The Russian North tour

Day 1. St. Petersburg
Arrival in St. Petersburg.
Meeting at the airport (the driver will be holding the sign “Russia Travel Group”).
Transfer to the train station. Departure by train for Petrozavodsk.

Day 2. Petrozavodsk and Kizhi
Arrival in Petrozavodsk (in the morning). Meeting at the train station (the driver will be holding the sign “Russia Travel Group”).
Accommodation for 2 nights (breakfast is included).
Petrozavodsk city walking tour.
Hydrofoil trip to Kizhi Museum of wooden architecture. Excursion to the unique ensemble of Kizhi (belongs to the UNESCO's World Heritage List). Lunch (lunch boxes).
Return to Petrozavodsk. Overnight in Petrozavodsk.

Day 3. Kivach Waterfalls, Petroglyphs, the White Sea - Baltic Canal
8.30am Breakfast at the hotel.
10.00am Departure for the town of Kem on the coast of the White Sea.
Sightseeing en-route - Kivach waterfalls and Nature Reserve, the 18h lock of the White-Sea - Baltic Canal, built during the Stalin's times, the White Sea Petroglyphs - archeological sight, rock carvings made about 6 thousand years ago.
Arrival in Kem in the evening. Overnight in Kem (we may depart for Solovetsky on the same day in the evening).

Day 4. Solovetsky Islands. Kremlin and Monastery
8.30am Breakfast at the hotel.
10.00am Meeting with a guide at the hotel lobby. Departure for Solovetsky Archipelago by ferry. (In June-July, if the weather is clear it is possible to spot White Whales (Beluga) along the way in the Sea).
Arrival to Solovetsky. The cultural and historic ensemble of Solovetsky belongs to the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Lunch.
Tour to the Monastery and Gulag Museum.
Return to Kem.

Day 5. Solovetsky Islands. Kremlin and Monastery
8.30am Breakfast at the hotel.
10.00am Meeting with a guide at the hotel lobby. Departure for Solovetsky Archipelago by ferry.
Arrival to Solovetsky.
Lunch.
Trip to Big Zayatsky Island to see prehistoric labyrinths and an old wooden church.
Return to Petrozavodsk.

Day 6. Solovetsky Islands. Canals and Lakes, Botanical Garden, Church of the Assumption
7.30am Breakfast at the hotel.
09.00am Meeting with a guide at the hotel lobby. Departure to excursion.
Tour by rowing boats (travelers row themselves) along the lakes and canals made by monks centuries ago.
Lunch (lunch boxes or picnic).
Visit to the Botanical Garden and a bus trip to the Sekir Hill and the Church of the Assumption.
05.00pm Departure by ferry to Kem. Transfer to Petrozavodsk.
Transfer to the train station. Departure by train for the town of Lodeinoe Pole.

Day 6. Lodeinoe Pole
Arrival in Lodeinoe Pole (the driver will be holding the sign “Russia Travel Group”). Accommodation for 1 night (breakfast is included).
Free time.

Day 7. Lodeinoe Pole – Valaam  
7.30am Breakfast at the hotel.
09.00am Transfer by bus to the town of Olonets (1 hour ride).
Transfer to the town of Sortavala (188 km). City tour.
Lunch.
01.00pm - Departure for Valaam by boat. Accommodation for 3 nights at the hotel very close to the Cathedral of the Transfiguration.
Excursion to the Cathedral and Hegumens' cemetery. Dinner. Walking excursion to the "All Saints'" Hermitage (6 km).
Return to the hotel.

Day 8. The Nikolski Island
8.30am Breakfast.
10.00am Meeting with a guide at the hotel lobby. Departure to excursion.
Walking excursion to the Nikolski Island and Nikolski Hermitage.
Transfer by boat to the Nikonovskaya Bay. Walking excursion "New Jerusalem": Hermitage of the Resurrection, Gefsimanski Hermitage, Eleon Mountain. Lunch at the refectory. Monks' chorus concert.
Return to the hotel by the main Monastery Road (6 km).
Dinner.

Day 9. Cruise time
07.30am Breakfast.
09.00am Meeting with a guide at the hotel lobby. Departure for cruise.
Cruise around Valaam (duration about 10 hours). Visit to the Saint Island and the Hermitage of Alexandr Svirsky. Visit to the Lembas Island and Iliinsky Hermitage. In July and early August, we may spot Ladoga Ringed Seal inhabiting the Island. Lunch (lunch box or picnic). Visit to the Oboronniy (Defence) Island and the fortified structures made by Finnish army during the WW2.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner.

Day 10. Valaam  
8.30am Breakfast.
12.00pm Check – out.
Transfer to the train station to the train for St. Petersburg.
Departure.

Day 10. St. Petersburg
Meeting at the train station (the driver will be holding the sign “Russia Travel Group”).
Transfer to the international airport. Departure.

Price is starting from $ 1 860
 
Included:
- Accommodation in a double room for 2 nights in Petrozavodsk (3* hotel, breakfast, dinner are included)
- Accommodation in a double room for 2 night in Kem (3* hotel,breakfast, dinner are included)
- Accommodation in a double room for 1 night in Lodeinoe Pole (3*hotel, breakfast, dinner are included)
- Accommodation in a double room for 3 nights in Valaam (3* hotel, breakfast, dinner are included)
- Meals as per itinerary
- 1 day Valaam cruise
- All excursions as per itinerary (individual licensed English speaking guide, foreign car, professional driver)
- All transfers according to the program with arrival/departure transfers
- Entrance tickets
- Train tickets from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk (2nd class)
- Train tickets from Petrozavodsk to Lodeinoe Pole (2nd class)
- Train tickets from Lodeinoe Pole to St. Petersburg (2nd class)
- Visa support application documents for the whole period of staying in Russia