Monastic Life in the Old and New Valamo 4 Days

Photo: Pentti Potkonen

Discover the Finnish and Russian Karelian Orthodox centres of the New Valamo Monastery in Heinävesi and the Old Vanamo Monastery in the archipelago of Lake Ladoga in Russia. The peaceful atmosphere and surrounding nature of the monasteries offer a unique opportunity to wind down away from the modern, hectic life.

Day 1

Bus transport to Heinävesi and accommodation at the Monastery Hotel. Buffet dinner in restaurant Trapesa at 4pm. Opportunity to join the evening communion service in the Main Church at 6pm.

Day 2

Opportunity to join the morning service (the Matins) in the Main church at 6am.

Breakfast and check out. At 9.30am we set off for the Russian border. Border crossing and customs formalities at the Niirala border crossing point. Arrival and checking into the Piipun Piha Hotel on the shore of Lake Ladoga at 3pm. Dinner in the hotel restaurant at 6pm. 

Day 3

Breakfast at the hotel.  At 9am we set off for the Old Valamo on-board a hydrofoil (weather permitting).
Boat transfer takes approx. an hour. A guided tour takes us to the Main Church of Old Valamo, the cemetery and the red skete. The Main Church, also known as the Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral, consists of an upper and a lower church. The upper floor is a tall, beautifully curved temple. The lower floor is the liveliest and the most atmospheric prayer room of the Valamo Monastery, and it has been fully renovated and is constantly in use. The tour includes a Monastery music concert and lunch at the Monastery in Trapeza.

4pm bus transfer from Sortavala harbour to Piihun Piha hotel.

6pm dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Time for souvenir shopping in Sortavala. Departure for the return journey at 11am. Border crossing and customs formalities at the Niirala border crossing point.

Schedules without commitment and in the local time. We are not responsible for any delays caused by border and customs authorities or for any changes they might make to the itinerary. Prices are based on the exchange rate of the ruble on November 20th 2020.

From Helsinki starting at 469 € / per person. Minimum 20 persons.

You can start this tour also from Kuopio airport or Joensuu airport. Please request an offer.

Price Includes:

  • Bus transportation from Helsinki
  • Accommodation in twin/double rooms
  • Half board at the hotels (breakfast and dinner)
  • Tour of the island of Old Valamo including boat transfers (Sortavala-Valamo-Sortavala), guided walking tour around the Main Monastery, visit to the Monastery and the red skete, as well as church music concert and lunch included
  • Group visa

For Additional Charge:

  • Single room
  • Russian Visa

Contact information for DMC/incoming services

tel. +358 201 303 357
email: incoming@pohjolanmatka.fi
You can also request an offer by using this form