Kamchatka tour to bears, volcanoes and killer whales

Our adventure in Kamchatka starts from the Mutnovsky plateau. 

It is in this area that one of the most interesting peaks with a height of more than 1.8 km is located from a tourist point of view. We will go up here, to Gorely Volcano.

If you are traveling in June, be prepared for a long hike. 

For those who get here in the last month of summer, everything is somewhat simpler: the shift will be able to take us close enough to the slope. 

Around noon, we organize a small snack – enough to satisfy morning hunger, but light, since it is quite difficult to walk uphill on a full stomach after a hearty lunch. 

The ascent up the slope of Gorely volcano will not be too steep. 

We will mainly move through lava and slag deposits that were once frozen. 

Our goal is to walk a path corresponding to a height difference of 0.9 km. 

It will take from 3 to 4 hours. 

An amazing panorama will open up in front of you, and you will have the opportunity to take unique photos. 

Then there are 11 craters. Yes, that's how many of them Gorely has. 

And, of course, a small picnic, of course.

We strive to organize this ascent in such a way that all our travelers taking part in a multi-day tour can climb to the crater. If for some reason the group is delayed on the way, the guide can deploy it earlier than the planned point is reached for safety reasons. This way the tourists will be able to return on time.

We recommend focusing your attention on three craters:

• "Active", which impresses with a beautiful pattern of minerals on the slopes and an indescribable play of light;
• "Blue lake" with real glacial water having a rare turquoise hue;
• The "bowl" with the famous acidic reservoir, which until 2011 was a full-fledged and very dangerous lake, and now (after the eruption) the liquid is gone.

After you fully enjoy the grandeur of the volcano and the beauty of the surroundings, we descend to its foot. 

We will spend the night in tents today.

A hearty dinner prepared by the chef will be waiting for us. 

It is unlikely that you will want to go to bed right away. 

The first night in nature, a bottomless starry sky with a clearly distinguishable Milky Way (in clear weather), conversations around the campfire… 

But the fatigue of impressions and a whole day of physical exertion will take its toll. 

And even taking into account the new unfamiliar place, all travelers will fall asleep in a deep and peaceful sleep.

We wake up, have a snack, and move to the foot of the Mutnovsky volcano. A visit to the Country springs and the Veronica Spit Waterfall is planned for today.

The summer thermal springs are located in the east between the Dvugorbovaya and Rocky Mountains, on the northern slope of Mutnovsky.

Volcanic manifestations are scattered in a wide band that stretches for more than a kilometer. 

There are 5 sources and steam emissions, the most powerful of which is the Active Funnel. We can observe hot springs, boiling boilers and steam jets on the walls of this basin.

Then our journey will continue to the upper reaches of the Vilyuchinsky valley, from where we will walk to the majestic waterfall of Veronika Spit. 

This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the peninsula, located on the Calm Stream. 

It originates on the slope of Gorely volcano.

The height of the waterfall is 16 m, and the width of the falling stream is 5 m. 

The waterfall is framed by steep rocky shores covered with alder bushes and stone birch.

We will also spend the second night in tents.

After breakfast, we move to the hotel complex. 

Here, in Nachiki, we spend the whole day relaxing, enjoying a swim in the thermal water (the pool is at our service). 

We are preparing for tomorrow's move to Kuril Lake, in the direction of the southern part of the peninsula.

Kuril Lake, according to most travelers, is one of the most beautiful places in Kamchatka. 

It is not surprising: after all, this is not just a reservoir, but a flooded caldera of an ancient, now dormant volcano. 

The area of the lake inspires respect: more than 76 square kilometers of water surface. 

And almost in its center there is an island overgrown with legends called the Heart of Alaid, where, according to local beliefs, mysterious and inexplicable things happen. 

The mystical atmosphere of this "place of power" is complemented by the three volcanoes surrounding it.

The ideal interval for visiting this place is from the last days of July to the end of August. 

It is then that salmon fish species migrate to spawning sites along rivers and streams, against the current. 

Eventually they reach the Kuril Lake, which is rightfully considered the largest spawning site here. 

And it is here that bears come for fish treats – families, hundreds of individuals at the same time.

If we are lucky, we will also see a huge bird of prey – a white-shouldered eagle, which also respects fresh fatty fish. 

The local volcanic lake is almost the only place where you can freely observe a representative of this rare species listed in the "Red Book". 

So you have the rarest opportunity to observe the most interesting representatives of the Kamchatka fauna "in concentration" against the background of the indescribable beauty of the landscapes.

Breakfast will be early, we will try to eat more tightly. 

The timing of this move is as tight as possible, associated with the time of the tides. 

So you won't be able to have a full meal. 

We have to overcome 3 crossings. 

The first two rivers are quite full-flowing and make us take a very careful approach to overcoming them, the third one we will generally ford. 

We are moving north from the Mutnovsky plateau. 

Then we turn west and move to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. 

It will shake (and for a long time), the roads here are very conditional. This inconvenience is compensated by an amazing change of landscape.

In a few hours, the area gradually turns from a volcanic desert into green meadows, forest, and the tundra will mark the approach to the seashore.

Well, that's the sea! Yes, Okhotsky has a special and rather harsh character. The weather is changeable, the waves are cold and powerful.

A bright sunny day can very quickly be replaced by a chilly wind and dense fog. 

So keep warm clothes handy. 

We will drive about 150 km along the coastline. 

Those who will travel with us in August will see live the work of fishermen who make the most of the spawning time of commercial fish.

The coast is quite flat here. Therefore, seal rookeries, flocks of loud seabirds and other coastal wildlife can only be seen from a respectful distance. 

We'll get to Pauzhetka by evening. 

A geothermal power plant (the first in Russia) has been built in this village. 

We may pay attention to her tomorrow. 

And today we are located on a well-equipped territory. 

While we are camping and relaxing in the thermal pool, a delicious dinner is being prepared. 

Next – overnight stay.

The program of this day directly depends on the weather. 

The senior guide determines the order of further actions only after reviewing the current weather forecast. 

After that, we either move to the Pauzhetskaya geothermal power plant, or we head for Kamenny Gorodok.

Climbing the hill.

A car takes us to its foot. 

Then there is a hike up the steep slope. 

We are waiting for bizarre stone formations, which, for their similarity to ancient human creations, were named "gorodok". 

They really look very much like a practically destroyed and long-abandoned city.

Sightseeing, swimming, fishing.

If the weather does not allow us to climb the Stone Town, we walk along the Path and go fishing.

We will "hand over" the most fishy places to you, and Taras will teach you his signature techniques (they allow you to catch fish after the 3rd casting). 

You will definitely succeed! 

And we take the fish with us, they will cook it for us later.

Now we are waiting for an excursion to the local geothermal power plant. 

Before the tour, be sure to grab everything you need for swimming: you will have the opportunity to soak in the running water of a Hot river, which is also saturated with minerals. 

It feels very unusual!

Camping awaits us at the end of the day.

We reach the border of the reserve by car. 

It is here that the famous Kuril Lake is located. 

We meet a local inspector and cross the Ozernaya River over a suspension bridge. 

Then we move to the central cordon, walking a total of about 12 km. Why not by car? 

Any motor transport is prohibited in the reserve.

The road is normal, so it won't be difficult to cross on foot. 

We will spend 3-4 hours on it, while our luggage will be moved by motorboat and will be at the hospital before us. 

Therefore, take only the minimum necessary set of things for this walk. 

Bears are waiting for us! We guarantee it 100%.

For the safety of scientists and travelers, the cordon is protected from these charming predators by an electric fence. 

And behind him you will see bears of different ages frolicking in the wild, which periodically switch to fishing.

We have lunch here, on the territory. 

Scarves are at our service. 

After that, a tour of the fenced and protected bridge, extending deep into the bear's domain, is planned. 

There are always enough animals here, as fish accumulate under the bridge and become easy prey for the shaggy ones.

The bears will really be very close to you. 

Therefore, it is necessary to exercise maximum caution and comply with all the requirements of the inspector. 

He will tell you about the habits of animals, how the fish going through the dampers under the bridge is taken into account, and entertain you with stories from his practice. 

In the evening, we will have an interesting documentary about the life of bears, which we admired live during the day. 

Please note: electricity will be supplied from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

So take care of charging your equipment.

Today we will have an excursion where we will walk through the territory adjacent to the lake. 

We will choose one of the routes in agreement with the staff of the reserve:

• visit to Severnaya Bay;
• the Khakytsin River;
• a walk to the hill at Home;
• Loose.

No matter what happens, at least one of these routes will definitely be available for travel.

As an example of how this day can go, let's talk about visiting Severnaya Bay. 

This place is interesting because here you can simultaneously observe a large number of bears at once. 

They catch fish, fool around in the water, and start a fuss over their prey. 

Be sure to take pictures! 

We will arrange an early breakfast. 

We are expected to walk for 2 hours to the bay, necessarily accompanied by an armed inspector. 

Keep in mind that there are simply no well-traveled roads here. 

And what is there? Bear trails, for which both land and stream are one. 

So we will take care of suitable equipment in advance: we need waterproof clothes and appropriate shoes, always with the expectation of bad weather.

Using these animal paths, we will go out to the lake and walk along the shore to one of the streams flowing into it. 

We'll be here for a few hours. 

You will have time to admire the scenery, arrange a stunning photo shoot, and relax.

Then we will return to the central cordon. 

But there is still time before dark, so we devote the rest of the day to watching the bears from the protected territory of the hospital.

An electric fence and specially equipped observation decks will protect you from any troubles.

As usual, an early rise awaits you. 

We will need to get to the most interesting point of our journey – to the unique pumice formation. 

It has a peculiar name of Kutkhiny bata. 

Like many interesting sites in Kamchatka, this one is also a product of volcanic activity. 

Pumice stone is formed as a result of lava solidification, it has a porous structure and low density. 

And the local variety is also famous for its pleasant creamy shade.

For the indigenous people of this region, the sacred place of Kutkhina Bata still retains its mystical meaning.

In the depths of the canyon, landslides often occur, because pumice is a fragile rock. 

So it is forbidden to go too far for your own safety. 

But we will explore the surroundings, take a lot of incredible photos, as well as a joint photo of all the participants of the tour. 

We leave the reserve the same way, and in the evening we will be camping. 

Pauzhetka welcomes travelers! 

Here we will have an appetizing dinner and spend our free time usefully.

We are moving out on the way back. 

Our path again runs along the picturesque coast. 

Once again, the Sea of Okhotsk will present us with weather surprises and surprise us with harsh landscapes. 

We'll be passing places we've already visited. 

So this time the move will seem less lengthy. 

But everything will look a little different, so boredom is not expected.

At the end of the day, the Nachiki Hotel is waiting for us. 

Here we have dinner, relax, relax. 

And of course, we splash in the thermal springs so that the fatigue of the past days leaves us completely.

We have a long journey ahead of us, so get ready and remember the Kamchatka roads. 

In the afternoon we are already in Paratunka.

The program includes a free evening, exchange of impressions and preparation for tomorrow. 

And it will be very interesting, because we are waiting for a walk by the sea!

Overnight stay at the Avacha Hotel from 24.08 to 27.08.

We will devote this day to a small sea tour.

It will last approximately 10 hours and will be a real discovery for you. 

After all, it is here that you can see killer whales, sea lions and a variety of birds up close.

It's worth it to fly here across Russia.

In the previous days, we walked and drove through the Kamchatka Peninsula, first to the east, then turned towards the south.

From the shore they looked at the harsh Sea of Okhotsk.

And now it's the turn of the most unpredictable and deepest ocean on the planet. 

We will sail on a yacht, and everywhere you look, there will be boundless ocean waters.

We leave in the morning, we walk along the Avacha Bay.

We admire the sky and the waves, listen to the voices of seagulls beckoning into the distance and head to the Three Brothers. 

Now we have already left the bay and immediately found ourselves in the turbulent and powerful embrace of the ocean. 

On the horizon, we have a view of the steep shores of the peninsula. And once again we admire the incredible diversity of Kamchatka's landscapes.

We will stop at the island of Old Men, which is known for its rookeries of seals, as well as sea lions. 

Numerous bird markets await us here. 

In particular, the island is home to the nesting grounds of the rarest white–shouldered eagles - proud, beautiful birds, but, unfortunately, endangered. 

It is difficult to imagine how this unique ecosystem fits into such a small area. 

The area here is protected, so we will not land directly on the island. 

This is strictly forbidden.

Now our way lies to Russian Bay. 

It is quite remote from civilization, so whales and elegant killer whales are most often seen here. 

The place is closed and fishy, so they swim here with enviable regularity. 

So we expect to find them here with a high degree of probability.

An exciting walk through Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky awaits us.

A tour of historical sites will be incredibly exciting.

Our guide is simply in love with his city and he has something to tell.

Petropavlovsk is a maritime city. And I've seen a lot of seafarers in my time. Bering, Laperouse, Krusenstern, and many other discoverers and heroes of naval battles visited it. 

We will definitely visit the monuments in the city center, which perpetuate the achievements of the discoverers and world-famous sailors. 

Thanks to the historical sites, we will remember the military victories and glorious times. Let's say about how in 1854 the few defenders of the city opposed a squadron of ships under the English and French flags, stood up and won. 

The strategically important area for the Empire remained behind Russia for centuries. The Maksutov Battery, a monumental exposition located on the very shore, will remind us of this battle.

The monument to the Kuril Landing is located in the city center, in a picturesque park. 

He will take us back to 1945, when there were battles for the liberation of the Kuriles. 

This monument glorifies the soldiers and officers who, without sparing themselves, defended our Homeland. 

It is here that flowers are solemnly laid on Victory Day, it is here that veterans are honored.

Our further path lies to the fish market.

This is a unique place of its kind, where a variety of seafood is compactly collected in all possible edible variations. 

Be sure to buy delicious presents for your family, colleagues and friends. 

Under their indescribable taste, your story about the beauties of Kamchatka you have seen will be especially impressive!

This day completes our journey. 

It remains to exchange contacts with new friends, on the way to the airport to take a souvenir picture at the monument "Here begins Russia" and say goodbye.