10 days / 9 nights
Karelia region tours, Kizhi Tours, Arkhangelsk Tours, St. Petersburg Tours, Moscow Tours
A summertime discovery tour, rich in historical insights, cultural and natural experiences.
- Four UNESCO World Heritage sights: Moscow, Kizhi Pogost, Solovetsky Islands & St. Petersburg
- Orthodox monasteries & traditional villages
- Steam train, marble canyon & nature trails
- The White Sea, great European lakes of Ladoga & Onega
Day 1. Moscow: Arrival
Arrival in Moscow.
Transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Moscow.
Note: If you prefer to start the tour in St. Petersburg, the itinerary can be customized accordingly.
Day 2. Visit Moscow. Train to Sortavala in Karelia Region
Breakfast.
Pick-up at the hotel and depart for a city tour of Moscow, where you will see the Kremlin, the fairy-tale St. Basil's Cathedral, walk along Red Square, and visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Transfer to the train station.
Your guide will assist with boarding a comfortable sleeper train, departing from Moscow to Sortavala at around 7 PM.
Overnight on the train (train travel is unescorted).
Day 3. Ride Vintage Steam Train, Visit Sortavala & Ruskeala Canyon
08:30 AM – Upon arrival in Sortavala you will be met by a local English-speaking guide and proceed to an included breakfast.
Explore the charming town of Sortavala, discovering its rich history and diverse architecture.
Board the Ruskeala Express vintage steam train for a scenic journey, that evokes the atmosphere of La Belle Époque, a period known as the 'Golden Age' of Europe in the early 20th century.
Visit the marble quarries of Ruskeala Mountain Park and enjoy a walk around the stunning marble canyon, filled with emerald-green water. There will be free time for lunch in the Mountain Park (lunch not included).
If time permits, visit Ruskeala Cascade on the Tohmajoki River for another nature experience.
Overnight stay in Sortavala.
Day 4. Exploring Valaam Monastery & Authentic Karelian Village Life
Breakfast.
Transfer to the pier and take a boat across Lake Ladoga to Valaam Island (60 minutes).
Note: The boat trip depends on the weather and may be rescheduled or canceled in storms.
Discover Valaam Island: explore the central monastery cloister and visit the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, the main Orthodox church of Valaam Monastery.
Return to Sortavala by boat.
Transfer to Kinerma, a historic Karelian village (about 160 km, 2 hours).
Stroll through this small historic village with original peasant houses dated back to the 19th century. Meet local Karelian residents and visit the 18th-century village chapel. Enjoy an evening tea with homemade traditional kalitki (open-faced pies), oatmeal pancakes and berry pastry.
Proceed to Petrozavodsk (about 110 km, 1.5 hours) for two hotel nights.
Day 5. Explore Kizhi Island
After breakfast, depart around 10:00 by hydrofoil across Lake Onego to Kizhi Island, arriving at approximately 11:30.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Kizhi Museum of Wooden Architecture, featuring the UNESCO-listed Kizhi Pogost with its two 18th-century wooden churches: the Church of the Transfiguration and the Church of the Intercession (entrance to the latter included).
See a traditional peasant log house with original interiors, furniture, and household items.
Return to Petrozavodsk by the same boat.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6. Visit Petrozavodsk & Transfer to Kem
Breakfast.
A tour of Petrozavodsk will unveil the city’s main attractions, such as the historic Round Square, the beautiful Russo-Byzantine Holy Cross Cathedral with its adjacent old cemetery, and the scenic Lake Onega waterfront.
Afterward, transfer to the train station for your escorted journey to the town of Kem on the White Sea coast.
Arrival in Kem after approximately an 8-hour train ride.
Transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Note: The train transfer to Kem may be replaced with a bus transfer, depending on logistics.
Day 7. Discover Solovetsky Islands
After breakfast, depart around 08:00 by boat for a two-hour crossing of the White Sea to the Solovetsky Islands.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time or explore the village with your guide.
In the afternoon, tour the Solovetsky Monastery, a historic Orthodox monastery founded in the 15th century. Explore the inner fortress, the Transfiguration Cathedral, monastic cells, refectory, prison, and fortress ramparts.
Option: Attend the evening Service at the Monastery.
Overnight at the hotel on Solovetsky Island.
Day 8. Explore Solovetsky Islands & Return to Kem
Breakfast.
Take a 3-hour boat trip to Zayatsky Island, exploring the wooden church of St. Andrew (1702) and prehistoric stone labyrinths. Enjoy the natural landscapes, birdwatching, and possible sightings of bearded seals.
Free time for lunch (not included).
Depart Solovetsky by boat around 16:00, arriving in Kem two hours later.
After an included dinner in Kem, transfer to the train station and board the sleeper train to St. Petersburg around 20:30. Overnight on the train.
Day 9. St. Petersburg: Arrival & City Orientation
10:00 AM — Arrival in St. Petersburg at Ladozhsky train station. Meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel to drop off luggage and refresh after the train.
Proceed with a city tour of St. Petersburg, exploring Nevsky Avenue, Palace Square, St. Isaac’s Cathedral (exterior), and Kazan Cathedral (visit). Finish at the hotel in time for check-in.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in St. Petersburg.
Day 10. St. Petersburg: Departure.
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport or train station.
Grand Northern Russia Tour Price in 2026:
185,000 Rubles per person in a double room
205,000 Rubles per person in a single room
Tour Dates:
August 7–16, 2026
If you would like to join, please, register your interest by email to info@nordictravel.ru or by using the Ask a Question/Send a Request function and we will contact you with the next steps.
1. Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Moscow (1 night), 3-star hotel in Sortavala (1 night), 4-star hotel in Petrozavodsk (2 nights), 2-star hotel in Kem (1 night), 3-star hotel on Solovetsky (1 night), 4-star hotel in St. Petersburg (1 night).
2. Train tickets: Moscow–Sortavala (2nd class sleeper), Sortavala–Ruskeala (2nd class seat, steam train), Kem–St. Petersburg (2nd class sleeper). 1st class available on-request.
3. Meals: As per the itinerary.
4. Transportation: As per the itinerary.
5. Visits and experiences: As per the itinerary with local English-speaking guides.
Not Included:
1. International plane tickets.
2. Meals not specified as included.
3. Optional tours, activities, or additional sightseeing beyond the itinerary.
4. Charges for early check-in or late check-out.
5. Tips to drivers and guides.
We use modern, comfortable 9-seater vans, for example Volkswagen Caravella with plenty of luggage space.
For smaller groups we use suitably sized cars, such as Skoda Octavia.
For bigger groups we use Mercedes Sprinter buses or full-sized coaches.
Regarding the sites, the highlights for us were the visit to Kinerma (we have been involved in raising money to restore a traditional barn in our own small village (only 12 houses) so we could empathise with their efforts and problems), and of course the Solovetsky Islands.
Thanks for a great experience. The tour of Karelia was everything we expected and more.The tour went like clockwork. Our guide Alyssa was knowledgeable, patient and quick to lend a helping hand when needed. The drivers were professional and the vans we traveled in were clean and comfortable. We have no complaints about our hotel rooms. What an experience to visit an area of Russia few Americans have ever seen! We wouldn't hesitate to book another Nordic Travel tour.
We wish to congratulate you for the wonderful visit to your country. Believe us when we say that you could teach many tour operators in France and abroad! Michel keeps saying that you know how to select your collaborators... The journey was so smooth (except for the roads) and trouble-free all along. Hotel Rossi was a very good choice as it is very comfortable and close to Nevsky Prospekt. We particularly appreciated to see Alexander I waiting for us at the door of our car in Saint Petersburg railway station. Thank you again.
We went to Moscow and St. Petersburg in Spring 1990. We were amazed at how much these cities have changed. We enjoyed our holiday very much, especially petroglyphs!! We could not have done it without you. Thank you for everything!!!