Experiences you'll have
Just imagine: no pre-holiday fuss, city traffic jams and urban noise. Instead of this, you will spend 3 days surrounded by a snow-covered coniferous forest, enjoying the silence and beauty of Karelian nature, as well as trying different types of winter outdoor activities.
This program is perfect for celebrating the New Year in a company of friends. Snowmobiling and dog sledding, snowshoeing in the woods, various excursions and tasting of traditional Karelian cuisine are waiting for you.
Highlights of the journey:
If you already have plans for the New Year holidays, you may choose similar 3-day programs with arrivals from late December to mid-March:
Itinerary
The journey begins in Petrozavodsk, where you should get to on your own. Meeting the group on the first day of the tour — at 08:55 am at the railway station of Petrozavodsk (by the time of arrival of the train №018 from Moscow). We are ready to help with the purchase of tickets, if necessary, leave a comment in the application.
Day 1 "Kivach" Nature Reserve and riding with huskies
After meeting at the train station you will have breakfast in the restaurant and go on a sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk. You will see the main sights of the capital of Karelia, learn interesting facts from the history of the city. You will walk along the embankment of lake Onega, where a collection of modern sculpture is located.
Then you will go by minibus to the "Kivach" Nature Reserve. You will see the famous Kivach waterfall — one of the largest flat waterfalls in Europe, which does not freeze in winter. Then you will walk through the arboretum of the reserve, which has 43 species of trees and shrubs. Among them you will see the famous Karelian birch with a curved trunk and an original wood texture that resembles marble in its pattern and strength.
A visit to the sled dog kennel will be the next point of the program. You will get acquainted with affectionate and playful huskies, and then do dog sledding across the snow-covered forest. On the route there will be small descents and ascents.
After the completion of the route for you will be provided a hot lunch with traditional dishes of the Northern cuisine. Then you will go for a walk through the forest on snowshoes and admire the beauty of the winter Karelian nature.
In the evening you will arrive to the tourist base, located on the picturesque lake Syamozero, stay in your rooms, have dinner and get ready for the New Year party. At 11 pm a festive dinner with an entertainment program will begin.
The length of the route is 10 km by dog sled, 2-3 km by snowshoe and 120 km by minibus.
Day 2 Route to Veshkelitsa village by snowmobile
After breakfast you will be given snowmobile driving instructions and take some training sessions. Then you will start circular snowmobiling route along the forest track.
From lake Syamozero you will drive to the village of Veshkelitsa, where you will get acquainted with the local traditions and enjoy a performance of a folk group. The hospitable hostess will treat you to national Karelian cuisine.
In the evening you will return to the base, have dinner and go to the sauna.
The length of the route is 80 km on snowmobiles.
Day 3 "Three bears" Zoo complex and walk on snowshoes
After breakfast you will visist the "Three bears" zoo complex, located in a pine forest on the lake bank. Bears, moose, raccoons, lynxes, wolves, arctic foxes and other animals live in aviaries here. You will learn about the habits of animals and even be able to feed them.
Then you can go snowshoeing through the snow-covered forest and have a picnic. The guide will give you a master class on smoking red fish and making traditional cranberry sauce. At the end you will have a tea party with cloudberry jam.
Then you will return on snowmobiles to the base, have some rest, and then move to Petrozavodsk. You will have dinner in the restaurant, where you will taste traditional Pomeranian cuisine. Then you will be taken to the station for the evening train.
The length of the route is 70 km on snowmobiles, 3 km on snowshoes, 70 km by minibus.
Accommodation during the trip
You will stay in comfortable double or twin rooms at "Alekka" tourist base. It is located 70 km from Petrozavodsk, on the bank of the picturesque lake Syamozero. Your room will have two single beds (or one double bed and a sofa), a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a coffee table, and a bathroom with a shower. The room has heating, and the vestibule and bathroom have underfloor heating. On the territory of the base there are a cafe and a sauna.
Common questions
An experienced guide will accompany you and ensure your safety. An instructor will teach you how to ride a snowmobile, and a musher will tell you how to drive a dog sled.
The program price includes three meals a day in restaurants in the city and in cafes at the tourist base, as well as a New Year's banquet with an entertainment program. On the third day of the tour, lunch will be replaced with a hot picnic on the route.
You will drive a snowmobile STELS Vityaz (new lineup of 2020).
Also you will be provided with the following equipment:
Insurance is not included in the tour price. We can help you with it, if necessary, inform the manager.
Children from 7 to 12 years old get a 10% discount.
Booking
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
double/twin accommodation at the tourist base
meals as per program
New year's banquet and entertainment program
rental of a snowmobile (double-rider) and a gear, fuel
English-speaking guide's and instructors' service
snowshoeing tour
excursions as per program:city-tour in Petrozavodsk, tour to the husky kennel, to the Kivach waterfall, to the village of Veshkelitsa and the "Three bears" zoo complex
transportation service as per program
train tickets to Petrozavodsk
single-rider snowmobile fee (+223 EURO per person)
health insurance and other unforeseen expenses (starting at 1 EURO per person per day)
double/twin accommodation at the tourist base
meals as per program
New year's banquet and entertainment program
rental of a snowmobile (double-rider) and a gear, fuel
English-speaking guide's and instructors' service
snowshoeing tour
excursions as per program:city-tour in Petrozavodsk, tour to the husky kennel, to the Kivach waterfall, to the village of Veshkelitsa and the "Three bears" zoo complex
transportation service as per program
train tickets to Petrozavodsk
single-rider snowmobile fee (+223 EURO per person)
health insurance and other unforeseen expenses (starting at 1 EURO per person per day)