DAY 1 .

07:30-08:00 - departure from St. Petersburg.

07:30 - m. pl. Vosstaniya (Ligovsky Ave. 10, Bukvoed store)

08:00 - Ozerki metro station

10:30 arrival in the city of Priozersk.

Along the way, you will have a route excursion from a professional guide. You will learn Interesting Facts about these places, the history of the city. The city that was in different time part of several states and therefore has an amazing past.

11:00 Korela Fortress (external inspection).

They constantly tried to recapture the fortress and new structures were erected for defense. Now, in a modified form, you can see the towers that were built for additional strengthening.

13:30 Arrival in the city of Sortavala. Lunch (optional)

The city is located on the shores of Lake Ladoga, the largest and freshwater lake in Europe.

Sortavala old City, which has preserved the most beautiful ancient wooden and stone buildings built by famous Finnish architects at the beginning of the 20th century. During a bus tour of the city, you will learn the history, geography of the region and other noteworthy events associated with this place.

15:00 Visit to the popular Ruskeala waterfalls Akhvenkoski and the site of husky breeders

There are many reservoirs in Karelia. The region is famous for a considerable number of lakes and rivers, including the Tokhmajoki River. In the bed of the water artery there is the well-known Akhvenkoski waterfall in this direction. This small waterfall is located in most picturesque place and it’s not for nothing that this particular corner was chosen for the filming of famous films, for example, like “And the dawns here are quiet” and “Dark World”

It is also an ideal shooting location for photography enthusiasts and for a small additional fee you can walk across rope bridges.
Those interested will also be able to see real husky dogs, as well as take photos and chat with them.

16:30 Marble Canyon and Ruskeala Park

Briefly about the mountain park: re-rebirth mountain park started in the nineties. Then the territory of the quarry began to be improved and the park was considered as a tourist place.

Previously, Ruskeala was engaged in the extraction of stone, which was used for finishing metro stations in St. Petersburg and processing St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Nowadays the park is unique natural object with its paths examination
platforms, caves and underground passages.

How to start your visit to the park: Upon arrival at the park, you will be given a sightseeing tour with a local guide, who will tell you the history of this place in interesting and detail, take you through observation platforms and caves and adits, and also tell you what to do in the park in your free time. The excursion and entrance tickets to the park are included in the tour price.

What to do in the park in your free time: extended time after the excursion will provide an opportunity to take advantage additional services parka. There are boat rentals, trolling, the acclaimed Underground Space tour, bungee jumping, craft workshops and much more.

A walk through the park at a later time of day makes it even more favorable, since at these hours there are significantly fewer visitors.

21:00 Return to Sortavala. Check in hotel.

We offer cozy hotels in Sortavala or its suburbs. In the evening you can walk around the city or have dinner in one of the cafes.

DAY 2

7:30 - 8:30 Breakfast at the hotel (included in the price)

Check out from the hotel.

9:00 Meteor to Valaam island

The path along the lake will be absolutely comfortable and along the way you will enjoy the view of the extraordinary Ladoga skerries and expanses of water.

10.00 Arrival in Valaam. The main part of the island tour is 2 hours.

Your acquaintance with this place begins from the pier of Monastyrskaya Bay. From this part there is an extraordinary view of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, located on the very high point islands. Through Mount Tabor, a hill near the bay, we rise to the centuries-old monastery garden. And we will get to the holy gates by passing the Chapel of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”.

Adding to the impressions from the first part of the walk is the admiration from those around the cathedral: cells, a refectory, the oldest Assumption Church on the island and a monastery, the founders of which are considered to be the Wonderworkers - the Venerable Sergius and Herman of Valaam, their relics are still in the monastery.

12:30 lunch time in the refectory (included in the tour price)

13:30 The final part of the excursion lasting 2 hours

During the walk we will see the panorama opening from Nikon Bay to Ladoga lake. Let's go to the Resurrection Skete, for its red brick buildings, it is called the Red Skete. Also, for its similarity with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Israel, it is called the New Jerusalem.

During the excursion, which is conducted by the pilgrimage service, you will learn about the life of the monastery, the history and creation of the monasteries, we will see the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A journey through the holy island will leave a bright and serene feeling for everyone who visits Valaam.

18:30 - Museum complex "Mount Owl"
This is a real museum in the mountain. No quotes or ambiguity. Under exhibition halls The premises of a Finnish army command bunker from the Second World War, carved out inside a huge mountain, have been refurbished. We guarantee you have been to a place like this before!
The exhibitions are dedicated to the geology of Karelia and the two wars of the 20th century that swept through these regions. If the weather permits, museum guides are ready to conduct a “ground” tour of Karelia. Paths equipped with stairs lead to the very top granite rock To observation platforms, from which a cool view opens.

19:30 - Visit to the company store of trout farming and the store of Karelian balms and tinctures
It is customary to make a stop in the city of Lakhdenpokhya on the second day of the tour on the way to St. Petersburg. There are shops with delicious souvenirs from Karelia. They are traditionally asked to be visited by all tourists who respect their family and friends enough not to limit gifts from their trip to a refrigerator magnet. Since there were such requests regularly, we simply included a visit to these stores in the tour program. In the end, delicacies from the gifts Karelian nature- this is also a landmark that is so nice to get to know better.

23:00-23:30 - Approximate time of return to St. Petersburg
The first stop is Ozerki metro station. Ending station- metro station Ploshchad Vosstaniya.

07:30-08:00 – departure from St. Petersburg.
07:30 – m. pl. Vosstaniya (Ligovsky Ave. 10, Bukvoed store)
08:00 – Ozerki metro station

10:30 arrival in Priozersk.

On the way, you will get acquainted with the legends of the Karelian Isthmus, the history of the names of these places, and see the famous Losevsky rapids. The seething streams of water, which do not freeze even in winter, make an indelible impression! And in the city itself, a short technical stop and inspection of the fortress awaits you.

11:00 Medieval fortress of Korela (external inspection).

The first fortress, with earthen ramparts reinforced with oak logs, perished in a terrible fire that engulfed the entire city. It was restored and faced with granite already during the Swedish rule. At the same time, the main stone fortress buildings were erected - the Round Tower, the Powder Magazine, the Old Arsenal and others. Those who wish can visit the fortress from the inside for a nominal fee.

14:00 Arrival in the city of Sortavala. Lunch (optional)

We will arrive in the ancient city of Sortavala, which is famous for its unusual history and ancient architecture from different eras. You will be offered lunch at one of the best restaurants cities.


15:40 visit famous waterfalls Ahvenkoski on the Tohmajoki River and filming locations for famous films.

The Finnish name for the river means “rotation, vicissitude, changeability.” Now the water level has dropped significantly and its violent nature is visible only in the spring. But the picturesque views of the local waterfalls attract many film directors (the famous films “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” and “The Dark World”) were filmed here. You can walk along a specially equipped eco-trail to observation platforms around the waterfall. And those who wish can, for an additional fee, walk over the waterfalls along new suspension bridges. It makes for some incredible photos.


16:30 visit to the Ruskeala mountain park and Marble Canyon. Increased free time in the park. (A tour with a local specialist is included in the price of the program).

It was from these marble quarries that stone was mined for finishing St. Isaac's Cathedral and metro stations in St. Petersburg. Now Ruskeala is unique mountain park, man-made monument northern nature and history of mining. Around the lakes, resting in deep marble canyons, passes hiking trail. Here visitors get acquainted with the history of Ruskeala, admire the picturesque rocks and its emerald lake, visit the most mysterious and mysterious places marble quarry. You will see the famous “wishing platform”, where, according to tradition, the most cherished wishes are made.
Your visit to the park will begin with an educational tour with a local guide, who will take you throughout the park. Together with him you will visit impressive observation decks, come down to underground passages and caves, learn the history of marble mining and much more interesting things.
You will then have extended free time in the park so you can enjoy all the activities it has to offer amazing place. From boating and hanging out with husky dogs to extreme ziplining over the canyon. There is something for everyone.
Since visiting the park is slightly shifted towards evening time, at this time the number of tourists is already significantly less, which makes visiting the park even more comfortable.
New! Visit the new sensational route “Underground Space of Ruskeala”!
Due to high demand and limited capacity of the underground route, the number of places is very limited. If the guide does not have free places, you can try to purchase tickets for the underground route directly in the Ruskeala mountain park.

21:00 Return to Sortavala. Accommodation in hotels.

After a busy day, you will be happy to relax in one of the hotels in Sortavala or its surroundings. Many trips additionally offer accommodation in country hotels on the banks of rivers and lakes. You can also dine at one of the restaurants in the city or at the hotel.

08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Hotel eviction

Depending on the hotel, you will be offered a continental breakfast or a buffet.

9:15 – Transfer to the island. Valaam “Priozersk – o. Valaam” on meteors (travel time 1 hour 15 minutes).

During a walk along Lake Ladoga you will not be left indifferent by the unique water landscapes and the famous Ladoga skerries.

10.30 Arrival on the island of Valaam. First walking tour.

The tour of the central estate starts from the pier of Monastyrskaya Bay, from where the monastery located on the high cliff. Along the wide stairs you will climb Mount Tabor and see the famous monastery garden. Next, you will pass by the marble Znamenskaya Chapel to the Holy Gates of the monastery, decorated with the gateway Peter and Paul Church, which in former times was the home church of royalty arriving in Valaam, where concerts of church chants are held these days.

After passing through the Holy Gates, guests enter the monastery. A special place is given to visiting the main operating church of the monastery - the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral, where the relics of the holy founders of the monastery - the Venerable Sergius and Herman of Valaam Wonderworkers - rest. During the excursion, guests will see the Assumption Refectory Church - the oldest surviving church on Valaam, and the Church of the Valaam Icon of the Mother of God, consecrated in 2002, examine the cell buildings and outbuildings, and remember the Valaam ascetics of bygone times at the Old Brotherly Cemetery.
The duration of the tour of the central estate is 2 hours.

12:30 – lunch in the monastery refectory (included in the price)

After a long walk around the island, you will enjoy tasting local cuisine.

13:30 – second part of the tour around the island. Balaam.

Transfer to Nikon Bay, second walking tour. The excursion route passes through the area, which received at the beginning of the twentieth century. name "New Jerusalem". Its center is standing on a high Ladoga shore The Resurrection Skete, completely restored and consecrated for its 100th anniversary in 2006. In the lower church of this skete, reminiscent of early Christian churches in its decoration, there is a similarity to the Cave of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. From the Resurrection Skete the forest road goes towards the man-made Gethsemane Garden, where among the southern broad-leaved trees and picturesque lilac bushes there is a small, cozy Gethsemane monastery with wooden church Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The excursion ends at the Mount of Olives, where one of the most poetic views of Ladoga opens from the Chapel of the Ascension of the Lord. The excursion follows the favorite route of Russian pilgrims at the beginning of the 20th century.
The duration of the second excursion is 2 hours.

16:00 Moving “O. Valaam – Sortavala” on meteors of the Pilgrimage Service (travel time 1 hour 15 minutes)

The way back will fly by quickly and unnoticed. If you have time, a short excursion program around the city of Sortavala awaits you (depending on the exact time of departure of the meteor from the island of Valaam)

23:00 – 0:00 arrival in St. Petersburg (metro station Ozerki street and metro station Vosstaniya sq.)

Attention. The times indicated in the program are approximate and may vary depending on the traffic situation and unforeseen factors.

PRICE AND DISCOUNTS

Cost of the 2-day tour “Legends of Karelia. Ruskeala and Valaam”

DBL
Double size 		SGL
Single size 		Extra bed (2+1)
(sofa or Euro-folding bed). 		Discounts
Adult Adult Adult Student Schoolboy (7-12 years old) Child up to 6 years old (inclusive)
Accommodation in hotels of the Comfort category 8990 10290 8590 200 1600 3100
Accommodation in premium hotels 10190 11490 9590 200 1600 3100

Comfort

Premium

Hotel Sortavala
ENTRANCE TICKETS TO RUSKEALA MOUNTAIN PARK ( common price– 200 rubles)
TOUR OF THE RUSKEALA MOUNTAIN PARK WITH A LOCAL LICENSED GUIDE (regular price - 450 rubles)
Increased time spent in the Ruskeala Mountain Park;
Inspection of the medieval fortress Korela-Kexholm;
Exciting route excursions;
Visit to the legendary Ruskeala waterfalls Akhvenkoski;
Visiting the filming sites of the films “Brother”, “The Dawns Here Are Quiet”, “The Dark World”;
Visiting places where wishes come true;
Visit to the “City of Masters” workshop and souvenir shops;
A master class on making Karelian amulets is possible;
After a tour of the Marble Canyon - free time
Opportunity to chat and take photographs with husky dogs
Accommodation in one of the the best hotels Sortavala and its surroundings (depending on the selected category),
breakfast at the hotel;
a trip on the speed boat “Meteor” along the route Sortavala - o. Valaam – Sortavala;
5-hour excursion program on the island. Valaam with local guides.
lunch in the monastery refectory on Fr. Balaam
Accompaniment by recognized guides in the professional environment of St. Petersburg throughout the trip;

This was the second day of our trip to Karelia. Read the entire route, as well as tips and results, in a separate article.

As I wrote yesterday, getting to Valaam from Sortavalla is easier and faster, but not cheaper - by meteor. The only problem is whether there will be places when you want to visit this Northern Athos in Karelia. There are many people interested, but most tourists go to the island with the help of travel agencies, and independent travelers They are already giving away the remaining seats. To reserve a place for yourself, as I already wrote yesterday, you need to approach the captain the day before and ask him to take you on board. Then the captain will write you down in his notebook, and the next morning you can safely go to the island of Valaam.

Meteor takes 45 minutes, if there is no wave, it costs 900 rubles one way, and there are 2 flights a day: at 9 and 11 am there and at 15 o'clock back.

Those who arrive at Valaam on cruise ships anyway, they are first delivered on meteors to the pier in Sortavala

The meteors are named after Saint Seraphim and Patriarch Alexy.

Valaam Island

I have long wanted to go here, but as a non-devout person, I always thought that such places could even be desecrated by simple human curiosity. But, apparently, the church itself has recently begun to look not very pious in my eyes, so I decided to visit this, almost the holiest place in Russia.

What did I see when we landed... monastery apples that haunted me for the entire 5 hour walk and which I eventually picked without asking, that is, I probably stole. But they turned out to be so tasty and cool that I don’t regret it. It would be a shame to pick them and then throw them away as sour and unripe.

There are lines about cemetery strawberries that say they can’t be tastier or sweeter. So, I liked the monastery apples back in the Yuriev Monastery near Novgorod, but here they were simply different. And for some reason they were not sold anywhere on the territory. Apparently, they all go to the needs of monks, workers and volunteers.

The main place where everyone who arrives on the island is taken and where everyone goes in general is the Znamensky Cathedral. I don’t have any photographs of him, since there, on the territory of the cathedral, you can’t take photographs at all. And there are many places where you can’t go. But I liked that right in the former cells (but this information needs to be checked) there are 2 hotels. And many people travel there on bicycles, not a holy island, but some kind of cycling city.

There are also a lot of cats on Valaam. All possible colors and color combinations. And everyone has their own square and territory. This is the only way they chase each other, and at the pier you can pick up a kitten.

The island's territory is very large. It seemed unrealistic to me to go around everything on foot, especially since you want to sit and watch. Just breathe, absorb the energy, prayer and just feel the place. For those who are not in a hurry, there is an option to stay in a hotel for a few days and see everything in peace. For others, the only option is to take a taxi on site. I don’t know the prices, but they ride in different parts of the island, and you will find them at the pier too. You can write down your phone number and then just call if you don’t have time to get back to the boat.

But it’s still more useful and correct to move here at a snail’s speed.

We visited only St. Nicholas Monastery. It is located closest, and a road leads to it through three bridges. It's very picturesque there.

The monastery itself struck me even more than nature, because I always imagined monasteries as something completely secluded and distant. And here there is a chapel to the sky.

Besides the fact that inside churches some icons cannot be kissed or venerated (this is the first time I have seen such a prohibition), there are many other things that are not allowed without a blessing.

We weren’t very arrogant and didn’t really go anywhere where we weren’t supposed to. They put on skirts where required and covered their heads. They just entered the garden under the barrier, but even then they weren’t aiming at it.

If on Valaam you climb a little to the side, into the grasses and mosses in search of mushrooms (which apparently also belong to the monks, and they feed on them), then the right autumn shoes will not get wet. My choice is the Dolomites.

I was once again amazed by the smooth shores of Karelia and Ladoga. It seems that Lake Ladoga has been stroking the stones for a long time, and they have become beautiful and not dangerous and rocky, but the kind on which you want to lie down and warm up. In sunny weather this is probably very pleasant. Although, of course, you can’t swim on the island.

We left the island in the rain, but after taking a breath of oxygen, half of the ship slept and did not notice it.

Ruskeala waterfalls

Last time I already visited the Ruskeala waterfalls, where they filmed the film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet.” Just a year ago it wasn’t such a popular place, but now it’s here military equipment They brought it in, and they set up a patriotic shooting gallery, and they also put a beaver in a lake, and they made an orange wooden staircase.

And the waterfall flows and flows. Both autumn red and winter white colors suit Karelia.

Marble Canyon

The meteor from Valaam arrived at 3 o'clock, and we had time to visit both the waterfalls and the Marble Canyon mountain park.

There were almost no people in the evening, and many managed to get into the park through the exit through the parking lot. We honestly bought tickets; it costs 150 rubles for an adult. Boat rental 400.

Bus delivery at 07-00, Zvenigorodskaya 3 07:30 Departure from St. Petersburg from the station. m. Zvenigorodskaya. Possible landing opposite the station. m. Prospekt Prosveshcheniya at 08:00. Please inform the manager of your desired landing location when booking the tour. Transfer on a comfortable tourist class bus. Route excursion with a professional guide in Karelia. Temple of the Konevskaya Icon of the Mother of God. A sightseeing tour of the territory of the wooden church, which became famous thanks to the Konevskaya Icon of the Mother of God, to which people come from all over Russia. The Church of the Konevskaya Icon of the Mother of God was created according to the design of the architect N. S. Veselov; construction began in 1994. The temple was built in the style of ancient Russian architecture, with carved window frames, a bell tower, a fountain and a delightful monument with St. George the Victorious killing the serpent. In the church shop you can buy locally produced natural products. Arrival in the city of Priozersk. Opportunity to stretch, have a snack, drink tea/coffee (optional). You will visit one of the oldest ancient Russian cities with rich history and an interesting fate. Several cultural and historical sites have been preserved here, including the unique Korela fortress. While examining the powerful fortress walls, you will be transported to the Middle Ages, and the accompanying guide will tell you many legends and secrets associated with this place and its famous prisoners. An abandoned Lutheran church in the city of Lakhdenpokhya. The ruins of this once majestic Lutheran church are still impressive. Built on a hill, it remained the architectural dominant of the entire area for a long time. Today, the church still attracts tourists, largely due to the fact that it was in these places, according to legend, that the runes of the famous Kalevala epic were first written down. Lunch at a cafe on the shore of Lake Ladoga. Paid additionally upon request. 350 rub. per person. Visit to the picturesque Ruskeala waterfalls.The banks of the rapids of the Tokhmajoki River are an amazingly beautiful place, glorified by artists and film directors. In particular, here, near the four plain waterfalls of Ahvenkoski, the filming of the films The Dawns Here Are Quiet and The Dark World took place. The cascades magically fit into the surrounding landscape and, without even differing great height, they look very nice. Inspection of the Marble Canyon And Free time in the Ruskeala mountain park. You will walk along the steep walls of the Marble Canyon, admire its emerald lake, see an abandoned marble factory, Italian quarry and Svetloe Lake. Dinner additional charge upon request. 350 rub. per person. Accommodation in a hotel in Sortavala. Free time.