Karelian weekend. Ruskeala and Sortavala

Group gathering point

St. Petersburg

07:00 - The bus service to the station "Insurrection Square" Place of landing: St. m. "Insurrection Square", Ligovsky Prosp., 10.

Landmark: Hotel "October", parking along the sidewalk from the bookstore "Bukvoed" to the end of the building.

07:30 - Departure of the bus from the station "Insurrection Square"

07:50 - Bus service to the station "Ozerki" Landing place: St. Petersburg, the station "Ozerki", Vyborg highway, public transport stop.

Landmark: Ok, supermarket.

07:55 - Departure of the bus from the station "Ozerka"

07:30 - Departure of the bus from the station "Insurrection Square"

07:55 - Departure of the bus from the station "Ozerka"

10:00 - Priozersk. Technical stop

Along the way, we will make a stop where there will be an opportunity to buy tea or coffee, relax and gain strength before further excursion.

11:00 - Ecopark "Valley of Waterfalls"

You will take a walk along a specially equipped trail (about 1 km), going through the Karelian forests to the river with the unusual name Iyoki. You will have an impressive view of the waterfalls and the picturesque landscape. A great place to take beautiful photos of the numerous water rapids against the background of the colorful Karelian landscapes!

And also on the territory of the ecopark live friendly reindeer! You can buy jagels from the caretakers and feed these proud and beautiful animals that have lived with people in the North for hundreds of years.

13:30 – Lunch in Sortavala

The center of our trip is the city of Sortavala, located right on the shore of Lake Ladoga. We will stop to eat at one of the cafes of the city, where you can order a complex lunch.

Lunch is not included in the price, purchased for an additional fee. The price range is 500-700 rubles.

14:30 - Ruskeal waterfalls Ahvenkoski

The edge of a thousand lakes and rivers is also known for its low, but rapid waterfalls. Among them, the cascades of the stormy forest river Tohmayoki, also called Ruskeal waterfalls, which do not freeze even in the coldest season, deserve special attention! The landscape idyll of this area attracted filmmakers and was captured in the scenes of the military drama “And the dawns are quiet ...” and fantasy “The Dark World”.

The most dizzying photo frames and unforgettable impressions are waiting for you on the Alley of Tales. This is a special route along suspension rope bridges stretched directly above the waterfalls.

You can walk along the hinged bridges, take colorful photos and try to find all the heroes of fairy tales and epics: in the shadow of the forest here and there hide wooden figures of mythical creatures - these are all the inhabitants of the ecotrope "Alley of Tales".

Entrance to the ecotrope is paid additionally if desired.

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

Arrival time in the park can be adjusted slightly depending on the traffic situation and weather conditions. The exact start time of the tour will tell you the guide. The total time in the park is 4 hours. Mountain Park "Ruskeala" is one of the main attractions of Karelia, striking with its beauty at any time of the year.

Imagine a huge park with a bizarre relief, evergreen forests, paths and unusual locations, and in the heart of its calling card is the Marble Canyon. This is a large, elongated lake with sheer banks of real marble, which are reflected in the crystal clear water.

Previously, this decorative stone was mined here for finishing architectural masterpieces of St. Petersburg. The cladding of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the floors of the Kazan Cathedral, the window sills of the Hermitage Museum, the Brest Fortress Memorial, the pavilions of the Moscow VDNKh – beautiful Ruskeal marble was used everywhere.

A visit to the park begins with a guided tour from a local licensed guide. You will not only hear the detailed history of the Marble Canyon, but also learn what other interesting places to visit in your spare time, which awaits you after the tour:

Beautiful places around the Marble Canyon.

If you deviate from the main excursion route, then you will see Montferranovo Lake, Italian quarry and stone garden, Bright Lake with wild paths, an abandoned marble factory, marble cliffs, observation platforms, grottoes and galleries.

Secret paths of the land of Kaleval.

To be on the pages of the Karelian epic will help the interactive part of the park "Kalevala". Here you will get acquainted with good fairy-tale heroes and their rivals, try to catch the horse Heisi with a rope - and all this against the background of the Karelian landscape with a viewing platform on Lake Svetloye.

Water walk on the Marble Lake.

The canyon looks even more spectacular if you see it while walking on the water. You will not only admire the steep cliffs, but also look into the caves, which are only slightly visible from the upper angle.

You can take advantage of boat rental on Lake Marmara from May to October.

Try active entertainment in the mountain park. All year round, the park has a trolley track, which is the longest in the North-West (400 m). Ride with adrenaline 30 meters from the surface of the lake.

Go on an excursion "Underground Space" through the caves "Ruskeala" to the underground lake (the amazing beauty of the route was opened relatively recently, in 2017).

Within an hour, under the supervision of a guide, you will be guided through cleared galleries, show marble caves, a columned hall and an underground lake. The space of the caves is decorated with multicolored dynamic illumination, creating a magical atmosphere. A ticket for the tour "Underground Ruskeala" is purchased separately at the entrance to the park. The number of tickets is limited, so it is not always possible to buy them.

Visit souvenir rows and cozy cafes. You can have a snack in one of the three cafes of the park, walk along the souvenir rows, where the works of Karelian masters from wood, linen and stone are sold.

19:30 – Departure from the Ruskeala Mountain Park

20:30-21:30 – Arrival in Sortavala. Hotel accommodation

We understand that the quality of the holiday is as important as the excursion program, so we have prepared for you the best hotels in the cozy city of Sortavala. Only the most proven options that provide their services in the tourist market of Karelia for more than one year.

In the remaining time, you can get acquainted with the city yourself: dine in one of the local cafes, walk along the shore of Ladoga. It is a quiet and peaceful city with an interesting Finnish-Russian history, reflected in the architecture and sights.

2 days.

Attention! On the second day, you can choose your excursion program: a tour of Sortavala (included in the price) or a walk along the Ladoga skerries by boat (paid separately when buying a tour).

08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel. Apart from budget hotels

09:30 - Room release. Group gathering on the bus

10:20 – Ascent to Mount Paaso. The best views of Karelia

Mount Paaso, or Paasonvuori, is a picturesque hill near the town of Sortavala. It offers a panoramic view of natural beauty. But, in addition to beauty, it is a historical monument that preserves memories of ancient Karelians.

11:30 – Author’s road tour “The Rocky Coast of Kiryavalakhti”

Not far from Sortavala, beautiful landscapes of Lake Ladoga begin with rocky islands scattered on its surface - this is the Ladoga skerries. On the way you will see Kirjavalahti Bay, similar to the Norwegian fjord. In sunny weather, its waters sparkle in the rays of the sun, which is why the bay got its name, meaning in translation “sparkling, colorful bay”.

12:00 – “North Thevaida” and the Museum “At the Master”

The poetic name “Northern Thevaida” was assigned to the northern Russian lands surrounding Vologda and Belozersk. Ancient monasteries and untouched nature of the North are recreated on the picturesque shore of the Oravanselkä Bay of Lake Ladoga, surrounded by magnificent nature.

“Northern Thevaida” is a rocky cape, on the slopes of which wooden temples, copies of ancient churches and traditional Karelian chapels are built. This place is a real open-air museum, where you will not only admire the charm of Karelian nature, but also see how Orthodoxy spread in the Russian North. You can enter each chapel and stand in silence.

On the territory of the "Northern Thevaida" there is a museum of crafts "At the Master", where samples of minerals and rocks of the Northern Ladoga region and other areas of Karelia, ancient household items and crafts collected in Zaonezhye and Sortavala district are presented. As a reminder, you can buy souvenirs made of birch bark and wood, made by the skillful hands of the master cabinetmaker Sergey Volov.

14:00 - Lunch

After a busy and interesting first half of the day you will go to a hearty lunch.

Lunches are not included in the cost of the tour and are paid locally if desired.

The price range is 500-700 rubles.

Option 1

Water trip along the Ladoga skerries by boat (optional)

If, when buying a tour, you purchased an additional service of walking along Lake Ladoga and skerries on a boat, then at 15:00 a comfortable cross-country boat will wait for you at the pier of Sortavala. To have time to eat or take food with you for a walk, we will look at the fish shop near the pier. There are wickets, cakes, hot dishes and soups available.

On a comfortable boat you will swim along the ridge of the Karelian fjords and see the fantastic natural beauty of Ladoga:

• The island of Havus and its high cliff, called Hawk Rock,
• Kaarnetsaari Island,
• Falling rock.

You will also land on the desert island of Honcasalo. Its highest peak was called the “roof of Ladoga”, and from it you can look at the incredible panorama around.

Not included in the tour price.

In adverse weather conditions, a boat trip can be canceled.

17:00 – Return from a boat trip

Then at 17:30 you will rejoin the main group and the tour will continue.

Option 2

15:00 – Sightseeing tour of the city of Sortavala. Author's excursion "Mysteries of the park "Vakkosalmi"

The city of Sortavala is located on the banks of Ladoga, in the heart of the Ladoga skerries. Part of the urban areas are located on the adjacent islands, so you will see an impressive Karelian landscape - rocky fjords around the waters of the lake.

The historical part of Sortavala is an encyclopedia of different styles and eras, impresses with its eclecticity and northern beauty.

The influence of Finland, which is only an hour from here, is felt primarily in architecture. For example, such buildings include the building of the National Joint Stock Bank – the Leander House. It was built in 1905 in the style of Finnish national romanticism and resembles a small castle.

Another unusual building was built in 1913 by Finnish architect Uno Werner Ulberg for the United Bank of Nordic Countries. In addition to the bank branch, it housed the apartments of bank employees and a bookstore. Currently, a branch of the Russian Post is located here.

In Karelia, traditions and history are cherished. You will definitely visit the monument to Runopevets, which personifies the collective image of ancient Karelian storytellers. It is located in the historical center of the city, in a square on Väinämöinen Square.

The historical part of Sortavala is connected with the religious life of the population. In the center is one of the oldest Orthodox churches of the city - the temple of Nicholas the Wonderworker, built in the second half of the XIX century.

And within the framework of the author’s excursion you will visit the city park Vakkosalmi, where you will learn the history of the park, see the famous Song Field – a venue for concerts, famous for its magnificent “acoustic system”, created by nature. And that's not all! There, among the colorful meadows and coniferous trees, there is an observation deck with a panoramic view of the surrounding area and the water area of Lake Ladoga, which you can visit at will.

The Mineral Center combines the geological museum, which presents the minerals of the Northern Ladoga region in an unusual exposition, an art gallery with the works of local artists and photographers, as well as a place for recreation and recreation. In the center you will get acquainted with the mysterious mineral shungite and its properties, improve your health and recharge your energy in the shungite room.

In addition, you will be able to buy for yourself and loved ones products from this amazing stone and participate in the tasting of Karelian herbal tea.

17:00 – Free time in the city

Then you can walk around the city, buy souvenirs and get acquainted with the sights of Sortavala, which the guide told you during the tour.

And also you will have enough free time in the city of Sortavala to look around, relax, buy souvenirs and try Karelian cuisine.

Not far from the center there is a cafe "Relax", where you can order local dishes at a reasonable price. Walking along the central streets, you can also buy souvenirs, famous Karelian tinctures, jam made of cones, and we especially recommend to look into the fish shops of the city and bring delicious souvenirs from Karelia to yourself and loved ones.

18:00 - Group meeting. Departure of the bus to St. Petersburg

Landing site: 1 Suvorov Street

Landmark: Jarvikala fish shop

20:30 – Technical stop

Estimated time of arrival in St. Petersburg:

First stop: 22:30 - station. m "Ozerki"

Final stop: 23:00 - Station m "Insurrection Square"

• Accommodation in a hotel of the selected category in the Sortavala region (1 night)
• Breakfast at the hotel (except budget hotels)
• Transfer by comfortable bus (capacity of the bus depends on the set of the group)
• Accompanying a professional guide for two days of tour
• Visit to the shungite mineral center with tasting of Karelian tea
• Stop at the branded trout store
• Entrance tickets and excursions along the route