Tour to Lake Azhabachye, Tolbachik volcano and Sea cruise

Meeting at the airport. Khalaktyrsky beach

In Kamchatka, all planes from the ‘mainland’ land at the airport in the town of Yelizovo. Coming down the ramp, you will already see the famous ‘home’ volcanoes - Koryaksky, Avachinsky and Kozelsky. We will meet you at the exit with the sign ‘KamchatkaLand’ and drive to the hotel. On the way we will stop at the monument ‘Here Russia begins’ - next to its stone bears guests of Kamchatka traditionally take a photo at the beginning or at the end of their trips to the peninsula.

Tourists who arrive earlier than 13:00 may join a group going on a trip to Khalaktyrsky beach located at the coastline with black-grey color sand. The Pacific Ocean starts here. An interesting feature of this sand is a content of ferric magnetite and titanomagnetite. If you take a magnet and bring it closer to the sand it will be fully covered by sand grains.

The ocean water is cold but during warm days there are many people who wish to dive there. This is a very stunning place and in spite of remoteness from the city attracts a lot of people. Some of sights there: surf-camp, visit-center, observation rock where mountaineers practice their skills.

In the evening when all the travelers arrives in Kamchatka (if the flights’ time are different), we will have a meeting, get acquainted, check our travel gear and discuss our itinerary.

Transfer to Tolbachik volcano. Overnight in glamping

In the morning after an early breakfast we will leave the hotel, get in the car and head north to Tolbachik, one of the volcanoes of the famous Kliuchevskaya group. It is known for its catastrophic eruptions, leaving behind kilometres of frozen lava, black desert and scorched Dead Forest.

The journey ahead is a long one - about 10 hours. Mostly we will drive surrounded by low forests and mountain ranges. On the way we will stop for lunch in the village of Milkovo. Behind it the asphalted road ends and the ground road begins.

In the evening we arrive at the Dead Forest at the foot of the Tolbachik volcano and check into glamping - the same as on the Vilyuchinsky Pass. We have dinner, have a rest and go to bed.

Ascent to Plosky Tolbachik volcano

Early rising, breakfast and preparation for climbing. Our goal is conquering Plosky Tolbachik volcano.

Permanent activity of the volcano changed it into the conglomerate of lava formations and cinder. The volcano has a flat top which forms the caldera of 3 kilometers in diameter. The caldera was practically filled in the result of numerous eruptions. The glacier is the top part of the volcano. There was a small active crater (350 meters in diameter) till 1975, but after the great fissure eruption the part of the volcanic top was collapsed. Therefore the precipice of 1,8 kilometers wide was formed. At first volcanologists were observing a lot of fumaroles and a forming crater lake with amazingly blue color. But this process had not come to an end and now there is no crater and the fumaroles don’t display any activities.

There is a large quantity of the cinder cones (more than 120) which are on the slopes of Plosky Tolbachik and Tolbachik dale. This is due to the collateral breaks. The first eruption was recorded in 1740 since then it has happened a lot. The eruptions mainly were a kind of ash. The crater lakes were formed rarely. The most massive eruption happened in 1975 for the entire observation period. It was named as the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption. Just as a result of this dramatic event the cones of the Northern and Southern Breakthrough, which we will be able to see, were created. The last strong activity was recorded in 2012 and referred to the Fissure Eruption named as 50th Anniversary of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

In the beginning of climbing the slope are not so abrupt, but closer to the summit of the volcano it becomes steeper. If you look back, you will see entire Tolbachik dale with its cones in full view.

After climbing the top we will take a look around views which are our reward for all our efforts and it remains in our memory forever. This is a beauty the existence of which is just amazing. People arrive there from far away to enjoy it.

Then we will descend and return to the camp. After having dinner we will spend the second night in the glamping.

Northern breakthrough eruption area. Lava caves. Dead forest

After having breakfast we will go by vehicle to the cones of the Northern Breakthrough. The Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption had been lasting for a year and a half: from July 1975 to December 1976. As a result, many different cones were created. Now the Gorshkova cone which we will ascend keeps its activity and you even can hear its “breath” and feel heat from the ground.

It is enough accessible to watch volcanic activity. There are fanciful forms of cinder and volcanic bombs and you can also feel sulfur smell. Moreover you will be able to feel the hot ground through your shoes with hard soles.

After descent we will have a lunch at the base of the volcano. The next goal is the cone Zvezda (the Star) cone and lava tubes.

The Great eruption destroyed every living thing within a radius of the few kilometers. The forest was burnt: heartwoods were scorched; bushes, herbs were bared. Now this place is named as Dead Forest.

Before the eruption animals left their places because they feel a future danger thanks to their instincts. The formed lifeless landscape gave an idea to organize a test area for spacecrafts in the time of the Soviet Union. Thus the base was built for testing a moonprobe, and then it was moved to another place. Unfortunately, it is impossible to visit the old base because it was vanished under the lava in the time of the eruption of 2012. But in this area we will go under the ground and walk along the lava tubes.

After visit of these impressing places we will return the camp by evening. After supper we will spend the last night in the glamping.

Klyuchi village. Walk along the Kamchatka river by motor boat

After having breakfast we leave Tolbachik dale and drive along off-the-road to Kluchi village where a high-speed boat picks us up and we reach our destination point in an hour. The Kamchatka River is the largest river and the richest in fish of the peninsula, its length is 758 kilometers.

We will be accommodated in the scientists’ camp located near the border of the nature reserve, on one of the island hidden from civilization. There are only small lodges in such wild part of Kamchatka. We will sleep on the bed with sleeping bag, but a Russian bath house will be a good addition. In the evening travelers who want can go on fishing which is usually successful in these areas.

Excursion around Lake Azhabachye by boat

This day is devoted the tour around Azabachye Lake tour and its surroundings.

Azabachye Lake is the fourth largest lake of the peninsula and is under special protection. It is situated about 40 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, so every year fishes migrates upstream the Kamchatka River for spawning there. Fish wealth attracts a lot of fishers, such as bears and Steller’s eagles.

Early morning we will get up, have breakfast and then take a boat trip along the Kamchatka River to the lake. Going by boat we will be able to visit the most interesting river beaches and the banks of the lake, also to find a place with a great number of salmon spawning and, of course, bears-fishers.

There are more chances to meet bears at the mouths of small rivers flowing into the Azabachye lake. Fishes gathers there to reach the place of spawning. At that moment fish is an easy prey for bears and birds.

After lake sightseeing tour we will go back to the past, when settlers were opening new territories of Kamchatka. Many years ago Nizhnekamchatski ostrog (stockaded town) was situated on the left bank of the Kamchatka River. However Dormition Church of Nizhnekamchatski ostrog survived until our days. This is the only monument of wooden architecture, which passed down to us through hundred years. The church was built in 1737 and was consecrated by clergyman, Ermolai Ivanov on 15th of June, 1741.

We will come back to the guest house by evening.

Boat trips along the Kamchatka river. Photo hunting

This day we will plan to do calm boat trips to find interesting places for taking photos. Our main goal is taking photos of Steller’s sea eagle and other local habitants, and of course bears. More chances to take photos of sea eagle’s eyrie on the trees situated on the banks of the Kamchatka River, because these birds are fishers. When females are hatching their young, males fly in search of food. You will be able to see two eagles at once, this is not rare chance. Steller’s eagles are not fearful, so we may go much closer to them by a boat.

Besides, we find a spotted seal’s rookery. On the contrary, these pinniped animals don’t allow tourists to stand closer to them and often dive into the water when they see people.

Return to Nachiki hotel

Early in the morning after breakfast and we will return by boat to Klyuchi village, there we will change to a car and drive towards Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The road will be long, about 10-14 hours. But on the way you will see most of Kamchatka. Late in the evening we will arrive at the hotel Nachiki and you can relax in the healing water of the thermal pool.

Vilyuchinsky pass. Waterfall at the Spokoiny creek. Glamping.

Vilyuchinsky pass

After breakfast we pack up and leave the hotel. Our goal is the Vilyuchinsky Pass, which offers the best view of the perfect cone of the Vilyuchinsky volcano. The viewpoint is located on the summit saddle of the pass, which is 1000 metres high. Here we will stop for a short excursion: we will show plants typical for this area, tell you more about the volcano and take photos with totems.

Glamping

Checking in at the glamping site. Our camp for the coming two days is a group of comfortable tents with beds, cosy interior and a large dining room. Situated in a unique location on the Vilyuchinsky Pass, it serves as the best starting point for excursions in the surrounding area.

Waterfall at the Spokoiny creek

The waterfall is located 40 minutes from the glamping site, at the foot of the Vilyuchinsky volcano. We will drive as close to the waterfall as possible by vehicle and walk about another kilometre. Along the way you will see Kamchatka plants and berries: in July-August blueberries, shiksha and lingonberries ripen here.

You will recognise the waterfall itself by the wide stream coming off the ledge surrounded by greenery. If you wish, you can go down to the water.

Ascent to Gorely volcano. Return to the hotel

In the morning after breakfast we will set off towards the Southern group of volcanoes. During the tour you will get acquainted with the most famous of them - Gorely.

Gorely volcano

Descend by vehicle, straight to the active Gorelo volcano. From the outside it looks like an ordinary mountain range, but behind its walls there are 11 colourful craters and martian landscapes.

At the foot of the volcano we will have a short briefing and start climbing. In 3 hours you will find yourself on the edge of a large picturesque crater, at the bottom of which there is acid lake. You can carefully walk around the crater to see the neighbouring crater, which is ablaze with fumarole smoke, and the panoramic views around it.

Return to the hotel

After the excursion on the top of Gorely volcano we start descending down the same route. We return to the transport and move to the already familiar hotel

Boat trip to Russkaya Bay. Coves and grottos. Starichkov Island

This day we leave for Petropavlovsk port, it is located in the city centre, on the shore of Avacha Bay. We should have breakfast and leave early to catch all the sea inhabitants at their places.

A motor yacht will be waiting for us in the port. We will get introduced to the captain and his assistant and start a leisurely movement along Avacha Bay. From the water we can see the panorama of the harbour town against the background of ‘’domestic‘’ volcanoes, and on the other side we can see the Vilyuchinskaya Hill.

If you want to relax during the voyage, there is a cosy cabin with tea, coffee, snacks and sweets at your disposal. For fishing enthusiasts there is always fishing gear on board, and for gourmets there is a table of freshly caught seafood.

Closer to the gates of Avacha Bay we will pass the famous Three Brothers rocks - vertical pillars, as if guarding the town. Here, at the exit from the quiet closed bay, you will already feel the increased wind and waves. As soon as we cross the line between capes Mayachny and Bezymyanny, we will find ourselves in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, from where you will see the rocks of the eastern coast of the peninsula.

Our next goal is Starichkov Island. It is a piece of land with an area of only 0.5 square kilometres, entirely inhabited by waterfowl: seagulls, red-faced cormorants, brightly coloured cottontails, mayflies, familiar Steller's sea eagles, and puffins, in honour of whom the island was named. Their cackling will be heard from afar. It is not possible to land on the island - its shores are too steep, but we will take our boat around the island to see and photograph bird markets. Spotted seals are often seen nearby: they rest on stone reefs, bask in the sun and jump into the water when ships approach.

Steller sea lion rookery

On the way to Russkaya Bay, the ship will pass Kekurny Cape. A large colony of sea lions rests on its rocks. These animals, unlike seals, are accustomed to the attention of tourists, so you can get close to the rookery by boat and quietly take photos.

In addition, whales and orcas often pass through these coastal waters. Sometimes they approach ships out of curiosity and accompany them for some time. It is impossible to guarantee such an encounter, but we will keep a close eye on the waves so as not to miss it.

Russkaya Bay

Finally, the yacht enters a narrow and long bay with high banks. We stop here to look around and take photos. This is one of the most picturesque bays in Kamchatka, it is often compared to Norwegian fjords.

During the boat trip it will be possible to try deep-sea fishing. Fishing rods will be handed out and a masterclass will be held. Here you can catch brightly coloured goby, flounder, perch and other ocean fish. At the same time, lunch will be prepared on board: fragrant soup, pancakes with caviar and snacks made of freshly caught sea urchin caviar.

By evening the ship will arrive back at Petropavlovsk port by the same route. We will return to the hotel.

City-tour around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Or an additional helicopter excursion

After spending our time in wild nature, conquering all difficulties it’s double nice to return back to civilization. We will go on day sightseeing historic tour over Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city on the third day of our tour.

We will do the most popular trip over Nikolskaya sopka accompanied with a guide and get known from what the city started to build. We will be able to see the oldest street of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, brave soldiers’ and famous travelers’ monuments. We will ascend to the viewpoint to take photos of splendid city prospect situated between volcanoes and ocean.

Undoubtedly, we will need to visit a new interactive museum Volcanarium. It was established by well-known around Kamchatka volcanologist Sergey Samoylenko. Sergey created this place with all his heart and invaluable experience. There visitors will be able to know a lot of mysteries about our Earth formation and can take part in some forming processes.

Transfer to the airport

On the last day of the tour we will take you to the airport, and on the way we will stop at the monument ‘Here Russia Begins’. At the end of such a long journey, it is always interesting to compare the final pictures at the stone bears with the very first ones - a person almost always changes during two weeks alone with nature.

We will say goodbye to you, but we will be waiting to visit you again in Kamchatka.