Highlights
- The chance to observe one of the largest brown bears on the planet in the wild during the great salmon migration
- Climb the most spectacular volcanoes in Kamchatka
- Rafting on the Kamchatka River
- Discover the local indigenous culture, customs and traditions
- Learn about volcanism in the most spectacular and wild volcanic area on our planet
Introduction
Avacha Bay (Avatcha)
It is located in the southeast of the Kamchatka peninsula. It is named after the Avachinsky volcano. Avacha means ‘foreigner’ (ie ‘Russian’) in Itelmen, the language of the ancient Itelmen, the native people of the peninsula.
The bay has been considered one of the semi-finalists of the Seven Wonders of Russia in the list drawn up by popular vote in 2008.
It is one of the largest in the world, able to accommodate any type of boat. It is the base of operations of the Russian Pacific Fleet. Its waters do not freeze in winter, which allows ships to shelter there in case of a storm. The waters of the bay have a positive influence on the coastal climate.
Mutnovsky Volcano (2,323 m)
It is a complex volcano located in the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. It is one of the thirty that still remain with some activity on the peninsula, and one of the most active volcanoes in the south of Kamchatka; the last eruption was recorded in 2000. The area is also known for its geothermal activity. At the foot of the Mutnovsky is a field of geysers, popularly known as the Lesser Valley of the Geisers.
It is one of the most beautiful ascents to a volcano that can be made. The summit of the Mutnovsky is the result of eruptions and collapses that have deformed to the point of saturation an immense caldera possessing not one but two craters. And, when it is calm, and weather conditions allow it (which happens in July and August when there is less ice and you can reach its skirts in vehicles prepared to do so), it becomes one of the best hiking trails in all of Kamchatka.
The Gorely volcano (1,829 m)
It consists of the overlap of 5 stratovolcanoes and is one of the most active in the south of Kamchatka. It is a moderate ascent of about 800m of difference in terrain of little difficulty. In July and August there are only a few coolers that you can walk through without much difficulty. In total, it is about 7 kilometers of ascent.
The route goes around the 2 main craters of the volcano. The round trip is about 5 kilometers which is well worth it, as it will allow us to have spectacular views of the lake and the fumarole found in the craters. Despite being a tourist area, the excursion and the ascent are well worth it.
Brown bears and the Kuril lake
The place is the result of multiple explosive eruptions that over millions of years shaped unique and wild landscapes, stripped of any kind of human settlement for many kilometers around. To reach Kuril Lake we need to board a helicopter, usually an MI-8, old military helicopters converted for civilian use that we have used more than once in different regions of the Russian Arctic, where it is one of the means of usual transport
In the Kuril Lake, one of the great phenomena of nature is repeated every year in the summer, millions of salmon come up the river from the sea to here, where they finish their long journey to spawn. This causes the appearance of a huge amount of bears that prepare for hibernation by eating as many salmon as they can.
This species of brown bear is one of the largest on the planet. And a great opportunity to see and photograph these great animals in their wild state.
Rafting and ethnography on the Kamchatka River
After visiting the ethnographic museum in the settlement of Milkovo to learn about the life of the indigenous people of the region, mainly Itelmens, and what their daily life was like by the river, we will have lunch on the river bank itself with local salmon dishes to then embark on a new adventure, a tour along the Kamchatka River until our return to the capital, Petropavlovsk.
Trip created and directed by:
With the technical leading of:
- Local guides-interpreters in English on visits to Kamchatka
- 3 meals throughout the tour except lunch at Milkovo cafe
- Cooking service throughout the tour
- Necessary equipment (tents, plates, bags, etc. except sleeping bag)
- Transportation and transfer service indicated
- Accommodation in a double room in the hotel and in the recreational center
- All excursions mentioned in the program, except for optional ones
- Amaroq Explorers Guide
- Flight Spain-Petropavlosk Kamchatsky- Spain
- Airport taxes
- Visa and visa invitation in the Russian Federation
- Unspecified meals, drinks, personal expenses, extra expenses and tips
- Any service not specified in this program
- On-site payment services
- Cancellation insurance
- International insurance
- Optional tours:
- - The helicopter visit to the Geyser Valley
- - The visit to observe bears in Kuril lake
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Day 17/08: Spain – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Departure by flight from Spain to the capital of Kamchatka, Petropavlosk Kamchatsky.
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Day 18/08: Arrival in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Arrival at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, capital of this impressive peninsula, which has a magnificent surface of 472.300 km 2. Transfer and accommodation in a tourist category hotel to be able to adapt to the intense time change, since there a difference with Europe of eleven more hours.
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Day 19/08: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Departure by boat to Avacha Bay (5-6 hours)
Boat trip to Avacha Bay across the Pacific Ocean. On this trip, we will observe different places on the coast, such as a nesting place for seabirds, Babushkin Kamen Island, the Three Brothers Rocks. Visit of the island “Starichkov”. Later, after the boat trip, en route to the Mutnovsky volcano by vehicle (4×4) (90 km). Arrival and setting up camp. Night in tents.
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Day 20/08: Ascent to the crater of the Mutnovsky volcano (2,323 m)
Ascent to the crater of the Mutnovsky volcano, by the power of active fumaroles, mud siphons and a mountain lake.
For those who prefer not to climb the Mutnovsky, there will be an excursion to the fumarolic mud springs of Dachnie, a place called “the small valley of geysers”). Night in tents.
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Day 21/08: Ascent to the Gorely volcano (1,829 m)
Ascent to the Gorely volcano (1,829 m), through lava flows and ash fields, observing three mind-blowing craters with volcanic lakes. The ascent takes approximately 6 hours. In the afternoon, transfer to an accommodation with thermal waters. Accommodation, rest and swimming in the pools with thermal waters.
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Day 22/08: Valley of the Geysers by helicopter/ Bear observation by the Kuril Lake
Day to visit outside the itinerary. The helicopter tour of the Valley of Geysers is an impressive way to see the main volcanoes of the Peninsula. The option of being able to observe the bear in its natural habitat in the Kuril Lake is another interesting opportunity to feel Kamchatka.
In the afternoon, transfer to the old Cossack settlement of Milkovo (280 km). Accommodation at a local hotel.
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Day 23/08: Kluchevskaya volcano area
En route to the area of the Kluchevskaya group of volcanoes (240 km, 6-7 hours). We will advance towards the foot of the beautiful volcanic massif formed by the Plosky and Ostry Tolbachik volcanoes. If the weather is good, from the road you can see the panorama of the volcanoes Krestovsky (4,057 m), Ushkovsky (.3903 m), Kluchevskaya Sopka (4,750 m), Kamen (4,579 m), Plosky Tolbachik (3,082 m) and Ostry Tolbachik (3,672 meters). Night in tents.
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Day 24/08: Observing the consequences of the 2013 eruption
Observing the consequences of the 2013 eruption (view of the new cone, large fresh lava flows, caves – lavovody, stone sculptures and hardened lava). Accommodation at a local hotel.
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Day 25/08: En route to the North of the Peninsula
Driving towards the north of the peninsula. Climb the Tolbachik cones, which are miniature volcanoes, whose height is 100 to 200 meters. Moving south (15 km). Visit of the southern cone. Night in tents.
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Day 26/08: Visit to the area of the volcanic eruption of 1975
Visit of the area called the dead forest, with the crushed slag and ashes of the eruptions of 1975. Return to the Milkovo settlement, located on the banks of the Kamchatka River (240 km, 4 – 5 hours). Accommodation at a local hotel.
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Day 27/08: Ethnographic Museum-rafting on the river Kamchatka-Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Visit to the Ethnographic Museum of the Kamchatka River Aborigines. En route to the settlement of Malka (170 km) by vehicle (4×4). Lunch by the river. (dishes made with fish of the salmon species).
Rafting (2-3 hours) along the river. Return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Accommodation in a tourist category hotel
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Day 28/08: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-Spain
In the morning, visit the local fish market. Afterwards, transfer to the airport.
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Day 29/08: Arrival in Spain
