Day 1 - St Petersburg
On arrival at St Petersburg airport, you’ll be met by your driver, who’ll take you to Ladozhsky railway station where you can leave your bags in the luggage room. Then, you’re free to explore the city on your own, and try some delicious Russian food in one of the numerous restaurants. Your train departs at 11.20 pm – boarding opens 40 minutes before departure.
Day 2 - Petrozavodsk
Arrive early in Petrozavodsk (6.50am), to be met by our driver and guide, who’ll take you for breakfast.
Then it’s time to join the city tour, visiting the historic centre of Petrozavodsk and taking a walk along the embankment of Lake Onego. Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, is a pretty, relaxing city that stands on the beautiful lakeshore. Stopping for a photo near the monument to Peter the Great is a must, as Petrozavodsk is also know as “the City of Peter the Great”.
At 10.15, it’s time to head off for Kizhi Island by hydrofoil. The picturesque trip takes 1 hr 15 minutes, so sit back and enjoy!
Kizhi open-air museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Russia. The highlight is its world-renowned wooden church ensemble with its magnificent 22-domed church – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You’ll learn all about this place during your excursion, before sitting down for lunch and some free time.
Then there’s another hydrofoil trip back to Petrozavodsk, arriving at 5.15pm. Transfer to your cosy hotel to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 3 - Kem
We need to get up early for breakfast.
Today, your private driver and guide will take you to Kem, with lots of other beautiful natural places to admire along the way.
Our long drive starts at 9.30am, with a first stop at the Kivatch Nature Reserve. Here, you’ll see the second largest plain waterfall in Europe and thrill at the sound of its roaring cascades. You’ll also visit the nature museum, get to know the wildlife of Karelia’s taiga, and walk down the famous alley of Karelian birches.
After lunch in Medvezhyegorsk, you trip continues to the most popular of tourist destinations, the “Belomorsk Petroglyphs”. This is an archaeological complex that includes over 2000 images of wild animals, sea creatures, people and boats, including the world’s oldest images of a man skiing. During the excursion, you’ll travel back into Karelia’s past and learn the mysteries of its Stone Age people.
When we finally reach Kem, your guide will help you check in to your cosy hotel. A delicious dinner awaits before retiring for a good night’s sleep.
Day 4 - Solovki
Today brings another early start, as there’s a whole world waiting to be explored!
Board the boat for Solovki Island with your guide at 8.00am. The boat trip takes just over 2 hr, giving you time to relax.
Our walking excursion starts at 10.30am with a look around the Central Architectural Complex of the Solovetsky Monastery.
You’ll learn about the unique history of one of the most northern monasteries in Russia, see the massive walls and towers of the Solovetsky Kremlin and the monastery from the Middle Ages with its austere white stone churches.
There’s free time after lunch at “Warm Welcome to Solovki” to explore on your own. Then, at 4.00pm, it’s time to head back to Kem, to be taken to one of its delicious restaurants. Next, your driver will take you to Kem railway station for your train to St Petersburg, departing at 8.39pm.
There’s time for a relaxing sleep on the train before arriving back in Russia’s second Northern Capital - St Petersburg!
Day 5 - St Petersburg
Your driver will meet you at the station and take you to your central hotel, just a short walk from the main sights of this magnificent city.
After checking in, your expert guide will walk you to one of the most impressive and biggest museums in the world: the State Hermitage.
During your guided tour of the museum, you’ll see the State Rooms of the Winter Palace, part of the collection of paintings by Old Masters and other amazing masterpieces.
You can also admire the gorgeous Gala Stairway, Peter’s Memorial Hall, the Armorial Hall, the Pavilion Hall and the 1812 Gallery, which holds numerous delicate portraits.
This tour is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in St Petersburg’s ornate, precious artwork.
The rest of the day is free to amble along the central streets of St Petersburg and have dinner in one of the numerous central restaurants or cafes.
Day 6 - St Petersburg
There’s no rush for breakfast this morning, as you’ll be meeting your guide and driver for a full-day programme starting at 10.00 am.
As you enjoy the cosmopolitan life of Russia’s cultural capital, you’ll learn the stories behind St Petersburg’s masterpieces such as Nevsky Prospect, the Admiralty Building, Moskovsky Railway Station, Alexander Nevsky Monastery, Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, Kazan Cathedral, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Field of Mars and many more.
During your tour, you’ll visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, the city’s original citadel and oldest construction in St Petersburg, and learn how the city was founded as recently as the 18th century.
Sightseeing in St Petersburg is never complete without visiting the iconic Palace Square.
You can unwind and enjoy lunch at your own expense, before continuing your tour with two of the city’s most splendid cathedrals – St Isaac’s and the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood.
Day 7 - Departure
It’s another relaxing morning today, with free time before checking out and meeting your driver for the transfer to the airport.
We hope you’ll take only good memories away with you, along with lots of beautiful photos to share with your friends and relatives. Thank you for travelling with us!
