Karelian Express

10:20 Arrival at Sortavala. Meeting with the guide. 10:40 Departure for Ruskeala Mountain Park by Ruskeala-Express Retro train. This is the only daily steam-powered passenger train left in Russia, which runs with a locomotive built in 1949. 11:40 Guided tour of the Ruskeala Mountain Park. The gem of the park is a marble canyon, which is both a natural and an industrial sight. Ruskeala marble was mined for decorations of the St.Petersburg palaces and cathedrals. Today massive walls of grey and white color and emerald waters of the flooded centre of the canyon make it one the most visited sights in Karelia. Lunch. 15:00 Transfer to Kinerma Village. Kinerma is an ancient Karelian village situated 100 km from Petrozavodsk. The whole territory of the village is considered to be a monument of the Russian wooden architecture. 17:00 Excursion around the village. Afterwards Nadezhda, a local resident of Kinerma, will invite you for a cup of hot tea with national pastry in her house. 20:30 Arrival in Petrozavodsk.  Accommodation. Free time.

Breakfast at the hotel. 09:00 Meeting with the jeep instructors. Each jeep will take 2-3 persons. Transfer to the Kivach Nature Reserve. 11:00 Excursion in the Kivach Nature Reserve. You will get acquainted with the second highest plain waterfall in Europe and typical and rare Karelian plants. The eco system of the Kivach Nature Reserve is unique. Apart from the picturesque landscapes you will enjoy its crystal clear air. 13:00 Picnic on the way and then transfer to Girvas. After a short briefing you will try yourself in the off-road ride. In the past there was an ancient volcano in this area. Till today you can see traces of lava on the rocks. Girvas is a popular area in Karelia for off-road jeep competition. 16:00 Our next stop is in the first Russian spa, founded by Peter the Great in the 18^th century. Till today its waters rich with iron heal from various diseases. You will taste this water from each spring. Visit of the ancient Church of Apostle Peter built in 1721 at the decree of Peter the Great, according to his design and drawings. On our way back to Petrozavodsk we will make a final stop near Sampo Mountain. This is a hill from which you get a splendid panorama of Karelian taiga. 17:30 Arrival at the Petrozavodsk railway station.