Grand Karelian Tour

Breakfast.
Today we travel to the land of Karelian people - traditional inhabitants of the region. We stop at the historical village of Kinerma to visit the Karelian family. Our host shows the village and tells us about the history, culture and lifestyle of local people. Lunch is served in the typical house and includes traditional meals.
We continue to the marble quarries of Ruskeala which were the source of stone for St. Petersburg palaces. Nowadays it's an open-air Mountain Park where we can enjoy beautiful views of the white marble and emerald water.
Overnight at the hotel in the area of Sortavala (250 km from Petrozavodsk).
(B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning we take a boat for the tour of Valaam Island and Monastery.
Upon arrival we visit the central Transfiguration Cathedral, the Church of the Resurrection, observe fairy-tale Gethsemane Skete, and enjoy the beautiful forests and lake landscapes of the Island. In between of the tours the Monastery choir performs a short but impressive concert of the church songs. Lunch is served at the refectory and includes typical monastery meals such as vegetarian soup and fish.
The boat takes us back to Sortavala and we drive to Petrozavodsk.
Overnight at the hotel in Petrozavodsk.
(B, L)

After breakfast we start our trip towards the White Sea (~450 km from Petrozavodsk).
The first stop is made to visit the Kivach Waterfalls and Nature Reserve in 90 km from Petrozavodsk. We observe the Waterfalls, visit the small Museum of Nature and take a brief walking tour along the ecological trail in the protected part of the Reserve
We reach a small Vygostrov village and deep into the forest for the walking tour of the archeological site of the White Sea Petroglyphs. Rock-carved signs of animals, hunters and fishermen were left here by the ancient people thousands years ago.
We continue with a visit of one of the locks of the White Sea - Baltic Canal constructed during Stalin's time mainly by Gulag prisoners.
In the evening we get to the White Sea coast and settle at the hotel in the town of Kem or Belomorsk.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
(B, L, D)

Breakfast.
Early in the morning we go to the pier which is very close to the hotel and board the boat for Solovetsky Islands. Departure is scheduled for 08:00.
~10:00 - Arrival at Solovetsky Island, transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon we proceed with the walking tour of Solovetsky Monastery. During the tour we learn about the history of the medieval Monastery, visit its cathedrals and churches, walls and towers of Solovetsky Kremlin (fortress).
Evening is free. We can walk around the village and visit nearby sights such as Maritime Museum, Gulag Museum or the White Sea coast where we may spot some sea birds and occasional seals.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
(B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we go for the tour to Zayatsky Island. It is a small tranquil island in about 45 minutes boat ride from the Monastery. The main places of interest of Zayatsky, covered with the tundra-type vegetation are its mysterious stone labyrinths dating back about 4000 years and a small wooden church of Andrew the First Caller (1702).
In the afternoon we depart for back Kem at the boat leaving at about 16:00, arriving in Kem at about 18:30.
After dinner the bus takes us to the train station to catch the evening train to St. Petersburg leaving at 20:25 (arrival St. Petersburg next day at about 12:00 noon).
Train for Moscow leaves on the next day early in the morning, extra night in Kem is required.
(B, D)

1. Accommodation at the hotels (rooms with en-suite WC and shower);
2. Car/bus and boat transfers as per itinerary;
3. Meals as per itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner);
4. Entrance fees and tours as per itinerary;
5. English-speaking tour leader and local guides' services;

1. Train tickets;
2. Not mentioned meals;
3. Optional tours and visits.