Trip to Vilyuchinsky volcano and waterfall

Vilyuchinsky Pass

The excursion starts with a gathering at the Petropavlovsk Hotel around 8am. Depending on the size of the group, we use a jeep or a vakhtovka with a soft interior for the trip to Vilyuchinsky.

The journey to the foot of the volcano takes about 2 hours. We will make our first stops at Zaykin Creek to taste mountain water with silver ions and at the bridge over the Paratunka River. Here you will be able to get out of the car, walk around and take photos.

The next stop is at the viewpoint at the top of the Vilyuchinsky Pass. From its kilometre-high height, it offers an excellent view of the slender cone of the Vilyuchinsky volcano and seven other peaks standing nearby. The place is decorated with stone, equipped with benches and information stands about the local nature. Nearby, three wooden poles imitating totems, stick out of the ground. They show the spirits believed in by the indigenous people of the peninsula.

Trekking to the Vilyuchinsky waterfall

We will descend by vehicle from the pass and drive to the foot of the Vilyuchinsky volcano. Then we start hiking the trail. Walking up the trail takes about an hour and a half, sometimes groups can finish it in half an hour. Before starting the ascent, the instructor will set a tempo at which all participants will feel comfortable.

The route passes through low forest and cedar shrubbery, and then leads to an open slope. Here we will come across volcanic bombs - frozen pieces of lava thrown out by the volcano during eruptions thousands of years ago. The Vilyuchinsky volcano is now considered to be extinct.

The higher the road goes, the snowier it gets. Closer to the waterfall, we will be walking on a wide white field - snow is here all year round. In winter, freeride competitions are held on this slope. On the way back you can go down the slope on ice skates - if you want, don't forget to bring them with you.

At a leisurely pace, looking back at the panoramic views, we will walk up to the waterfall. Here you can rest, take photos and carefully explore the waterfall. And we'll tell you more about it. The hole, which the water pierces in the glacier, can be up to 7 metres in diameter. You want to go to the edge of this hole to see the bottom, but it is not safe to do so - in summer the glacier becomes fragile.

After exploring the waterfall, we will descend to the transport by the same route.

Bathing in springs, return to the city

At the end of the excursion there will be a trip to the Verkhne-Paratunskie springs - they are located in a picturesque place near a birch grove and dense green meadows. Small wild baths are located along the stream flowing down from the Goryachaya hill. The slope is quite steep, but it is not difficult to climb up: there are earthen steps and rope railings.

Before the climb we will stop at the foot of the hillside and set up a lunch table with lunchboxes, tea and sweets.

The Verkhne-Paratunskie springs contain beneficial minerals and acids, and the temperature in the pools remains at 39 °C and above. Bathing in such water helps you relax and regain your strength at the end of an active day.

Around 5-6 pm, having had a rest, we will go down to the car and leave for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In 2 hours we will already be in the city.