Kizhi Island is one of over 1650 islands in Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe. Lake Onega is found in the Republic of Karelia, and Kizhi is one of the largest outdoor museums in Russia. Kizhi focuses on peasant life and customs in the Russian north and includes 83 wooden structures, most of which date back to the 18th or 19th century.
One of the main attractions located there is the Transfiguration Cathedral built in 1714. Thirty thousand shingles, made of aspen wood, on twenty-two separate cupolas (domes) on five tents compose the ascending nest. The aspen wood reflects a myriad of hues changing the color of the cupolas depending on the light. A spectacular sight and hard to believe it was done with wood.
The collection of the Open-Air "Kizhi" Museum includes 89 monuments of wooden architecture: old chapels and houses, windmills and granaries, threshing barns and racks for drying crops…The gem of this collection is the 22 domed Church of the Transfiguration of Our Savior, 37 meters height. The Church of the Intercession of Holy Mary and the Bell-Tower located nearby emphasize the harmony and magnificence of the main Church.
Villages original to the island also exist, and some houses are still inhabited by locals. Villages on Kizhi Island demonstrate rural life in Karelia, its traditional crafts and tasks of peasant life. Throughout Kizhi Island are remarkable examples of wooden architecture.
Interesting Facts about Kizhi Island:The complex of buildings original to Kizhi Island, the Pogost of Our Savior, is on UNESCO's World Heritage Site list.
Daily a hydrofoil boat goes from Petrozavodsk harbour to Kizhi Island. To be sure for a place on board it is better to reserve on beforehand. The boat trip takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can spend 4 hours on the island on your own or take part on one of the many interesting excursions. By foot, bus of on a carriage pulled by horse. An overview you will find under the tabs below.
If you need more time to spend for excursions then we offer you the possibility to stay overnight in a guesthouse and continue to next day.
If you like to stay longer on Kizhi Island for sightseeing or taking part on excursions, why not to stay the night on this unique archipelago in a cosy guesthouse. At a agreed time a ferrymen picks you up and bring you to a guesthouse located in the neighbour island (1 km). Dinner and banya (Russian sauna).
The next day after breakfast you will be brought to the main Kizhi Island and you can continue sight-seeing. At the end of the afternoon you can take the hydrofoil boat back to Petrozavodsk or stay another night at the guesthouse.
When you are in Saint Petersburg and have some time, just jump on the night train to Petrozavodsk, visit Kizhi Island one or two days and travel bck by night train to Saint Petersburg. Travel while sleeping!
We can make this short cruise by train and hydrofoil fit to everyone's itinerary.
Just contact us.
A one-day excursion to Teriberka village and the rare phenomena on Earth, like; a waterfall, the dragon-eggs beaches, a ship graveyard, the Arctic Ocean and much more. Meet the 'Rolling Stones' in Murmansk region on the Barents Sea shore.
One-day winter excursion to the shores of the Barents Sea and to Teriberka. Filming locations of the famous film "Leviathan", frozen waterfall, dragon-eggs beach, a ship graveyard, ice-free waters of the Arctic Ocean.
The mystic of Lovozero Tundra on Kola Peninsula. The 3-days hiking excursion to Seid Ozero (Saint Lake). Meet a dancing shaman 'Kuiva' on the rocks!
If you are sportive, fond of biking and in our neighbourhood on Kola Peninsula, come to Monchegorsk. Bike with a guide on hilly, forest paths with beautiful views to mountains (1 day).
One-day hiking excursion through the mass-mountain of the Monche tundra ridge to waterfall "Devichi Kosi" (Girl's plaits). Excursion starts in Monchegorsk on Kola Peninsula.
Kayak quietly with your guide on Imandra Lake, the biggest on Kola Peninsula. 812 square meters water pleasure and 114 islands are waiting for you. Start in Monchegorsk (1 day).
Sailing on the Imandra lake among number of picturesque islands for two hours under guidance of an experienced instructor. Start in Monchegorsk (2 hrs).
Ski with guide/instructor on lighted tracks in park of Monchegorsk. Includes: skies, shoes and sticks. Lunch in café or on track. For beginners and experienced. Duration: whole day. From Dec till May.
Meet the Lovozero Saami in Russian Lapland. Learn about their culture and traditions. Feed, hug and sledge with reindeers. Meet other northern animals. A 7-8 hour excursion incl. transfers.
Daily from 15.12 till 15.04.
Excursion on a husky farm close to Murmansk city in Russian Lapland on Kola Peninsula.
After instructions you have a ride in the sled pulled by 6 fluffy huskies on a track of 3 km. Warm tea with pastries are offered.
In the summer you can walk with the huskies instead of the safari.
Daily from 15.12 till 15.04.
This program is similar as the Husky safari "Fond of Husky".
After an excursion on a husky farm close to Murmansk city and instructions you are going to rule a sledge pulled by 6 dashing huskies over a track of 6 km.
Warm tea with pastries are offered.
In the summer you can walk with the huskies instead of the safari.
Daily from 15.12 till 15.04.
After an excursion on the husky farm and introductions you do everything yourself;
harnessing the huskies and putting them in front of the sled.
You rule the sled and huskies by yourself on a 40 km long track.
A lunch, warm tea and pastries is included.
Daily from 15.12 till 15.04.
Come over for an one day trip (incl. transfers) to the magnificient Husky Park close to Lovozero Saami village.
A full excursion program (3h) at the husky kennels and reindeer farm including husky safari and tradional lunch in Russian Lapland on Kola Peninsula.
Hiking excursion in Karelian village Kinerma, visiting a museum, photo exhibition, the church and possibility to join courses in baking 'Kalitki' and making dolls.
Visit the historical quarter in the capital of Karelia, museums, ship replicas and the smithy's workshop. Stroll over the boulevard decorated with arts.
Boat excursions to Valaam Island with hiking excursion in Central Monastery including lunch. Possibility for folk concert. From Sortavala, Petrozavodsk or St-Petersburg.
The one day boat excursion to Kizhi Island from Petrozavodsk harbour. The open air museum of the traditional Karelian way of wooden building.
Visit Solovetsky Islands. Unique nature, ancient stone labyrinths, museums about monastery and GULAG, botanical garden, water channels and more. From 1 day to more day excursions.
A 3-hours excursion about five thousand years of development of the Solovetsky Archipelago by people; mysterious labyrinths, Saami tribes, Karelians and severe Orthodox zealots.
The 4 hours excursion takes place on the picturesque northern part of the Big Solovetsky Island, where there are three small and secluded monasteries.
Watch Beluga whales from Cape Beluga, the western tip of the Bolshoi Solovetsky Island. A 3 hours boat excursion from half of June to half of August.
Boat excursion (3 hrs) to the Big Zayatsky Island. Visit the biggest pagan sanctuary, stone labyrinths, a complex of cult and funeral constructions, first stone harbour, monuments of Andreevsky Monastery.
A 3-hours sea trip in the Solovetsky Archipelago for lovers of scenery, peace and quietness, as well as photographers!
Come very close to the super friendly and sociable Beluga White Whales. Communicate, hug, swim and snorkel with them. The unique opportunity for Beluga whale lovers.
The city excursion in Archangelsk from a hotel or the pier. Visit historical places, old town with beautiful wooden houses, stroll along Dvina river bank and enjoy excursion to Malya Korely.
The 2 hour excursions in Archangelsk city. We have 2 variants: One with the theme of Arkhangelsk city's history and the second one is devoted to the harbour and scientific expeditions.