The caldera of Mutnovsky volcano, rich in volcanic manifestations, is visited and Avachinsky volcano is climbed to take in the bird’s eye view of Petropavlovsk and the Pacific.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Petropavlovsk. After landing (either at 8.45 or 11.00am) a bus takes us to a health resort called Paratunka (1.5hr). Accommodation in a hotel. Double rooms, shower, thermal water pool. Included: (B).
Day 2: After breakfast we board an expedition truck and go south, over the Vilyuchinsky pass, to Mutnovsky volcano (3hr). Not far from Datchny settlement, near natural hot springs, at an altitude about 1000m we put our tents in a treeless valley (drier ground in August will allow to come much closer to under the volcano). Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Ascent of Mutnovsky volcano (2323m). Or, to be exact, visiting the volcano’s caldera. Having covered about 5km and gained 500m, we pass into the caldera, rich with impressive manifestations of volcanic activity. After lunch we go back to the camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Ascent of Gorely volcano (1829m), one of the most active of the southern part. After breakfast we strike camp, leave in an expedition truck and go for an hour to under the volcano. It has several craters, one of which is filled by a green-blue tarn. By 4.00pm we come down to the truck and go back to Paratunka. Hotel. Included: (B).
Day 5: Today we go to the well hidden secret of Kamchatka, the Geysers Valley, to where one can get neither on foot nor by car. Discovered only in 1943, the valley was not really open to any visitors, except those able to get a special permit. Available to people from the West it became not earlier than the early 90s. We go in a bus to the pad, board a helicopter and fly for 1.2hr to the Valley. On the way there we can see Maly Semyachik and Karymsky volcanoes. The excursion around the Valley takes about 2.5hr. We have lunch and leave for Paratunka. Hotel. Included: (B).
Day 6: We drive for 2hr to Malky settlement, well known for its hot springs, where meet out crew and rafts. After lunch and a brief instruction in rafting we go down the Bystraya River, which winds through wooded, picturesque hills. In 2-2.5hr we moor and put our tents. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: A full day of rafting. Some rapids in lower grades are encountered. Quite likely we will watch salmon going up to spawn and bears coming down to the river for salmon. Plus, of course, the famous Kamchatka-style fishing (just stacking, to be exact!). In the evening fish-dinner. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Rafting. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: 3-4hr of rafting, then boarding a vehicle and driving to PPK. Hotel. Included: (B).
Day 10: Sightseeing in the town, visit to the Museum of Local History. After lunch we go (2hr) in an expedition truck to the Avacha Refuge, which is at 850m, under the saddle between Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes. Accommodation in the huts (6-8 to a hut). Included: (B).
Day 11: Ascent of Avachinsky volcano (2741m). A hard day with 1900m gained and lost. Technically the ascent follows a path and does not present any difficulty except the last 120-150m, which are fairly steep frozen scree, or snow. The sight of the black jumble of the lava plug filling the crater and farther the furious yellow furnace of fumaroles is unforgettable. As well as tiny Petropavlovsk, the blue Pacific and far away volcanoes, green taiga and tundra. Descent to the refuge and transfer to PPK. Hotel. Included: (B).
Day 12: Avachinsky Bay is one of the most spacious, beautiful and strategically placed bays in the world. Today we go on a sea excursion in a motor boat. Fishing is included, gear and bait provided. Among others halibut is on offer. We come to a cove and make the special Far East fish soup, then return to our hotel. Included: (B).
Day 13: In the morning transfer to the airport and flight to Moscow. Included: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes:
- 2 days walking; 3 days of volcano climbs; 2 days rafting;
- Altitude: maximum 2741m, average 800-1300 m;
- 1 pass crossed;
- Supporting staff: English speaking guides (or guide & interpreter), cook;
- Accommodation: 6 nights hotels, 6 nights camping/huts (2 people per tent).
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Volcano Tours
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
