KAV6. Introduction to Kamchatka

Type: Adventure
Tour duration: 11 days
Months of Operation: July – 15th of 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 cross taiga and mountains by rafts along the Bystraya River with good chances to see brown bears and to fish salmon. 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 Petropavlovsk. Accommodation in a hotel. 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. Evening ride by off-road bus (45 km) to an alpine plateau at the foots of Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes. Accommodation in Avachinsky alpine camp. (BLD)
  • Day 3. Acclimatization hike (5-6 hours) along the slopes of Koryaksky volcano to the Verblyud (Camel) Mount. Overnight in cabins. (BLD)
  • Day 4. Ascending Avachinsky volcano (2749 m). 6-8 hours up and 2-3 hours down. Ride by off-road bus to Paratunka Hot Springs resort. Accommodation in hotel. Relaxation. Bathing in a thermal basin. (BLD)
  • Day 5. Bus ride (120 km) to the Bystraya River. Start of rafting along Bystraya River. 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. Fishing. 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. (BLD)
  • Day 8. Boat cruise along Avachinsky Bay to Starichkov Island with fishing and viewing sea birds. Evening ride (100 km) by off-road bus to Mutnovsky volcano area. Setting a base camp. Walks around. Overnight in tents. (BLD)
  • Day 9. Ascending (8 hours) the crater of the Mutnovsky volcano (2322 m). Viewing fumaroles, mood siphons, acid lakes. 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. (BLD)
  • Day 11. Visiting a fish market. Transfer to airport. Departure from Petropavlovsk. (B)

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

Note: sequence of arrangements may be changed due to local conditions

 

Tour Highlights

  • Avachinsky volcanic group – the nearest volcanoes to the city of Petropavlovsk
  • Bystraya River – good possibility of rafting through wild nature
  • Mutnovsky Volcano – impressive active volcano with powerful gas and steam spurts and boiling mood cauldrons
  • Valley of Geysers – world famous sight with more than 40 geysers

Fixed departures – 2010 (guaranteed):

04/07-14/07/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
07/07-17/07/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
10/07-20/07/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
13/07-23/07/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
16/07-26/07/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
19/07-29/07/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
22/07-01/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
25/07-04/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
28/07-07/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
31/07-10/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
03/08-13/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
06/08-16/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
09/08-19/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
12/08-22/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
15/08-25/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
18/08-28/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
21/08-31/08/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
24/08-03/09/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
27/08-06/09/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
30/08-09/09/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
02/09-12/09/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
05/09-15/09/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)
08/09-18/09/2010 (English/Russian speaking guide)


 

Costs for individual tourists - 2010:

1154 EUR per person for joining in a fixed departure up to 16 PAX
Note: a staff of the combined group may vary during the trip.

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: +239 EUR per person
  • Helicopter excursion to Valley of Geysers and Uzon Valley (to pay on spot): around 625 EUR per person

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