Karelia Tour: Discover the Natural Beauty of Russian Karelia
Travel through the untouched landscapes of Russian Karelia, a land of lakes, forests, and wooden architecture. This tour takes you to UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient monasteries, and breathtaking natural parks, offering a peaceful and authentic journey into one of Russia’s most scenic regions.
Tour Overview
The Karelia Tour is a guided journey through one of the most scenic and unspoiled regions of Northern Russia. Known for its vast lakes, dense forests, wooden architecture, and ancient monasteries, Russian Karelia offers a perfect balance of nature, culture, and history.
This tour is ideal for travelers looking to explore authentic landscapes, UNESCO heritage sites, and peaceful northern scenery away from mass tourism.
This tour is ideal for travelers looking to explore authentic landscapes, UNESCO heritage sites, and peaceful northern scenery away from mass tourism.
Where Is Karelia
Karelia is located in Northwestern Russia, near the Finnish border, between Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga, the two largest lakes in Europe.
The region is famous for its pristine nature, fresh air, and strong cultural identity shaped by both Russian and Nordic influences.
The region is famous for its pristine nature, fresh air, and strong cultural identity shaped by both Russian and Nordic influences.
Tour Highlights
During the Karelia tour, you will experience:
- Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, set on the shores of Lake Onega
- Kizhi Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wooden churches
- Kinerma, one of the most beautiful traditional villages in Russia
- Sortavala, a charming town near the Finnish border
- Valaam Archipelago, home to an ancient Orthodox monastery
- Ruskeala Mountain Park and the spectacular Marble Canyon
Kizhi Island: UNESCO Wooden Architecture
Kizhi Island is one of the most important cultural landmarks in Russia. The open-air museum features extraordinary wooden churches and houses built without a single nail.
Surrounded by Lake Onega, Kizhi represents the soul of traditional northern Russian architecture.
Surrounded by Lake Onega, Kizhi represents the soul of traditional northern Russian architecture.
Valaam Monastery & Lake Ladoga
The Valaam Archipelago, located on Lake Ladoga, is a place of spiritual and natural beauty.
The historic monastery, peaceful forests, and rocky shores make this visit one of the most memorable experiences of the tour.
The historic monastery, peaceful forests, and rocky shores make this visit one of the most memorable experiences of the tour.
Ruskeala Marble Canyon
The Ruskeala Marble Canyon is one of Karelia’s most impressive natural attractions. Former marble quarries have transformed into a stunning park with turquoise water, cliffs, tunnels, and waterfalls.
A visit to Ruskeala combines nature, history, and unique landscapes.
A visit to Ruskeala combines nature, history, and unique landscapes.
Itinerary Overview
The tour follows a well-balanced itinerary including:
- Arrival in Petrozavodsk
- Full-day excursion to Kizhi Island
- Visit to Kinerma village and transfer to Sortavala
- Boat trip to Valaam Monastery
- Exploration of Ruskeala Mountain Park
- Departure or return to Saint Petersburg
Accommodation & Services
The tour includes accommodation in comfortable 3 or 4-star hotels in Petrozavodsk and Sortavala. Transportation, guided visits, entrance tickets, and selected meals are included, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Who This Tour Is For
The Karelia Tour is perfect for:
- Nature and landscape lovers
- Cultural and history travelers
- Photographers
- Travelers seeking peaceful, off-the-beaten-path destinations
Detailed Day-by-Day Program – Karelia Tour (6 Days / 5 Nights)
Day 1 – Arrival in Petrozavodsk
Arrival in Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Republic of Karelia, located on the shores of Lake Onega.
Meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, a short walk along the Onega embankment to enjoy views of the lake and the northern atmosphere.
Overnight in Petrozavodsk.
Day 2 – Kizhi Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for a full-day excursion to Kizhi Island, one of the most important cultural sites in Northern Russia. Visit the open-air museum of wooden architecture, including the famous Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 domes, built entirely without nails.
Return to Petrozavodsk in the afternoon.
Overnight in Petrozavodsk.
Day 3 – Kinerma Village – Sortavala
Breakfast and check-out.
Travel to Kinerma, one of the most beautiful traditional villages in Russia, known for its well-preserved wooden houses and authentic Karelian lifestyle. Guided visit and meeting with local residents.
Continuation to Sortavala, a charming town near the Finnish border with Nordic architectural influences.
Overnight in Sortavala.
Day 4 – Valaam Archipelago & Monastery
Breakfast at the hotel.
Boat excursion to the Valaam Archipelago, located on Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe. Visit the historic Valaam Monastery, surrounded by forests, rocky shores, and peaceful landscapes.
Free time to explore the island and enjoy its spiritual atmosphere.
Return to Sortavala. Overnight.
Day 5 – Ruskeala Mountain Park & Marble Canyon
Breakfast.
Excursion to Ruskeala Mountain Park, one of Karelia’s most spectacular natural attractions. Visit the famous Marble Canyon, with turquoise waters, marble cliffs, tunnels, and waterfalls.
Optional activities include a retro train ride or underground quarry tour (on request).
Return to Sortavala. Overnight.
Day 6 – Departure
Breakfast and check-out.
Transfer to the railway station or continuation toward Saint Petersburg (optional extension).
End of the Karelia Tour.
Arrival in Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Republic of Karelia, located on the shores of Lake Onega.
Meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, a short walk along the Onega embankment to enjoy views of the lake and the northern atmosphere.
Overnight in Petrozavodsk.
Day 2 – Kizhi Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for a full-day excursion to Kizhi Island, one of the most important cultural sites in Northern Russia. Visit the open-air museum of wooden architecture, including the famous Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 domes, built entirely without nails.
Return to Petrozavodsk in the afternoon.
Overnight in Petrozavodsk.
Day 3 – Kinerma Village – Sortavala
Breakfast and check-out.
Travel to Kinerma, one of the most beautiful traditional villages in Russia, known for its well-preserved wooden houses and authentic Karelian lifestyle. Guided visit and meeting with local residents.
Continuation to Sortavala, a charming town near the Finnish border with Nordic architectural influences.
Overnight in Sortavala.
Day 4 – Valaam Archipelago & Monastery
Breakfast at the hotel.
Boat excursion to the Valaam Archipelago, located on Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe. Visit the historic Valaam Monastery, surrounded by forests, rocky shores, and peaceful landscapes.
Free time to explore the island and enjoy its spiritual atmosphere.
Return to Sortavala. Overnight.
Day 5 – Ruskeala Mountain Park & Marble Canyon
Breakfast.
Excursion to Ruskeala Mountain Park, one of Karelia’s most spectacular natural attractions. Visit the famous Marble Canyon, with turquoise waters, marble cliffs, tunnels, and waterfalls.
Optional activities include a retro train ride or underground quarry tour (on request).
Return to Sortavala. Overnight.
Day 6 – Departure
Breakfast and check-out.
Transfer to the railway station or continuation toward Saint Petersburg (optional extension).
End of the Karelia Tour.
Discover the True Beauty of Russian Karelia
Experience pristine nature, UNESCO heritage sites, and authentic northern culture on a carefully designed journey through Karelia. Travel with local experts and enjoy a smooth, inspiring, and unforgettable tour.
