Own game
A thousand kilometers in nine days around Lake Ladoga during the fishing and cloudberry season, ropewalking between the tops of pine trees, a trip on a vintage train, and ancient monasteries and fortresses — after the tour ‘Energy of Ladoga’ one will have plenty of memories to share.
Travel
29 april 2024
Author: Ilona Rybakova
Photo: Igora Tour

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Дорога в тысячу километров вдоль береговой линии Ладожского озера, по его окрестностям и по западному берегу Онежского озера начинается с одного шага. Нужно приехать в Санкт-Петербург. Дальше тур «Энергия Ладоги» строится как конструктор. Организатор «Игора Тур» разбил поездку на этапы, из которых можно составить свою программу, комбинируя их, сокращая или удлиняя, в зависимости от того, сколько дней вы собираетесь путешествовать и что хотите посмотреть. Переночевать можно будет в отелях сети «Точка на карте», построенных в ключевых местах — Приозерске, Сортавале, Видлице, Лодейном Поле — а также в парк-отеле «Дача Винтера». Чаще всего выбирают программу длительностью от 5 до 9 дней.

Огибают Ладогу по часовой стрелке. Первый день девятидневного тура проходит на автодроме «Игора Драйв». Если подгадать с датами, можно попасть на этап очень зрелищных соревнований по дрифту (11–12 мая и 15–16 июня), но и просто весело погонять на карте и посмотреть раритетные Bugatti и Hispano-Suiza в автомузее — тоже хороший вариант. Отличный обзор трассы открывается из ресторана «Фаворит». Погружение в северную кухню сделает впечатления от путешествия более насыщенными. Рекомендуем попробовать блюда с карельской форелью, мурманской треской и лесными грибами.

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At Tochka na Karte. Priozersk, guests can relax in a pre-booked cottage, unwind after a long journey in a sauna with panoramic views, or enjoy a tasting of the finest Russian wines. The next morning offers a true escape from the hustle and bustle of the city—take a walk, admire the stunning views of Lake Ladoga, breathe in the fresh air of the pine forest, or visit the town of Priozersk. The fishing season here lasts from late April to mid-November, and Lake Ladoga is rich in fish: whitefish, pike, salmon, vendace, smelt, perch, and zander. It seems as though people are born fishermen here. There’s no need to bring your own fishing gear—Tochka na Karte. Priozersk provides everything at the reception desk, while at Tochka na Karte. Sortavala, you can rent equipment at the Terra Nordica rental point. You can cook your catch on a grill or over coals in the barbecue gazebos.

On the third day, the itinerary includes an excursion to the small island of Koyonsaari. Here, visitors will find a rare sandy beach for Lake Ladoga, and on clear days, you can spot Valaam from the flat rocks. Afterward, there’s a transfer to the park-hotel Dacha Wintera, located in the estate of the renowned pre-revolutionary doctor Gustav Johannes Winter. Situated on the Taruniemi cape (translated from Finnish as “Fairytale”), the estate is designed in the style of national romanticism. Architecture enthusiasts, particularly fans of northern modernism, will appreciate the guided tour of the estate’s house-museum, a striking yet austere structure made of red brick and granite, which can be admired both inside and out.

The gastronomic tour continues at the Gustav Winter restaurant. Here, guests can savor delicacies such as sugudai made from Ladoga fish, burbot patties, creamy fish soup, venison loin with cedar cream and wild berry sauce, or, for a larger group, grilled trout or pork knuckles served with steamed buckwheat and mushrooms.

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The fourth day can be considered the highlight of the journey. A retro train carries passengers through impassable forests to the Ruskeala Mountain Park. The locomotive, adorned with a red star, whistles and puffs out smoke, while the restaurant car is decorated with ficus plants and a gramophone. In the park itself, the marble quarry with its 20-meter-high white cliffs and picturesque caves leaves a lasting impression. For the return journey to Dacha Wintera, guests can opt for an exhilarating ride on quad bikes or buggies. These vehicles make exploring the surrounding area much easier and more liberating—most likely, you'll want to stop for a picnic and enjoy the stunning views.

The fifth day is dedicated to the Kulismayoki waterfall. You can watch endlessly as the mountain stream cascades down from a height of 18 meters, accompanied by the soothing sound of rushing water. Another option is to visit the ancient Karelian village of Kinerma, which boasts a 500-year history, dark wooden houses, and traditional pies baked in a wood-fired oven. Alternatively, you can slow down the pace and spend the day in peace, strolling around Dacha Wintera, before heading to Tochka na Karte. Vidlitsa. This destination is located on the eastern shore of the lake. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the Ladoga Ornithological Station, where over 250 bird species are studied.



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