Незабываемая Карелия Unforgettable Karelia

From July 28 to July 29 we rested at the base of "Ruskel"
http://ruskealabaza. ru/
in the building "Finnish school" in room 7 - a double family room.
Having left Sosnovo (approximately 60th km of the Priozerskoye highway) at 9-30 in the morning and driving non-stop, we arrived at the base just in time for dinner - by 14-00. I must say that without the scheme that we were given when buying a ticket, we would not have figured out the road - there are no signs to the village of Ruskeala and the Marble Quarry. It is necessary to turn left to Vartsila and go straight to the signs for the base.
The base is quite small - two buildings - wooden houses with numbers. The room is very clean, neat, everything is made of wood.

In our room there was: a bed, two chairs, a table, two bedside tables, two hangers, a sheet, a blanket, 2 pillows, two towels, a rug. The window looked out on the forest, on the site, which by the evening was occupied by tent lovers, but this did not interfere at all - we only ate and slept at the base.
There is a fridge and microwave in the hallway. The shower and toilet are shared (male and female separately), at the end of the corridor. There are washing machines and a sink in the toilet room.
The shower is a little strange, but hot and powerful, one common for men and women (you can lock it up and splash around in peace).
The dining room is located in the Finnish School - small, with a kitchenette. Everything is very tasty, cozy, family-friendly.
For lunch they gave soup, mashed potatoes, chicken, salad with crab sticks, vegetables, bread, compote.
For dinner: vegetables, meat, buckwheat, vegetables, compote, salad.
For breakfast: tea - coffee, yogurt, eggs, rice porridge, cheese, sausage, butter, bread, banana.
Boiling water and tea and coffee are paid (if additional). At the dining room there is a small stall-refrigerator with juices, water and alcohol. There is time for independent use of the dining room.
The base is located on the shores of Lake Khanki - the water is clean, transparent, ducks swim at the pier, there is a bathhouse, sports equipment rental... But we didn’t take anything, we had no time for that.
3 km from the base is the Marble Canyon - the place because of which everyone comes to Ruskeala. A stunningly beautiful place. Entrance for students 100r, and for adults 300. Be sure to join the tour - it is very interesting to listen and see old photos), and when the route ends, you can walk in the opposite direction (there is only one route). You can also take a boat - 200 rubles and swim as one or four. Take a bun with you and feed the ducks, but not the seagulls - they will immediately start screaming and flying threateningly low.
You can also ride in a zorb, bungee jump. . .
The place is amazingly beautiful.
The path is sandy - you can go in sandals, but in sneakers it is more convenient to jump over the rocks and climb everywhere.

At the entrance to the park, there are numerous stalls with souvenirs - wooden crafts, magnets, water bottles (350r) (very beautiful), Christmas decorations... There is something to stare at and what to buy.
Also, not far from the base there are waterfalls on the Tohmajoki River (a scene from the movie "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" was filmed here).
Neat gazebos, a place for a barbecue, you can swim (you can’t swim in the canyon), climb a waterfall.
Numerous grannies offer berries - blueberries, raspberries, ice cream and mushrooms. A half-liter jar of ice cream jam costs 400 rubles, a small glass of live berries costs 150 rubles.
There is also a large waterfall with a hydroelectric power station on the Tohmajoki River, but the hydroelectric power station was closed for repairs.
Also next to the base there is a Kirkha, and behind it the foundation of the old Kirkha is hidden - it is interesting to see. Kirche has a hospitable house, an organ, a prayer hall, and a kitchen.
Sortavala is located 30 km from the base. We visited it on the second day of the trip after the boat ride. Using the guidebook, we walked around all the sights in 3-4 hours. Be sure to go to Pevcheskaya Gora in the park - a wonderful view opens from the observation deck.
The rest itself at the base + 3 meals a day for two cost us 4.400, if I'm not mistaken (+ - 200 rubles). + Entrance tickets to the park 100 and 300, boat 200, ice cream 150 + 400, souvenirs: magnets 100r * 2, a lid 350, a bell in the form of a hare 190 and gasoline. Gasoline is somewhat cheaper than in St. Petersburg.
Expensive in Karelia, it is very beautiful, but difficult - serpentine, slides, there is no asphalt in three sections - a dirt road, which is often processed by a grader - you can drive along it even after a downpour (there was a downpour on the way back) and not on an SUV (we drove a Chevrolet Lacetti So you should not be afraid of the road. If you have more time, you can also visit the museums on the way - Kiryazh, Winter's Dacha, Lars Sonka Museum.
Good luck!