12 day's trip around Kamchatka
- General information
- Detailed program
- Necessary equipment
- Tour cost
Short description
Route: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Milkovo settlement - Kozyrevsk village - Tolbachik dale - Esso village - Milkovo settlement - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - The Valley of Geysers (on your wish) - Camel Rock - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Avacha Bay - Starichkov island - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Gorely volcano - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
One of the most interesting tours around Kamchatka. We mixed strenuous days with those when you can enjoy relaxing. At the same time you will get no less information on those days.
In 12 days you will get acquainted with the history of Kamchatka, you will visit the central part of the peninsula where you climb still warm cones of the Tolbachik dale, walk over the queer lava crust of the eruption of 2012 – 2013. Accompanied by our experienced guides you will explore the results of the fissure eruptions in the slag fields where in 1969 the first Soviet moon-rover was tested.
The following day will have an ethnographical trend. You will pay a visit to the so called “Kamchatka Switzerland” – Bystrinsky region, where you will admire its amazing nature, take a look at the way of living and native customs of the indigenous people of Kamchatka and even may take part in the traditional rites of Evens – the local nation.
On return to the southern part of the peninsula you will get to the foot of Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes - the ID-card of Kamchatka to walk to the volcanic extrusion - mountain Camel.
The most impressive part of the tour is the helicopter excursion to the world-famous Valley of Geysers and Uzon caldera!
The sea cruise around the Avacha Bay and to the natural monument Starichkov island will for sure leave indelible impressions of Kamchatka in your hearts!
A relatively easy ascend of Gorely volcano will result in a impressive panorama of multiple Kamchatka volcanoes. You will also gain a glimpse into the volcano crater with an acid lake inside.
Additional information:
Ostry (Sharp) Tolbachik volcano (3682 m) and Ploskiy (Flat) Tolbachik volcano (3085 м) – two stratovolcanoes of Klyuchevskaya volcano group.
Great fissure volcanic eruptions (when the volume of lava, ashes and scoria exeeds1 km3) – is a rare natural event. They occur when magma flows up through cracks in the ground. Fissure eruptions are characterized by a curtain of fire, and by lava spewing out to a small height above the ground. Fissure eruptions can produce very heavy flows, though the lava is generally slow moving. In the historical period such great fissure eruptions were registered only seven times: twice in Iceland in 930 and 1783; twice in Mexico in 1759 and 1943; once on Canary Islands in 1730. The sixth and the seventh eruptions occures in Kamchatka in 1975 – 1976 and 2012 – 2013 in Tolbachik Dale.
The Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (GTFE) bagan in July 1975 and continued till December 1976 and was the most voluminous eruption of basaltic lava and tephra since the 1783-84 Iceland eruption. About 2 cubic kilometers of material (more than four times the volume of the largest historic eruption of Mauna Loa) were erupted from two major vent areas in the Tolbachik regional zone of cinder cones, a fissure system extending more than 38 kilometers south-southwest of Ploskiy Tolbachik volcano. It resulted in the appearance of the so called Nothern and Southern breakthroughs. Activity at the Northern breakthrough was unusually violent for a basaltic eruption, generating a tephra-laden column 8 to 13 kilometers high that persisted throughout the development of three large cinder cones 330 m., 300 m. and 150 m. high as well as voluminous flows. In 17 months the landscape of Tolbachik Dale changed drastically: the vegetation was destroyed, rivers and lakes were covered by ash. It converted an area of about 400 km2 into a lifeless desert.
According to seismic data on November 27, 2012 Tolbachik Fissure Eruption started. The eruption was named as "The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology 50th Anniversary Fissure Tolbachik Eruption" (FTE-50). It lasted almost 11 months until December 2013. В результате излияния лавовых потоков и стромболианской активности заметно изменился ландшафт Толбачинского дола — появились целые поля, представляющие собой нагромождения лавы высотой до 15 метров, продолжающие наращиваться за счёт новых прорывов. The eruption started from two vents, named after eminent Russian volcanologists - Menyailov and Naboko vents, and after three days all activity concentrated in the lower (Naboko) vent. Three new lava fields were formed with a total area is about 36 km2. Two scientific bases had been destroyed by lava flows. The road to Tolbachinsky Dol was blocked..
The Valley of Geisers – is one of the largest geyser areas in the world and the only one in Eurasia. It is situated in the heart of the Kronotskiy Preserve. Geysers are definitely nature miracles, because there are only four large fields sheltering dozens of natural fountains, staggering by their striking beauty and unique periodicity of work! Not far from the Valley there’s the caldera of the ancient Uzon volcano, that attracts tourists from all over the world. The caldera of the Uzon volcano is a volcanic depression, which was formed in the result of the volcano top collapse.
If this tour is too long for you or you'd like to organize your accommodation yourself, we offer you to look through the shorter variant of the program. We also recommend you to take a look at a prolonged - fifteen days' tour.
Day 1: Arrival in Kamchatka
Arrival in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Lunch at the hotel. A brief city-tour around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (drive to the viewing point and some historical sites of the town).
The city, founded by Danish navigator Vitus Bering in 1740, has always been a strategic port in the Far East of Russia. Many round-the-world expeditions of the XVIII – XIX centuries visited Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with the refreshment purposes. During the 1854–1855 Crimean War the city was put under siege by the Anglo-French forces but never fell.
On return to the hotel you meet with the guide to discuss the program in detail.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: PKC – Kozyrevsk
Breakfast. Transfer by all-terrain bus to Kozyrevsk village, on the bank of the river Kamchatka. Lunch en route in the old Cossack settlement Milkovo. Arrival at the village of Kozyrevsk. Accommodation at a private hotel, in wooden houses on a specially prepared ground.
Kozyrevsk is one of the oldest settlements of the Kamchatka region. It was founded in the 18-th century on the site of an ancient village of Itelmen – the indigenous inhabitants of the peninsula. It is situated in the valley of the river Kamchatka, 492 km to the north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is also only 37 – 48 km away to the west of the active volcanoes: Ushkovsky (3943 m), Besymyanny (2882 m) and the highest active volcano of Europe and Asia – Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4850 m). A big Neolithic site – the remains of earth-houses, about 800 years of age, was discovered by archeologists in immediate proximity to Kozyrevsk.
Walking excursion around the village, visit of the observation site where you can see the panoramic view of the settlement and its vicinity: the river Kamchatka and the volcanoes.
Typical Russian sauna (banya). Dinner. Instructions for the next day. Overnight stay in wooden huts on a specially prepared ground.
Day 3: Kozyrevsk – Tolbachik valley – The Dead Forest - new cones of The Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 1975 – 1976
Breakfast. We drive to the Tolbachik dale to the height of about 1200 m asl. Excursion to the slag cones of the Northern explosion that appeared during the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption in 1975 – 1976. Climbing a new volcanic cone.
The new cones look like mini-volcanoes up to 200 meters high.
Lunch. Excursion to the "Dead Forest" and exploration of the old lava caves in the crater of the cone Zvezda (The Star). Transfer to the site of the base camp.
Assembling the tents. Dinner. Instructions for the next day.
Overnight in tents in the camp.
Day 4: The Tolbachik fissure eruption of 2012 – 2013
Breakfast. Walking excursion to Menyailov’s crater and the eruptive fissure – the central spot of the eruption of 2012 – 2013 (which was given the name of 50-th anniversary of the Institute of volcanology and seismology FED RAS). Exploration of the site: large fresh lava flows, caves (lava tubes), stone sculptures and piles upon piles of the frozen lava.
When studying the aftereffects of the eruption of the year 2013 the scientists discovered diamonds, that were formed as a result of the synthesis of carbonic gasses.
Lunch en route.
Return to the base camp. Dinner. Instructions for the next day.
Overnight stay in tents in the base camp.
Day 5: Tolbachik valley – national village of "Menedeck" – Esso
Breakfast. Packing up the camp. Transfer to the village of Esso.
The way from the camp to Esso is 160 km long in a cross country which will take us about 5 hours.
On the way to Esso we take a break in a small ethnographical village of Evens –Kamchatka indigenous people. They will tell you about their way of living and customs. Lunch in the national village.
Arrival at Esso.
Check-in at the hotel with a thermal swimming pool. Dinner.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Esso – PKC
Breakfast. Drive to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Lunch en route in the settlement of Milkovo.
Arrival at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Check-in at the hotel. Dinner.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: PKC – The Valley of Geysers, Uzon caldera, Nalychevo nature park – PKC.
Breakfast. Transfer to a heliport. Flight to the Valley of Geysers (1 hour 10 min). On the way we fly around two active volcanoes Karymskiy and Maliy Semyachik. Landing in the Valley of Geysers.
During the 1,5 hour's trekking excursion in the Valley of Geysers accompanied by an English-speaking guide you will see the eruption of the Bolshoy (“Big”) geyser, observe different thermal platforms of hot springs, fumaroles and mud pots. The route is equipped with wooden broad walks and is available for people of any physical training.
Helicopter flight into the caldera of Uzon volcano. A 40 minutes' trekking excursion around the Eastern thermal ground to observe moon landscapes and volcanic activity.
Flight to the nature park Nalychevo where you can bathe in natural thermal springs. Lunch in the park. Flight back to the heliport. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Return to the hotel. Spare time (rest, bathing in the thermal water pool). Dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
If you’d like to abstain from the helicopter excursion you spend this day on your wish. An optional program may be organized for additional fee.
Day 8: PKC – Avachinsky volcano – mount Camel - PKC
Breakfast. Transfer by all-terrain bus to the foot of Avachinsky volcano to the altitude of 860 m asl.
Part of the route is through the bed of a dry river. The drive to the distance of 30 km takes 2 – 2,5 hours depending on the road conditions.
Accommodation in huts for 4 – 10 persons in the base camp or in double tents in a tent camp. Walking excursion to the mountain Camel (1200 m asl.) will take us 3 – 4 hours. Lunch en route.
The natural monument – "Mountain Verblyud" (Camel) located on the mountain pass between the volcanoes Avachinsky and Koryaksky – is a small rocky massif with two sharp peaks. The mountain was formed during the eruptions of both volcanoes. As a result of earth crust movement and activity of the volcanoes incandescent lava flowed that later became the mount Verblyud.
Return to the camp. Dinner. Drive back to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9: PKC - The Avacha bay - Starichkov island - PKC
Breakfast. Transfer to the sea quay in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Cruise along the bay Avachinskaya to a natural preserve – the island Starichkov.
The way to the island Starichkov goes along the Avacha bay passing the so called ID-card of Kamchatka the rocks "Three Brothers" and lava rock "Devil's finger". You will see the rookeries of the sea mammals and bird colonies.
On the way back we make a stop to catch some sea fish in the Tikhaya bay. Tasting of seafoods (sea-urchins, crabs...). Lunch on board.
Return to the town. Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: PKC - Gorely volcano climbing - PKC
Breakfast. Transfer by all-terrain bus to the caldera of Gorely volcano. The route goes south gaining height along the valley of the river Paratunka.
Ascent to the crater and to the volcano summit (1829 m a.s.l.).
If you feel en route that you are not ready to continue the ascent, our guide’s assistant will take you back to the camp where you may wait for the rest of the group to return.
Lunch at the top of the volcano. Walk around the craters.
By favourable weather you will see more then 15 volcanoes around. They are Zhirovskoy, Mutnovsky, Vilyuchinsky, Asacha, Opala, Khodutka, Zeltovsky, Aag, Arick, Koryaksky, Avachinsky, Dzendzur, Zhupanovskie and others.
Descent back to the automobile and drive back to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Free day for optional excursions
Breakfast at the hotel.
This day you may take part in optional excursions (discussed and payed in advance):
- helicopter excursion to Kuril Lake;
- sea trip to Russkaya bay;
- automobile-walking excirsion to Vachkazhets mountain massif;
- rafting down the river Bystraya (Malkinskaya).
Dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12: Departure from Kamchatka.
Breakfast. Visit to the local fish market and a gift shop.Transfer to the airport.
- backpack for your personal staff;
- comfortable trekking shoes / trekking boots with high tops;
- gaiters;
- light shoes to change;
- warm hat;
- gloves;
- windproof (fleece) jacket;
- waterproof jacket or raincoat;
- sleeping bag;
- trekking poles (if necessary);
- sunglasses, sunburn treatment cream;
- personal hygiene products, towel;
- bathing suit;
- mosquito spray;
- individual medical kit;
- head torch.
Cost of the tour for the year 2020 is 2 500 Euro per person.
* The tour price includes:
- tourist voucher to apply for visa;
- FSB coordination;
- transport services according to the program;
- hotel accommodation in twin rooms according to the program;
- sea trip;
- fishing licenses;
- fishing-tackle for sea and river fishing;
- accompaniment (guiding services);
- interpreter services (English, German or French-speaking guide);
- services of a cook;
- meals at the hotel and en route;
- provision with tents and sleeping pads;
- use of all group tourist equipment and inventory;
- bathing in thermal springs;
- visit to the national village of Evens;
- recreational services of the nature parks of Kamchatka;
- accident insurance.
* NOT included in the price are:
- Air tickets to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and back;
- Helicopter excursion to The Valley of Geysers or Helicopter excursion to the Kuril Lake (Are paid additionally. The costs of the excursions for the year 2019 are 44.000 Rub. and 42.000 Rub. correspondently.);
- alcoholic beverages;
- provision with sleepeing bags.
* The price of the tour may vary depending on your wishes and the type of accommodation!