Kamchatka Volcano Trek
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 14 days | PCKV |
| Min Altitude | Max Altitude |
| 2748m | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Russia | |
Start City |
End City |
| Petropavlovsk, Kamtsjatka, Russia | Petropavlovsk, Kamtsjatka, Russia |
In this two-week remote Russian adventure you will pass through all the climatic zones of Kamchatka: from glaciers on Mutnovsky Volcano onto high mountainous tundra. Make ascents of active volcanoes, then relax in hot geothermal springs in the afternoons; gradually descend to the Pacific Ocean through sub-alpine, forest, and savannah areas and take a boat ride on Zhirovaya Bay. Encounter the bird species of each zone, see bears along the way, and watch salmon swimming up rivers to spawn. It is a unique journey in Russia's lost world.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Meals included: 1 dinner
Accommodation: Petropavlovsk Hotel or similar, Petropavlovsk
Activities:
- On arrival in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky , you will be met by a Peregrine representative and transferred to the hotel.
- Our pre-departure meeting takes place this evening. This is followed by an optional welcome meal to meet your fellow travellers.
Day 2: Gorely Volcano caldera
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Cabins
Activities:
- This morning we pile into a 4WD or 6WD bus and drive to the Gorely Volcano caldera at the base of Mutnovsky Volcano.
- This caldera is an otherworldly landscape of dry ash and scattered volcanic rocks from the many eruptions of Mutnovsky and Gorely Volcanoes.
- Once we arrive, base camp is made between the two volcanoes. From here, we can take short walks up the encircling ridge lines to see the large mountain marmots that inhabit the area. The area is quite the natural wonderland where we can see the Kamchatka rhododendrons and variety of other mountain flowers.
Day 3: Mutnovsky Volcano
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Cabins
Activities:
- We have an exciting day today as we take a full day trip to Mutnovsky volcano (2323m).
- The Mutnovsky Volcano's nest of merged craters is perhaps the most beautiful volcanic phenomenon of Kamchatka.
- The view from its top is magnificent: steep walls surround a vast, deep crater cavity with glittering glaciers split by cracks and torches of fumaroles oscillating far below and drawing a translucent veil over the northern crater.
- Also visible is the southern crater under its armor of ice and above all this a column of vapour rising from the craggy rim of the active Funnel crater.
Day 4: Gorely Volcano
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Cabins
Activities:
- Today we ascend Gorely Volcano from base camp.
- Gorely Volcano (1829m) is a moderate hike which round trip takes approximately 6-7 hours depending on the weather. It is easy at first then gets moderate near the top as it steepens.
- Once at the top this smoking volcano offers an impressive site of a chain of 11 craters across its peak.
Day 5: Voinovskye Hot Springs
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Activities:
- We start today’s adventure with a short lift by a truck to the trekking start point, where we begin our descent to the Voinovskye hot springs (18km).
- Starting at the Mutnovsky Thermal Station on the North East side of Mutnovsky Volcano we will descend along an abandoned geologist's dirt road into the valley of the Mutnovsky River.
- During the descent alpine vegetation is replaced with sub-alpine, and we pass the first bushes and trees of the trek. This section of the trek affords a spectacular view of the richly vegetated lowlands through which we'll be travelling in the coming days and magnificent scenery in the surrounding mountain cirques.
- We make camp on the banks of the Mutnovsky River.
- Here we get a chance to rest our weary legs by bathing in the small, wild, Voinovskye hot springs which bubbles up in a sandbar with the river flowing all around.
- NB: Days 5 and 6 of this trek require several river crossings. Although these river crossings are neither difficult nor dangerous, the pace of the hike can be seriously slowed if you are constantly changing footwear. It is recommended that thigh high rubber boots (see recommended equipment list) are used for this section to keep up the pace of the hike.
Day 6: Zhirovaya Hot Springs
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Activities:
- We continue our trek towards the Zhirovaya hot springs today. Along the way we will pass through the giant 2-3 metre-high grass of the savannah as we make our way up a mountain saddle.
- This section of the hike is true trekking with no paths as we make our own way through the bush.
- Although this section is only 8km of walking, it is very challenging and demanding in some sections. We are guided by our experienced Russian leader who grew up in this harsh terrain as we make our way through the forrest and snow capped mountains.
- If we are lucky we may see a brown bear - from a distance of course as in the wild they usually avoid human contact!
- We make camp on the Zhirovaya hot springs.
- The Zhirovaya hot springs bubble actively off a small hillock and stream into a variety of pools where we can relax and bathe, choosing the temperature that is right for you!
Day 7-9: Zhirovaya Bay
Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Accommodation: Camping
Activities:
- On our way to Zhirovaya bay today, we hike through a birch forest along the valley of the Mutnovsky River to its confluence with Zhirovaya River.
- We continue along Zhirovaya River until it opens up into the picturesque lowlands of Zhirovaya Bay.
- We make camp on Zhirovaya Bay to mark the end of day 7.
- Day 8 is a rest day on the Pacific Ocean.
- Here we can stroll along the expansive crescent moon beach of Zhirovaya Bay, perhaps visiting the fishing station at the mouth of the Zhirovaya River to see how Kamchatka fishermen live and work during the summer salmon run. Or relax and watch for seal popping up in the surf and sea birds gliding on the ocean breezes overhead.
- As day 9 dawns, we set sailing from Zhirovaya Bay to Starichkov Island to view seabirds and mammals. This tour is a unique opportunity to see the fascinating surroundings of Petropavlovsk from the sea, to explore the shores of the Avachinskaya bay, and to watch colonies of seabirds in their natural habitats.
- There is also the opportunity to go sea fishing and and try the delicious Ukha (fish soup) aboard.
- Tonight we relax in our Petropavlovsk Hotel.
Day 10-12: Avacha Volcano
Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Accommodation: Camping
Activities:
- We are picked up from our hotel after breakfast by a 6WD bus and drive along the Sukhaya River (Dry River) to the Avacha Volcano plateau (140km).
- This evening we either make a base camp between Avachinsky and Koryaksky Volcanoes (960m), or stay in cabins there.
- On day 11, we set out to ascend Avacha volcano (2748m). The trail ascends by a gradual slope to the top (time needed 5-6 hours for the ascent).
- We can have lunch on the edge of the crater of the volcano (filled to the brim with hardened black lava after an eruption in 1991) while enjoying the magnificent panorama of the Pacific Ocean, Petropavlovsk, Koryaksky Volcano and Nalycheva Valley.
- We descend back down the volcano and spend another night in our camp or cabin.
- We hold day 12 in reserve in case of bad weather, so the activities today will depend on mother nature.
Day 13: Paratunka
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Paratunka Hotel or similar, Paratunka
Activities:
- After our 3 day adventure, we head back to our Paratunka resort by bus.
- We stay in the hotel tonight and the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax, or perhaps swim in the pool!
Day 14: Petropavlovsk
Meals included: 2 breakfasts
Accommodation: Petropavlovsk Hotel or similar, Petropavlovsk
Activities:
- We have a short city tour of Petropavlovsk this morning, after which, our incredible journey through the Kamchatka volcanoes comes to an end.
- Our leaders will be on hand to help you with any ongoing arrangements.
Your Trip
What to know
A good level of general fitness is required. You will trek on hilly terrain, generally on well-defined paths walking between 3-8 hours per day. Altitude may exceed 2748 metres. This trip takes you right off the beaten track. Accommodation and facilities my be basic but the rewards are immeasurable.
What's Included
Local tour leader, transport and sightseeing.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- 4WD vehicle
- Boat
- Trek
Accommodation
- 7 nights Camping
- 4 nights Comfortable hotel
- 2 nights Cabin
Meals
- 14 breakfasts
- 12 lunches
- 13 dinners
Not Included
International flights, departure taxes, departure transfer, visas, insurance, other meals, drinks, optional additional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
A personal porter is not included on this tour, passengers must carry their own packs . Tents and food for the group is also divided amongst the group and must be carried. Personal porters can be hired on request and passengers must pay extra for this.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Russia
All travellers to Russia (regardless of nationality) will require a visa, obtained in advance of travel with a letter of invitation from the Russian authorities. In order for us to arrange this letter you must provide your full passport details at time of booking. Please note that Russian visas are date specific and cannot be extended once issued.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
RussiaThe Russians-Hedrick Smith
The New Russians-Hedrick Smith
East of the Sun-Benson Bobrick
Siberian Odyssey: A Voyage into the Russian Soul-Frederick Kempe
Goodnight Mr Lenin-Tiziano Terzani
The Realms of the Russian Bear-John Sparks
The Trans-Siberian Railway Handbook-Bryn Thomas
Trans-Siberian Railway-Lonely Planet
Russia & Belarus-Lonely Planet
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
3 August 2012