Weekend in Karelia. Ruskeala and Sortavala

1 day:

07:00 - Bus service at St. Petersburg, Ligovsky Prospekt 10 (guidance - bookstore "Bukvoed", metro Square Vosstaniya).

07:30 - Departure from Ligovsky Avenue 10

08:00 – Stop at the metro station Ozerki

11:00 - Stop in Priozersk. Korela Fortress

The ancient stone fortress of Korela (Kexholm in the Swedish version) on one of the islands of the Vuoksa River. A half-hour cognitive stop at the fortress of Korela will allow you to visit the inner courtyard of the fortress to see the Round Tower, bastions and arsenals. Entrance tickets worth 100 rubles can be bought at the entrance.

13:00 - Stop in Sortavala for lunch

Lunch at one of the cafés in town. Complex lunches are not included in the price of the tour and are paid locally at will.

14:30 - Stop at the Ruskeal waterfalls Ahvenkoski.

At one time, Ruskeala waterfalls served as scenery for several films: “And the dawns here are quiet...”

Above the waterfall mounted suspension rope bridge (tickets on the spot at will). The waterfalls themselves are available for viewing for free.

15:30 - Ruskeala Mountain Park. Sightseeing tour and free time.

These are the former royal quarries, where marble was mined to decorate the palaces of St. Petersburg. Excursion around the lake-canyon, descent into the gallery, walk to open marble quarries.

Free time in the park.

We highly recommend visiting the underground caves (for an additional fee).

20:30 - Arrival at Sortavala. Hotel accommodation. Dinner and rest

You will find a comfortable hotel in the cozy town of Sortavala on the shore of Lake Ladoga or a modern country hotel and a whole free evening to dine in one of the cafes of the city of Sortavala and walk along the promenade.

 

Day 2:

08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel. Group gathering on the bus

09:30 – Kiryavalahti Bay, trail tour.

The second day excursion program begins with a trip to Lake Ladoga to introduce you to the beauty of northern nature.

Very near Sortavala there are beautiful views of Ladoga with rocky islands scattered on the water surface - this is the Ladoga skerries.

10:30 – Author’s excursion “Climb to the Devil’s Mountain”.

Mount Hiidenvuori is interesting, first of all, for its panorama, because its peak is absolutely naked.

It offers stunning views of the Ladoga skerries, and in clear weather you can even see the domes of the island of Valaam.

The climb is led by a local guide who knows the only accessible way to the top and will tell interesting facts and myths about these places. Our guide will also have binoculars with him, which he will be happy to share, so that you can take a closer look at the domes of Valaam and nature along the shores of Lake Ladoga. The mountain is 120 meters high. Climbing Hiydenvuori is possible in the warm season and does not require any special preparation (the path is quite gentle).

Attention! Those wishing to climb Mount Hiidenvoori should take into account that it passes through stones and steps and requires comfortable shoes and little physical effort. In case of adverse weather conditions, the lift can be canceled.

12:30 - Excursion to the historical park "Bastion".

Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the Viking Age is invited to visit the Viking Age Museum of Living History “Black Bear Fortress”.

This is an interactive project where you can touch everything with your hands, change into ancient clothes and sit down at the oar of a real Viking drakkar.

At the entrance to the gate of the Black Bear Fortress, you will be met by a local Viking and during the excursion will tell about the life, weapons and crafts of the ancient inhabitants of the fortress, show the territory of the park and the panorama of Ladoga skerries from the watch towers. Then he will show the recreated Viking dwelling - "Honey Hall", where you will be offered a tasting of mead, brewed according to ancient recipes.

In local operating forges, you can take a master class on coinage, and in the tyre zone shoot from a bow and crossbow or try your hand at throwing copies and axes. If you like Viking games, book a historic photo shoot.

You will get not only bright and unusual pictures, but also have fun.

Excursion, tasting, master class, shooting range and photo session for an additional fee if desired.

14:30 – Lunch in the city of Sortavala.

Comprehensive lunch is paid locally if desired.

15:00 – Museum of wood carving by artist Kronid Gogolev (independently).

We strongly recommend visiting the Kronid Gogolev Museum and Exhibition Center, where a private collection of works by the People’s Artist of Russia, as well as the author’s painting, is collected.

15:30 - Sightseeing tour of the city of Sortavala.

During the sightseeing bus and walking tour of Sortavala you will get acquainted with the history and architecture of the ancient Karelian city, which is absolutely different from the native Russian cities and has its own unique appearance.

The most famous buildings of Sortavala have cultural and historical significance: the building of the former Bank of Finland, the former United Bank of the Nordic countries, the Leander House and old wooden buildings, of which there are very few. In winter, the architecture of “Northern Art Nouveau” looks especially harmonious.

In addition to architectural monuments, you will see the famous monument to the Runopevtsi and the Karelian bridge connecting the two parts of the city.

16:00 Vakkosalmi Park and Kuhavuori Mountain.

Then you will go to the nature park "Vakkosalmi", which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Sortavala.

This is not an amusement park, but a corner of untouched northern nature. The highest point of the park is Mount Kuhavuori, which, under favorable weather conditions, you will climb with a guide to see the entire panorama of the city and Lake Ladoga. Clean air and stunning views can turn your head.

19:00 – Visit to the trout store.

On the way back to St. Petersburg, we will make a stop in the city of Lahdenpohja, so that everyone can buy Karelian fish delicacies from the farm.

Eco-friendly and tasty products from Karelia will be an excellent souvenir for your family and friends.

23:00-23:30 - Approximate time of return to St. Petersburg

Stops at the metro Ozerki and metro area Rebellion