Duration 5 hours : 2,5 h. tour of the main monastery (by foot) + 2 h. cruise along the Valaam islands with visiting the hermitages- “sketes” (by local boat + by foot).

Departure from Sortavala by hydrofoil (50 min.). Arrival at Monastery Bay of Valaam.
Tour of the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior: Cathedral, church of St. Paul and Pierre, chapels, memorial signs, Old Monks’ Cemetery (or Abbots' Cemetety), orchards and alleys.
Lunch in the refectory for pilgrims, built in the 18 century and restored nowdays in its originally form.
The second part of the programme: coasting the islands towards the Great Nicon Bay, excellent views of Valaam landscapes, bays, cliffs, pine and spruce trees with their roots exposed along the rocky edges.
The first stop is on Nicolski island where St. Nicolas Skete is located. Brief excursion, visit to the church, known as one of the most beautiful in the monastery. Veneration Cross.
The next is the "Hermit island" with All Saints' (Great) Skete, the Valaam’s oldest and largest skete. Walking tour around the skete.
Reboarding the boat and continuation of the travel. Mooring at Great Nicon Bay and the final excursion to Ressurection Skete. Built at the beginning of the 20 century it is also called "New Jerusalem" or "Jerusalem of the North". Visiting the church and the "Tomb of Christ".
Return for Sortavala by hydrofoil.

What else can you see on Valaam?

Natural sculptures of the island can be named one of the most remarkable phenomena of Valaam. Wind, water, ice and time have turned some stones and blocks of the rocks into wonderful masterworks, shaped by Nature itself. They resemble the human profiles, faces with clear features or a strange animal...

In 1920-1930 Finland built on the Karelian Isthmus a defensive fortification system against the Soviet Union. It is known as the « Mannerheim Line». Some batteries of this Line were deployed on the Valaam archipelago. These fortifications still attract tourists and produce a strong impression.