KXV15. Trekking in Nalychevo Nature Park

Type: Extreme
Tour duration: 14 days
Months of Operation: June – September
Recommended group size: 2 – 16
Mode of Travel: car/minibus, all-terrain car/bus, on foot

The Nalychevo Nature Park is one of the most attractive sites of Kamchatka. You will ascend Avachinsky (2741 m), Dzendzur (2155 m) and Kupol (1674 m) volcanoes, visit the largest accumulation of hot springs in Nalychevo Valley, enjoy a beauty of sky-blue rivers and lakes. You will have a chance to meet brown bears, Steller's eagles, run of sprawning salmon.

Please note that you are supposed to enjoy 6 hours of trekking daily with a rucksack up to 10-15 kg (personal and group belongings, provision). Porters are available for extra fee.

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival in Petropavlovsk. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation. Acclimatization. At 21:00 - dinner with your guide and discussing the trip. (D)

Day 2. Free time in Petropavlovsk. Optional excursion to Valley of Geysers by helicopter (weather dependent). Evening ride (45 km) to alpine plateau between Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes. Overnight in cabins at the Three Volcanoes schelter. (BLD)

Day 3. Ascending (6-8 hours) the Avachinsky volcano (2741 m). Viewing active fumarolas, mud siphons, acid lakes. Duration of the whole excursion is around 8 hours. Overnight in cabins at the Three Volcanoes schelter. (BLD)

Day 4. Trek to the valley of the Pravaya Sedlovinskaya (Right Col) river, across the Avacha pass (1268m), situated between Koryaksky & Avachinsky volcanoes. Between the sources of the Pravaya Sedlovinskaya (Right Col) river the springs well up from the earth. Here the group stays for rest. Overnight in tents. (BLD)

Day 5. Trek to the valley of  the Shumnaya (Noisy) river (13km), it goes across the short pass of the range of  Koryaksky volcano. The pass is 1203 m high. Then descent to the valley of Levaya (Left) Nalychevo river. Crossing the river, the tourists go past the short range and descent to the right tributary of the Shumnaya (Noisy) river, where tourists stay for a night (18 km). Overnight in tents. (BLD)

Day 6. The route lies across cold mineral springs – the Aag narzans (13 km). From  the springs sights one can see Vershinsky (Top) and Kupol (Cupola) volcanoes. From the Aag springs there is a path to the Nalychevo hot springs (13 km). Bathing in the hot springs. Overnight in cabins. (BLD)

Day 7. Rest day. Bathing in the hot springs, picking up the berries, sightseeing. This day, depending on wish and how the group feels, it’s possible to ascend to the extinct Volcano of Kupol (Cupola), or go to Mountain lake Vershinskoye (Top), or to go on the excursion to the Zheltopechensky (Yellow river) springs. (BLD)

Day 8. Trek to the Talovsky thermal springs (12 km). The tour goes on the path in the valley of the Shaibnaya (Puck) river. After 8 km of hiking tourists come to the Krayevedchesky hot springs, situated at the foot of Talovaya mountain. Then they go to the Talovaya hot springs, the outlets of which are on the either bank of the Talovaya river. Over the springs there are hot mud in a small bog. Set a base camp. Overnight in tents. Bathing in hot springs. (BLD)

Day 9. Ascent to active volcano Dzenzur (2155m). You ascend in the narrow picturesque cleft of the Zhelob (Gutter) stream, flowing from the caldera of Dzenzur volcano and on the crest of the lava stream up to the fumarole site, which is situated at the wall of the caldera board. If the ascent is difficult you can return to the camp.  (BLD)

Day 10. Rest day. Excursion to the Solony (Salty) stream, on the either sides of which thermal water springs and hot mud are situated. Overnight in tent camp. (BLD)

Day 11. Return to the Nalychevsky hot springs visiting the Teplorechensky hot springs (12 km). Overnight in cabins. (BLD)

Day 12. Crossing the Pinachevsky pass (1160 m) to the valley of the Pinachevo river (26 km). From the pass you can observe Koryakski, Aag and Arik volcanoes. The route goes through the wonderful birch forest. Small grass grows on the pass. Overnight in tents.  (BLD)

Day 13. Trek down at the valley of the Pinachevo river. The path lies through the birch forest, crossing small ravines. Driving to the Paratunka Hot Springs resort by car from Pinachevo village (55 km). Accommodation, rest, bathing. (BLD)

Day 14. Fish market. Souvenirs. Transfer to airport. Departure from Petropavlovsk. (B)

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

Tour Highlights

• Avachinsky Volcanic Group
• Nalychevo Nature Park which concentrates outstanding sites of volcanic origin
• Multiple hot and cold mineral springs
• Valley of Geysers (optional) – world famous sight with more than 40 geysers

Fixed departures – 2010:

04/07-17/07/2010 (English speaking guide)
22/07-04/08/2010 (English speaking guide)
09/08-22/08/2010 (English speaking guide)
27/08-09/09/2010 (English speaking guide)
14/09-27/09/2010 (English speaking guide)

Costs - 2010:

1127 EUR per person for joining in a fixed departure up to 16 PAX

Custom departures for separate groups:

Included:

• TWN accommodation in hotels and tents (dorm at Three Volcanoes)
• 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 and tents: + 133 EUR per person
• Helicopter excursion to Valley of Geysers and Uzon Caldera (to pay on spot): around 625 EUR per person
• Air flight Moscow - Petropavlovsk - Moscow around 800 EUR per person (may be lower with early booking)