Karelia is a very special place on the map of Russia. Museums, churches, palaces and fortresses – here they all fade into the background leaving place for the main landmark of the region – nature! Karelian nature fascinates, beckons and surprises each time even more. It literally breathes antiquity giving the phrase "touch history" a completely different meaning as these marble rocks, ancient volcanoes and waterfalls appeared here long before the first man. Our journey will let you “taste” this marvelous region day by day and step by step. The taste of homemade lunch, the smell of birch brooms in the bath, the sound of a waterfall, the warmth of a stone heated in the sun – this is what we call “Karelia testing”.
DAY 1. ST.PETERSBURG – RUSKEALA – PETROZAVODSK
- Meeting with your guide and departure by bus (310 km, 4 hrs)
- Excursion to the Ruskeala marble canyon
- Lunch in a restaurant in Sortavala
- Arrival in Petrozavodsk (240 km, 3 hrs)
- Check-in. Overnight in a hotel ***
DAY 2. MOUNT SAMPO – MARCIAL SPA – VOLCANO GIRVAS – THE KIVACJH FALLS
- Breakfast in the hotel
- Meeting with your guide, departure for excursions
- Mount Sampo ascent
- Visit of Marсial Waters Spa – the first health spa in Russia founded by Peter the Great – where you can taste local mineral water
- Trip to the ancient volcano Girvas
- Lunch in a café near the Kivach Fallls
- Trip to the Kivach Falls
- Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure
- Night in the hotel
DAY 3. LUNCH IN A LOCAL KARELIAN FAMILY – ST.PETERSBURG
- Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out, meeting with your guide
- Visiting of a local Karelian family, Russian bathhouse and home – cooked meal
- Departure by bus to Saint – Petersburg with several stops on the way
- Arrival in Saint Petersburg. End of our journey.
DURING THE TOUR YOU WILL SEE:
- Mountain park “Ruskeala” is a beautiful eco-park located in 30 km from Sortavala, former marble canyon, the development of which was started during the reign of Catherine II. All citizens and guests of Saint - Petersburg are familiar with Ruskeala’s marble: windowsills of the Hermitage, the floors of Kazan Cathedral, the facades facing of St. Isaak Cathedral and several metro stations are made of it. During the tour you’ll know about the history of this unique nature complex, take a stroll along the numerous hiking trails and arrange an unforgettable photo session in the background of marble rocks.
- Mount Sampo is a small hill, which you can climb by a comfortable wooden staircase, famous not only for its wonderful Konchezero lake view. In Karelian-Finnish mythology “sampo” is a magic item which gives happiness, power and wealth to its owner. It’s just impossible to visit Karelia and not make a wish on the top of this mountain!
- Resort Marcial waters is a balneological and mud resort located 50 Km from Petrozavodsk where you can taste healing mineral water. Mineral springs were discovered in these places under Peter I. They got the name in honor of Mars, the God of War, for their high iron content. A small wooden palace was built near the source for the emperor who frequently came there for treatment. Today a sanatorium called «Palaces» is located on its place.
- Volcano Girvas is the most ancient site in Karelia. This is an extinct volcano and its last eruption happened two billion years ago. The lava frozen around the crater covers an area of one square kilometer and the layer’s thickness is more than thirty meters. This is an amazing place where you can feel ruthlessness of time which erased six kilometers volcano to the level of the ground.
- Kivach waterfall is one of the largest flat falls in Europe. Its name is translated as powerful and impetuous. The waterfall is located in the center of the eponymous nature reserve, the first reserve in the Russian North which was created in 1931. This is the place where you can admire the beauty of the northern pristine nature.
- Visit of a local Karelian family. Today you are invited to lunch in a local family. The hospitable hostess will show you her house and land and cook a tasty lunch for you. Her husband will fire-up the wood-burning Russian sauna. Their cozy country house is located by the lake so you’ll have time to swim in or walk along the shore.
| The cost of such an event |  |
from 230 euro per pax (in groups from 30 pax) | |
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«TASTING»
During this easy and comfortable tour you will see the main attractions of St Petersburg and suburbs.- Share with friends:
