- Duration 14 hours
- Average walking distance 5 km to the quay and 12 km on Anzer Island
The journey starts in the Karelian landscapes and sacred places of Northern Russia: Kizhi Island and the Solovetsky archipelago. Boat excursions on the White Lake, hikes across the taiga and boating along the canals towards the only lighthouse church in Russia. Revel in the magnificent landscapes bathed in the magical light of the North: in June, the sun never sets on the Solovetsky Islands.
It only takes one night on a train to reach Karelia from Moscow or Saint Petersburg where you will stay in a hotel and dine at its restaurant with panoramic views over Lake Onega. Then on to the Solovki Islands where you will stay in a guest house that serves freshly baked local delicacies from the White Sea. The journey also includes a trip across Karelia, stopping at the Kivach Falls. There will also be ample time for other walks.
Arrive in Petrozavodsk. Your driver will be waiting for you at the train with a sign “Artel Troika”. Breakfast at a local cafe, before heading to Kizhi Island for lunch. An airboat will transport you to Kizhi (1h15) to admire the unique northern architecture where you will meet with the English-speaking museum guide. Together, you will visit the pogost (2h15) where all the famous wooden churches are: exterior of the Church of the Transfiguration, interior of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, bell tower, typical peasant home and the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus. Return to Petrozavodsk by airboat at 16.45. Dinner at the restaurant, night at the hotel.
Breakfast.
09h00: Departure for Rabocheostrovsk (400 km, 6-7 hours)
Break to visit Kivach Falls.
Lunch in a cafe. Break at Medvezhyegorsk and visit of the museum of ethnography.
Arrive at Rabocheostrovsk. Dinner. Night at the Prichal Hotel.
Breakfast. You will board the boat from the quay near the hotel.
08h00: departure to the Solovky Islands (2h). A driver will meet you at the boat upon arrival. Free time. Lunch at the hotel.
Visit of the monastery with a local guide.
Dinner. Night on Solovky.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Boat excursion, visit of the botanical gardens and Mount Sekirnaya.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to Zayatsky Island.
Lunch at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
14h10: flight to Arkhangelsk (50 min).
19h20: flight from Arkhangelsk to Moscow.
21h10: arrival in Moscow.
Anzer Island is the second biggest of the archipelago and the hardest to reach. There is no port, and it is only possible to get to shore using a small boat. There are no roads, electricity or recent buildings on the island.
From mid-June to mid-August, female beluga whales approach the coast of Bolshoy Solovetsky. During the hike, you will also learn about local flora while watching the whales.
This modern hotel opened in 2015 on the shores of Lake Onego, just 100 metres from the departure point of water planes to Kizhi Island.
Two brick houses in the village below to a couple from Solovetsky: Roman et Ludmila. The kind owners, homemade food, simple and luminous rooms offer great quality for money.
The family-run hotel on Cape Seldyanoy on the shores of Prosperity Bay, opposite the Solovetsky Monastery.
What our clients say
Kizhi Island was fantastic and our tour there was amazing. We came home with a couple of keepsakes (wooden shingles from the original dome) that we are very proud of. This tour was exceptional and we really enjoyed going back to where the work is being done for the reconstruction. The bell ringer was also a highlight.
Solovki was very good. The guest house was wonderful! Ludmilla did a fantastic job cooking beautiful meals for us and always with items fresh from her garden. The lunch box that she supplied was more than substantial and very tasty.