To the west of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, about 80 kilometers away, is the Vachkazhets mountain range.
The fourth day of the tour is dedicated to him. Early in the morning, tourists leave in the direction of the massif, the journey by car takes a couple of hours.
Vachkazhets is located in a protected area, the last part of the way must be walked.
Travelers make a stop on the shore of Lake Takhkoloch. The lake receives water from mountain springs, so it is clear and almost icy.
Slowly, breathing in the fresh, clean air, the group moves to the foot of the volcano, admiring the views. Travel time passes unnoticed, because there is beauty all around.
Travelers make a stop on the shore of Lake Takhkoloch. This reservoir is distinguished by its calm water, framed by flowering plants in summer. The lake receives water from mountain springs, so it is clear and almost icy. Takhkoloch is also fed by the Klyuchevaya River, the very name of which speaks about its origins.
Another river of the same name flows out of the lake, which is a tributary of the larger Plotnikov River, which in turn flows into the Sea of Okhotsk.
Rest and a snack near Lake Takhkoloch give strength, and the tourists are ready to start climbing Vachkazhets.
Since the slopes are quite gentle, and the path has already been tried by many tourists, climbing to the top does not cause difficulties even for those who have never done this before.
In the process of climbing, the lake turns out to be below, and an interesting feature opens up — its outlines have a peculiar shape resembling a heart.
At the same time, fantasy draws the outline of a bear's face. Depending on the play of imagination, you can see both.
It looks very symbolic. The bear is the master of these places, and the heart has always represented the feeling of love, and it is precisely this feeling that everyone who finds themselves in Kamchatka feels for this amazing land.
Vachkazhets was once a giant active volcano that lived its life very violently.
But after a powerful eruption that divided it into three parts, it calmed down, overgrown with vegetation (rhododendrons stand out in bright color), decorated with a landscape that resembles an Alpine one, and acquired mountain streams.
The volcano's turbulent geological past can be read by its structure, and even by its mineralogical composition. Quartz with opal veins sometimes sparkle among the stones.
The Klyuchevaya River, which originates in the purest glaciers of Vachkazhets, tends down to pour its waters into the Tahkoloch, and forms beautiful cascades along the way.
Due to the steep slopes, the waterfall turns out to be very impressive. It is there that a group of tourists rushes and, coming close to the rushing stream of water, freezes in admiration.
After admiring the waterfall, tourists go to another remarkable place on the Vachkazhets massif — the mountain circus.
Once upon a time, the element of fire dominated here, in the mouth of the volcano, stones boiled, hot steam hissed. Now it is quiet and peaceful here, and the owners of the former crater have become the evrazhki, of which there are many scurrying here.
After resting, the travelers begin the descent, which goes along another slope, past small beautiful waterfalls, and passes much faster than the ascent.
At the foot of the mountain, the group has dinner, after which the path goes to the Zelenovskie Ozerki thermal complex.
This holiday destination is known for its hot hydrogen sulfide springs.
In the evening, the group arrives at the hotel.