it create a stunning view. The oldest rocks and thick sandy deposits date back to the Ice Age. After visiting Girvas, tourists head to a new city – Kem’.

Let’s experience a cruise around the Onega Bay “Kem’ – Solovki – Kuzova”. From the Kemsky region, the ship will take you to the water area of the Solovetsky archipelago with an approach to the main sights to make some astonishing shots.

Kem (literally “Big River”) is an old town at the mouth of the river of the same name. During the years of Stalinist repressions, there was a transit point in the city through which prisoners of the Solovetsky camp passed by. On the way to Solovki, tourists will visit the Kuzova archipelago. The archipelago is also a reserve that preserves the landscapes and unique flora and fauna of the White Sea islands.

The pearl of the cruise is the famous Solovetsky islands or Solovki. The main sight here is the Solovetsky Monastery. Founded in the 15th century, it was a pilgrimage destination for many people before the Soviet regime. Till 1939 the monastery was used as a labor camp for opposition and criminals. The Solovetsky Islands are a kind of monument to the human spirit. Only people with great willpower and iron character could survive here.

Say goodbye to the wonderful place that gave you unforgettable emotions. Our journey comes to an end. You will be transferred to the railway station for departure.