RDK1. Silver Ring of Karelia

Tour duration: 5 days

Months of Operation: June-August

Recommended Group Size: 1-9 pax

Mode of Travel: car (2 pax)/minibus (3-9 pax), train, hyfrofoil, motor ship

Day 1.

06:50 Arrival in Petrozavodsk by train from St.Petesburg. Meeting with the guide. Breakfast in the restaurant of Petrozavodsk.

08:30 City tour "The City of Peter the Great": Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, is a pretty and calm city situated on the shore of a beautiful Lake Onega. During the city tour you will visit the historic centre of Petrozavodsk with its major sights and walk along the embankment of Lake Onega. Photo stop near the monument to Peter the Great.

11:30 Transfer to Kizhi Island by hydrofoil (1 hour 15 minutes).

12:45 Excursion in the Kizhi open-air museum of wooden architecture and cultural history. 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 with the magnificent 22-dome church which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Lunch boxes.

15:45 Departure for Petrozavodsk.

17:00 Arrival in Petrozavodsk. Transfer to the Onego Palace Hotel 4*. Accommodation.

19:00 Dinner at the hotel. (BLD)

Day 2.

Today you will wake up early in the morning to make an unforgettable trip to Valaam Island.

06:30 Departure for Sortavala (250 km). Boxed breakfast.

10:30 Arrival in Sortavala.

11:00 Transfer to the Valaam Monastery by hydrofoil (50 minutes).

12:00 Excursion program around the Central Monastery Complex. Today you will get acquainted with one of the main orthodox sacred places in Russia and visit its cathedral of the Transfiguration. In a small cozy church above the Holy Gates you will listen to the singing of the Valaam choir that reflects the spiritual atmosphere of the place. After a walk around the monastery complex you will also visit one of the sketes and try simple monastic food during the lunch in the monastery's refectory.

17:00 Departure to Sortavala by hydrofoil (50 minutes).

18:00 Dinner in Sortavala.

23:00 Arrival in Petrozavodsk. (BLD)

Day 3.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:30 Departure for Kem (500 km).

On the way a short stop in the Kivatch Nature Reserve. You will see the second largest plain waterfall in Europe and listen to the melody of its roaring waters. You will also visit the museum of nature, get acquainted with the wildlife of Karelian taiga and walk along the alley of well-known Karelian birches.

14:00 Lunch in Medvezhyegorsk.
17:00. Excursion to one of the most favourite tourist routes "Belomorsk Petroglyphs". It is an archeological complex comprising over 2000 images of wild animals, sea animals, people and boats including the oldest images of a skiing man not only in Northern Europe but in the whole world. During the excursion you will make a trip to the Karelian past and comprehend the mysteries of the Stone Age people.

20:30 Accommodation at the Pritchal Hotel in Kem. Dinner at the hotel. (BLD)

Day 4.

Breakfast.

07:30 Boarding time.

08:00 Departure for Solovky by boat (3 h).

11:30 Walking excursion round the Central Architectural Complex of the Solovetsky Monastery. You will learn the unique history of one of the most northern monasteries of Russia, observe the massive walls and towers of the Solovetsky Kremlin, outstanding for the Middle Ages household achievements of the monastery and its austere white stone churches.

14:00 Welcome lunch. Free time on the island.

17:00 Boarding time.

17:30 Departure for Kem.

20:30 Accommodation at the Prichal Hotel. Dinner at the hotel. (BLD)

Day 5.

Breakfast boxes.

Legend: B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner.

All the times are local.

Fixed dates in 2012:

13-17/06, 13-17/07, 16-20/08

Costs – 2012:

EUR 983 per person for joining in a fixed group.

Included:

• accommodation at TWN standard room

• meals per programme

• excursion programme with entrance fee included

• transport service during all the programme

• English-speaking guide (other languages on request)

• hydrofoil Petrozavodsk – Kizhi – Petrozavodsk, Sortavala – Valaam – Sortavala

• motor ship Kem – Solovky – Kem

Not included:

• air tickets

• train tickets

• insurance

Supplements, EUR per person:

- accommodation at SGL room: +89

• overnight train tickets, per person:

Note:

1) All the costs are valid at the date of publication and are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking.

2) Ladies visiting Russian Orthodox acting monasteries should have skirts and head scarfs.

3) Hotel rates might be increased for some periods.