Almas Russia · 2026
Petersburg & Karelia
Eight days and seven nights: two in St. Petersburg, two in Petrozavodsk for Kizhi, two in Sortavala for Valaam and Ruskeala, and a final night in St. Petersburg before departure.
Season and plans for changes
- This is the summer route, with two nights in Petrozavodsk and two in Sortavala. Valaam and Kizhi are not part of a winter version of this programme. Winter needs its own route and its own quote.
- The Kizhi Meteor from Petrozavodsk runs about 15 June to 27 September, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes each way. The Valaam Meteor from Sortavala runs about 15 June to 20 September, about 7.5 hours including lunch. A storm cancels the morning of departure.
- Family rooms, guiding language and meals are confirmed for your dates. Outside the boat season we do not promise the island: the day stays on land.
Day-by-day program
Day 1 — Arrival in St. Petersburg
We meet you at Pulkovo Airport or the railway station and transfer you to your hotel. If your arrival time allows, we take a gentle walk along Nevsky Prospekt before the welcome dinner, where your guide outlines the days ahead in St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk and Sortavala.
Welcome dinner included. Other lunches and dinners are paid separately; we can help with restaurant choices.
Day 2 — The Hermitage
Visit the Hermitage Main Museum Complex at your booked admission slot (on Mondays the museum is closed, so we swap days rather than squeezing two major visits together). After the museum, walk across Palace Square and along the Neva embankments, leaving the late afternoon free to rest. Night in St. Petersburg.
Breakfast included. Other lunches and dinners are paid separately; we can help with restaurant choices.
Day 3 — Peterhof and the evening train to Karelia
Spend the morning at one imperial suburb — the Lower Park at Peterhof, where the fountains operate from 25 April to 18 October. We do not add Tsarskoye Selo today so you can comfortably catch the evening Lastochka train from Ladozhsky Station to Petrozavodsk (departing around 17:50, travel time 5 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 25 minutes). Transfer to your hotel on arrival. Night in Petrozavodsk.
Breakfast included. Other lunches and dinners are paid separately; we can help with restaurant choices.
Day 4 — Kizhi Island
Board the morning Meteor hydrofoil from Petrozavodsk to Kizhi Island (navigation runs from about 15 June to 27 September, about 1 hour 20 minutes each way; the boat ticket and the open-air museum admission are arranged separately). Outside the navigation window or if high winds cancel the boat, we replace the island with a land excursion to Kivach waterfall. Lunch is included. Night in Petrozavodsk.
Breakfast included. Lunch included; the venue or packed lunch is agreed before departure. Other lunches and dinners are paid separately; we can help with restaurant choices.
Day 5 — Drive to Sortavala
Travel by private car from Petrozavodsk to Sortavala (about 240 km, 3–3.5 hours). After checking in, take a short walk through the historic town and, if time allows, stop at the Ahvenkoski waterfalls (admission ticket arranged separately). Lunch is included. Night in Sortavala.
Breakfast included. Lunch included; the venue or packed lunch is agreed before departure. Other lunches and dinners are paid separately; we can help with restaurant choices.
Day 6 — Valaam Island
Take the Meteor from Sortavala to the Valaam archipelago: the round trip including lunch takes about 7.5 hours and runs from about 15 June to 20 September. Sailings depend on the captain's weather clearance on the morning of departure; if a storm cancels the crossing, we spend a calm day on the Ladoga shore. Night in Sortavala.
Breakfast included. Lunch included; the venue or packed lunch is agreed before departure. Other lunches and dinners are paid separately; we can help with restaurant choices.
Day 7 — Ruskeala Mountain Park and return to St. Petersburg
Travel to Ruskeala Mountain Park on the morning Ruskeala Express steam train from Sortavala (about 1 hour 15 minutes) when scheduled for your date, or by private car — your proposal specifies which option applies. After walking around the marble canyon and having lunch, return to St. Petersburg by train or car for your farewell dinner (if the train arrives late, we adjust the dinner arrangement in advance). Night in St. Petersburg.
Breakfast included. Lunch included; the venue or packed lunch is agreed before departure. Farewell dinner included at a venue agreed in advance.
Day 8 — Departure from Pulkovo
After breakfast in St. Petersburg, take a private transfer to Pulkovo Airport timed to your flight. If you have an early departure, we request an early breakfast box from the hotel.
Breakfast included. Other lunches and dinners are paid separately; we can help with restaurant choices.
Where you could stay
St. Petersburg · 2 nights
Choose one option for this stop. We compare the cost for your dates, location and room arrangements for your family, then include your choice in the quote.
Petrozavodsk · 2 nights
Choose one option for this stop. We compare the cost for your dates, location and room arrangements for your family, then include your choice in the quote.
Sortavala · 2 nights
Choose one option for this stop. We compare the cost for your dates, location and room arrangements for your family, then include your choice in the quote.
St. Petersburg · 1 night
Choose one option for this stop. We compare the cost for your dates, location and room arrangements for your family, then include your choice in the quote.
Included
- Private transfers and programme transport
- 7 nights: 2 in St. Petersburg, 2 in Petrozavodsk, 2 in Sortavala and 1 more in St. Petersburg
- Trains on the programme; class is in the proposal
- Guides and tickets for the confirmed programme
- Seasonal Meteors: Kizhi from Petrozavodsk and Valaam from Sortavala, if the boat sails
- Morning Ruskeala Express from Sortavala when it runs; otherwise a car to the park
- 7 breakfasts; lunches on days 4, 5, 6, 7; welcome dinner on day 1 and farewell dinner on day 7
- Coordinator support
- A children's souvenir, chosen individually for each group.
Not included
- International flights and visa fees where they apply
- Meals outside the agreed programme
- The Ruskeala underground route, zipline and banya
- Personal expenses
- Other lunches and dinners, which you choose and pay for
- Tips are not included.
How we plan meals
Options vary by region, and halal dining can be limited outside major cities. Before booking, we discuss your requirements and ask kitchens about ingredients and preparation. Where suitable options are unavailable, we propose fish or vegetarian dishes for your approval. This does not mean the restaurant or kitchen is halal-certified.
Price on request
The USD price is calculated at the exchange rate on the day of the request. The site does not publish a fixed dollar rate; we confirm the group, the dates and the services in the proposal.
We recommend medical insurance. It is not included in the tour price and is not required for visa-free entry. For an e-visa, the portal still lists a policy for the whole stay unless an official exemption applies to your citizenship.
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