Rentakayak.ru sprang into life in 2010 when we realized that kayaking and canoeing were barely on the radar of even the most ardent water sports fans visiting Russia. Back then, we only had a few kayaks available for tourists to hire but we soon enjoyed great success as backpackers and outdoors enthusiasts from all over the world began to take note of what we had to offer.
While our guests chose to paddle in a wide range of local places, it soon became clear that Lake Ladoga was the most popular destination of all. However, hiring a kayak and then transporting it along with all the necessary equipment in a foreign country is not the easiest task, especially when you don’t have a car.
We quickly understood exactly how we could help people get the most out of their trip out on the lake, and now we provide fully-equipped paddling vessels and accompany you directly to the shores of Ladoga as part of our all-inclusive service. We take you out to our favorite spots, each a perfect mix of practical location, convenient travel time, and natural beauty.
Our base camp is situated in one of the most picturesque areas among the Ladoga skerries, a series of rocky islets that are widely regarded to be the most beautiful of all those within this gigantic lake. The isles of Kojonsaari, Lauvatsaari and Kukhka are sheltered from the wind, making this section of the lake an excellent starting point for experts and novices alike. Under the cover of these islets, we take the time to help you choose a suitable route that matches your skill level while still enabling you to see everything you dreamed of. We can even adapt our routes to take into account stormy and other inclement weather.
By 2013, our growth accelerated with the advent of more advanced online booking tools that facilitated kayak hire even from across the other side of the globe. This success meant that we were increasingly able to procure world-class kayaks, canoes and associated equipment from internationally acclaimed brands such as Prijon, Wilderness Systems, and TaheMarine.
At this time, we also began to promote and expand our range of services throughout Lake Ladoga. For example, we pioneered the idea of day trips around the Ladoga skerries including the use of truly seaworthy kayaks and proper transfers to the lake from Saint Petersburg and back again.
Our base camp grew from strength to strength until we were certified as a bona fide campsite in 2017. As our guest, you can now spend a few days with us as you explore the lake and you could even stay with us for the entire duration of your vacation in the local area whether you are kayaking or perhaps going on a hike.
As of the present day, Rentakayak.ru is the largest and most well-known kayak and canoe hire company in the city of Saint Petersburg and indeed the whole of the Republic of Karelia, and that’s not to speak of our additional equipment hire and base camp on the shores of Ladoga itself. Our range of vessels to hire includes plastic, inflatable and even foldable choices, with one-, two-, and three-person options available. We’ve even got some «sit-on-top» kayaks and classic canoes specially suited for fishing!