KAV1. Bears and Volcanoes

Type: Adventure
Tour duration: 10 days
Season: July – September
Recommended group size: 10 – 18
Transportation: minibus, 6WD bus, on foot, helicopter, boat

This is a special trip devoted to observing Kamchatka brown bears in natural habitat. Kurilskoye Lake is one of the most scenic Kamchatka sites, a remote protected area in Southern Kamchatka. The lake attracts bears, being one of the largest salmon spawning areas in Kamchatka.

During the tour you will visit the unique Kurilskoye lake where you will watch running and spawning salmon and fishing brown bears. You will see a huge caldera with two lakes on the Ksudach volcano. You will also have an opportunity to enjoy swimming in the biggest Kamchatka hot springs, located at the foot of Khodutka volcano, visit active volcanoes Gorely and Mutnovsky. Flying in a helicopter over the area, you will observe from above the volcanoes and virgin Kamchatka nature.

You will make a cruise through Avacha Bay and Pacific Ocean feasting your eyes with nesting sea birds. You will also look at the old Russian city of Petropavlovsk, taste bathing in Hot Springs in Paratunka.

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Petropavlovsk. Transfer to the city (25 km). Accommodation in a hotel. Acclimatization. (LD)

Day 2. Helicopter flight (1.2 hour)  to the Ksudach volcano caldera passing volcanoes Viluchinsky (2,175 m), Mutnovsky (2,323 m), Gorely (1,829 m), Asacha (1,910 m), Khodutka (2,087 m). Excursion around the caldera (1.5 – 2 hours), visit hot springs of the Kluchevoye Lake and the 'dead'1 volcano crater – the Shtubel Lake. The excursion is followed by a short flight to the Kurilskoye Lake. Accommodation in dorm (5-6 PAX) rooms of tourist base. (Note: accommodation in a stationary tent camp Istok is planned for the departure 15/08/2010. TWN tents with beds and linen are provided). Special viewing points are designed for watching bears. (BLD)

Day 3. Rest, walking, watching salmon run and she-bears fishing or feeding in berry tundra. Overnight in the tourist base. (BLD)

Day 4. Helicopter flight to Khodutka volcano (20 min.) and hot Khodutkinskoye Lake (150 – 200 meters in diameter), giving start to a 30-meter-wide hot river. Swimming in the hot lake and river. Return to the city by helicopter. Accommodation in a resort centre at Paratunka Hot Springs. Rest, swimming in thermal pool. (BLD)

Day 5. Free day. An optional (extra fee on spot) helicopter tour to theValley of Geysers including the flight over Karymsky (1,486 m) and Maly Semyachik (1560 m) volcanoes and a walking excursion around the Valley. Lunch-picnic is included. (BLD)

Day 6. Ride by off-road track to the foot of Mutnovsky volcano. Ascending (8-10 h) the crater of Mutnovsky volcano (2,323 m). Getting acquainted with active fumaroles, mud trap rocks and a mountain lake. Mutnovsky is one of the most amazing volcano phenomenas in Kamchatka. Steep walls surrounding a wide and deep hole of the crater with sparkling ice collar split by cracks and outburst boiling fumaroles. Return to Snow Valley hotel. (BLD)

Day 7. Ride by off-road track to the foot of Gorely volcano. Ascending the Gorely volcano (1,829 m), walking on the lava bed, slack fields, getting acquainted with 3 crater lakes (excursion time – 6 hours).  Return to Snow Valley hotel. (BLD)

Day 8. Ride by off-road track to the foot of Vilyuchinsky volcano.  Walking (2-3 km, 1.5 h) to Vilyuchinsky waterfall.  Visiting Verhneparatunsky hot springs. Return to Petropavlovsk. Accommodation in hotel.  (BLD)

Day 9. Motorboat trip in Avachinskaya Bay. Watching nesting places of sea birds at the Babushkin Kamen (Old Woman’s Stone) Island, Tri Brata (Three Brothers) Island. Going out to the Pacific Ocean up to the Starichkov Island. Watching the largest nesting place of sea birds (including Steller’s sea eagle). Good chances to meet dolphins, sea lions, killer whales. City tour of Petropavlovsk. Visit to a fish market. Souvenirs.  (BLD)

Day 10. Transfer to the airport. Departure. (B)

Legend: B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner

Tour Highlights:

• Kurilskoye Lake – the famous reserved territory
• Kamchatka brown bear
• Mutnovsky Volcano – the impressive active volcano with powerful gas and steam spurts and boiling mood cauldrons
• Landscapes of Southern Kamchatka
• Valley of Geysers – the world famous sight with more than 40 geysers (optional)

Fixed departures – 2010:

25.07 - 03.08.2010  (English speaking guides)
07.08 - 16.08.2010  (English speaking guides)
15.08 - 24.08.2010  (English speaking guides)

Costs  for individual tourists - 2010

 2893 EUR - per person for joining in a fixed group 6-18 PAX

Included:

• TWN accommodation (dorm is possible at Kurilskoye Lake)
• 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: +372 EUR per person
• Helicopter excursion to Valley of Geysers and Uzon Caldera (to pay on spot): around 625 EUR per person

EXTENSION A: Moscow

• Day A1. Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to hotel Tourist 3*. Accommodation.
• Day A2. Breakfast. Transfer to airport. Departure from Moscow.

Costs for individual tourists – 2010:

Included:

• TWN accommodation in hotel Tourist 3* (STD room with continental breakfast)
• arrival and departure private transfers

Supplements:

• SGL in hotel (including "forced" SGL): +26 EUR per person

Note: Other hotels/rooms are available

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