ACTIVE ST PETERSBURG TO KARELIA TOUR

DAY 1: INTRODUCTION TO ST PETERSBURG

Start getting to know St Petersburg from its artistic side. In the morning visit Hermitage – one of the biggest and oldest museums of art and culture in the world. Collections feature over 3 million masterpieces, presenting the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century.

In case you are more into contemporary art, instead of Hermitage, we will show you the modern side of the city, with its hip galleries, design boutiques and art cafes.

After lunch, go for a sightseeing tour around St Petersburg. Mix the touristy must see’s with more alternative spots known only to locals. Walk along The Nevsky Avenue (Nevsky Prospekt), the main city of St Petersburg. Visit Kazan Cathedral – one of the most picturesque churches on Nevsky Prospekt. On the way, go slightly off the beaten path, and stop by typical local bars, see graffiti hidden in the courtyards and several beautiful small streets with impressive architecture. Take a picture of a breathtaking and colorful Church of the Savior on Blood (Tserkovʹ Spasa na Krovi). Climb the 300 steps up the colonnade of the St. Isaac Cathedral to admire a stunning panoramic view of the city.

DAY 2: VISIT IN PETERHOF

In the morning leave for a full-day trip to the Peterhof Palace commonly known as “Russian Versailles”, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Peterhof is a series of majestic palaces and colorful gardens located near Saint Petersburg. In the course of 200 years, it served as a summer residence of the Russian monarchs. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a setting for majestic receptions, grand festivities, balls, concerts, and masquerades. Visit the Grand Palace, walk along the green paths of the Upper and Lower Parks, pass by 150 various fountains and relax at the shore of the Gulf of Finland.

Transfer to the train station. Take an overnight train to Petrozavodsk (night on a train).

DAY 3: PETROZAVODSK AND KIZHI ISLAND

Arrival in Petrozavodsk the capital of Karelia Republic, meeting with the guide at the railway station and have breakfast.

City tour of Petrozavodsk. You will get acquainted with the history of the capital of Karelia and visit its major places of interest.

Departure for Kizhi Island by hydrofoil.

Excursion in the Kizhi Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture. Kizhi is one of the first open-air museums and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Russia. The pearl of the museum is its world-known wooden church ensemble which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.

You are going to visit an old restoration center. After that enjoy your lunch on the peaceful island. In the evening, you will have a transfer back to Petrozavodsk. Dinner, overnight.

DAY 4: TREKKING WITH HUSKY AND RAFTING!

Transfer to Karjala Park

Excursion in the husky farm. Instructions and safety measures. Huskies are the most human-friendly dogs in the world, so it won’t take long to make friends with them. The trail is about 3 km long and goes through the picturesque Karelian pine forest. Every member of the trekking group will get an ”own“ dog to get acquainted with.

Lunch with traditional Karelian meals – yammy!

After lunch, you will have a chance to enjoy the rafting: 10 km.

Dinner.

In the evening go and try Russian banya!

Overnight in the guesthouse.

DAY 5: JEEP TOUR AND TREKKING IN THE KIVACH NATURE RESERVE

Meeting with the guide and the instructor, transfer to Kondopoga by jeep. Upon arrival in Kondopoga, you will get acquainted with the ancient wooden church of Assumption. Built in 1774 the church is considered to be the swan song of the Russian wooden architecture. Of great interest are the iconostasis and the ceiling, covered with the original icons of the 18th century.

Arrival in the Kivach Nature Reserve.  Nature Reserve Kivach, founded in 1932, is one of the oldest in Russia. Its territory unites all the landscapes that you can meet in Karelia, 197 species of birds, 48 mammals, 18 species of fish and 569 plants including the famous Karelian birch. In the heart of the nature reserve lies picturesque waterfall Kivach, the second among the plain waterfalls in Europe.

Lunch

Arrival in the area of the annual off-road jeep festival. Briefing on safety measures after which you will try to drive your jeep. When everyone is ready you will try several off-road routes. The first one will be a sand sprint in the sand career. Then you will drive on the territory of the deserted runway and through Karelian taiga crossing the Suna River, you will come to the hydropower plant. This area has a very ancient history. Before the Ice Age that was the place, where Karelian volcanoes used to be situated. Even now traces of the ancient lava could be seen on the rocky shores of the Suna River.

On the way back to Petrozavodsk we will make a stop near Sampo Hill to enjoy a breathtaking panorama over Karelian taiga.

Fast train to St Petersburg (5 hours).

Transfer to the hotel, check-in, rest.

DAY 6: FAREWELL DAY

It’s time to say goodbye to Russia and St Petersburg!

Transfer to the airport, flight back home.

Also for nature lovers, we have some more incredible tours: to Lake Baikal or take our Trans-Siberian journey and get to know Russia!

•  Accommodation in 3* or 4* hotels with breakfast
•  Airport Transfers
•  Personal Guide
•  Private tours in cities

• Entry fees in museums
• Food and Beverages
• Train stations transfers
• Train tickets