ADVENTURE / KARELIA The Kingdom of Snow
The Kingdom of Snow
Karelian nature, traditional villages, local culture and exciting winter activities in one trip -
5 days / 4 nights
Explore Russia beyond its capital cities - live a true winter adventure in Karelia, the land of frozen lakes and forests in the North of Russia!
In this tour we will snowmobile across vast snow spaces and ski in the forest towards picturesque villages. We will play traditional Karelian games, learn about the history of Karelia, participate in workshops and will feel the Spirit of this northern Land through encounter with its traditions, people and nature.
Tour type: culture (museums, workshops) and winter activities (snowmobiling, skiing, toboganning)
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Season: mid-January – March
Group size: up to 20 persons
Special requirements: none
Itinerary:
Day 1 | 12.00 Check-out of hotel in St Petersburg, departure by a comfortable bus for Karelia (the first part of the trip 2 hrs). 14.00 Stop on the way in Staraya Ladoga for lunch and a brief tour of this old town with a walk around the 1000 years old Ladoga fortress and church. Continue the trip by bus (2 hrs) to Olonets town in Karelia. 18.00 Arrival in Olonets. Guided tour of the cozy Karel-livvik Ethnography Museum where you will learn about household traditions of Karel livviks and history of the Olonets area during Peter the Great Epoch. Workshop in Karelian birch bark or clay drawing. Transfer from Olonets to Umostu (40 min), accommodation in twin and double rooms in small wooden houses. 20.00 Welcome dinner of Karelian cuisine, Russian banya, overnight. Day distance by bus: appr 400 km |
Day 2 | Breakfast. Outfitting for half a day radial cross-country skiing tour. 10.00 Set off from Umostu to Kukshegory village and further to Syandeba village – Peyzijarvi lake – Vekkojlajarvi – Vekkojla – Umostu (15 km +/- 5 km depending on the fitness level of the group). We will go up and down light hills, through the snow-covered forest looking magic in winter, across the frozen lakes. Lunch as barbecue in Umostu. 15.00 Traditional Karelian open air winter fun (sports and funny games and contests, 2 hrs) Time at leisure. Russian banya, dinner, overnight. Day skiing distance: 15 km |
Day 3 | Breakfast. Safety briefing, outfitting, driving instructions. Check-out and leave Umostu for a full-day snowmobile adventure and discovery of Karelian villages. Snowmobile the first 50 km in the forest and on the lakes to abandoned Varlov Les and further to Kinerma village, a 440 year old living masterpiece of wooden architecture of the Russian North, a settlement of Karel-livviks. Enjoy the harmony of Nature and old settlement, and feel the Time stopping for a while. Take your time to see a pine wood and a chapel nearby and visit a traditional Karelian house. The hostess will give you a workshop on how to knit a small Karelian doll. Lunch in Kinerma Master your snowmobile driving skills during next 90 km towards the picturesque Syamozero. Accommodation in twin rooms in a guesthouse or at the tourist base in wooden houses in Syamozero. Dinner, overnight Day snowmobiling distance: 160 km |
Day 4 | Breakfast. Continue your snowmobile adventure (110 km). Today we will enjoy the Karelian nature in winter. The route passes through the forest, along the rivers, across the lakes Syamozero – Ukshezero lake - Malaya Suna – Rechka – Gomsel’ga – Kalevala. Accommodation in twins and doubles in Kalevala guesthouse or hotel. Dinner and performance by the local group (Russian folklore or Scandinavian-type music typical for the area historically). Overnight Day snowmobiling distance: 110 km |
Day 5 | Breakfast. Transfer (20 min) to the starting point of our cross-country skiing tour. Skiing in forest and on lakes (16 km) Konchezero – Vikshitsa – nature reserve Kivach. Stop for lunch as a snack. Visit the frozen waterfall and listen the explanations about Karelian flora. Transfer (2 hrs) to the city of Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, located on the shore of the immense Onego lake. Walk along the city embankment to see modern statues (presents to Petrozavodsk) and learn the history of the city. Visit Aquatika center to have a shower and relax after the active days in Karelia. Dinner of local cuisine in Karelian Gornitsa restaurant. Transfer to the railway station and departure by train* for St Petersburg at 23.00 Day skiing distance: 16 km |
* Time on train one-way: 8-9 hrs Petrozavodsk – St Petersburg; comfortable overnight trains
The Tour Operator reserves the right to introduce changes in the itinerary due to weather conditions
TOUR PRICE per person, winter 2007-2008:
EUR 985 per person (2 persons per snowmobile)
- valid for own groups of a tour operator / travel agent only for agreed dates (16 and more pax), guide-interpreter included.
- In case of group size 15 or less pax, the price changes
The above price includes: transfers as per itinerary, accommodation double-basis in Umostu and Syamozero in wooden houses (WC and shower with hot running water shared by 2 rooms) and Kalevala hotel twin-basis, 2 banyas in Umostu, ski and “Polaris” snowmobile rental, gas, equipment for snowmobiling (suit, safety helmet, neck guard, shoe covers, gloves), meals according to the program, performance of a local band, guided tour of Staraya Ladoga,.museum entrance fee, workshops, Aquatika entrance charges, souvenirs during the Karelian games, accompanying personnel (an instructor, guide-interpreter), insurance
The above price does not include: train fare from Petrozavodsk (appr EUR 65 to Moscow and appr EUR 45 to St Petersburg), spirits
Dates of departure 2008:
Upon request for groups (group size 16-20 pax)
