Programme 4 days/3 nights
for groups of 10 people or more

Arrivals: from May 1 to December 1 (any arrival days)

Tour description: “In heaven, there is paradise; on earth, there is Valday,” said Patriarch Nikon. Within the framework of our weekend tour, you will visit one of the most revered places in Russia, explore the natural and cultural heritage of the city and the reserve, see the authentic Valday boulders from the glacial epoch, visit the museum bell Centre, learn the history of the ancient monastery, mythologize the islands, and much more.

Day 1
09:30 Morning meeting at the railway station and transfer to the Valday Visit Centre.
12:00 Lunch at the cafe in the Visit Centre.
14:00 Check-in to the room.
15:00 Guided walking tour “Streets of the city tell…”
Valday is an ancient provincial town with a rich history of origin, formation, and development. The first mention of the Valday settlement dates back to the 15th century. Its roadside location has left a vivid imprint on its development. Postal stations, lively troikas, a central position between Moscow and St. Petersburg, famous personalities…
Historical Valday is an ancient tract, a hilly landscape, Valday Lake with a monastery, and, of course, Valday gingerbreads.

A walk through the central streets of modern Valday allows you to immerse yourself in the past of the county town, even if only briefly to feel like its resident, not just a guest. Do you want to know the cost of a bundle of Valday gingerbreads, where A.S. Pushkin stayed, and what “Tsar-Podkova” is included in the list of Russian records?! Then you must take a walk with a guide along the route “Streets of the city tell…”

During the tour, you will see: Narodnaya Street with former merchant houses, the embankment of Valday Lake, the central square of Valday with the Trinity Cathedral, the monument “Tsar-Podkova” (next to the souvenir shop), Ekaterinskaya Church (bell museum).

16:40 Visit to the Bell Museum. Many cities in Russia can boast of their crafts, and the Valday post bell, for over 200 years, is the embodiment of the “Russian troika.”
19:00 Dinner at the cafe in the visit Centre.

Day 2
9:00 Full breakfast at the Visit Centre Cafe.
10:30 Guided tour of the museum exhibition “Journey from Seliger to Borovno” (50 minutes). During the tour, you will learn about how this area was formed millions of years ago, the inhabitants of the flora and fauna of the reserve, objects of everyday life still found during scientific excavations, and much more. Seeing, touching, smelling, hearing the sounds of nature, experiencing different time epochs, imagining yourself as archaeologists—each visitor to the exhibition can expect a lot of mysterious and educational experiences.
This tour will be very informative for children, expanding their horizons and preparing them for a hike along eco-trails.
12:00 Lunch at the Visit Centre.
12:45 Departure to the starting point of the ecological hike (8 km).
14:10 Visit to the ecological trail “Ivanyi Perleski” (1 hour and 30 minutes).
The walk will provide many bright impressions, photos, a good mood, and a boost of energy. The trail will be interesting for both children and adults, as its main theme is the animal world of the national park. The trail is equipped with stops with informational stands, a gazebo for rest, and benches. On one route, such natural ecosystems as coniferous-broadleaf forest, lake, and swamp are concentrated. The trail is picturesque in any season.
15:40 Departure to the starting point of the excursion along the “Sokolovskaya” small trail.
16:05 Walk along the trail to the holy spring. Despite its short length, the route is very popular. The ecological trail “Sokolovskaya” will be interesting in any season for excursionists of different ages.
The eco-trail is equipped with interesting interactive elements. At the end of its path is a consecrated spring.
17:00 Return to the hotel.
18:30 Full dinner at the Visit Centre. Leisure time.

Day 3
09:00 Full breakfast at the Visit Centre.
10:00 Departure for a tour of the Valday Iversky Monastery. (Travel time: 15 minutes). Duration of the tour: 1.5 hours (40 minutes with a guide + free time).
One of the spiritual Centres of the Novgorod land is the Valday Iversky Holy Lake Monastery, an architectural monument of the 17th-19th centuries. The golden glow of domes and the ringing of bells will present Valday in a different light.
The Valday Iversky Monastery is the first monastery built after the Time of Troubles. It was founded in 1653 by Patriarch Nikon, the executor of church reforms that led to a schism among the Old Believers. Located on the Selvitsky Island, the monastery as a guardian rises above the waters of Valday Lake. During the tour, guests can visit the main temple of the monastery complex — the Iversky Cathedral, explore the gateway churches — Philip of Moscow and Archangel Michael, and the buildings — fraternal, abbey, steward’s. Perhaps, one of the highlights of the tour could be an introduction to stone carving, wood carving, and tiles that have been preserved since the 17th century.
12:00 Departure to the hotel.
12:30 Full lunch at the Visit Centre Cafe.
14:00 Departure to the starting point of the ecological hike. (15 km)
14:30 Start of the tour along the ecological trail “Forest Secrets.” Valday nature is amazing. Only a true connoisseur of beauty can truly appreciate the beauty of the nature of the middle strip of Russia. Do not miss the opportunity to take a walk through the coniferous forest, listen to the singing of forest birds, admire the silence of the berry swamp, ponder its mystery… And most importantly, just relax from the city bustle and become a part of the Valday nature.
Objects of display and interest: blueberry spruce forest, high bog with a viewing platform, relief (ascents and descents), consecrated spring with drinking water. (The tour lasts 1.5 hours + 20 minutes of free time).
16:20 Return to the Visit Centre. Free time.
18:30 Full dinner at the Visit Centre. Leisure time.

Day 4
09:00 Full breakfast at the Visit Centre.
10:00 Check out and transfer to the Reindeer Farm (travel time: 30 minutes).
10:40 Start of the quad bike tour (6 people per quad, maximum 18 people at once). Duration: 2-4 hours (depending on the number of participants).
During the tours, we will visit enclosures with fallow deer, spotted and noble deer, learn about biotechnical activities, visit feeding areas for animals, and explore enclosures with domestic birds. There will be an opportunity to purchase farm products. Lunch — boxed lunch (sandwich/fruit/cookies/water).
Transfer to the railway station. See you again on Valdai.

Cost of the program starts from $620 per person in a double room.

Discounts for children aged 3 to 12 years -15% (net)
Children under 3 years: without a separate seat and meals (free)

The price includes:
— Accommodation at the Valday Visit Centre (rooms with amenities)
— Round-trip transfer to the Uglovka railway station
— Meals (full board) — 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
— 1 lunch box for the excursion (Day 4)
— Guided services according to the program
— English-speaking translator
— All entrance tickets
— Transport services throughout the route (except for walking excursions)
— Tick-borne encephalitis medical insurance (valid from May to September)
— Gift from TT TOUR

Additional charges:
— Cost of travel to the Uglovka station
— Surcharge for single accommodation $50, subject to availability (for all nights)
— If the group meets in the city of Bologoye, there will be an additional charge for the transfer (on request)
— Drinks not included in the full board
— Personal expenses
— Tips (if desired)

The tour operator reserves the right to change the program route depending on weather conditions!