Karelia is one of the best places to truly immerse yourself in the Russian winter. When snow covers lands and forests, Karelia transforms into a magical place with frozen lakes, scenic views and fresh, frosty air. Many winter activities are available during the tour: snowmobiling, skiing, dog-sledding, ice-fishing and many others. The capital of Karelia, Petrozavodsk, is in 400 km north-east from St. Petersburg, the journey by fast train ‘Lastochka’ takes only about 5 hours. Those, who like nature and adventures, can combine such a tour with a visit to Moscow and St.Petersburg heading to Karelia from Ladozhsky train station in St.Petersburg. We can offer best country clubs and hotels for accommodation, professional guides and instructors, comfortable transportation and traditional Karelian meals. The best time to travel is from mid-December till mid-March.
05:40 Check out of a Hotel in St.Peterburg with luggage and transfer to Ladozhsky Train Station
06:32 Departure by a fast train ‘Sapsan’ to Petrozavodsk, capital of Karelia
11:50 Arrive to Petrozavodsk. Meet and greet with local guide.
Petrozavodsk city-tour
This tour includes main attractions of the city, including 19th century Governour’s palace, monument to Peter the Great, Lake Onega embankment and a famous open-air Museum of Modern Sculpture.
Lunch in the city restaurant,, tasting of the Karelian national dishes.
Transfer to one of the country-clubs (30-80 km from Petrozavodsk). Checking into hotel / or cottage
Free time (skates, skies, sleighs are available for rent)
Optional: Master class in cooking traditional Karelian pastries – ‘kalitka”. Tea drinking with cooked pastries.
Dinner in the restaurant of country club
AM Meeting the snowmobile instructor. A short training course on safety measures and a test drive.
Circle snowmobile route in the forest. We can arrange snowmobile drives for up to 80 km depending on the group skills.*
Lunch
Free time for winter activities / or ice fishing
Dinner (pre-set)
Bathhouse with a special steam procedure (3 hours)
*in Feb-March, when ice on Lake Onega is hard enough, we can also arrange a 2 day Snowmobile Safari to Kizhi Island with overnight in a comfortable guest-house.
Kizhi is one of the best-known open-air historical, architectural and ethnographic museums in Karelia. The main attraction is the Kizhi architectural ensemble, an outstanding monument of folk architecture included into the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
Check out
AM Drive with luggage to the Kivach waterfall
Tour the Kivach Reserve, exploring the waterfall, visiting the Nature Museum and the avenue of Karelian birch.
Kivach waterfall – the second largest plain waterfall in Europe – falls in four ledges from the height of 10,7 m. The name of the waterfall comes from the Karelian word ‘kivas’ – a snow mountain.
Transfer to the Husky dog kennel – the starting point of the dog sledding safari
A group of several sleds will move along the route of 5-10 km, the guide’s sled will move ahead to ensure your safety. You can manage the sled yourself or enjoy the ride as a passenger.
Lunch
16:00Transfer to Petrozavodsk (80 km) to catch 18:00 fast train to St. Petersburg*
Dinner on the train (packed dinner)
22:56 Arrive to St. Petersburg, Ladozhsky Station
*you can also depart for Moscow by 22:00 overnight train arriving at 08:52 next morning
Transfer to Hotel, check in
Order of tours may change depending on accommodation.
Upon request, this programme can be extended for sightseeing in St. Petersburg / or Moscow
191186, St.Petersburg, MALAYA MORSKAYA st., 11 office 406