The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Republic of Karelia, Northwestern District

We offer a boat tour (by hydrofoil) to the heart of Lake Onego (the second-largest lake in Europe) – Kizhi island. The whole island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture and cultural history of the Russian North. The tiny island of Kizhi is located at the northern end of Lake Onega. The island is renowned for its open-air Museum of Architecture, which is assembled from over 80 monuments of wooden architecture from various areas of the country and restored to form a glimpse of the past. A one-day trip to Kizhi island is a wonderful opportunity to see all major sights of the famous open-air museum of wooden architecture and cultural history. The core of the museum collection forms the world-known Kizhi Church Ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. • Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop-off (without a guide), English speaking guide services on the island (other languages upon request), Tickets to the hydrofoil boat (roundtrip), Entrance tickets to museums, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Exclusions: Personal expenses, Gratuities to guide/driver (optional), Soft and alcoholic drinks

During the city tour you will get acquainted with the history of Petrozavodsk from the foundation by Peter the Great to the 21st century and visit Local Lore Museum. Petrozavodsk was founded in 1703 as Petrovskaya Sloboda by Peter the Great, who needed a new iron foundry for the Baltic Fleet at the time of the Great Northern War. By 1717, Petrovskaya Sloboda had grown into the largest settlement in Karelia. The Republic is located in the north-western part of the Russian Federation, between the basins of White and Baltic seas. There are 60000 lakes in Karelia (the largest and the most famous are Ladoga lake and Lake Onega). Karelian language is quite close to Finnish (as it was the part of nowadays Finland earlier). You will see the monument to Peter the Great, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, newly built modern embankment, etc. After the city panoramic tour in Petrozavodsk you will visit Local Lore Museum. • Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop-off, Private roundtrip transportation (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C) , Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request, Entrance fee to Local Lore Museum, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Exclusions: Meals / Drinks, Personal expenses, Gratuities

This is truly unique off-beaten track experience. Enjoy real Russia, visit the (in)famous Ruskeala marble canyon and experience historic steam train between Sortavala and Ruskeala park and back. We will take early morning high-spead train towards rustic Sortavala. Upon arrival, we will change to Ruskeala Express, scheduled steam train with historic carriages, which will take us to Ruskeala park. Upon arrival we will admire beautiful Ruskeala canyon before getting back to Ruskeala and later St. Petersburg.

Inclusions: Steam-train experience, All Fees and Taxes, Private transportation

Exclusions: No food included

During the city tour (on foot) you will get acquainted with the history of Petrozavodsk from the foundation by Peter the Great to the 21st century. The history of Petrozavodsk counts for more than 300 years. During this 2-hour walking tour around the city, you will get acquainted with it. Modern Petrozavodsk is a multifaceted and diverse city. Founded in 1703 on the bank of Lake Onego Petrozavodsk played an important role in defending the borders of the Russian Empire. In 1777 Petrozavodsk was granted the status of a town and soon became the capital of the area. Petrozavodsk is the centre of a multinational republic: there are many ethnic bands of Karelian, Vepsian, Ingrian cultures. During this guided tour around Petrozavodsk, you will see the monument to Peter the Great, newly built modern embankment, the oldest park in the city, Kirova and Lenin square, open-air industrial history museum. Please, note that entrance tickets to the museums of Petrozavodsk are not included.

Inclusions: Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Meals / Drinks, Gratuities to guide (optional), Personal expenses, Transportation, Entrance fee to the museums of Petrozavodsk

Kizhi Island is located in massive Onega Lake. It is Europe’s second-largest island. Kizhi Pogost is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Why many historical wooden buildings were brought from all over Karelia to Kizhi Island? Did you know that Kizhi Island has its own constitution and official Karelian language? You will see the most magnificent building on the island. You will be amazed by its outstanding nature and architecture. Are you ready for Local legends? A local charismatic guide will reveal the secrets and interesting facts about Kizhi Museum, Tserkov' Preobrazheniya Gospodnya, The bell tower of the Kizhi Pogost.

Inclusions: Private tour

Exclusions:

During the city tour (by car/bus) you will get acquainted with the history of Petrozavodsk from the foundation by Peter the Great to the 21st century. Petrozavodsk was founded in 1703 as Petrovskaya Sloboda by Peter the Great, who needed a new iron foundry for the Baltic Fleet at the time of the Great Northern War. By 1717, Petrovskaya Sloboda had grown into the largest settlement in Karelia. The Republic is located in the north-western part of the Russian Federation, between the basins of White and Baltic seas. There are 60000 lakes in Karelia (the largest and the most famous are Ladoga lake and Lake Onega). Karelian language is quite close to Finnish (as it was the part of nowadays Finland earlier).

Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop-off, Driver’s services as per the program (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C), Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Meals / Drinks, Personal expenses, Gratuities

Kizhi is an island near the Lake Onega in the Karelia one of Russia republics. Close to Petrozavodsk this beautiful island is attracting tourists from all owner the world. Do you know that settlements and churches on the island were known from at least the 15th century? This unique place is the example of northern wooden architecture. Have you heard the legend, which is saying that huge wooden church was built without a single nail? Is it true that Kizhi Open Air Museum is a World Heritage site? What kind of Festivals and folklore performances are organized on Kizhi Island? With your local charismatic guide you will discover beautiful city Petrozavodsk with its neoclassical architecture, Kizhi Open Air Museum, Transfiguration Church, will discover architectural masterpiece- wooden domes, gables and ingenious decorations designed to keep water off the walls and many other secrets of this beautiful place.

Inclusions: Guide in Petrozavodsk, Museum Guide in Kizhi island, “Comet” ticket, Museum entrance in Kizhi island

Exclusions: Lunch

During the city tour you will get acquainted with the history of Petrozavodsk from the foundation by Peter the Great to the 21st century and visit the museum "House of the doll". Petrozavodsk was founded in 1703 as Petrovskaya Sloboda by Peter the Great, who needed a new iron foundry for the Baltic Fleet at the time of the Great Northern War. By 1717, Petrovskaya Sloboda had grown into the largest settlement in Karelia. The Republic is located in the north-western part of the Russian Federation, between the basins of White and Baltic seas. There are 60000 lakes in Karelia (the largest and the most famous are Ladoga lake and Lake Onega). Karelian language is quite close to Finnish (as it was the part of nowadays Finland earlier). You will see the monument to Peter the Great, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, newly built modern embankment, etc. After the tour, you will be transferred to the museum "House of the doll" and have a tour around it. • Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop-off, Driver’s services as per the program (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C), Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request, Entrance fee to the museum "House of Doll", All taxes, fees and handling charges, Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Exclusions: Meals / Drinks, Personal expenses, Gratuities to guide/driver (optional)

Kizhi is an island on the Lake Onega in Karelia. Representing old Russian style of living village- Open Air Museum is attracting tourists all summer one of Russia republics. This unique place is the example of northern wooden architecture. Have you heard the legend, which is saying that huge wooden church was built without a single nail? Do you know that settlements and churches on the island were known from at least the 15th century? Kizhi Open Air Museum is a World Heritage site. Here you can attend all kinds of Festivals and folklore performances are organized on Kizhi Island. With your local charismatic guide you will discover Kizhi Open Air Museum, Transfiguration Church, will discover architectural masterpiece- wooden domes, gables and ingenious decorations designed to keep water off the walls and many other secrets of this beautiful place.

Inclusions: Professional Guide

Exclusions: Lunch

One of the most striking and surprising places of the Northern Ladoga area is the Ruskeala Mountain Park, a unique and multidimensional monument to nature and the history of mining. We offer you to enjoy the real Karelian nature in natural parks and reserves. You can see volcanoes, waterfalls, mountains, quarries, etc We offer a tour to the Ruskeala marble quarries, which are located not far from Petrozavodsk. The heart of the park lies in the Marble Canyon. An old abandoned quarry, which delivered stone for almost three centuries, now caters for tourists. A huge bowl, carved by people in marble, stretches 456 meters from north to south, and is 109 meters wide. Filled with the purest emerald-green water, it is framed by slightly sloping and steep rocks, reaching a height of 25 meters above the water mirror. A series of small cascade waterfalls on the river Tohmajoki is another sight you will visit during the tour. • Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop-off, Driver’s services as per the program (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C), Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request, Entrance fee to Ruskeala natural reserve, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Exclusions: Meals / Drinks, Personal expenses, Gratuities to guide/driver (optional)