What to visit in Kamchatka in the summer. Independent travel to Kamchatka. Klyuchevsky Nature Park

Before moving on to the story of a vacation in Kamchatka, I think we need to make a useful post with different tips for those who are just going to go there. For those who do not plan to go there, it is better not to waste time. The post is long and only about the organization of the trip.

So, tips.

PURCHASE OF TOUR AND TOURISM

Firstly, it is not necessary immediately in Moscow (St. Petersburg and other cities) to look for a travel agency and buy a ready-made package tour, because everything can be bought cheaper on the spot. Indeed, when climbing volcanoes, for rafting you should be in a group with an instructor. Even if you yourself can find the right paths, you still need a super-passable car to get to the beginning of this very trail, or the raft itself. They drive either in good jeeps, or in a shift group on shifts (trucks - Zilah, Kamaz equipped for transporting people). Renting a separate jeep with a driver for yourself is very expensive. Therefore, it is still better to go with the group.

Everyone praises the local Kamchatka firm “Traverse Tour” http://www.kamchatkatravers.ru/

They have their own equipment (shifts, rafts, snowmobiles), their own guide-instructors, have their own house at the foot of Mutnovsky, and many intermediary companies often connect people to their groups.

In general, it’s better to fly to P-Kamchatsky and call Tatyana, or her husband Konstantin Abramovich - the owners of Traverse-Tour, they are very nice people, and really professionals in their field. They are praised by other companies and the people who turn to them.

You can not buy a package tour with the program, say for 10 days, and buy all the excursions included in it separately on the site (there are separate ascents to volcanoes, a separate rafting, a separate boat trip, etc.), focusing on the weather and your well-being.

We also had very good girl instructors Julia and Arina from another company, with whom we went to Avacha. They plan to conduct their exclusive tours later. I highly recommend them. They are not just guides, but people who love the mountains and nature of Kamchatka, who know a lot of interesting information. If you want to contact them, then write in a personal, I will give Julia a phone number, she will help you with the organization of rest.

We also had a wonderful driver of the Volodya jeep who can drive along the most impassable roads, and can also help with the tour. His phone can also be taken from me.

Prices for helicopter tours (to the Geyser Valley, Tolbachik, Kuril Lake, etc.) are almost the same everywhere, with a difference of 1000 rubles at best. They are also organized mainly by intermediary firms. Guides that accompany tourists directly to the lake from the company "Edge" tel 8 (415-2) 48 44 61. Helicopter tours are organized by the Vityaz Travel Travel Company (they own helicopters) http://vityaz-travel.ru

There are two-week tours for photographers on a bear season on Kuril Lake. It is better to book them in advance, for several months, because make out all the places.

TRAVEL TIME

The hottest season for a trip to Kamchatka is summer. The most hiking time is from mid-July to mid-August. Bears on Kuril Lake fish from the end of July until mid-August (when sockeye salmon are walking). Most birds (golden eagles, eagles) on the Kuril lake in the winter, from January to the end of February. In September, it is best to watch volcanoes in the Geyser valley (and not only there), as less fog, good visibility and very beautiful because thickets of shiksha (local berry) become like a fleecy burgundy carpet, and the trees are painted in gold colors. Winter in Kamchatka is also very good. You can go snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, skiing and dog sledding.

Ethnographic events:

1. First Saturday of March - Reindeer Herder Festival (held in Esso)

2. First Saturday of June - Feast of the first fish

3. Third Saturday of June - Nurgenek meeting of the Even New Year

4. Last Saturday of September - Itelmen ritual holiday “Alkhalalai” Thanksgiving to nature.

5. The first Saturday of November - the Koryak ritual holiday "Hololo"

Contact information on ethnographic villages, parking lots, etc. (Sorry, that in English, but in Russian there is no, and there is no time to retype)

Also a very interesting annual event - dog sledding Berengiya (emphasis on I). The race takes place in March, the exact dates can be found on their website. Usually start in Esso, finish in Ossor.

WHAT TO SEE

It is difficult to recommend since everything is interesting. The only thing that rafting along the Bystraya river is somewhat tedious, and if you do not fish, then be prepared for the fact that you just slowly and meditatively watch the flow of water and a rather monotonous shore for several days. Hiking to volcanoes and climbing them will be difficult for people with poor health; it is better to take helicopter tours to distant volcanoes, or at best a jeep tour to Mutnovsky, it’s not a very difficult climb there.

EQUIPMENT

For active tours you need good tracking boots that really (!!!) do not let water through, and you personally checked this on long trips. The fact is that you will most likely have to go through the snowfields (they are also in the summer) and cross the mountain rivers through rocks, and sometimes wade. If you have light, wet shoes, then do not stint and buy rubber boots (you can do this right in P-Kamchatsky), you will walk with happy dry legs.

In general, Kamchatka has very clean air, and in general it’s somehow clean, so if you are not going to wet warm things (and dry them on the way), then ONE warm Polartek jacket (fleece) is enough for you. Necessarily need a good waterproof and windproof raincoat (waterproof jacket). Lightweight climbing t-shirts will not be superfluous. Gaiters (“flashlights") are very necessary on volcanoes. either snow or volcanic dust with small stones strives to pour in boots. For rafting you need necessarily  rubber boots, or you are waiting for everyday life with wet frozen legs, due to the fact that ice water splashes at the bottom of the raft. For hikes in the woods and for rafting (while parking on the shore), a mosquito hat will not be out of place.

Light tracking poles are useful, but if not, the instructors give their own (usually ski poles :)). Also, do not carry a spoon, cup, etc. (unless expressly stated), the cook accompanies the groups with their dishes.

In the mountains, you need sunscreen (the sun really burns, even when it is cloudy), you also need mosquito cream for forest trips.

If you are going to ride a boat in Avacha Bay and sometimes get sick of you, take care in advance of buying special Dramina tablets.

A warm (minus) sleeping bag on trips will not be amiss.

You should carry a swimsuit with you in a backpack, as periodically there is an opportunity to bathe in a hot spring, or in the Pacific Ocean.

Do not forget the spare batteries for cameras, as in nature there’s nowhere to charge the camera, and you will take a lot of pictures.

About maps: we didn’t find a good topographic map of the south of Kamchatka, in the shops there is only a small piece around P-Kamchatsky (price 320 rubles) and there is a good map of the central part from Esso to Ossora (also about 300 rubles), the northern map is also in shops are not visible.

There are different hotels in the city, but living in P-Kamchatsky is not cheap at all. The most budgetary option in my opinion is to rent an apartment for a few days, or it will be placed in a hostel. For several days we lived in a very pleasant hostel "Milano" http://milano-hostel.ru/

Mistress Tatiana tries to make all guests feel at home. Everything is new, modern, there is satellite TV, free tea and coffee. You can use a washing machine for free, there is a refrigerator, a crock-pot, a microwave and many other useful equipment, up to a foot massager :) Very convenient location: two minutes from the bus station (firstly, you can get from the city center by almost any bus, in -secondly, there is bus number 104, which runs every 10 minutes to Yelizovo airport, so do not take a taxi). The hostel is very clean. The bed is 850 rubles. Tatyana assigned us a separate room. There is also a large room for the company.

Tatyana also rents an apartment, so you can contact her about the apartment.

In addition to the hotels of P-Kamchatsky (which you yourself can easily find on the Internet), you can live near the hot springs in Paratunka (there are many recreation centers and boarding houses), or in Yelizovo. Buses from the bus station go there and there (it takes about 30 minutes to go). Buses run very often.

TO RELAX IN SOURCES

They go to rest in Paratunka, where the pools with thermal water work (in my opinion) until one in the morning. For example, they go to the Pink Flamingo boarding house. They also go to very good sources (including with rhodon water) to Zelenkovsky Lakes, but the bus does not go there. By taxi 1500 rub. and we must immediately agree on the return trip and to wait, because there’s nowhere to take a taxi. Sometimes there are organized inexpensive tours there (350 rubles from the nose). I honestly say that I myself did not go because there was no time.

MOVEMENT AND TRANSPORT

Taxi drivers in the city are breaking incredible prices (for a fool), it is better to call a taxi by phone. The most popular “bug”: phone 22-22-22. The fare to the airport is 850 - 1000 rubles.

It is better to ride comfortable buses around the city. The fare is 18 rubles. The whole city stretched along the coast of Avacha Bay for 15 km. The main route is one main road, which is divided into sections with different street names (Pobedy ave., Leninskaya, etc.) along this main road, from one end of the city from the Avtostantsiya stop to the other end of the ZhBF (canning factory ), with an interval of a couple of minutes, half-empty buses constantly run. City center - stop "Drama Theater". Locals often measure their city not by street names, but by kilometers. For example, the Bus Station is the 10th kilometer.

From the bus station you can get to Termalny (via Paratunka), Yelizovo, Milkovo, Atlasovo, Klyuchi, Esso, Oktyabrsky, Ust-Kamchatsk. You can also get to the village Priozerny (?) And from there take a walk along the dirt road (walk an hour and a half) to the Pacific coast.

As mentioned above, it is better and cheaper to get to Yelizovo airport (from the airport) by bus number 104. A ticket costs 40 rubles, a piece of baggage (baggage goes below the bus in the luggage compartment) 10 rubles.

Tour operators from the city usually take them to the heliport.

Local flights in Kamchatka are very expensive, tickets for non-local ones (local ones have their own benefits) cost an average of 20-30 thousand rubles. Tickets are also not always there, it is better to buy in advance, because at the box office before departure, a real crush. Keep in mind that the weather can be non-flying (this often happens). Do not plan departures for extreme dates, always leave a margin of time. It is especially difficult with the Commander Islands, they are most often in fog and sometimes people wait for weeks for a round-trip flight in the same way. There is baggage packing at the airport, like 300 rubles, but I won’t say for sure.

Walking along Avacha Bay and access to the Pacific Ocean is best done in organized tours (I haven’t heard anyone riding in boats), the fact is that, firstly, there can be really big waves and, secondly, there are restrictions on displacement, as in the Vilyuchinsk city adjacent to P-Kamchatsky, there is a base of submarines, and when they go on a raid, all boats are prohibited. If you take a sea tour to Russkaya Bay, also stock up on time, because the weather may deteriorate, and the boat may be delayed in returning (sometimes for several days). This is of course a rare case, but it happens.

Car rental is normal, but remember that most cars are right-hand drive. Gasoline is expensive. If we in Moscow, the 92nd, when leaving, cost 28.3 rubles, then here it cost 36 rubles, and diesel and the 95th 40 rubles. with copecks.

To eat

In P-Kamchatsky, food is somewhat stupid, the cafes, sushi and restaurants and fast food that are familiar to us are few, mostly some frightening bars, taverns, pubs, taverns, barbecue, billiard and night clubs with food. In restaurants, food is very expensive (more expensive than the average Moscow restaurant). It is optimal to have a snack in large shopping centers where there are pizzerias, or some local burger. By the way, I didn’t see McDonald’s in P-Kamchatsky. Maybe he is not there :)

On the way, near the roads, there are all kinds of eateries with pies. Local pies, these are so big “bast shoes” fried in vegetable oil. The dough is not very edible, and fatty because of the oil, but there are tasty and unusual fillings. For example, pies with apple and honeysuckle, or pies with potatoes and fern. One honeysuckle is not put because very expensive. Such a bast shoe is worth 70 - 80 rubles.

You can also eat delicious local berries (shikshu, honeysuckle, cloudberries, lingonberries) depending on the season. It’s better to collect it yourself (near the ocean on the hills there are a lot of shiksha and honeysuckle). Buying from local is expensive.

For evening gatherings, you can recommend the local draft beer “Kamchatskoye” or “Anchor”, and in it, delicious smoked flounder (in small vacuum bags), which is made in Yelizovo, is sold in stalls and shops around the city. Very good!

SOUVENIRS

There are a lot of souvenirs and this one is mainly wood and bone products (carved figures), all sorts of claws-fangs are sold (a small claw of a bear costs more than 1000 rubles). For special fans they sell skins and stuffed animals. In general, I’ll write right away that it’s harmful to buy skins and stuffed animals and not only because of compassion for animals and generally bad energy in the house from such trophies, but you also need to understand that over time the wool (awn) (especially the bear) crumbles into fine dust, which is very harmful to breathing and can cause severe pulmonary disease.

There are leather products embroidered with beads made in the local Itelmen and Koryak style.

For me, the main souvenirs were books bought in bookstores about the nature of Kamchatka. I bought an atlas of plants, a guide to seabirds and animals, books about birds of Kamchatka. There are many books on the history of Kamchatka, on local folklore, collections of Kamchatka tales and myths. Everywhere you can buy beautiful photo albums and postcards. The albums and postcards of S. Gorshkov and I. Shpilenka are especially popular.

Souvenir departments are very common throughout the city. There is a network of specialized stores "Shop of the shaman." One of them is opposite the monument to Laperouse.

Other popular souvenirs are fish, crabs and caviar. I must say right away that these souvenirs are not cheap at all. Their meaning is that when smoking fish, or when salting caviar, preservatives are not added here, and in general everything is fresh and tasty, you will not find this. A kilogram of caviar starts at 1200 rubles. A barrel with a back of chinook salmon from 750 rubles; there are cheaper parts of fish from 450 rubles. per kilogram. Sockeye salmon is cheaper. In general, you have to bargain and try. Caviar, if it is without preservatives, should not be bitter. In the markets, caviar is packed in sealed plastic jars, fish can be rolled up in a plastic vacuum bag (packing it costs 100 rubles). It is better to pack everything tightly so that your things do not stink of fish. Then, after the store packaging, we wrapped everything well with cling film. Crabs are sold chopped and stacked in plastic containers. These pieces are frozen. When defrosting, of course, they greatly decrease and give a lot of water: (A small container costs 500 - 600 rubles. An iron can with crabs costs 500 rubles.

Of course, what if you have friends, etc. you can find everything and cheaper, but I'm talking about prices in the ordinary market. There is a specialized market with products from Kamchatka manufacturers - the Kamchatka Exhibition Center (CEC), it is located on the other side of Lenin Street, right behind the Drama Theater (if you go around it on the left), like house 58. In any case, you won’t get lost, you can immediately see it. We bought at the city food market in the fish department. I won’t say the address of the market (there is no house number on the Yandex map), but it seems like it turns out: 16th Avenue, October 50th Avenue.

Well, that’s all. If you didn’t write something, ask. For phones instructor and driver, please contact in PM.

Mutnovskaya Sopka is an active volcano with a height of about 2.3 km. The craters of the volcano attract thousands of tourists every year because of the numerous fumaroles (sulfur dioxide outlets), boiling springs, enveloping everything around with clubs of steam, mud boilers and bright yellow sulfur domes.
In the immediate vicinity of the volcano, the Vulkannaya River falls in a deep gorge with a waterfall. Its waters, fed from glaciers and passing through volcanic rocks, are saturated with so many minerals that they become poisonous to all living things. There are also glacial caves, striking with the bizarre nature of their forms and the beauty of sunlight passing through the walls. Tired tourists returning from the route are waiting for hot springs, where you can swim.
You can get to the volcano by renting a car along a scenic road leading to the Mutnovsky Geothermal Power Station, which is also a local attraction. In the summer, travel companies travel regularly. The distance from the city to the volcano is a little more than 100 km, but due to the poor condition of the route, the road takes at least 3-4 hours by car. Climbing to the main crater of Mutnovsky volcano is simple: it takes, depending on the level of physical fitness, 2-3 hours. Gorely volcano

Gorely volcano, rising 1.8 km above sea level, is famous for the beauty of its craters. The Active crater has a diameter of over 200 meters, and at its bottom is a blue-green acid lake. Numerous fumaroles hover on the walls of the crater. The bottom of another crater, called “Blue Lake”, is filled with meltwater of bright blue color. In the remaining craters of the volcano there is smoking or cooled slag rock.
The road to Gorely volcano is the same as to Mutnovsky. Climbing is classified as simple and takes 3-4 hours. Nalychevo Valley

Nalychevo Valley is known for its beauty, thermal springs and a variety of wildlife. The valley lies surrounded by volcanoes Avachinsky and Dzendzur-Zhupanovsky groups. It contains over a hundred hot springs, the temperature and mineral composition of which varies over a wide range. There are also natural cold sources of drinking, gas-saturated water. There are also rivers where wild salmon enter, and brown bears feed on the berry in summer.
Two marked hiking trails lead to the valley, on which camping sites are equipped. Both paths are very picturesque, but at the same time they are completely different from each other. One of them, with a length of about 40 km, begins at the village of Pinachevo, which can be reached by taxi or hitchhiking from the city. Passing the route is not difficult and on average takes 2-4 days. The second trail, 50 km long, is more suitable for trained tourists. It passes through the Avachinsky pass along the slag field of the Koryaksky volcano, and begins from the tourist base at the foot of the Avachinsky volcano, which can be reached by off-road vehicles. Tourists are regularly brought here in the summer, and locals also come in jeeps. Esso Village

“Kamchatka Switzerland” is called the picturesque valley surrounded by hills and volcanic ridges, in which the village of Esso is located. Here, tourists can enjoy a variety of routes, including climbing volcanoes, hiking to waterfalls and lakes, and, of course, swimming in thermal springs. In the village itself you can find a hotel for every taste and budget, or you can easily live in a tent. Esso has a visit center, shops, a museum, a pharmacy, a number of national holidays are held, and in the spring one of the largest modern dog sled races, Beringia, begins.
Esso is located more than 500 km from the capital of the region, most of which falls on a bad dirt road. Passenger buses run daily, but a one-way trip takes an entire day. Given the remoteness of the village and the variety of possible excursions, it hardly makes sense to come here for a period of less than a week. Halaktyr Beach One of the longest beaches in the world, Halaktyr Beach is 30 km of unique black volcanic sand covering the coast facing the Pacific Ocean Avacha Bay. The water in the bay rarely warms above 14 degrees, but the waves of the Khalaktyr surf are popular among surfers, and meeting the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean has become a tourist classic. In the water you can always see curious ordinary seals, and if you are lucky, then the largest dolphins in the world - killer whales. On the Khalaktyrsky stone rock a few hundred meters from the shore, sea lions rest in the summer - sea lions, whose roar is heard from afar.
The beach is only 20 minutes away by car from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There is no bus connection with the city, but you can reach it without any problems by hitchhiking. In the summer, a visit center works here, there is a cafe, parking, a football field and a playground.
This is not a complete list of the amazing places of Kamchatka that you can visit without entering into unnecessary expenses. When planning a visit to the peninsula, be sure to buy tickets in advance - when favorable fares are still available.

Kamchatka is a region unknown and far from Moscow and, to some extent, from the civilization that is familiar to us. But this does not mean that tourism is not developed here. In Kamchatka there are comfortable hotels with quality service, and tourist infrastructure is developing.

You can start your acquaintance with Kamchatka with cities and towns. But having a rest from a long flight, leave the city. The value of the peninsula is that nature can be seen here as it was before the arrival of man. Then return to the people to understand the mentality and culture of the locals.

Cities and towns of Kamchatka: only the beginning of the journey

The cities of Kamchatka will not surprise or attract inveterate urbanists. The main city sights and historical "marks" are in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky: monuments of defense of 1854, Holy Trinity Cathedral, etc. Esso is a popular tourist destination for tourists. In both places you can visit nature museums. For example, in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky there is a museum of salmon, volcanology, the Kamchatka Military History Museum, etc.

Activities in Kamchatka can be varied. There are horse rides, walks in the open sea. You can try to drive a dog team or fly a helicopter over a volcano or ride a snowmobile. Nobody also canceled ski slopes on the slopes of volcanoes.

The true wealth of Kamchatka: volcanoes and nature

The main attraction of Kamchatka is Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Thanks to this volcano, many foreigners, and even Russians, became interested in the peninsula. Klyuchevskoy volcano is tall and active. An unusual view of it opens from the foot - from the village of Klyuchi or from the base of volcanologists. And extreme people and people with good health and strong will even go to the top. If you are one of them, take care of the equipment and prepare well.

A closer option, but no less beautiful - Avachinsky Sopka. You can even look at this volcano from Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky. Avacha greets tourists more friendly. Climbing it does not require special training, but it will require a lot of stamina. The nature around the volcano is not like what people are used to seeing, for example, in the middle lane. What are only local gophers - eurages. Since Kamchatka became popular among tourists, they are not afraid of people and even give themselves pictures.

Among the popular volcanoes can be called Gorely Hill, Koryaksky and Karymsky volcanoes. All these hills “act” and from time to time smoke and even erupt. So, in the 20s of April 2017, Klyuchevskoy volcano “woke up”, now volcanologists constantly record ash emissions of different intensities.

People go to Kamchatka to, among other things, touch the Pacific Ocean. The best place for this is Halaktyr Beach. Its feature is the black color of sand. It is black, because the rock, crushed by the ocean, is of volcanic origin. The beach is unlikely to appeal to bathers. The water is cold all year round, and the waves reach several meters in height.

One of the elements of the tourist culture of Kamchatka is Paratunka. There are pools, natural or artificial, filled with thermal waters. The name of the local thermal baths comes from the name of the village of Paratunka, near which the most famous sources are located.

All year round, pool water maintains the same temperature. They are especially popular in the winter. Also, experts note the positive effect of thermal waters of Kamchatka on health. However, taking these baths should be no more than 10-20 minutes.

Kamchatka's next miracle is the Valley of Geysers. This is a unique geyser field for the European continent. There are no more such places on Earth than fingers on hands. In addition to the geysers themselves, the sights of the mountain valley are the landscape itself, mud volcanoes and thermal water sources.

The flora and fauna of the Valley of Geysers is not inferior in beauty and wonder to the geyser itself. The remoteness and inaccessibility protect the Valley from the extra attention and curiosity of the inhabitants. After all, you can visit these places only by using the services of a passenger helicopter.

Kamchatka is rich in natural beauties for every taste. Some places are known and loved by tourists, others are less explored and "settled out". Among the natural attractions of the peninsula, Mutnovsky Falls, Blue Lakes Natural Park, Komandorski Islands, a dead forest near the Tolbachik volcano, Kopyto, Alney and Troy glaciers should be noted. On Kuril Lake, one can simultaneously observe salmon spawning and fishing performed by bears in their natural habitat. And so in the whole territory of Kamchatka you can find something unusual and alien to the city dweller.

View the culture and life of Kamchatka

Local history museums and ethno-villages will complement the trip to Kamchatka with acquaintance with the original local culture and the history of the development of these places. Local residents are fishing, raising deer.

The ethnographic complex "Pimchakh" is a real village in which representatives of the indigenous ethnic groups of the peninsula live. To understand the life and traditions of this people, a visit to the complex will be useful. In “Pimchi” shamanistic ceremonies, national festivities are held, and there you can also learn local crafts.

Fishermen, professionals and amateurs, know a lot about Kamchatka fishing. Fast rivers, picturesque places, interesting and tasty fish. But this is another story.

A traditional element of the culture of Kamchatka are dog sledding. The most famous of them is Beringia. Every spring, dozens of mushers and hundreds of dogs enter the race and cover more than 1 thousand kilometers, following through small Kamchatka villages, snow-covered plains and forests. To take part in competitions, you need to seriously prepare. This race is not for lovers. To just watch, either guess the time or buy tickets for one of the tours.

Your Kamchatka

It is advisable to plan your route in advance in order to see Kamchatka as it is and not get stuck somewhere due to lack of transport. There is something to see on the peninsula. But there is hardly a place for lazy and passive tourists.

In Kamchatka, one must always consider the natural factor. The unpredictable northern climate, combined with the lack of transport arteries, makes many attractions of the peninsula inaccessible in winter. This increases the influx of tourists in the summer, and hence the price.

Check out our new video from the unique Legends of the North tour

Kamchatka is the land of contrasts. This peninsula in eastern Russia is an extraordinary place where a tourist can see extraordinary natural attractions. Here you can see volcanoes, and snow caps of mountains and steppes, similar to the green sea.

Rest in Kamchatka is possible all year round. In summer, travelers hike along the hiking trails of Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes, admire waterfalls and bottomless mountain lakes. Summer is short and rather cool, although sometimes the air warms up to + 30 ° С. The most favorable travel time for those who want to find warm weather is the second half of July and the beginning of August. A visit to Kamchatka in the summer is the best choice for active travelers. Traveling to local attractions will give you a huge number of impressions and an unforgettable experience in communicating with wildlife.

What to see in the summer?

There are many amazing and picturesque places in Kamchatka; it is simply impossible to visit during one trip. Before a trip to Kamchatka, you should prepare in advance for the trip and draw up an approximate route plan.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are an extraordinary sight that this region is famous for all over the world. There are so many volcanoes that they occupy more than 35% of the peninsula. The highest and most picturesque volcano of Kamchatka is Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Its height is about 4700 m, while he himself and the territory around him are constantly changing. It is worth considering that people in good physical shape should go on hiking to volcanoes. Hiking tours are regularly sent to Klyuchevskaya Sopka. A hike can last an average of 3-7 days, a tourist group must be booked in advance.

It is much easier to get to the Avachinsky volcano. It is slightly lower than Klyuchevskaya, while until recently it was attributed to the most active in Kamchatka. A shuttle bus runs from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the surroundings of the Avachinsky volcano, and further distances can be covered on foot.

Campaign on any volcano is recommended to be done only in the company of an experienced guide. In addition, it is recommended that you register with your local search and rescue team before your trip. This is a reasonable precaution, which in case of an unforeseen situation will allow counting on the help of rescuers.

Valley of Geysers

The Valley of Geysers is the only geyser field on the Eurasian Plate, it is part of the Kronotsky Reserve. You can get here only by air. In addition to springs from underground, there are also a huge number of chemical lakes, mud volcanoes and cracks, from which hot gas comes out.

The valley is shared by the river Shumnaya. On its left bank, the Giant geyser beats, which throws jets of boiling water into the air to a height of more than 40 meters. On the right bank there is an observation deck from which tourists can enjoy local views. Directly opposite is the so-called Stained Glass Window. This is an unusual natural phenomenon: a yellowish-green iridescent slope, along which tons of crystal clear boiling water flow down.

In the Kronotsky Reserve, a wide variety of animals live freely, therefore, each excursion group must be accompanied by an armed ranger. He makes sure that guests of the Valley do not leave the hiking trail and, if necessary, scare away the bears, which are many here.

Halaktyr Beach

Halaktryr Beach is also called Black Beach. And this name is fully justified. It has a length of more than 30 km and in the south ends with the river Halaktyrka, and in the north Nalychevo. The entire coastline of the beach is covered with black lava sand. To visit here means to get an unforgettable experience for a lifetime. The beach is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean - the deepest and oldest on the planet. It is not recommended to swim here, even at the coast in the summer the water barely warms up to + 15 ° C, but to enjoy the scenery and relax on the hot volcanic sand is a pleasure.

You can get to the Black Beach on a suburban bus from the bus station or from the Central Market stop. In addition, sightseeing tours are often organized here.

A huge amount of fish is found in the rivers of Kamchatka: sockeye salmon, halibut, smelt, rasp and others. The vast majority of tourists who come here in the summer go fishing. It is simply impossible to remain without a catch in Kamchatka.

River rafting is also very popular here. The abundance of routes allows you to enjoy rafting and beginners, and more experienced tourists. Often, alloys are part of a multi-day hiking trip.

What to take with you in the summer?

The weather in Kamchatka is changeable, and temperature differences do not allow even experienced tourists to come here light. Before the trip, even in the summer, it is worthwhile to prepare in advance all the things necessary for the trip, since during the trip there will be no opportunity to purchase additional equipment. An approximate list of equipment for a tourist trip in Kamchatka in June-August:

• Convenient sleeping bag, designed for temperatures up to -1-5 ° C. If the tourist route involves climbing volcanoes, then the bag should be comfortable and at -15 ° C. It is definitely worthwhile to purchase a protective waterproof cover or liner to protect yourself in case of a thunderstorm.
• Boots for long walks. It is better to choose shoes with elastic, but quite rigid soles. Shoes should be distributed in advance so that they do not rub the foot. Instead of regular socks, it is better to use high leggings, covering the leg almost to the knee. They protect the skin from small crumbling stones.
• A waterproof windbreaker with a hood and cuffs on the collar, waist and sleeves. Such a jacket will protect from the strong wind, which often overcomes travelers while climbing volcanoes. Also, a windbreaker is needed to protect against mosquitoes during hiking in marshlands.
• Two pairs of sweatpants made of quick-drying material. Clothing should be free and not causing discomfort during movement.
• Sweatshirt with a high neck. The most convenient model with a zipper.
• Hats. It is better to take a cap and a thin knitted or fleece hat to protect from the sun, and from rain and wind.
• A few pairs of cotton socks, 1-2 pairs of wool.
• Cotton or knitted gloves are needed to protect your hands while kayaking or climbing mountains.
• For swimming in thermal springs or hot lakes you will need a swimsuit or swimming trunks.
• Raincoat. It is recommended to purchase a poncho large enough in size, able to shelter the traveler himself and his equipment from the weather.
• Sunglasses, in the summer they are needed.
• Medicines Minimum medications include antiallergens, anti-diarrhea medications, aspirin, paracetamol, iodine, and regular medications.
• Flask, flashlight and a set of batteries, a lighter and a folding knife.

Kamchatka is an extraordinary peninsula. This is the land of hills, geysers and volcanoes. Traveling to Kamchatka is an active, even extreme tourism. To come here in the summer means to get the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the local nature and get unforgettable memories for life.

Check out our new video from the unique Legends of the North tour

We all know that when in Moscow at 3 p.m., in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky it is midnight, which indicates that Kamchatka is very far from the capital.

This is the land of hills, geysers, erupting volcanoes, red caviar sandwiches and brown bears stealing fish. An expedition to Kamchatka is an expensive and responsible business.

In this article, with all our wishes, we will not be able to cover all the subtleties of Kamchatka tourism. But we’ll try to give a capacious overview of “interesting things,” to talk about independent travels, helicopter and automobile expeditions, as well as to flavor the dry story with video material. Let's hit the road!

Excursion to Kamchatka

Before you plan a trip and lay routes to this harsh region, you need to decide on the time of travel.

The peninsula has a rather peculiar climate, which is formed by mountainous terrain and the proximity of the Pacific Ocean.

In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the climate is marine and quite mild for the latitudes there: + 15 ° C in summer and around -10 ° C in winter.

Tourists most often come to these parts in the spring and summer. Consider the benefits of each season.

• Spring. Here in March and April reign:
  • skiing fun;
  • snowmobile expeditions;
  • other winter activities.

  It’s best to go to the north of the region.

• Summer. This season also partially captures September.
  During this period, you can admire the beauties of Kamchatka, its distinctive nature. And there is something to see here:
  • volcanoes
  • lakes
  • hills
  • the woods,
  • beautifully preserved fauna.

Going to the north of Kamchatka in the winter, get ready for the frost: the mercury column at the beginning of the year is held at -22 ° С.

Only inquiring minds are able to fully appreciate.

Learn as much as possible about this region before you travel.

Kamchatka travel video

After watching the video, you will understand a lot - you will be immersed in an isolated corner of the planet, which until recently was banned.

Travel by car

You can arrange a Kamchatka safari on your own, or resort to the help of tour operators who organize multi-day road expeditions.

The local landscape is predominantly mountainous and hilly, so in the summer, an SUV will be the best transport.

From Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky tours are regularly arranged in the Bystrinsky district. Often the end point of the trip is one of the villages located there.

Here is an example of a march-throw scheme to the village of Essay (600 km from the capital of the region):

• Day 1. Arrival at the bus station of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Transfer to Esso with an intermediate stop in Milkovo.
  Arrival and accommodation at a private hotel.
• Day 2. Sightseeing tour of the village with a mandatory visit to the local museum.
  Snowmobile safaris to the Dimchikan cordon.
  Return to the hotel.
• Day 3. Snowmobiling to the volcanoes.
• Day 4. Breakfast and return transfer.

It is clear that snowmobiles are typical for winter recreation.

In summer, SUVs roam the same routes. No less popular automotive destinations are:

• Klyuchevskaya hill;
• azabachye lake;
• tolbachik volcano;
• Khodutkinsky sources;
• Kuril Lake;
• Avachinsky volcano;
• Nalychevskaya valley;
• caldera of Uzon volcano;
• Mutnovsky volcano;
• bystraya river;
• Valley of Geysers.

If your trip does not take place as part of an organized tour (you planned a vacation savage), then keep in mind that an SUV will not do.

The list of necessary tourist equipment should be prepared in advance.

We travel on our own

Airfare can vary significantly depending on the season. Therefore, it is better to purchase them in advance.

In February, for example, it is quite possible to fly from Moscow and back for 21 thousand rubles, but in August, get ready to pay 60-70 thousand for the same tickets.

You can stay with private owners or in a hotel in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, but you should also worry about this in advance.

What to take on the road:

1. Proper clothes. The choice depends on the time of year.
   It is cold in winter in Kamchatka, and heavy rains in summer, which sometimes drag on for weeks and months.
   Conclusion - clothing should be:
   • waterproof
   • easy
   • durable.

   These include self-dumping pants, a storm jacket (preferably with a fleece liner), thermal underwear.

   In winter, it is worth focusing on warm pants and a non-soaking down jacket.

2. Hiking boots. Shoes must be durable, moisture resistant and lightweight. Ankle closed. Buying such shoes on the peninsula will cost a pretty penny.
   In winter, give preference to studded boots (useful in case of climbing a volcano).
3. Standard Travel Trivia:
   • salt,
   • matches
   • dry fuel.

   All this is packed in polyethylene, which must be tightly sealed.

4. Basic equipment:
   • tents
   • ropes
   • cats
   • sleeping bags.

   It is not necessary to carry these things with you on a plane - they can be rented in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

5. Weapon. It sounds wild, but if you have a hunting license, you should take a shotgun with you.
   The population of brown bears in Kamchatka is growing steadily. Cases of theft of fish and food by residents of villages have become more frequent.
   It comes to the ridiculous - the villagers go out with clappers to ward clubfoot from their backyards. Sometimes bears bathe in thermal springs.
   If you do not have a license, buy a pneumatic gun or pepper cylinder.
6. GPS navigator. This important tool can one day save your life.
   It is worth buying in advance, since expensive and outdated models are sold on the peninsula. No cards. Download all the software on the mainland, since there is sadness on the peninsula with the Internet.
7. Spare Batteries. Will be needed in the phone and navigator.

To survive in Kamchatka and leave yourself more good impressions, stick to the following recommendations:

• Do not disturb wild animals. Watch the fauna from afar, without fanaticism.
• Feel free to drink water. Water in Kamchatka is almost the cleanest in the world. It can be drunk:
  • from the tap
  • from the rivers
  • lakes.
• Register a route. If your path lies in a natural park, fix the route in the Kamchatka Directorate of Natural Parks.
• Wander the group. Solitude is good, but Kamchatka eats loners for breakfast and immediately forgets about it.
• Take geographic maps. They can be obtained in souvenir and bookstores.
• Dress warmly. This is especially true for walking along the coast of Avacha Bay.
• Cash problems. Kamchatka is a wild land with a minimum of ATMs. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo - that’s probably all.
  Credit cards in Kamchatka are not in use, so pre-stock cash.

What to look at

  Since we went to Kamchatka on our own, it is worthwhile to pre-calculate the places that are of the greatest interest. We already wrote about volcanoes and other natural objects, now we will turn our eyes to the centers of civilization.

• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Imagine a time machine moving you to the 60s.
  You are in the capital of Kamchatka:
  • lack of intrusive advertising;
  • fishing vessels in the port;
  • monuments to pioneers;
  • antediluvian "Khrushchev".

  In autumn, the city is especially beautiful.

  The rhythm of life here is leisurely, people live at the expense of poachers and sailors.

• Paratunka. A tiny resort town whose main attraction is the thermal springs.
  Sometimes a trickle of steam can escape from under the asphalt - here it is in the order of things.
  From the Klyuchevskaya hill, the wind brings volcanic ash.
  There is a public thermal complex and several resorts.
• Elizovo. It offers an excellent view of the "visiting card" of Kamchatka - Klyuchevskoy hill. By the way, this is a high-altitude champion among active Eurasian volcanoes.
  The infrastructure of the town is meager:
  • cafe,
  • hotel,
  • club,
  • canteen.

  Good communication with Petropavlovsk - buses run hourly.

• Esso. The best transfer decision between Peter and Paul Esso and Yelizovo would be a plane.
  If you are a supporter of extreme sports and off-road vehicles - get ready for terrifying roads that are unparalleled in Russia.
  A fast and shallow river flows near the village. Very clean.
  It is not necessary to look for a hotel in Esso - for 100-200 rubles you will get a room in any local dwelling.
• Vilyuchinsk. The Americans on their "NATO" maps designated this closed city as the "Hornet's Nest." Everywhere security (double ring cordon), a bunch of unemployed, abandoned apartments. This is what the largest abode of combat submarines on the planet looks like.
  Submarines moored in the local bay look like a gigantic whale cemetery - an unforgettable sight.

Rest in the winter

Snow-white Kamchatka is especially fascinating for travelers, providing a lot of opportunities for extreme relaxation.

It’s better to order a seven-day trip from a tour operator - so you enjoy all the delights of this wild land.

With the onset of winter, the price of airline tickets drops sharply. This is alarming for many. There are tourists who are sure that in winter there is nothing to do in Kamchatka.
This is not true - the peninsula is not in vain called the center of Russian extreme tourism.

Winter holidays can be diversified by the following attractions:

• dog sledding expeditions;
• heli-skiing (helicopter landing on mountain slopes);
• volcanic freeride;
• outings on snowmobiles;
• :
  • Avache
  • Paratunka
  • Quick.
• mini-expedition (an elite type of recreation, because it drags on for a long time, and travelers rarely let “random” people into their circle);
• winter sport.

Kamchatka weather is unpredictable and severe. Cyclones can arise in the Pacific Ocean or the Sea of \u200b\u200bOkhotsk, but weather forecasters cannot predict the speed of their movement. If you observe the sun in the morning, this does not mean that there will be no fog in the evening.

Dirt roads in winter are blocked by high snow.

Kamchatka excursions

  Helicopter excursions are one of the most expensive pleasures of Kamchatka - their cost starts from 32,000 rubles. Impressions, however, you will pick up for many years to come.

You can fly to the following places:

• the vicinity of Uzyan volcano;
• volcanoes Maly Semyonchik and Crimean;
• Valley of Geysers;
• Kuril Lake (to the bears);
• dvukhyurtochnoe lake;
• hot Lake Khodutka;
• Zhirovsky hot springs (with the subsequent bathing);
• craters of volcanoes (Gorely, Mutnovsky, Vilyuchinsky);
• the highest Eurasian volcanoes (Bezymyanny, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Tolbachik, Kamen).

Hiking and car trips are much cheaper.

Superiority here holds excursions to the Valley of Geysers - traditionally a popular tourist destination. Tour operators try to include in the program of such trips:

• bathing in thermal springs;
• climbing hills;
• visiting caves.

Of greatest interest here is the rock "Polenitsa", the caves of which are of lava origin.

In the vicinity of Vilyuchinsk there is not only a volcano (this is already difficult to surprise), but also a waterfall, to which hiking and car excursions are arranged.

Cooking eggs and potatoes in hot springs, visiting dog kennels and Aboriginal camps - your hands get tired of picking up a list of Kamchatka sights to which you will be led by experienced guides.

Summarize:

It is cheaper to see the Far Eastern beauties in prefabricated tourist groups.

Even having an instructor does not give a 100% guarantee of your safety - bears and the slopes of volcanoes are unpredictable. From time to time, messages about the death of extreme tourists flicker, so we recommend arming yourself with endurance, attentiveness and a faithful shotgun.

Let the bear and fog pass you by!