Grand Karelia Tour

Breakfast.
~09:00 - Today we travel to the land of Karelian people, traditional inhabitants of Karelia. We stop at the historical village of Kinerma to visit the Karelian family. Our host will show the village and tell us about the history, culture and lifestyle of local people. Lunch is served in the typical house and includes local meals.
~16:30 - Tour to the marble quarries of Ruskeala which were the source of stone for St.Petersburg palaces. Nowadays it's an open-air Mountain Park where we can enjoy beautiful views of the white marble and emerald water.
Overnight at the hotel in Sortavala.
(B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel.
~09:00 - In the morning we take a boat for the tour of Valaam Island and Monastery.
~10:00 - Upon arrival we visit the central Transfiguration Cathedral, the Church of the Resurrection, observe fairy-tale Gethsemane Skete, and enjoy the beautiful forests and lake landscapes of the Island. In between of the tours the Monastery choir performs a short but impressive concert of the church songs. Lunch is served at the refectory and includes typical monastery meals such as vegetarian soup and fish.
~16:00 - Return to Sortavala and drive to Petrozavodsk.
Overnight at the hotel in Petrozavodsk.
(B, L)

~08:00 - After breakfast we start our trip towards the White Sea (~450 km from Petrozavodsk).
~09:30 - The first stop is made to visit the Kivach Waterfalls and Nature Reserve in 90 km from Petrozavodsk. We will observe the Waterfall and take a walking tour along the ecological trail in the protected part of the Reserve
~14:00 - Visit the village of Povenets, observe the White Sea - Baltic Canal built in Stalin's time mainly by Gulag prisoners and Sandermokh Gulag memorial.
~19:00 - Accommodation at the hotel "Prichal" located right by the White Sea coast in the town of Kem.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kem.
(B, L, D)

Breakfast.
~08:00 - Departure by boat for Solovetsky Island.
~10:00 - Arrival at Solovetsky Island, transfer to the hotel.
~14:00 - Walking tour of Solovetsky Monastery. During the tour we learn about the history of the medieval Monastery, visit its cathedrals and churches, walls and towers of Solovetsky Kremlin (fortress).
Evening is free. We can walk around the village and visit nearby sights such as Maritime Museum, Gulag Museum or the White Sea coast where we may spot some sea birds and occasional seals.
~19:00 - Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
(B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
~10:00 - Tour to Zayatsky Island. It is a small tranquil island in about 45 minutes boat ride from the Monastery. The main places of interest of Zayatsky, covered with the tundra-type vegetation are its mysterious stone labyrinths dating back about 4000 years and a small wooden church of St. Andrew (1702).
Transfer to the pier.
~16:00 - Departure for Kem
~18:00 - Arrival in Kem. Dinner and transfer to the train station for the evening train to St.Petersburg leaving at 20:25 (arrival St.Petersburg next day at about 12:00 noon).
Train for Moscow leaves on the next day early in the morning, extra night in Kem is required.
(B, D)

1. Accommodation at the hotels (rooms with en-suite WC and shower);
2. Car/bus and boat transfers as per itinerary;
3. Meals as per itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner);
4. Entrance fees and tours as per itinerary;
5. English-speaking tour leader and local guides' services;

1. Train tickets;
2. Not mentioned meals;
3. Optional tours and visits.