Sacret Paths of Karelia: A Week at Valamo Monastery

After breakfast at Trapesa, the day begins with a walk to the Traveler’s Cross, taking in beautiful views over Lake Juojärvi. Along the roughly 4.5 km route, you’ll pause at a lean-to shelter for sootpan coffee and a savory or sweet snack—complete with hammocks for relaxing in nature. Before lunch, you’ll also receive instructions on packing for the next day’s hike.

Lunch is served at Trapesa, followed by a guided tour of the monastery grounds led by a monastery guide. The evening is free to explore or rest, and the day ends with dinner at Trapesa.

After breakfast, pack your lunch and water before beginning the day’s hike at the church, where a short prayer and lighting of bonfires mark the start. The first hiking stage covers about 10 km, moving mostly through different types of forests along soft paths and woodland tracks, with a short section on a dirt road.

Lunch is enjoyed at the Taivallahti hut around 1:30 PM. Afterward, you’ll be driven back to the monastery for a sauna session, including a foot bath prepared with herbs you’ve gathered. Swimming is also possible. The rest of the day is free, and dinner awaits at Trapesa.

Breakfast at Trapesa is followed by preparing your lunch bag and water. A transfer takes you back to the Taivallahti hut, where you continue hiking toward Lintula Monastery. Today's route is approximately 10 km, combining scenic forest trails with stretches of dirt roads through rural Finnish landscapes.

The hike concludes at the Lintula Monastery church, where thanksgiving offerings are burned. You’ll return to Valamo by car. The evening includes a sauna session with a salty snack and drinks in the sauna hut, followed by dinner at Trapesa.

After breakfast, you’ll return to Lintula for a guided tour of the church. There is also an option to walk the monastery’s short nature trail (about 1.5 km). A warm soup lunch is served at Lintula, after which you can visit the souvenir shop.

Afternoon coffee can be enjoyed at Lintula (at your own expense) or at Ronttopuisto, reachable on foot (about 1–1.5 km), where transportation back to Valamo will be arranged. The evening is free, and dinner at Trapesa includes the special experience of sharing a meal with a monk and listening to stories about monastic life.

The morning starts with breakfast at Trapesa and some free time at the monastery. At 10:30, the Sergei boat departs for a cruise, giving you views of beautiful Lake Juojärvi from the water and allowing you to pass through the Taivallahti canal, familiar from the previous day’s hike.

Lunch is served at Trapesa after the cruise. In the afternoon, you can join the “Mother Nature’s Ointment Jar” workshop, where you’ll create your own foot cream and lip balm using plants that naturally grow in Finland.

Dinner is again served at Trapesa.

After breakfast at Trapesa, you’ll have time to enjoy the monastery environment, prepare for departure, and make any last purchases. Room check-out is required by 12:00.

Lunch at Trapesa is offered either before departure or after check-out. A transfer from the monastery will take you back to the train station for your journey home.