PACKAGE TOUR TO RUSSIAN AND FINNISH KARELIA
Tour rout: SAINT-PETERSBURG – PRIOZERSK - SORTAVALA – KOLI - OUTOKUMPU – HELSINKI
PAX: 10+1, 15+1, 20+1
Period: Mid of May – Mid of September
Duration: 9 days/ 8 nights
PLEASE NOTE:
- Guide and coach prices are normally based between the hours 06:00 and 23:00. In cases where arrivals are late at night or early in the morning, supplements to the basic cost may apply.
- In Finland, on Sundays and Public Holidays, guide costs are double.
Note the 2021 Public Holidays in Finland in the Summer time are: 01 May, 13 May, 23 May, and 25 June. Prices are valid based on all the services included in the proposal being booked by IntourLeader Ltd. If only parts are reserved then price is subject to change.
- Offer is SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY at time of booking unless advised otherwise.
TOUR SUMMARY:
Day 1.
Arrival to Saint-Petersburg
Lunch at the city restaurant
Saint-Petersburg citytour (by bus) will acquaint you with the main architectural and historical monuments of Saint Petersburg. You will take a ride along its main streets and prospects enjoying its splendid sights: numerous palaces and cathedrals, rivers and channels, bridges and parks. City tour is not only driving around the central part of St. Petersburg, but it is also photo-stops and small walk-tours during our trip.
Excursion to Saint Isaac's Cathedral
Saint Isaac's Cathedral is a cathedral that currently functions as a museum in Saint Petersburg. The church on St Isaac's Square was ordered by Tsar Alexander I. Detailed work on constructing the St. Isaac's Cathedral took 40 years to complete. And nowadays with an internal height of 69 m, it ranks among the tallest domes in the world. The cathedral's bronze doors, covered in reliefs by Ivan Vitali, are patterned after the celebrated doors of the Battistero di San Giovanni in Florence, designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Dinner at the hotel
ACCOMODATION (2 nights):
- Oktyabrskaya Hotel 4*, Saint-Petersburg
The four-star hotel situated in the historical center of Saint-Petersburg at the intersection of the main avenues of the city.
STANDARD ROOM WITH BREAKFAST
Standard rooms are approximately 18m2
Room amenities include air conditioner, desk and chair, wardrobe, TV, telephone, bathroom with shower or bathtub, hairdryer, kettle.
- or Moscow Hotel 4* , Saint-Petersburg
The four-star hotel is located in the historical center of St. Petersburg just a 2-minute walk from the River Neva.
STANDARD ROOM WITH BREAKFAST
Each room has individual air conditioning, safe, refrigerator, telephone, TV, free WI-FI, bathroom with modern fixtures, hairdryer and toiletries.
Day 2.
Pushkin excursion.
Meet local guide at the hotel. Transfer by bus to Pushkin.
Pushkin is a municipal town, located 24 kilometers south from the center of St. Petersburg. The town contains an ensemble of the 18th century "Tsarskoye Selo". This museum complex includes the Catherine Palace, Alexander Palace and other buildings and associated parks; it is a major tourist attraction of the area and is included in the list of monuments protected by the UNESCO.
Lunch at a local restaurant
In the evening Neva boat trip with the dinner on it
ACCOMODATION:
- Oktyabrskaya Hotel 4*, Saint-Petersburg
- or Moscow Hotel 4* , Saint-Petersburg
Day 3.
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
Transfer by bus to Vladimirskaya Bay on the Ladoga Lake (150 km) and departure to Konevets Island
Konevsky Monastery is an Orthodox monastery that occupies the Konevets Island in the western part of the Lake Ladoga. The monastery was founded around 1393 by St. Arseny Konevsky, who wished to convert pagan Karelians to Christianity. The famous island, on which the eponymous monastery is located, is popularly considered a holy and prayed place.
Lunch at the Monastery refectory
Duration: 7 hours
After Konevets trip transfer by bus to Priozersk (40 km)
Dinner at the hotel
ACCOMODATION:
- Kexholm hotel, Priozersk
A new small hotel is located in a quiet place close to the center of city Priozersk.
STANDARD ROOM WITH BREAKFAST
Each room has a safe, TV, kettle, free WI-FI, bathroom with modern fixtures, hairdryer and toiletries.
Day 4.
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
A Brief acquaintance with this one of Russia's oldest towns and excursion to the Korela Fortress Museum KORELA Fortress
The fortress of Korela where the museum is located was built by the Novgorodians in 1310 and later rebuilt. This fortress during long time was a very important defensive point in the North of Russia. The museum's exhibits show the region's history: Swedish
Kexholm, Russian Priozersk, Finnish Käkisalmi, and again Russian.
Lunch at a Monastery refectory
Duration: 7 hours
Back trip by hydrofoil to Sortavala city.
Dinner at the hotel
Transfer to the pier and departure by hydrofoil to
Vaalam monastery.
The Vaalam Monastery is one of the most famous spiritual centers in the north-western part of Russia. The monastery is situated on the rocky shores of the Valaam Archipelago in the largest lake of Europe, Ladoga Lake. Blue domes of the main Valaam Cathedral surrounded by almost black rocks and endless blue waters of the Ladoga create the scenery of rare beauty.
ACCOMODATION:
Piipun Piha hotel, Sortavala
The hotel is situated 1,5 km from the centre of Sortavala on a picturesque shore of the Ladoga lake.
STANDARD ROOM WITH BREAKFAST
Room amenities include desk and chair, TV, wardrobe, telephone, bathroom with shower, hairdryer.
Day 5.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sortavala city tour by bus.
During the excursion you will get acquainted with the architectural styles of different periods: European modern, classicism, neoclassicism, national romanticism and Russian wooden architecture. The town is also known as an open-air museum of Finnish architecture. You will take beautiful pictures from the highest point of Sortavala in Valkosalmi park.
Kronid Gogolev’s art gallery is a museum of private collection, where all pictures are made of wood. The gem of the collection is sculptural relief in wood. Here you will see the theme of the Russian north, nature, people and their tradition and everyday life.
green surrounding a crystal clear lake.
Lunch on the way.
Crossing Russia – Finland border.
Transfer by bus to the Ruskeala Marble park
Ruskeala Marble park is an old quarry of stone mining, which had been developed almost for three centuries. Ruskeala marble was highly estimated by the architects of St. Petersburg and was used to finish many palaces and cathedrals like St. Michael Castle, Marble Palace and St. Isaac Cathedral. Today Mining Park Ruskeala is one of the most popular sights in Karelia, which can be visited the whole year around. During the excursion you will enjoy scenic landscapes and the view of 25m high marble rocks with shades from light grey to
Arrival to Koli (Finland) in the evening
The Town of Koli is visited for it's stunning nature beauty, traditional cuisine and cultural events. A worldwide known composer Jean Sibelius was fascinated with the destination and even though travelling abroad for more than 40 years in his life he kept returning to peaks of Koli where his honeymoon took place at first.
ACCOMODATION:
Break sokos Hotel, Koli
Break Sokos Hotel Koli is located in the picturesque Koli National Park, close to the peaks of Koli. The view from the hotel towards Pielinen seems to continue forever and ever, and the sky is breathtakingly close. You will feel relaxed simply by admiring the view. In the evening, you can dip into gentle hot tubs at the scenic Koli Relax Spa and admire the view from its outdoor pools.
STANDARD ROOM WITH BREAKFAST
These first-floor rooms have vinyl flooring, a flat-screen TV (49”), a drying radiator and an ironing set, as well as an electric kettle and a selection of coffees, teas and hot chocolates. The rooms also have adjustable air conditioning and a storage unit for skis and equipment.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6.
Breakfast at the hotel
Trekking at Ease (1.5 hrs) - This scenic trail includes Koli’s most famous panoramic views. The tour starts from Koli Shop Retkitupa, located at the Nature Center Ukko, where you meet your guide. The tour takes you to the highest scenic points in the Koli National Park: UkkoKoli, Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli. During the tour, your guide tells you interesting facts and stories about Koli, its history, nature and culture, as well as artists who have found inspiration in
the Koli hills. You see spectacular views throughout the tour, and you have plenty of time to enjoy them and take photos.
Check out from the hotel and take a journey to Lieksa.
Drive to Lieksa (1 h 30 minutes)
The local guide meets the group in Pielinen Museum and holds a 4 hr tour including the lunch break. During the tour You have the opportunity to dive into authentic and pure Karelian lifestyle by the lake Pielinen. The likewise named museum here is the second largest open-air museum in Finland. Paateri, home to renown Finnish designer Eva Ryynanen, has her atelier and church constructed by her in display. In general, Koli region has
sourced inspiration for art masters, and in Paateri Eva Ryynanen's works are embodiment of this inspiration.
Lunch in Lieksa (during the time of the tour) - A cozy finnish restaurant serves gluten and lactose-free menu with the meat dishes made from local meat only.
Drive to Outokumpu (2 hrs)
Excursion to the Outukumpu Old Mine and Mining Museum.
The museum tunnels at the Old Mine offer visitors an authentic and exciting learning environment in a historical milieu. The 277-metre-long main tunnel presents the actual work environment of miners with photographs and old mining machinery. Visitors can see for themselves what it was like to work in the mine in the first half of the 1900s. The rough walls, 8-degree temperature and deep tunnels reaching down to 50
metres beneath the surface create an unforgettable and comprehensive experience that cannot be matched at most other tourist attractions. The tunnels provide lots to explore for visitors of all ages.
Dinner at the hotel
ACCOMODATION:
Hotel Kumpu, Outukumpu
The newly opened hotel is located right in the centre of the town of Outukumpu. It offers the comfort of 25 rooms and warmth of traditional finnish sauna. Restaurant in the hotel serves a la carte and buffet style menus with signature dishes and national favourite treats.
STANDARD ROOM WITH BREAKFAST
Each room has a bathroom with modern fixtures, TV, free WI-FI, hairdryer, kettle, some rooms also have refrigerator.
Day 7.
Breakfast at the hotel
50 minutes drive to New Valamo Monastery and tour on the monastery
As a result of the World War II, the inhabitants of the Valaam monastery in Russia needed to be evacuated. The most valuable items were evacuated from Russian Valaam in February 1940 with the help of the trucks of the Finnish army through an ice road that was built on the frozen lake. The brotherhood settled down in the Finnish Papinniemi estate in Heinävesi in the same year.
Coffee break in Trapesa Monastery Restaurant Drive to Helsinki - 6 hrs drive
On the way lunch at Tertti Manor Restaurant in Mikkeli. Terti Manor is a charming destination right next to a big road, approx. 2 h from Valamo. In summer there is also a nice garden where you can take a walk and get acquainted with the history of Terti. From Terti, drive another 3 hours to Helsinki.
Dinner at Spis Restaurant , which is small Nordic restaurant in Helsinki.
ACCOMODATION:
Hotel Fabian, Helsinki (2 nights)
Hotel Fabian is a 58-room boutique hotel with a uniquely welcoming atmosphere situated right in the heart of Helsinki. Hotel Fabian is a short walk from the Market Square, the beautiful gardens of the Esplanade and the famous Design Museum.
COMFORT ROOM WITH BREAKFAST
Room sizes vary between 22 and 29 square meters. Each room has a bathroom with shower, safety box, air conditioning, hairdryer,
bathrobes and slippers, minibar and wireless Internet connection.
Day 8.
Breakfast at the hotel
City Tour of Helsinki 3 hrs
Helsinki is the youngest of the European capitals, founded in 1550 and located on a cape surrounded by sea. Nowadays it is one of the most modern and culturally progressive cities in the world and is famous for its design and architecture. Here, you will have the chance to visit: the Senate Square and Lutheran cathedral, the elegant Uspenski Cathedral, the famous fish market, the monuments to Havis Amanda and
composer Jan Sibelius, the famous church in the Temppeliaukio rock*, and much more. During this 3- hours excursion, you will also visit Seurasaari (known as “Squirrel island”), an open-air museum located on a beautiful green island just a few kilometers from the heart of Helsinki.
Lunch in one of the restaurants - Traditional buffet style lunch with signature dishes from Finnish cuisine
Suomenlinna Fortress tour –
Suomenlinna is a historical maritime fortress and one of Finland’s most popular sights, attracting more than 700,000 visitors every year. Suomenlinna has something for everyone – walls, cannons, tunnels, a submarine, museums, cafés, restaurants and even a brewery! Many find the 15-minute ferry crossing to the fortress one of the most enjoyable parts of the visit. It offers you a unique chance to see and take pictures of Helsinki from the sea. The
fortress is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Finland. Return by ferry to Helsinki market square.
Dinner in the legendary restaurant Kappeli
Esplanade Park in all its beauty, the spaciousness of the glass veranda, the building's distinguished stature and Kappeli's up-todate kitchen combine to serve today's customers. Rich traditions going back over 150 years – with new trends and interests as well. Kappeli offers both something new and something rich in tradition to Helsinki's modern people, each and every day.
Day 9.
Breakfast at the hotel
Free time before departure to the airport.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
PRICE PER PERSON FOR THE PACKAGE IN EUR (Euros) including 10% commission for a Travel agent
Period from 15.05.-14.06.2021
Per person, minimum 10 paying passengers (includes 3 free place for 2 drivers and the guide)
2425.00 EUR Twin/double
185.00 EUR Single Supplement
Per person, minimum 15 paying passengers (includes 3 free place for 2 drivers and the guide)
2180.00 EUR Twin/double
185.00 EUR Single Supplement
Per person, minimum 20 paying passengers (includes 3 free place for 2 drivers and the guide)
2090.00 EUR Twin/double
185.00 EUR Single Supplement
Period from 12.07.-15.09.2021
Per person, minimum 10 paying passengers (includes 3 free place for 2 drivers and the guide)
2540.00 EUR Twin/double
194.00 EUR Single Supplement
Per person, minimum 15 paying passengers (includes 3 free place for 2 drivers and the guide)
2350.00 EUR Twin/double
194.00 EUR Single Supplement
Per person, minimum 20 paying passengers (includes 3 free place for 2 drivers and the guide)
2260.00 EUR Twin/double
194.00 EUR Single Supplement
PRICE INCLUDES:
- accommodation (2 nights in S.-Petersburg, 1 night in Priozersk, 1 night in Sortavala, 1 night in Koli, 1 night in Outokumpu and 2 nights in Helsinki)
- meal according to the program (full board starting with lunch at first day and ending with breakfast at last day)
- entrance tickets according to the program
- English speaking guide on excursions
- Coach service
PRICE DOESN’T INCLUDE: air tickets, Visa to Russia