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Type: Adventure
Tour duration: 11 days
Months of Operation: July – September
Recommended group size: 2 – 16
Mode of Travel: minibus, off-road bus, on foot, raft

This is rather a short budget trip, which gives the first impression about charms of Kamchatka. The route is laid not far from Petropavlovsk but grants you a chance to taste volcanic activity and wild nature – the two main attractions of the peninsula.

You travel to the Avachinsky volcanic group and make an attempt to ascend the Avachinsky volcano and to look into the crater.

You take a boat cruise to the Starichkov Island in the Pacific Ocean - home for numerous sea birds.

The culmination of the whole program is the Mutnovsky volcano which is considered the most impressive Kamchatka volcano now because it is always active. You enter the crater and find yourself close to intensive powerful gas and steam spurts and boiling mood cauldrons.

The Paratunka Hot Springs resort grants you relaxation and bathing in thermal waters. You will also have an option to take a helicopter excursion to the world famous Valley of Geysers.

Itinerary: 

Day 1. Arrival in Elizovo airport. Transfer to Petropavlovsk (20 km). Accommodation in a hotel Geyzer 3*. Acclimatization. Free time for independent study of the city. At 20:00 - dinner with your guide and discussing the trip. (D)

Day 2. Free time in Petropavlovsk.Optional excursion to the Valley of Geysers by helicopter: flight around Karymsky (1486m) and Maly Semyachik (1560m) volcanoes, walk excursion at the Valley. This valley cannot be compared with any other unique objects in the world. There are more than 20 big geysers in the valley. Velican (Giant), Zhemchuzhny (Pearly), Sakharny (Sugary), Troinoi (Triple), Konus (Cone), Fontan (Fountain), Maly (Small), Bolshoy (Big), Shchel (Split) – here are some names. There are geysers that gush forth every 10-12 minutes, while others may erupt once in 4-5 hours. The wreathes of steam, fountains of boiling water, incredible colours of slopes, hot water streaming along them and profuse greenery of grasses and trees create an enchanting spectacle. Lunch is served at the Valley.

In the evening driving to Avachinsky volcano by “off road” car (45km). Accomodation at the tour basis “Three volcanoes”. Accommodation for a night in houses, in rooms on 4 - 10 person. (BLD)

Day 3. Acclimatization hike (5-6 hours) along the slopes of Koryaksky volcano to the Verblyud (Camel) Mount (4-5 hours). Overnight in cabins. (BLD)

Day 4. Ascending Avachinsky volcano (2749 m). 6-8 hours up and 2-3 hours down.

From the edge of the volcano a stunning view could be seen: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski, Elizovo, valley of Avacha river and Avacha Bay; Vilyuchinsky, Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes - to the south; the valley of the Nalychevo river, Zhupanovsky & Dzenzur volcanoes – to the north. The massive cone of Koryak volcano is seen to the west.

Evening ride by off-road bus to Paratunka Hot Springs resort. Accommodation in hotel Helios 3*. Relaxation. Bathing in a thermal basin. (BLD)

Day 5. Bus ride (120 km) to the Bystraya River. Start of rafting along Bystraya River. It takes place among grand mountain ranges along the river with some rapids. The nature is virtually unspoilt It’s secure for novices. The diner at the fire, fish-soup. Overnight in tents. (BLD)

Day 6. Rafting along the Bystraya River through wildness of taiga and mountains. Passing two rapids. Probability to see bears, Steller’s sea eagle and salmon. During rafting you can fish, pick some mushrooms and berries, and watch birds and wild ducks, and many other animals. Overnight in tents. (BLD)

Day 7. Passing through a rapid. End of rafting and return to Paratunka by bus (180 km). Relaxation. Bathing in a thermal basin. Overnight in hotel Helios 3*. (BLD)

Day 8. Boat cruise along Avachinsky Bay. Seeing the sea birds nests on the islands “Babushkin Kamen (Granny’s Stone)” and “Tree Brata (Three Brothers)”. Short trip in the Pacific Ocean to the island “Starichkov”. Sea fishing, seeing the seal rookery. Opportunity to meet whales, dolphins. Lunch, fresh fish soup. After the boat trip driving to Mutnovsky volcano by “off road” car (100km). Setting up the camp. Excursion walk to the waterfall (90m) in the canyon Opasny (Dangerous). Spending the night in tents. (BLD)

Day 9. Ascending (8 hours) the crater of the Mutnovsky volcano (2322 m). Viewing active fumaroles, mud siphons, mud craters, mountain lake. The crater of volcano Mutnovsky is one of the most wonderful volcanic phenomenon of Kamchatka. Steep walls surround wide and deep crater, with shining glaciers. Ascending takes 8 hours. If it is difficult for somebody to ascend it’s possible to return to the camp. Overnight in tents. (BLD)

Day 10. Ascending (6 hours) the Gorely volcano (1829 m). Viewing lava streams, slag fields, craters with lakes. Bus ride to Paratunka Hot Springs. Accommodation in a hotel Helios 3*. (BLD)

Day 11. Visiting a fish market. Shopping. Souvenirs. Transfer to airport. Departure from Petropavlovsk. (B)

Tour Highlights:

• Avachinsky volcanic group

• the Bystraya River

• Avacha Bay

• Mutnovsky volcano

• Gorely volcano

• the Valley of Geysers

• Paratunka Hot Springs resort

Fixed departures – 2012 (guaranteed) - English/Russian speaking guide:

July	August
04/07-14/07/2012 07/07-17/07/2012 10/07-20/07/2012 13/07-23/07/2012 16/07-26/07/2012 19/07-29/07/2012 22/07-01/08/2012 25/07-04/08/2012 28/07-07/08/2012 31/07-10/08/2012	03/08-13/08/2012 06/08-16/08/2012 09/08-19/08/2012 12/08-22/08/2012 15/08-25/08/2012 18/08-28/08/2012 21/08-31/08/2012 24/08-03/09/2012 27/08-06/09/2012

 

Included:

• accommodation (TWN in hotels and tents, maybe dormitory in cabins)
• full board
• all necessary transfers including arrival and departure
• all necessary  equipments
• all excursions per program with entrance fees
• local English speaking guides/interpreters
• subsidiary crew when needed

Not included:

• air flights
• optional activities and excursions to be paid on spot
• insurance
• visa

Supplements:

• SGL in hotels: +214 EUR per person
• Helicopter excursion to Valley of Geysers and Uzon Valley (to pay on spot): around 755 EUR per person

Every participant of the tour is requested to have:

1) a rucksack (60 – 100 liter)

2) a sleeping bag and a tourist mat,

3) trekking boots or rubber boots,

4) extra shoes to change,

5) things for personal hygiene, bathing accessories,

6) warm clothes (including waterproof and windblock jacket),

7) sunglasses,

8) a hat,

9) a torch,

10) gloves,

11) trekking poles

12) the first-aid kit

13) anti-mosquito spray.

 

All the costs are valid at the date of publication and are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking