Helicopter excursion to Gorely and Mutnovsky volcanoes in 1 day

Overflight of Gorely and Mutnovsky volcanoes

The excursion starts with a meeting at a small airport near Nikolaevka village - it is about 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. If necessary, we can arrange transfer from the city or recreation centres in Paratunka village. We will get acquainted, take our seats in the cabin and start the flight.

In 10 minutes the helicopter will be approaching Gorely volcano. It is a low (only 1829 metres) but very large active volcano consisting of 11 craters. Some of them are filled with bright acid lakes, some of them are shrouded in vapour-gas clouds. During a hiking tour, tourists reach only three craters, but from the height you can see Gorely from all sides during a 15-minute flight.

Ten minutes later we are already at the neighbouring Mutnovsky volcano. This is one of the world's largest deposits of thermal energy from the bowels of the earth. Volcanic processes, fumaroles smoke and acid rivers flow here. Mutnovsky, as well as Gorely, does not resemble a usual volcano in its structure: several cones and craters have merged in it. From the helicopter you can see this unusual structure, look behind the crater walls and see how one of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka lives.

Walking along the caldera of the Ksudach volcano

One more short flight and we will approach our next goal. While Mutnovsky and Gorely are easy to reach by car, Ksudach belongs to the hard-to-reach ones: it can be reached only by helicopter or on foot in a few days. This volcano is interesting for its picturesque caldera - a vast circular basin with two bizarre lakes: Kliuchevoye and Shtyubel. The Ksudach cone was destroyed by an explosion during a strong eruption in 1907. The ash covered a huge area 200 kilometres north of the volcano. From the portholes you will see that the area is still a wasteland.

The helicopter will land in the caldera at the Kliuchevoye Lake, surrounded by walls almost half a kilometre high. Scalding springs flow right at the edge of the cold water body, that is why this beach is called Hot. We will walk on its black volcanic sand in the haze of vapours and explore the lake. After about 15 minutes, we'll re-take our seats in the cabin and head onwards.

Flight to Khodutka volcano. Bathing in hot springs

At the end of the excursion we will stop at the foot of the Khodutka volcano. Here flows a small Hot River about one kilometre long and up to one and a half metres deep. Even in freezing weather the temperature in it stays at 38-40 °C - just like in a usual relaxing bath, but only with a view of the volcanoes. Only the Kuril island of Iturup, which has a thermal stream with waterfalls and baths, can boast such hot springs - natural, large and comfortable for bathing.

The hot river flows through a glade and a travertine platform before going deep into the birch bark forest. In this picturesque place we will have a rest and recover our strength. The entrance to the water is landscaped with a wooden path, a ladder and a changing house.

After bathing, when the appetite is whetted, we will serve lunch and discuss our journey around the table.

After having a rest in the hot springs, we will again board the helicopter and head back. In 40 minutes we will be at the familiar airport near Nikolaevka village. By agreement we will bring you to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky or to your holiday base.