Hiking in the Kola and Karelia. Relax in Karelia

Duration

Price

Dates

any day

Length

  • A two-day hiking trip with dogs with an overnight stay in a tent on the shore of Lake Okunevoe. Perch Lake is a good place for fishing; a lot of mushrooms and berries grow along the banks. The partner dog is attached to the belt and helps to walk, and sometimes also carries part of the load.
  • The program is suitable for beginners. Special training is not required. Age: from 8 years.
  • The tour is organized on dates convenient for you with an application from 2 tourists.

Tour program "Hiking in Karelia":

1 day:

Meeting tourists at the railway station in Petrozavodsk.

Transfer to the sled dog kennel.
The kennel is located in the village of Matrosy (30 km from Petrozavodsk).

Breakfast at the guest house.

Excursion to the kennel of sled dogs, acquaintance with expedition dogs.

Preparation for the trip: selection of equipment, briefing.

Exit to the route: the village of Matrosy - Lake Okunevoe.

Picnic on the way.

Arrival at the lake.

Setting up the camp.

Fishing, picking mushrooms and berries (optional and seasonal).

Dinner by the fire. Overnight in tents.

The length of the day hike is about 15 km.

2 day:

Breakfast in nature.

Preparation of equipment, equipment, briefing before going on the route.

Journey along the route: Lake Okunevoe - the town of Yumanishki - the village of Matrosy.

Picnic in the forest along the way.

Return to the sled dog kennel.

Dinner at the guest house. The menu includes dishes of Karelian national cuisine.

Transfer to Petrozavodsk to the railway station.

The length of the day hike is about 12 km.

The article tells about how to organize your own independent trip around Karelia: when to go, what to see and how to get there.

Russia, next to Finland, is the Republic of Karelia, rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. The region attracts travelers with its pristine cleanliness. It is ideal for a quiet, relaxing holiday, as well as for an active pastime with a continuous change of scenery. Hunting for birds and animals, along turbulent rivers, skiing and dog sledding, fishing, excursions - all this awaits inquisitive tourists in Karelia.

Note: 2 useful reviews about a self-guided trip to Karelia

  • about Karelia
  • : advantages and disadvantages
  • About the main attractions, and most


How to get to Karelia?

In North-west
There are 4 options for how to get to the republic:

  • By train.
    Direct routes are provided between Petrozavodsk and Moscow or St. Petersburg. If there are no direct flights from other Russian cities, you can always take a ticket with transfers.
  • By bus.
    The most suitable option for residents of St. Petersburg. Flights to Petrozavodsk.
  • By plane.
    Near the village of Besovets, 12 km from Petrozavodsk, there is the main airport of Karelia. Tickets are recommended to be bought in advance.
  • By car.
    An excellent option for traveling around Karelia in terms of economy and freedom of movement. Suitable for large families and companies. It should be borne in mind that in the republic, many roads are unpaved.

Choose a tour to Karelia

When there is no time to plan a trip to Karelia on your own, you can contact the guys from Alem Tour. This is a verified tour operator. They have been working since 2002 and know all the most beautiful places in the republic. All tours are turnkey: accommodation + transfer + excursions. In general, we recommend. See what tours to Karelia they offer now.


What to see in Karelia?

A huge number of cultural monuments are concentrated in the republic. The most interesting sights for tourists:

Are you planning a trip? That way!

We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help save money at the stage of preparation for the trip.

  • Valaam, Solovki- popular islands that have preserved ancient monasteries and churches, many of which are UNESCO heritage. The islands are also attractive for their natural beauties: dense forests with slender firs, stone, steep banks, clear river water. You can read more about it in a separate article.
  • Architectural Museum of Kizhi. On the island, right under the open sky, samples of the life of the peoples who lived on these lands many centuries ago are collected. During the tour, travelers will learn many legends and customs of the locals.
  • White Sea petroglyphs. On the islands of Karelia, archaeologists have discovered about three dozen ancient sites, as well as images and compositions carved on rocks dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. It is recommended to view the drawings accompanied by a guide.
  • Ruskeala marble canyon. It was here that marble was taken for St. Petersburg palaces. The canyon is surrounded by ancient trees, which makes it more beautiful and majestic.
  • Waterfalls Girvas and Kivach. The first is unique in its location on the volcano, and the second in size.
  • Body archipelago. Rare birds and animals huddle on 16 uninhabited islands. An interesting place to visit naturalists.


How to get around Karelia?

Railway transport is the least popular in the republic. Since the main task of Karelia is to preserve the primeval beauty of nature, new rails are not being laid. For travelers, the Oktyabrskaya railway is relevant. On it you can get to the Onega and Kandalaksha bays of the White Sea, Lake Onega. Also, branches were laid to Yushkozero, Belomorsk, Sortavala.

To get acquainted with all the beauties of Karelia, it is recommended to travel by car or rent transport on the spot. Moving along the federal highway M-18 "Kola", you can turn onto any secondary road, which will certainly lead to one of the lakes of the region.

In Karelia there is a sea and river shipping company. The water communication system is well developed here, so travelers can easily move along the White Sea coast, along the rivers Neva, Svir, lakes Ladoga, Onega, White Sea-Baltic Canal.


Discover Karelia with its waterways! Our Travel Club "Wanderer" invites you to rafting in Karelia on catamarans. If you visit Karelia for the first time, then you will see for yourself the primordial beauty of its nature, you will smell the needles, hear the quiet splash of the waves, fill your day with impressions.

river selection

The abundance of rivers and routes is simply amazing. To make it easier for you to find your perfect trip, below we have put together a few tips to help you choose the right river for you.

We arranged them in order of complexity of the routes.>>

Difficulty: Easy (Light)

Msta river- the passage is possible only in the spring! There are no difficult rapids, for lovers of leisurely rafting. There are many ancient villages, churches and estates along the river. Suitable for beginners, families with children and those who like to take pictures.

Shuya river- the most popular river in Karelia! It is easy to get to, as it is located close to civilization, and it also has fairly simple rapids. Therefore, routes along Shuya are ideal for beginners and families with children. Passage is possible on kayaks and catamarans. There are spring and summer routes.

Difficulty: Medium (Medium)

Pistajoki river- the westernmost river of Karelia, passes on the border with Finland. Due to its remoteness, it is not visited by tourists. With the purest water and lots of berries, mushrooms and fish, surrounded by amazing wildlife. Excellent fishing is possible. The route is open to everyone, but some experience is welcome.

Okhta River- removed from civilization, while it has quite complex rapids. Excellent fishing is possible.

Chirka-Kem River- the longest river in Karelia. Excellent fishing is possible (not only pike and bream are caught, but also grayling, trout, and trout).

Keret River- the northern river of Karelia. Acquaintance with wild nature and access to the open White Sea. Successful fishing is possible.

Difficulty: High (Hard)

Umba river- located on the Kola Peninsula. The Umba belongs to the complex rivers, it has many difficult rapids. Since the river is spawning, red fish comes here. Sea fishing is possible. Ideal for experienced tourists and adrenaline lovers.

Tumcha river- the route along this river is one of the most difficult! Wild nature, a lot of fish and serious rapids. Ideal for experienced tourists and adrenaline lovers.

Uksujoki river- difficult rapids, wild nature. ONLY for experienced hikers or for people who love extreme sports. Passage is possible only in SPRING!

The most popular type of hike is hiking. Hiking is also different: in the mountains, on the rocks, on the plains and in the steppes, and even in the pits, this is also a hiking trip. Hiking does not require the skills of a swimmer, rower or climber. All you need is yourself and your desire!

extreme route

Price from: 9000 rubles.

Hiking along the Karelian Isthmus. The distance is about 50 km (this is about 8-9 hours of daily walking through the forest) through the most beautiful and fabulous places in Karelia. Wild forest, pristine lakes and streams, glacial boulders and the sun, all this and much more awaits a real adventurer. Overnight stay without tents and sleeping bags. Shelter for the night, do it yourself. With you only an ax, a knife, a rope, a flask and a bowler hat. A trip for the adventurous.

All-Union tourist route No. 30 - Thirty!

Cost from: 10800 rubles.

One of the oldest, massive and popular tourist routes in the USSR to the Black Sea through the Caucasus Mountains, about 100,000 people passed it during the season. Operated already in the mid-1930s.

This unique route covers most of the landscape and climatic zones of Russia: fir-beech forests, alpine meadows of high mountain plateaus, permafrost on mountain peaks and subtropics of the coast!

The route passes through the reserve, which helped to preserve untouched nature, rare and unique animals, birds and plants.

Karelia. Walk to the island of Koyonsaari.

Price from: 7900 rubles.

Year-round weekend trip! Clean air, picturesque places! Koyonsaari is truly the most beautiful place on Ladoga, with a sandy beach, majestic pine trees, and powerful rocks. This is a family route, designed for people of any age, i.e. quite a rare hike that can unite three generations!

Dozen lakes!

Cost from: 3500 rubles.

A pleasant, invigorating aroma of a coniferous forest, sandy mountains, 12 picturesque lakes, springs, gentle sun, deep starry sky, hot and fragrant forest tea and the deafening silence of the Karelian Isthmus. All this you will see and feel in our weekend hike "A Dozen Lakes"!

The hike takes place with a preliminary group application of 10 people at a convenient time for your group.

Big and Small Thach

Price from: 9300 rubles.

The incredible beauty of the mountains and their accessibility make this route one of the most attractive not only for experienced, but also for beginners, before conquering more serious peaks.

The natural park "Big Tkhach" is located in the Republic of Adygea and is included in the World Natural Heritage List. And it is no coincidence, because there really is something to see!

To Yalta, through the cave cities of Crimea!

Price from: 9800 rubles.

Why do they like hiking in the Crimea? We will reveal the secret to you! - this is for an amazing variety of historical monuments, for cave cities carved into the rocks, for waterfalls and refreshing mountain streams, for a mild sunny climate. And finally, to Yalta, where we will celebrate the end of our campaign!

No problem! Karjala Park tours are designed for both professionals and beginners. Due to the incredible number of rivers, lakes and other water bodies, water tourism in Karelia is very developed, they are especially successful.

After all, this is not only a way to move along the river - it is a separate art that allows the participant not only to show their physical strength, struggling with the rapids of whimsical rivers, but also to have time to enjoy the picturesque places. What can you see while rafting on mountain rivers:

  • historical and modern villages: Rubchoyla, Keret, Kinerma, Umba and Lower Pulonga. Many of which are known for their uniqueness and historical significance. Each of the villages has its own distinct characteristics and cultures;
  • the second largest in Europe - Lake Onega, the beauty of which fascinates, and makes true artists take out canvases and perpetuate all the mystery and mystery of this place;
  • the largest freshwater lake in Europe - Ladoga. Its area is 18,400 km! Creating Lake Ladoga, nature did its best. Numerous islands that adorn the lake, give it a special uniqueness and will not leave anyone indifferent;
  • "Devil's chair", also known as Mount Bolshaya Vara. A huge stone mass, which from afar really looks like a huge chair;
  • Botanical Garden. Plants from all over the world are collected in the Botanical Garden. Here you can find African, American and European exhibits. Karelian birch is a special pride of the garden;
  • numerous thresholds of different difficulty levels (Pink Elephant, Windmill, Canyon, Khramina, Big Tolly, Kumio, Dzotovy, Bear and many others);
  • Mount Huatavaara, which has earned itself the fame of the most mystical place. There are many legends about this place and this is not surprising, because it is here that the burial places of shamans are located;
  • islands Mayachny, Andronin, Oleniy;
  • shivers and rapids of the rivers Shuya, Suyoka, Uksa, Vitsaoy, Kolosjoki, Keret, Umba and others;
  • lakes Oyarvi, Vedlozero, Pistarvi;
  • ten-meter waterfall Arenga;
  • museums: ancient constructions of the Sami, the Sheltozersky Veps ethnographic museum and a lot of other interesting and informative things.

This is the best way to take a break from all the blessings of civilizations and truly taste the beauty of life. With Karjala Park tours you will be able to learn how to: cope with violent rapids; install plague; drive a kayak; drive a canoe and kayak. And thanks to carefully designed programs, rafting tours can be suitable: for beginners; as well as families with children; and corporate clients; and large groups or just lovers; or just for everyone who wants to forget about stress at work.

Accommodation and meals during the tours

During the tour, participants will spend the night in the field, and cook food on the fire. Dinner consists of fish soup or fried fish, which you yourself will catch in the river, on the banks of which you will settle. Breakfast and lunch you will also have to get yourself. Fortunately, rich forests for mushrooms and berries, as well as rivers for fish, will not let you stay hungry, and the accompanying guide-instructor will not let you get poisoned by a poisonous plant. Every evening a bath awaits you. And not just a bath, but a real camping bath!

You choose the length and duration of the tour yourself, depending on your desires and possibilities. Rafting can last for several hours or several days. The cost of the tour varies depending on the duration. Included in cost:

  1. insurance;
  2. rental of all necessary equipment;
  3. food and accommodation;
  4. accompaniment of a guide-instructor;
  5. excursions and master classes.

Going for rafting on the river on or, you choose the opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoy the primeval nature and feel like a getter and a pioneer. Freed from the shackles of work and obligations, you find yourself in a world of peace and tranquility. Give in to the elements and dissolve in the singing of birds, the rustle of tree leaves, the murmur of rivers and the atmosphere of complete unity with nature!

Let all your problems and worries go away along the river, and a fair wind will bring happiness and good luck! When choosing Karjala Park tours, remember: Your pleasure and safety is our main goal!

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