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 Kamchtka
Volcanoes
Tour duration : 16 Days
DEPARTURES: 10.07.2006
Maximum number 16
Price Euro 1300
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes :
The prices are calculated on a group basis for 6 and more
participants. Included: food, transport, accommodation, guides,
porters carrying 10 kg of personal luggage, helicopter excursion
to Geyser Valley, trek doctor. Not included: services in Moscow,
visa and insurance, flights, individual airport transfers,
personal expenses such as drinks, tips.
Kamchatka is one of the most remote places in Russia, a large
peninsula bounded by the Pacific and its seas. It is known
to be one of the places in the country that is almost left
untouched. It's virgin mountains and forests with unique and
exotic plants found nowhere else in the world are full of
wild birds and animals.For almost a century this wilderness
was closed for the foreign visitors as well as many other
places in Siberia and Pacific. This wild mountainous land,
lying on the 'Pacific Rim of Fire', is a highly unstable geological
area prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, stretching
from Alaska in the east across the Aleutians to Kamchatka
and southwards to Japan. These comments were made by Robert
Perkins, the American ecologist when he visited Kamchatka
in 1990. He was possibly the first Westerner to have visited
Kamchatka in 40 years. It is a remote region of Russia being
9 time zones from Moscow. The area was shrouded in secrecy
it being the home of the Soviet Pacific fleet. Our trip passes
through the wilderness areas of the volcanoes and hot springs
in two areas, one to the south and the other to the west of
Kamchatka's main town and port Petropavlovsk. Access to the
second part of the trek is easier with shorter traveling time
involved.
GRADE
Some long days and some steep ascents to the passes and crater
rims. Our route follows trails but they are not way marked
nor well trodden for the most part.
WEATHER, EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHES
The climate is rather extreme with snows and cold clear weather
from November to April. But summers can be surprisingly warm.
As the winter snows are slow to melt, July, August and September
are the best time for trekking although ski-touring is perfect
in spring time. Late summer and autumn bring the magnificent
reds and yellows to the landscape and this is the time when
Kamchatkan bears are berry-picking and fishing for the Pacific
salmon which ascend the rivers in vast numbers.
The weather is not extreme at the trekking time, day temperatures
in the mountains are about +20°C. Warm clothes are required
for evening and nights. Full, lightweight, waterproofs required
as some rain should be expected anytime. Waterproof, strong
walking boots with good ankle support are essential but you
will also find waders are very useful when crossing streams
and swampy terrain. Light weight trousers are useful for the
lush undergrowth through which the route goes.
Walking poles can be very useful especially for river crossings
and boulder fields.
HEALTH MATTERS AND DOCUMENTS
Russian visa is required to enter into the territory.
There are no vaccinations required for entry into the area
but please consult your doctor regarding travel to Kamchatka.
In particular mention encephalitis from tick bites. You will
need a good insect repellent against mosquitoes for their
nuisance value although they are not malaria carrying.
The following itinerary is intended as a working guide only
and it is a subject to variation as a result of local conditions,
weather and governmental restrictions. We reserve the right
to alter (lengthen or shorten) the trek at any time if necessary.
Aeroflot domestic timetables are altered occasionally and
it may be necessary to vary our itinerary to adapt to these
changes.
Day 1. Departure from Moscow. Overnight flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski.
Day 2. Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamtchatski. Transfer to Paratunka
hot springs resort area not far from the city. Accommodation
in a hotel heated by thermal springs. Bathing in the hotel's
swimming-pool. Trek briefing.
Day 3. Drive to the foot of Gorelyay Sopka Volcano not far from
the picturesque Viliuchenskaya Sopka Volcano (by 4WD vehicle
3-4 hours, and 2 hours walking). Camp.
Day 4. Ascend Gorelaya Sopka Volcano, walking on volcanic ash,
alpine tundra and gently angled snow. There is a beautiful panorama
of Viliuchinskaya Sopka and other volcanoes. The main crater
is deep and extensive crater with lake inside it. Descend to
the same camp. Gorelaya Sopka is an active volcano. The latest
'big' eruption started here in September 1979 and lasted for
more than a year. It is possible to watch gentle fumarola activity
of one of the craters (Aktivny ("active") crater).
To the west a chain of interesting craters can be explored:
Zapadny "west" Crater is extinct, then a nest of crater
consists of craters of different sizes and shapes among them
being the almost ideally round, vertical-sided, Cylinder Crater.
Further east lies the biggest and the most beautiful, Goluboye
Oziero ("blue lake") Crater. Another small blue lake
occupies the bottom of the Chasha ("bowl") Crater.
The ascent takes 6-7 hours.
Day 5. Walk 3-4 hours to the new campsite. Camp. Radial walk
to the waterfalls.
Day 6. Ascend of Mutnovskaya Sopka volcano (2300 m). Its active
crater makes an amazing combination of magnificent hanging glaciers,
lava rocks, poles of steam, huge natural boiling lakes of mud,
small caves with bubbling pots of sulphuric acid, bright yellow
rocks of crystalline sulphur and much more. The crater (about
4 km in diameter and 400m deep) is filled by glacier except
some small thermal site (100 - 200 m) issuing up light swirling
column of gases and steam. Steep walls surround a tremendous
"bowl", shining in the sun with glaciers covering
its slopes. A marvelous view. Mutnovskaya Sopka is one of the
most active volcanoes of Kamchatka. Sometimes the steam column
goes up to the altitude almost 1 km. During the last century
there were 10 eruptions (the last one being in 1960). The area
is covered by small springs with lots of volcanic mud. It is
possible to walk in boots, but sometimes only in high rubber
boots. The ascent takes 6 - 8 hrs. During the ascent we will
most likely need to walk on the snow (gently angled). Descend
to the camp.
Day 7. Walk over Pioneersky pass to the Dachnye hot springs
(12 km). Camp. Bathing in the hot springs.
Day 8. Walk down the old unused road to Voinovskie hot springs
(about 18 km). This day walk will involve several river crossings.
The springs are at the river terrace and sometimes get covered
with sand. If you dig out sand you find hot water coming up.
Camp. Beautiful waterfalls are nearby and it is possible to
go there in the afternoon.
Day 9. Walk to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The route passes
through the thick forest, so one will be able to see huge kamchatka
vegetation. Although it is not very difficult as most of the
time we will walk along an old unused road. This day we will
also have to cross rivers many times. Camp on the Pacific coast.
Bathing. Salmon fishing is possible. Fishermen normally stay
there and salmon dinner is most likely.
Day 10. Walk along the Zhirovaya river valley to Zhirovskye
hot springs (about 4 hours). Camp. Bathing in the hot springs.
Salmon fishing on the Zhirovaya river might be possible on the
way. Rest in the afternoon.
Day 11. Walk over Tuneev Pass. The pass is rather steep (the
steepest ascent of the trek). We will walk up by the small stream
(about 10-15sm deep). Sometimes we will need to walk on the
snow. We will also need to walk through thick Kamchatka vegetation
and bushes for some time before we start ascending the pass
and on descending. The very first part of the decent is rather
steep. The pass provides magnificent views of the Zhirovaya
river valley on the way up, and of Viliuchinski volcano on the
way down. Camp on a small meadow half the way down from the
pass. About 7-8 hours. Camp.
Day 12. Continue walking to Viljuchinskye hot springs. We will
be walking through Kamchatka thick forest vegetation, along
a narrow path. Several river crossings on this day. Camp close
to the hot springs. Viliuchinskie Hot Springs provide us with
several hot pools where one can relax and enjoy nice views of
the valley and neighboring volcanoes. Bathing in the hot springs.
Salmon fishing on the Viliucha river might be possible (if spawning
is good).
Day 13. Walk up along the road to the Viliuchinsky pass (1,5
hour). Transfer to Paratunka by a cross - country vehicle (3
hours). Accommodation in the hotel. Bathing in the swimming
- pool.
Day 14. Transfer to Avacha tourist base near Avachinsky pass,
1.5-2 hours by a cross-country vehicle. Camp. Nice view of southern
volcanoes, including Mutnosvkiaya, Viliuchinskaya and Gorelaya
sopka.
Day 15. Ascent of Avacha volcano (2747 m) by easy route. (Altitude
overall 1700m, average slopes are 20 -30% steep). The ascent
does not require any special experience, walk on the volcanic
ash and snow, trekking boots are enough. The crater of the volcano
is blocked by the cold black lava and has some volcanic activity
on the sides. Magnificent view of the Avacha bay, Pacific ocean
and neighboring volcanoes. Descent to the Avacha tourist base.
The total trip is about 8-9 hours. Transfer to the hotel. Rest.
Day 16. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Moscow.
Included: food, ground transport and accommodation as per program,
guides, cook, tents on trek, porters carrying communal equipment
only.
Not included: all flights, any service in Moscow, visa consulate
fees, insurance, individual transfers.
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