Tour to Kamchatka With Children

Meeting. Check-in at Spa Hotel Laguna 4*

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 recreation center “Lagoon” where they will stay for the duration of the tour.

On the large green territory of the hotel, there is a few restaurants with Kamchatka and Asian cuisine, outdoor pool with aqua-slides, mountain lake with rental of boat and sup-boards. We will check-in the guest houses and relax after flight.

Vilyuchinsky pass. «Veronica's Braids» waterfall. Dachnye springs

The second day of the tour is focused on Vilyuchinsky volcano and Dachnye springs. Vilyuchinsky volcano is located near Paratunka, about half a hundred kilometres from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, but its regular classical cone is clearly visible from the city on the other side of Avacha Bay. In the morning after breakfast the group starts its way to foot, where the Vilyuchinsky pass with a viewing point is located.

Vilyuchinsky last erupted about 10,000 years ago and has not been active since then. Therefore, its cone has not deformed, and glaciers are located on the top. The volcano attracts visitors at any time of the year. In summer, tourists come to it for the picturesque alpine views, and when there is snow, winter sports are practised here.

At the pass you can explore the panorama of the valley, relax on benches and learn about Kamchatka plants from information boards. Tall wooden totems depicting spirits from local beliefs add colour to the landscape.

From the pass you can see the Vilyuchinsky volcano itself, the height of which is almost 2200 metres. Barrancos - deep ravines - run in strips from its summit to the foot. Not far from it are the active Gorely and Mutnovsky volcanoes, one of the most famous volcanoes in Kamchatka.

We continue our journey to our destination - Dachnye Hot Springs, or as tourists call them ‘small Valley of Geysers’, for a certain similarity with this iconic place.

One of the most impressive and breathtaking elements of the Dachnye Springs landscape are the fumaroles. These are geothermal manifestations of volcanic activity, and they look like shallow funnels from which columns of vapour burst out. Observing fumaroles, you can clearly see the power of the planet's enormous energy hiding under our feet.

Of particular interest are the boiling mud cauldrons - natural reservoirs of high temperature, filled with thick grey mud. Active bubbling in the cauldrons takes place under the action of underground pressure and heat, and despite their apparent danger, these cauldrons are absolutely safe to observe.

These mud cauldrons, apart from their impressive and mystical appearance, also have a practical meaning. The mud from them has therapeutic effects and is used as a local natural treatment for various diseases.

On the way back, tourists get to the Spokoiny creek. With its majestic view, it will interest nature lovers from all over the world. The height of the waterfall reaches several tens of meters, and its power is so great that even at a distance you can clearly hear the rumble of water crashing down.

After the sightseeing, we return to the hotel.

Trip to the foot of Avacha and Koryak volcanoes

The guide will pick up members of the tour group early 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 the hotel.

Boat trip to Russkaya Bay

We leave the hotel early and start our trip by boarding a comfortable yacht in the sea port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Leaving the outlines of the city on the horizon, the yacht runs along the waves of Avacha Bay towards the unusual rocks ‘Three Brothers’, mysteriously rising from the water like silent guards, shrouded in the aura of myths and legends of the local people.

Passing by the rocks, you will feel the breath of freedom and incredible energy of this place. Then your route passes through the gates of Avacha Bay into the open ocean to Starichkov Island.

Near Starichkov Island, you witness a marvellous and strikingly diverse spectacle - bird markets. Hundreds and thousands of birds shimmer with many colours and shades - tupiks, ducks and petrels, loons and old birds. They dive from cliffs and rise in the air, creating the effect of a dynamic, moving whirlwind.

Underwater life is also rich and varied. Families of inquisitive seals and red-listed sea otters often swim close to the yacht. Mackerel, plaice and perch are abundant in the waters of the bay.

With great inspiration you round Starichkov Island and move along the rocky coastline, carried away by the scenery and the atmosphere of unapproachable wildness. On your way to Russkaya Bay in Kamchatka waters, you may encounter another representative of the underwater world - orcas, majestic children of the Pacific Ocean. Known for their impressive size and amazing communication skills, these marine mammals will be the highlight of your trip.

At the entrance to the bay, a colony of Steller sea lions has found its home on one of its rocky capes. If you approach the bay by boat, you can see them very closely.

The serene and colourful Russkaya Bay, filled with the eternal whisper of the ocean and crowned by a lush, green horizon, solidifies the impression of the trip. Here, under the pale sun of Kamchatka, you experience true freedom, merging with nature and awe-inspiring harmony between man and the world around him.

After stopping for lunch in one of the quiet coves, we start our way back.

Lake Nachikinskoye is a large salmon spawning ground

The journey begins with a transfer from the hotel complex to the shores of the majestic lake. The cosy interior of the car, where every tourist feels comfortable, becomes the place of the first acquaintance with the Kamchatka expanses. Tourists, overcoming the distance, enjoy the mesmerising landscapes floating outside the car window.

A trip to Nachikinskoye Lake offers tourists not only the stunning beauty of nature, but also a unique opportunity to observe the behaviour of wild animals in their natural environment.

The highlight of the tour is a further boat ride on the flat, mirror-like waters of the lake. Tourists have the opportunity to observe rare species of birds and animals that live in the area. You can meet a large number of gulls, sandpipers and even Steller's sea eagles, which have become the symbol of Kamchatka.

The lake area is inhabited not only by birds, but also by animals. During the spawning season there is a high probability of encountering Kamchatka brown bears - powerful and majestic predators.

One of the most memorable events of a trip to the lake is watching the salmon spawning. The deep and cool waters of Lake Nachikinskoye attract salmon fish that come here to spawn. Especially impressive is the sight when salmon, overcoming the flow of the river, ascend to their birthplace. This process is mysterious and majestic at the same time, representing a real drama of struggle for life and continuation of the species.

Having witnessed these amazing natural phenomena, tourists take away a lot of vivid impressions, unforgettable stories and great photos from their trip to Lake Nachikinskoye. This is one of those places on Earth where you can feel yourself a part of the vast, wild and free world of nature. Undoubtedly, this trip will leave in your memory the warmest and brightest memories of Kamchatka.

Excursion to Vachkazhets mountain massif and its waterfalls.

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 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.

Optional excursions: ethnographic programme or helicopter tours

The seventh day can be left free to explore Kamchatka on your own, or you can continue the programme with us. We recommend one of the following destinations:

Ethnographic programme

The programme of visiting Kamchatka would be incomplete without getting acquainted with the culture of the aborigines who have inhabited the peninsula for centuries. Itelmens, Koryaks, Chukchis and other nationalities lived here long before the Russians arrived. Their folklore and myths preserve the ancient understanding of the world structure, their works of art show the close connection of these people with the nature of their native land.

The main means of transport for indigenous peoples since ancient times has been the dog sled. Through centuries of natural selection, a special breed of sled dogs has evolved. Although dog sleds are no longer actually used in everyday life, dog sled racing exists as an ethnic sport popular in different countries. The tour programme includes dog sledding and a tour of the sport sled dog kennel, which is run by the Semashkins, professional sled dog racers. Tourists get acquainted with the peculiarities of the sled dog breed and gain experience in sled dog driving.

Every year Kamchatka hosts a large sports festival, the heart of which is the Beringia race. The Semashkin family and their pets have repeatedly won these competitions.

There is also a community of indigenous peoples of Kamchatka, where you can see a yaranga (yurt), household items of aborigines, learn about their history and traditions. An ethnographic ensemble performs songs and dances for tourists. At the end of the day there is a tasting of national cuisine. After the excursion we return to the recreation centre ‘Laguna’.

Helicopter trips

Those who wish can take a helicopter tour instead of the ethnographic tour for an additional fee to Valley of the Geysers or to Kuril Lake

Fish market. Airport transfer

The last day of the tour gives an opportunity not only to prepare for departure, but also to buy delicacies to take home. It is well known that Kamchatka is rich in sea gifts. We will stop at a large fish market for them: there is a huge choice of fish, seafood, caviar, especially a lot of salmon.

On the way to the airport we will stop at the monument ‘Here Russia begins’ to take a photo together as a memento of Kamchatka and the journey through this region.