Highlights: 8 day tour
This new group tour includes some of the highlights of the Karelian Republic such as Kizhi and Solovetsky Islands.
Price from: £1590 pp
Our new group tour visits some of the off-the-beaten-track places in Russia such as the Solovetsky Islands, which are not easy to reach as an independent traveller. Situated in the chilly waters of the Onega Bay of the White Sea in the far north of Russia, Solovetsky is really off-the-beaten-track and despite its tragic history, its setting is one of quite breathtaking natural beauty - a wild northern landscape of bays and headlands, lakes and deep forests.
Tour dates : 7 - 14 Aug 2010
Price per person twin-share: £1590
Single room supplement :£225
Price Includes:
Return flights in economy class with British Airways direct from London Heathrow, All airport taxes and security charges, Accommodation in three-star hotels with breakfast, All transfers, Train tickets in 2nd-class 4-berth compartments, Sightseeing with English-speaking guide as specified, Entrance fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes:
Russian Visa, Regional Add-ons from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle from £75 per person return, Supplement for 1st class 2-berth compartments £130 per person,Supplement for sole use of 1st class 2-berth compartment on train £445
Notes:
This is a guaranteed departure tour operated in conjunction with our Russian partners and is not exclusive to Regent Holidays’ clients.
This tour operates with a minimum of 4 persons.
8 Day Itinerary
DAY 1
FLY TO ST PETERSBURG
Fly to St Petersburg and transfer to Hotel Moskva or similar for 2 nights.
DAY 2
ST PETERSBURG
Meet guide in reception for morning sightseeing tour of St Petersburg including a visit to Peter and Paul’s Fortress (4 hours).
DAY 3
ST PETERSBURG TO PETROZAVODSK
Morning tour to the State Hermitage Museum (3 hours) and rest of day free before transfer to railway station for overnight train to Petrozavodsk.
DAY 4
PETROZAVODSK
Arrive early morning and after breakfast, there is a city tour of Petrozavodsk. Petrozavodsk is the capital of Karelia Republic. Karelia is a vast wilderness that stretches from St Petersburg to the Arctic Circle and contains the two largest lakes in Europe – Ladoga and Onega. Petrozavodsk was founded in 1703 as an iron foundry and armaments plant for Peter the Great, although despite this industrial start, today the town has a pleasant provincial feel to it with its tree-lined streets and many parks. The main highlight of today is an excursion to Kizhi Island, located some 65 kilometres away across Lake Onega. This fairytale island includes the open-air Museum of Wooden architecture and the remarkable Church of the Transfiguration. Overnight stay in Petrozavodsk.
DAY 5
KIVATCH WATERFALL
This morning visit Kivatch Waterfall, which is located some 60 kilometres from Petrozavodsk. Kivatch Waterfalls is the second largest in Europe (the first one being Rhein Waterfalls) measuring some 10.7 metres high. The waterfall is on the River Suna located in the national park named after the falls – Kivatch. Here, you can also find the rare Karelian birch. Transfer to Belomorsk for overnight stay.
DAY 6
SOLOVETSKY ISLANDS
Today there is a full day excursion to the Solovetsky Islands (often referred to as Solovki). Solovki are six islands located in the forbidding waters of the White Sea, just 165 kilometres from the Arctic Circle. Known for their scenic beauty but difficult to access even today, the islands have long been used for both retreat and exile. On the island stands one of Russia’s most famous and holy monasteries – Solovetsky Monastery, which was founded in the 15th century. However, more recent history reveals its tragic past as a brutal Soviet gulag camp, where over a million prisoners died. Today, Solovetsky Monastery is a World Heritage Site, museum and home to a handful of monks. Transfer to Belomorsk railway station for overnight train back to St Petersburg.
DAY 7
ST PETERSBURG
Arrive late morning and transfer to hotel for overnight stay. Afternoon excursion to the town of Pushkin,where a visit to Catherine’s Palace and Park is included.
DAY 8
FLY TO UK
Free morning before transfer to airport for flight back to the UK.
