Hiking in Kamchatka: volcanoes and the ocean

A bus picks us up right after breakfast at the hotel. 

First of all, we will visit the Volcanarium, after which we will stop at the Target Hill, which offers a magnificent panorama of the city, Avachinsky Bay and the home volcanoes Koryaksky, Avachinsky and Kozelsky. 

We'll take a short walk around the city center and have lunch at a local bistro. If necessary, we will buy more groceries and go to the ocean — to the famous Khalaktyrsky beach with its black volcanic sand. 

You step barefoot on the sand, and the cold water brought by another wave makes goosebumps run all over your body. 

At this moment, looking into the endless water distance to the horizon, you feel the full power and grandeur of the elements. The Pacific Ocean is fascinating and peaceful. 

Here we will set up tents, and there will be plenty of time to walk along the beach, retire to the sounds of the surf, and the bravest will be able to swim in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. 

Car: 30 km.

Walking distance: 1-5 km.

Accommodation: tents.

Meals: dinner.

In the morning, a shift crew (or a PAZ bus) will pick us up right from the beach and take us to the foot of Gorely volcano. We'll set up camp here. 

After a lunch snack, we will climb the volcano. On average, the ascent takes 4 hours. We're going light, it'll be a great warm-up before tomorrow's backpacking trip.

Above, from the edge of the crater, we will see a magnificent view of the Vilyuchinsky volcano. A huge crater with a lake at the bottom opens up under your feet, dropping down hundreds of meters. This epic sight will impress even the most sophisticated travelers.

Car: 140 km.

On foot: 12 km light;

• height range: 1000-1750 m;
• height difference: ascent — 750 m, descent — 750 m.

Accommodation: tents.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We will make the transition with backpacks of the order of 12 km. Backpacks are not heavy, because we have food with us for only 3 days. 

Let's walk through real lava fields and the Martian landscape.

On foot: 12 km with backpacks;

• height range: 890-1000 m;
• height difference: ascent — 140 m, descent — 160 m.

Accommodation: tents.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Today is one of the most impressive days in Kamchatka. 

We will devote a lot of time to the Mutnovsky volcano (the ascent takes place according to the permitted scheme: the group goes up to the point where a panorama of the crater opens and the glacier and fumaroles can be seen from afar) with its amazing geothermal zones, fumaroles and colored slopes, from where sulfur gas with water vapor makes its way through the thickness of the earth's crust. This is one of the grandest places in Kamchatka. 

We will also see the legendary Dangerous Canyon, which is not inferior in beauty to the Grand Canyon in the USA, and a waterfall almost as high as a 30-storey building, which plunges to the bottom of the canyon. It is the tallest in the whole of Kamchatka — an amazing sight!

On foot: 16 km light;

• height range: 960-1470 m;
• elevation difference: ascent — 690 m, descent — 690 m.

Accommodation: tents.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning we will assemble the camp and go down to the Dachnye thermal springs. We will set up a camp nearby and spend the rest of the day "sealing" in the springs, soaking after busy hiking days. 

Take a leisurely stroll through the Small Valley of Geysers.

On foot: 9 km with backpacks;

• height range: 760-1170 m;
• elevation difference: ascent — 254 m, descent — 490 m.

Accommodation: tents.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Moving to the "home" volcanoes, namely under the Avachinsky volcano. Koryaksky volcano and Kozelsky volcano also belong to this group. Domestic volcanoes are called because they are located in close proximity to the capital of the region.

Upon arrival, we will set up a camp and walk to Camel Mountain. From its top, the valley of the Dry River and the real giants Avachinsky and Koryaksky are clearly visible.

Car: 120 km.

On foot: 3 km light.

Accommodation: tents.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

It's a great day when we prove to ourselves that we can do anything. Climbing the Avachinsky volcano with a height of 2,741 meters above sea level. We do not guarantee that we will be able to reach the very top, because the harsh Kamchatka weather can make its own adjustments.

From the top, as well as from the slopes of Avacha, there are impeccable panoramas of the area and an absolutely grandiose view of the Koryaksky volcano, which is located next door.

In the evening, tired but satisfied, we will have dinner, sit around a small campfire, if we can get firewood, and share our impressions.

On foot: 16 km light;

• height range: 890-2723 m;
• elevation difference: ascent — 1870 m, descent — 1870 m.

Accommodation: tents.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning, we will be picked up by transport and taken to the hostel (guest house). Here you can take a good shower and wash your clothes. We will have almost a whole day to go around and get around souvenir shops, fish markets and stalls. 

Car: 45 km.

Accommodation: guest house / hostel.

Meals: breakfast.

We will devote the whole day to visiting fish markets and shops, buying souvenirs and just walking around the city. We also recommend booking a boat tour and going on a unique ocean voyage to Russian Bay and Starichkov Island (for almost the whole day). 

If you do not go on a boat trip, we recommend going to Cape Mayachny. 

In the evening, we will jointly arrange a farewell festive dinner.

Accommodation: guest house / hostel.

In the morning before departure, you can run through the shops and markets for those who did not have time to do so. 

Farewell to Tierra del Fuego and the participants who have already become very close.