Deep sea fishing in Kamchatka

Day one – Arrival to the airport in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Meet-up with the tour guide at the airport. Hotel transfer and check-in. Excursion to Khalatyrsky Beach for those who arrive before 13:00.

When approaching Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by plane, passengers will be able to admire the beauty of Kamchatka from above. In clear weather, the peninsula’s mountain ranges are visible, including a group of volcanoes know as the “home volcanoes.” At the airport, our representative will await guests with a sign labeled “KamchatkaLand.” The representative will take guests to the hotel "Petropavlovsk" where they will stay for the duration of the tour.

An exciting excursion to Khalaktyrsky Beach awaits those who arrive on a flight before 13:00. A trip to the beach is the perfect way to relax and reenergize after a long flight. The beach is not far from the city, so the route there will not be tiring.

Tourists will be pleasantly surprised when they arrive at the beach. The sands on the beach have a distinct black color, the result of numerous eruptions of the Avachinsky and Kozelsky volcanos. During these eruptions, lava spilled onto the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Overtime, erosion from glaciers, water, and wind reduced the hardened lava into the unique grains of black sand which today can be seen on Khalaktyrsky Beach’s 32 kilometers of shoreline.

On the beach, you can find a visitor center, the shape of which resembles a tent. Inside, exhibitions and lectures are held. Likewise, visitors can find information stands about animal life in Kamchatka, as well as a souvenir shop. Wooden flooring has been installed inside the visitor center so that guests can walk around without getting stuck in the sand. There are also benches where you can sit and admire the wide-open view of the beach.

A visit to Khalaktyrsky Beach will surely calm the soul. The contemplative nature of the landscape and the ocean breeze create and unforgettable atmosphere. In the Summer, people surf the beaches, the sight of which gives Khalaktyrsky Beach its unique aura as a place of relaxation.

Tourists who arrive after lunch will be able to relax at the hotel.

Day 2 – Visit to Vilyuchinsky volcano. Waterfall hike.

Vilyuchinsky volcano is visible from the center of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is located on the side of Avacha Bay, approximately 50 kilometers from the city, and looks impressive in the distance given its classical conical shape. The second day of the excursion is dedicated to getting up close to this mighty volcano. After breakfast, the tour group will begin its trip to the base of the volcano.

An automobile road leads to Vilyuchinsky pass. When the tour bus ascends along the winding roads, passengers may experience some popping in their ears, just as they would in an airplane. But the breathtaking views are definitely worth this slight discomfort.

The Vilyuchinsky volcano last erupted about 10 thousand years ago and has since then been inactive. Therefore, its shape is not deformed, and glaciers can be found at the top. The volcano is a must see destination all year round. In winter, for example, conditions are excellent for snow sports. And in the summer, Vilyuchinsky attracts tourists with the spectacular views opening out from its pass.

The viewing platform was constructed in such a way so that travelers can easily view the entire magnificent panorama of Vilyuchinsky. Here, you can find benches, as well as information stands with facts about plants native to Kamchatka. Wooden totemic figures of idols harmoniously fit into the surrounding landscape. These figures give the area a unique character.

Vilyuchinsky volcano will be visible in all its glory, towering almost 2200 meters above sea level. Deep ravines cut through the slopes of the volcano, forming a unique relief. The Gorely and Mutnovsky volcanos are not located far away, the sight of which will leave a lasting impression. You will be left in awe once you see this whole group of volcanos all at once.

Having admired the wide-open spaces, we will descend to the base of the volcano and then begin our ascent to the waterfall. During the first phase of the route, we will be surrounded by alder dwarfs. Then, the route will follow along stones and snowfields. Depending on how fast we walk, the hike to the waterfall will take anywhere from one to two hours.

The presence of snowfields and glaciers have caused the mountain streams to form. They merge into one stream, falling down from steep slopes, forming a waterfall. Tourists will climb to the waterfall to admire the majestic spectacle of the turbulent stream, which plunges from a 40 meters height into the abyss.

Having taken in this inspiring sight, the group will return to the base of the volcano. The way back down will take much less time than the ascent. By evening, tourists will return to the hotel.

Day 3 – Trip to the summits of the Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanos.

The guide will pick up members of the tour group at 9:00 in the morning. For the first 30 kilometers of the day’s journey, tourists will travel by car along the Paratunka-Elizovo Highway. Then, we will head off in the direction of Nalychevo Nature Park. The road there follows the Sukhaya River. You will know when we are entering the park as we will need to pass through its border to enter. Beyond this border begins the protected area.

The opening landscape fascinates with its mighty beauty. As tourists approach the Avachinsky volcano, they will feel more and more a sense of involvement in a truly majestic natural phenomenon. At the base of the volcano, we will make a transition from travel by automobile to travel by foot. Here tourists can walk and enjoy the surrounding nature.

The Avachinsky volcano is clearly visible from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Avachinsky is an active volcano, and around it the living breath of the earth can be felt quite acutely. Its elevation exceeds 2700 meters above sea level. Avachinsky is classified as a somma volcano, which is a volcanic caldera that has been partially filled by a new central cone. Quite some time ago, in this very spot, stood a massive volcano. Eventually, the volcano erupted in a violent cataclysm, demolishing its top and forming an annular shaft. A new cone then began to form inside the ring.

In general, it is possible to climb Avachinsky volcano, but we will not do so during our excursion. Another site awaits the tour group: Camel Mountain. Unsurprisingly, the mountain got its name due to the resemblance of its two peaks with the humps of a camel. The mountain sometimes also goes by the name “Two-Humped Rock.” Camel Mountain rises 1200 meters above sea level. It was formed between the Late Pleistocene and Holocene as a result of the superposition of liquid lavas that flowed out during the eruptions of the neighboring Koryaksky volcano. Some experts believe that Avachinsky also provided material for mountain’s formation, a phenomenon known as extrusion. Similar mountains are situated in areas where volcanos form.

Rocky formations covered with grass and flowers make up the two peaks of Camel Mountain. Here you can find an abundance of rhododendrons. So too do small animals live on the mountain, such as the Tarbagan marmot, a characteristic feature of which is a spot on its head that resembes a black hat. Our hike will take place on a paved trail, making the journey rather easy-going. Moreover, the ascent will not take much time. For these reasons, many travelers are attracted to such an excursion, since no special preparation is needed to reach Camel Mountain’s peak.

Having made it to one of the "humps," travelers will be overwhelmed with delight. The opening panorama is simply awe-inspiring. From here, one can see two giant volcanoes: Avachinsky and Koryaksky. In good weather, Zhupanovsky volcano, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and the city of Yelizovo are visible in the distance.

The impressions made here will surely stay with you for many years to come. It will be difficult to forget this day of magnificent natural wonders. In the evening, the group will return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Day 4 – Excursion to the Vachkazhets mountain range and its waterfalls. Lake Takhkoloch.

After breakfast, the group will head out to the Vachkazhets mountain rage, located about 80 kilometers to the west of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is a beautiful area located in a protected zone. After reaching the edge of the nature park, tourists will continue on foot. On this leisurely trek, you can admire the surrounding nature and take in a deep breath of the fresh Kamchatka air.

The distance to the base of Vachkazhets is about 7 kilometers, where you can find the beautiful Takholoch Lake. The tour group will make a stop on its shoreline, around which grow colorful flowers. The lake is nearly always covered with snow, which typically melts only around June. Just like a mirror, the calm expanse of water reflects the surrounding landscape. Takhkoloch receives its water from nearby mountain sources, and so the water is clear and cold. The Klyuchevaya River flows into Takhkoloch Lake. Another river, with the same name as lake, flows into the Plotnikova River, which eventually carries its waters to the Sea of Okhotsk.

The outlines of the lake may remind visitors of either a bear's face or a heart. Either way, both symbolize the essence of Kamchatka. After all, bears are the original masters of the territory. Likewise, the hearts of many people remain in Kamchatka since it is impossible not to fall in love with its gorgeous landscapes.

After a quick break, we will begin our climb. This mountain range is actually an extinct ancient volcano. Following a powerful eruption, it was divided into three parts. Its elevation is relatively low, but the views are nonetheless picturesque. The local landscape resembles the Alps in Europe, with plenty of plants, among which brightly blooming rhododendrons stand out. The area is also interesting given the rare minerals which have been preserved here. For example, you can find quartz with opal.

Our ascent of Vachkazhets will culminate with a visit to its beautiful waterfalls. These waterfalls owe their existence to a proglacial river, as well as to the steep slopes of the volcano. Along the way to the lake, the flowing water falls from steep precipices, forming cascades. Tourists will be able to walk close to these beautiful waterfalls.

After the break, one more natural landmark awaits us: an ancient cirque, which is an amphitheatre-like valley formed by glacial erosion. Here you will be able to see deposits of ancient rocks, as well as cute squirrels scurrying between them.

Near the cirque, the group will take a break. Afterwards, the tourists will begin making their way back. The descent will take a different route, one which will go by quickly. The path is very beautiful and accompanied by the sound of flowing water since here you can see several small waterfalls.

Dinner will await us at the car, and the group will move onto the Zelenovsky Lakes thermal complex to relax and unwind in the hot hydrogen sulfide baths. In the evening, the tourists will return to the hotel.

Day five – Boat trip in Avacha Bay. Three Brothers cliffs. Departure to the gulf. Visit to Starichkov Island.

On this day, an exciting boat trip awaits the tour group. After breakfast, they will depart for the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky passenger seaport. The excursion of Avacha Bay, one of the largest bays in the world, will begin here. The bay is used as an active shipping lane. The Avacha and Paratunka rivers flow into Avacha Bay, and smaller, picturesque bays are found along the banks.

The guide will talk about the history of the bay’s discovery, as well as about other related events. In 1703 Russian seafarers first sailed to these waters. In 1740 the vessel Holy Archangel Gabriel entered Avacha Bay under the command of navigator Ivan Elagin. So began the Russian history of the area. The ship's crew started the construction of a prison on the bay’s shore. When the vessels Saint Apostle Peter and Saint Apostle Paul, led by Alexei Chirikov and Vitus Bering, arrived here, fully-built houses already awaited them. The settlement was thus called Peter and Paul Harbor.

With an average depth of 9 meters, the bay allows vessels of various sizes to enter its waters, making it rather convenient for shipping. The shores are mostly sheer, which always amazes tourists who have the chance to admire them. Likewise, the bay has a rich array of animal life: many types of fish, birds which inhabitant the island, as well as sea colonies.

As the boat begins to make its way towards the gulf, travelers will see three sea stacks protruding from the nearby waters. These vertical cliffs, known as the “Three Brothers,” cannot be missed, for they stand like towering guards to the entrance of the gulf. Made of basalt, the cliffs are located 300 meters from the coastline and are protected natural landmarks. An active current flows around the cliffs, so tourists can admire them only from a distance. It is interesting to note that a small underwater cave is located 13 meters below the sea stacks.

When the boat passes by the Three Brothers cliffs, the guide will tell tourists an enchanting legend which explains both the name and location of the cliffs.

Having entered the gulf, the ship will approach Starichkov Island. (In the name “Starichkov,” stress is placed on the first syllable). The island got this name thanks to its population of birds called “Stariki.” The multitude of these birds amazed sailors who arrived to the island in the 18th century. In addition to this species of birds, many other kinds of birds live on the island. Together, they form an impressive bird colony.

The island also has navigational importance given its convenient location for seafaring purposes. A navigational sign stands on the highest point of Starchikov Island. It is difficult to make a close approach to the island due to strong currents in the surrounding waters. But in either case, it is best to not disturb the animals that dwell there. And observing the birds on the island is just as enjoyable from afar. Other than birds, you can also observe the seals that also inhabit the island.

Not far from the island, a moment of fishing awaits the tourists in calm waters. A diver will plunge into the water to get a true delicacy – sea urchins. Then, a chef will cook the urchins for the guests. Having rested and admired the ocean views, the tour group will return to the shore and spend the rest of the night in the hotel.

Day six – Ethnographic program.

No trip to Kamchatka would be complete without experiencing the culture of the local peoples who for centuries have inhabited the peninsula. The Itelmen, Koryaks, Chukchi, and other peoples have been living in the area much longer than Russians. In their myths and folklore, they have preserved an ancient understanding of the structure of the world. And in these peoples’ works of arts, one can see the intimate links shared between them and the surrounding natural environment.

Since ancient times, the native peoples have used sled dogs as their primary means of movement throughout the area. By process of natural selection, a special breed of sled dogs eventually appeared. Although sled dogs today are rarely used in everyday life, dog sled races remain a popular form of sport in many countries. The tour program includes a visit to the sled dog kennel of the Semashkin family, well-known sportsmen in the world of dog sledding.

Every year, Kamchatka hosts a large sporting festival. At the center of this festival is the dog sled race “Beringia.” Members of the Semashkin family have won this race on multiple occasions with their sled dogs. Tourists will learn about the unique characteristics of sled dogs, as well as the process of keeping these kinds of animals. Likewise, tourists will be able to try their hand at driving a dog sled.

Also, here you will be able to see firsthand a yaranga (skin covered hut), household items of the native population, and learn more about the local history and traditions. An ethnographic ensemble will perform songs and dances for tourists. To conclude this eventful day, tourists will get to try some traditional dishes.

Day Seven – Visit to the fish market. Airport transfer. Departure.

The final day of the tour will provide an opportunity to not only prepare for departure, but also to visit the fish market. It is well known that Kamchatka is abundant in seafood. Especially plentiful in the area are salmon. With the market’s enormous selection of fish and seafood products, such as caviar, tourists can purchase delicious delicatessens to bring back home with them.

After visiting the fish market, the tour group will depart for the airport. Along the way, we will make a brief stop at the landmark “Here begins Russia” to take a group picture, the perfect memento by which to remember your exciting trip to Kamchatka.