Petrozavodsk and Kizhi
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PRICE
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REQUEST
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The island of Kizhi in the middle of Lake Onega is one of Russia's most popular tourist destinations, home to a wealth of remarkable wooden buildings dating back as far as the 14th century, including the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration, constructed - without the use of a single nail - in 1714. Atmospheric and extremely beautiful, Kizhi is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and makes for a uniquely compelling trip from St. Petersburg that takes only one full day and two nights on the train.
This tour, with a highly qualified local guide, is a great opportunity to visit both Kizhi and the city of Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Republic of Karelia and an attractive university town on the shore of Lake Onega, founded in the same year as St. Petersburg. An intensive version of this tour is also available as a day trip.
Itinerary
| 11:20pm |
Overnight train to Petrozavodsk
Your party will be transported from your hotel to Ladozhsky Rail Station by car or bus for the overnight train to Petrozavodsk. Tickets, unless otherwise requested, will be in standard four-bed compartments.
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| 7:00am |
Arrival in Petrozavodsk and breakfast
You will be met on arrival in Petrozavodsk by your guide, who will take you to a nearby café for breakfast.
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| 8:00am - 10:00am |
Tour of Petrozavodsk
Founded in 1703 by Prince Alexander Menshikov, the first Governor General of St. Petersburg and one of Peter the Great's closest associates, Petrozavodsk ("Peter's Factory") was originally the site of an iron foundry producing canon and other equipment for the Tsar's newly established fleet during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). This two-hour tour by bus will take you around the city's main landmarks, including the 19th century Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the lakeside embankment lined with monuments gifted to the city from throughout the world.
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| 10:15am - 11:45am |
Hyrdrofoil transfer to Kizhi
Hydrofoils leave from the centre of Petrozavodsk and take 90 minutes to cross Lake Onega to the island of Kizhi.
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| 12:00pm - 5:00pm |
Tour of Kizhi
You will have four hours on Kizhi to explore the pogost, the historic settlement containing the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration and the even older Church of the Intercession, which is heated so that it can be used in winter. Your guide will also take you round the Kizhi Open-Air Museum, a collection of wooden buildings brought to the island from throughout the Russian north, including the tiny Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus from Murom Monastery, dating from the second half of the 14th century and considered to be the oldest surviving wooden church in Russia. There will be a break for lunch at a local restaurant, and also time to shop for souvenirs and handicrafts.
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| 5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Hydrofoil transfer back to Petrozavodsk
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| 6:30pm - 10:30pm |
Free time in Petrozavodsk
After returning from Kizhi, you will have four hours in Petrozavodsk to explore the town under your own steam and have dinner in a local restaurant (your guide will provide you with recommendations as required.
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| 10:40pm |
Overnight train back to St. Petersburg
You will need to be at Petrozavodsk Rail Station at 10.30pm to catch the night train back to St. Petersburg. Again, unless otherwise requested, your tickets will be in standard four-bed compartments.
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| 6:24am |
Arrival in St. Petersburg
Upon arrival at Ladozhsky Rail Station, you will be met by our driver and taken back to your St. Petersburg hotel or other accommodation.
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NB This itinerary is designed for summer visits (May to October) and may not be available on every day of the week, depending on visitor attraction opening schedules.
Itinerary and route details
Tour start point
By agreement, at client's hotel
Tour finish point
By agreement, at client's hotel
Length of tour
One day, two nights
Approximate schedule
| 11:20pm | Overnight train to Petrozavodsk |
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| 7:00am | Arrival in Petrozavodsk and breakfast |
| 8:00am - 10:00am | Tour of Petrozavodsk |
| 10:15am - 11:45am | Hyrdrofoil transfer to Kizhi |
| 12:00pm - 5:00pm | Tour of Kizhi |
| 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Hydrofoil transfer back to Petrozavodsk |
| 6:30pm - 10:30pm | Free time in Petrozavodsk |
| 10:40pm | Overnight train back to St. Petersburg |
| 6:24am | Arrival in St. Petersburg |
Days on which tour is available
Daily during summer (May to October)
Attractions visited during tour
- Petrozavodsk
- Kizhi Pogost
- Kizhi Open-Air Museum
Extra options (free)
None
Extra options (paid)
Lunch in a traditional Russian restaurant, dinner in a local restaurant.
Languages tour is available in
English, Spanish, German, French.
Breaks for meals/refreshments
Break for lunch is timetabled during the tour, and there will time for travelers to get dinner in Petrozavodsk.
Travelers
Who is the tour for?
Russian citizens, foreign tourists, cruise ship passengers.
Physical intensity of tour and health restrictions
The tour is reasonably intense, lasting from 7am to 10pm with little time for breaks. The tour explores Kizhi on foot, so the tour is not really suitable for the very elderly or guests with mobility issues.
Minimum recommended age for children
14 years
Payment
Included in tour price
- Admissions tickets
- Guide services
Not included in tour price
None
Further information
Important information
This tour will take you away from St. Petersburg for two nights, with the train for Petrozavodsk late at night and returning to St. Petersburg early in the morning. Be sure to arrange with your accommodation in St. Petersburg for late check-out/early check-in if required.
Main tour highlights
This tour is a fantastic opportunity to see one of northern Russia's most popular and impressive visitor attractions, as well as experiencing a very different side of Russia from St. Petersburg.
