Hello! My name is Ekaterina (Katya) Chelpanova. I have been arranging private tours in Russia and St Petersburg for more than five years. Before I worked as a tour guide for other companies. I arrange all types of tours in St Petersburg in English, Spanish, Russian and other languages upon request. Visa-free entrance for cruise passengers is provided. Check my regular and smart programs for cruise passengers here:
Smart Shore Excursions and here Standard Shore Excursions
Why should you choose my company if there are so many offers of private tours in St Petersburg? Here is the answer:
- Before I started my own company, I worked as a tour guide for other companies, among them were big and well-known ones. I saw that when the company is big, usually, it has a stable good profit and the management does not have a need and desire to think about the need of each client as well as the strengths and uniqueness of each employee. A huge company is like a huge factory, which produces a standardized product. Myself I like products, which exceed the category of standard. I like tailor-made clothes, tailor-made food. That is why my company is smaller and I have time and desire to be aware of uniqueness of my employees, be very selective in my choice of guides, drivers and vehicles. In my company, be it a driver or a guide, you will meet people who are bright and gifted in what they do. Each of my employees is unique both as a person and as a professional. You can meet my team here: My Team
- In my offer of the tours, I rely on my experience of guiding tours for many years, as well as on my passion for art and history. I should acknowledge that the sights, which are the most advertised, are not necessarily the best choices in high season. I will be more than happy to offer you a tour to the places which everybody knows, such as the Hermitage or Catherine’s palace, while, on the other hand, if it is the peak of the season or if you prefer something unique, I would also suggest visiting Pavlovsk palace, or Cottage palace reminiscent of Italian countryside villa, or Gatchina, a castle-type palace. Or maybe it will be the Hermitage tour but with the focus on the topic you are interested in. I am very good at hearing people’s needs and their characters. As a result, my tours are personalized.
- Do I guide tours myself? Yes, I sometimes do but now I focus on managing tours. Besides tourist business, I work in academic field: I am a literary and film scholar.
Contact me and I will send you the customized offer within 24 hours!
Myself and my wife booked a cruise which stopped overnight in St Petersburg. As neither of us has ever been to Russia before we thought we would try to... read more
7/23/2017
I had found Katya through this site. I emailed her with the type of tour the 4 of us were looking to do and the experience we were looking to... read more
10/01/2019
Our cruise ship stopped at St Petersburg for two days, and our family of four and two of our friends from China had a very impressive and enjoyable 2 day... read more
7/18/2018