RDK4. A Short Trip to Karelia

           

Type: Discovery

Tour duration: 3 days

Months of Operation: June-August

Recommended Group Size: 1-9 pax

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

Itinerary

Day 1.

Arrival in Petrozavodsk in the morning by train from St.Petesburg or from Moscow. Meeting with the guide. Breakfast in the restaurant of Petrozavodsk.

11:15 Transfer to the pier for tour to Kizhi (guide assists clients for embarkation but don't accompany them to Kizhi).

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 (local guide meet clients at the entrance for museum). 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. 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.

Transfer to the Onego Castle hotel 3*. Accommodation. (BL)

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 Arrival in Sortavala. Transfer to Petrozavodsk.

22:00 Arrival in Petrozavodsk. Overnight at the hotel. (BL)

Day 3.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.

09:30 Departure for Kivatch Nature Reserve (82 km from Petrozavodsk).

11:00 You will see the second largest plain waterfall in Europe and listen to the melody of its roaring waters. You will also get acquainted with the wildlife of Karelian taiga and walk along the alley of well-known Karelian birches.

16:00 Excursion to one of the Russian North wooden architecture pearls - Church of the Assumption in Kondopoga town (1774). Transfer to Petrozavodsk.

18:00 Arrival in Petrozavodsk railway station. (B)

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

All the times are local.

Costs  - 2012:

Group, PAX	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Cost per person, EUR	716	656	580	534	517	494	476	463

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

Supplements, EUR per person:

• accommodation at SGL room: +46

• overnight train tickets, per person:

Destination	4-berth compartment	TWN accommodatio
Moscow-Petrozavodsk	+136	+272
St.Petersburg-Petrozavodsk	+58	+116

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.