Petersburg & Karelia
Combine imperial St. Petersburg with the pristine lakes, forests, and waterfalls of Karelia — the region of a thousand lakes
This 8-day journey offers the best of both worlds: the imperial elegance of St. Petersburg and the wild, untouched beauty of Karelia. After exploring the Hermitage, Peterhof, and Tsarskoye Selo, you'll venture north to a land of a thousand lakes, granite fjords, and ancient wooden churches. From the thunderous Kivach Waterfall to the serene Valaam Monastery, every day brings a new discovery.
For whom
Nature lovers and culture enthusiasts who want a comprehensive experience combining Russian imperial history with pristine natural landscapes. Suitable for couples and small groups with a moderate activity level.
Duration
8 days
Price from
$3,900
Season
Summer, Winter
Tour discounts
Highlights
Pricing
Final price depends on group size, season, and selected hotels. Below are indicative prices for our most popular configurations.
| Group size | per person |
|---|---|
| 6 people | $3,300 |
| 4 people | $3,900 |
| 2 people | $4,800 |
Request a custom quote Request this tour
Upcoming dates
| Start | End | per person | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | $3,900per person | Available | Request dates |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | $4,100per person | Sold out | Sold out |
| Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 9, 2027 | $4,000per person | Available | Request dates |
Program
Meet at Pulkovo, settle into Domina Prestige and enjoy a halal welcome dinner with Nevsky views.
25 km transfer
Private Hermitage discovery, Palace Square and a two-hour evening cruise through the Neva and canals.
5 km on foot, 10 km by boat
Visit Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo before boarding a business-class high-speed train to Petrozavodsk. Your lakeside Karelian hotel awaits.
90 km transfer, 400 km by train
Follow the forest road to Kivach Nature Reserve and its 10.7-metre waterfall, then return via Peter the Great’s historic Martial Waters. Enjoy a halal-adapted Karelian lunch.
160 km by road
A full day reaches Ruskeala’s former marble quarry: emerald water, canyon paths, suspension bridges and the Italian Quarry. A private return transfer keeps the day comfortable.
600 km by road
Board a private boat for the 2.5-hour crossing of Lake Ladoga to Valaam. Explore the monastery, pine trails and granite shores, with a halal-adapted lunch before returning.
100 km by boat, 5 km on foot
Cross Lake Onega to Kizhi for its open-air wooden architecture museum and 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration. Return to St. Petersburg for a private-chef halal farewell dinner.
70 km by boat, 400 km by train
Breakfast and private Pulkovo transfer; take home a hand-crafted piece of Karelian birch.
25 km transfer
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Stay
Domina Prestige St. Petersburg
A central St. Petersburg palace hotel with polished service and halal-friendly amenities.
Premier Room, 38 m²
- Spa
- Pool
- Halal restaurant
- Prayer mat
- Wi-Fi
Onega Castle
A leading Petrozavodsk hotel on the Onega embankment, with lake views, a panoramic restaurant and Karelian sauna.
Lakeside Suite, 42 m², Lake Onega view
- Panoramic restaurant
- Karelian sauna
- Boat hire
- Halal menu
- Wi-Fi
Included
- Private airport and station transfers throughout
- 7 nights in premium accommodations (5-star St. Petersburg, 4-star lakeside Karelia)
- Train St. Petersburg ↔ Petrozavodsk (business class)
- Private guide in both regions
- All entrance fees including Valaam and Kizhi excursions
- Boat trips on Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga
- Ruskeala Mountain Park visit
- Daily halal breakfast, 4 halal lunches, 4 halal dinners
- 24/7 host support
- Travel insurance
Excluded
- International airfare
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Karelian sauna (optional experience)
- Personal shopping
- Tips and gratuities
Payment & booking
Booking deposit
30% deposit at booking confirmation
Balance payment
Remaining 70% due 30 days before departure
No payment now
Request, date selection and itinerary are free. Payment only after you confirm the program and contract.
Payment methods
Bank transfer (USD/EUR/AED/SAR), Visa/Mastercard, USDT/BTC on request
Installment plans up to 6 months for Imperial tours — discuss with your travel designer
Guest reviews
“From Karelian lakes to the Northern Lights — every day brought a new wonder. Our children still ask when we're going back.”
Al-Rashid Family
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · Traveled: December 2025
Common questions about this tour
Included: comfortable hotels (usually 4★, 5★ on request), private transfers, personal Arabic-speaking guide, halal meals (breakfasts and select lunches/dinners), museum tickets with skip-the-line entry, intercity transport (trains/flights), insurance. Not included: international flights, visa fees, personal expenses, tips.
Our guides always have a backup plan. If an outdoor excursion is not possible, we offer alternative indoor programs: museums, galleries, workshops, spas. The Northern Lights are never guaranteed, but we choose the best locations and dates to maximize chances. If completely missed, we offer a discount on a future aurora trip.
We accept bank transfers (USD, EUR, AED, SAR), Visa/Mastercard through a secure payment gateway, and cryptocurrency (USDT, BTC — upon request). Installment plans available: 30% deposit at booking, balance due 30 days before travel.
Important Info
Weather & climate
Summer is usually +15–22°C with long days and occasional rain; May and September are cooler and quieter. Lakes stay breezy, while winter is snowy at −10–20°C.
Transport
Private comfortable minivan in St. Petersburg, comfortable comfortable minibus in Karelia and private boats for Valaam and Kizhi.
Meals
Hotel breakfasts and halal restaurant meals are arranged throughout. In Karelia, private halal adaptations include kalitki pastries, local fish soup and reindeer dishes where requested.
Connectivity
Hotel Wi-Fi is reliable; signal may drop in mountain parks and on islands. Unlimited-data eSIMs are available on request.
Who guides you
A licensed art historian leads in St. Petersburg; an experienced local Karelian guide shares regional history, folklore and the Kalevala tradition.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes for stone paths
- Windbreaker for lake crossings
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Binoculars
- Swimwear if desired
- Mosquito repellent and basic first aid
Request this tour
Interested in this tour? Send a request — your travel designer will reply within one business day.
No payment now — request and date selection only