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Grand Karelia

Moscow – Petrozavodsk – Medvezhyegorsk – Sortavala – Vyborg – Moscow

4 days / 3 nights from $600 per person guided excursions included in tour packages

Grand Karelia is an exclusive tourist train that allows you to see the most vibrant attractions of Karelia and Vyborg in just three days. The route passes through Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk, Sortavala, and Vyborg. The program includes a visit to Kizhi Island, the filming locations of the movie 'Love and Pigeons', the Mannerheim Line, Ruskeala Mountain Park, a walk along the Ladoga skerries, Old Vyborg, a boat tour to Monrepos Park, and dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city. The train will depart only once – on August 14, and will return to Moscow in the morning on August 17.

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Itinerary day by day

Day 1

Moscow

departure 21:05

Departure from Leningradsky Station

Day 2

Petrozavodsk

arrival 07:50 · departure 12:55

The capital of Karelia on the shores of Lake Onega: a waterfront with modern sculptures, the National Museum, and live music at the Karelian 'House of Kanтеле'. From here, the main journey of the day begins - a high-speed 'Comet' to Kizhi Island, home to wooden churches built without a single nail.

Package №1 · Classic Karelia: Petrozavodsk, Kivach, Sortavala, and Vyborg More than 5 hours A ready-made program covering four stops on the route. In Petrozavodsk, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city by bus and on foot, visit the National Museum of Karelia, and the 'House of Kanтеле' with a concert program, have lunch at a city cafe. Then, visit the Kivach Nature Reserve: one of the largest plain waterfalls in Europe, the Nature Museum, and the arboretum (about 5 hours). In Sortavala, take a one-hour walk through the historic center with Finnish architecture of the Northern Ladoga region. The finale is Vyborg from the water: a two-hour boat ride with views of Vyborg Castle on Castle Island and dinner at a city cafe.

Package №2 · The Grand Journey: Kizhi, Medvezhyegorsk, Sortavala, and Vyborg More than 5 hours The most comprehensive tour program. In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk, then take the high-speed 'Comet' to Kizhi Island - home to wooden churches built without a single nail, with a guided tour and lunch on the island. Next, take a rare route: a boat to the village of Oyatevshchina and a bus to Medvezhyegorsk - the town where 'Love and Pigeons' was filmed: the house where the film was shot and a tour of the Finnish castle 'Karhumäki'. In Sortavala, take a one-hour walking tour of the merchant center, and in Vyborg, enjoy a two-hour tour of medieval streets with an external view of Vyborg Castle.

Medvezhyegorsk

arrival 11:00 · departure 21:30

A small town at the gateway to Zaonezhye, familiar to everyone from the film 'Love and Pigeons' - the house from the filming is still preserved here. Nearby is the mysterious Finnish fortification 'Karhumäki', carved directly into the rocks.

Day 3

Sortavala

arrival 07:25 · departure 15:09

An ancient Karelian town with Finnish architecture in the Northern Ladoga region and a cozy merchant center. From here, the Ruskeala Express vintage train departs to the Marble Canyon, featuring emerald waters amid snow-white cliffs, and high-speed boats set sail from the pier into the labyrinth of the Ladoga skerries with landings on granite islands.

Vintage Train and Ruskeala Marble Canyon 4 hours A journey on the famous Ruskeala Express, a steam-powered train with 19th-century interiors, from Sortavala to the mountain park. In the park, the 'Marble Canyon' tour showcases emerald waters among snow-white marble cliffs, used in the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral, as well as tunnels and viewing platforms. Return transfer to Sortavala station (bus or Orlan commuter train). Note: only 30 seats available per flight, sales close 7 days before departure - book in advance.

High-Speed Boat Tour of the Ladoga Skerries 2 hours A boat tour from Sortavala pier through the labyrinth of rocky islands in Lake Ladoga. Landing on an island: granite 'ram's heads', relict coniferous forest, and views that attract photographers from all over the country. Available from June 5 to September 25, can only be purchased from the сопровождающий on the train.

Vyborg

arrival 17:45 · departure 23:43

Russia's only medieval city: cobblestone streets, stone houses from the 15th century, and Vyborg Castle on an island in the middle of the bay. Between the tour and departure, don't miss the chance to try the famous Vyborg pretzel, baked here since the 14th century.

Walking Tour of Medieval Vyborg 2 hours A two-hour walk through Russia's only medieval city: cobblestone streets of the Old Town, stone houses from the 15th century, and Vyborg Castle on Castle Island with an external inspection. After the tour, free time and independent return to the station.

Day 4

Moscow

arrival 10:16

Arrive in Moscow at Leningradsky Station

Grand Karelia

Itinerary day by day

Moscow

Petrozavodsk

Medvezhyegorsk

Sortavala

Vyborg

Moscow

The train: cars & compartments

Compartment car · 4-berth compartments

Restaurant car

Route map

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