If you want to find yourself in one of the most extraordinary natural places on our planet, then this tour is exactly what you are looking for. The Lost World is the nickname of Kamchatka. Connected to the rest of the world only by a thin isthmus, this land the size of France has remained untouched by civilization and has hardly changed since the Earth was a young, fast developing planet. The huge picturesque open-air museum, the world-famous Valley of Geysers, and the exotic Uzon valley are all situated in the Kronotsky state wildlife reserve, one of the oldest nature reserves in Russia. You’ll find unique species of flora and fauna and breathtaking landscapes with fountains of steamingwater active volcanoes, thermal lakes, and pulsating mud pools. Brown bears, deer and various birds roam free in this wilderness. During the trek, you will see a natural rarity – a beautiful wood of Silver Fir. The magnificent view of the blue lake in the Maly Semyachik volcano crater and the panoramas of the still-erupting Karymsky volcano will remain etched in your memory forever.
Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to hotel and check in. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 2
Sightseeing tour around Moscow. Transfer to the airport and depart to Kamchatka.
Day 3
Arrival in Petropavlovsk. Transfer and check in at the hotel. Guided city tour and visit to Ethnographic Museum. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 4
A helicopter trip to Glukhoi Green (Kronotsky National Park). Enjoy beautiful volcanic landscape from the height of the helicopter flight. Landing and camping in tents or cabins.
Day 5
Acclimatisation 4 km trekking in the Uzon valley, which is part of the famous Uzon Caldera Nature Reserve (9 km). This valley is interesting for the crater-shaped-pits 25 - 150 meters in diameter and 25 - 40 meters deep, filled with hot and unusually coloured thermal water. Overnight in tents.
Day 6
12 km trek and excursion to the Valley of Geysers, recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List. See over-twenty geysers and numerous mud pots.Overnight in tent camp on Sestrenka River bank.
Day 7
Trek to Glukhoy Creek (12 km). Cabins.
Day 8-9
Start of 2-day trek to Burlyaschy volcano (approx. 12 km per day). Overnight in tents.
Day 10-11
Rest and walking around Burlyaschy volcano. The bottom of its crater is called 'The Steaming Valley' because of the multiple boiling puddles, small fountains and tiny mud volcanoes. You will bathe in thermal hot springs. Overnight in tents.
Day 12
Today’s trekking route is quite long (20 km) up to the Semyachik hot springs. Overnight in tents.
Day 13
Continue trekking towards Maly Semyachik volcano. The hiking route (6 km) is downhill to the Pacific Ocean and then along the coast. Overnight in tents.
Day 14
Radial one-day trekking (6 km one way) to Pikhtovaya Roscha (Silver Fir forest) - a dark green spot shining against the light green background of birchwood. Return back to the camp. Overnight in tents.
Day 15
Full day of rest. Evening helicopter MI-8 flight over the Maliy Semlyachik Volcano crater to Karymsky Volcano, which is considered as the most active Kamchatka volcano due to the frequency and duration of its eruptions. Overnight in tent camp. Farewell party.
Day 16
Helicopter flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Hotel. Reserve day in case of bad weather. Overnight in tents.
Day 17
Reserve day in case of bad weather and visit to the Paratunka resort, where you will have the chance to swim in a thermal pool. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 18
Breakfast in the hotel. Departure to the airport. Flight to Moscow. Transfer from the local to the international airport. Flight home.
The magnificent Valley of Geysers located in the Kronotsky State Biosphere Reservation
Uzon Caldera. The caldera (term specifying a ringlike hollow) developed 40,000 years ago on the site of a huge volcano, which was destroyed by a set of bursting eruptions. Today the Uzon Caldera is about 10 km in diameter and it contains a complete "museum" collection of everything that Kamchatka is famous for: hot springs and cold rivers, poisonous mud cauldrons and pure lakes full of fish, a berry tundra and a birch forest, mountains and bogs, animals and birds. The Uzon Caldera is also a part of the Kronotsky State Biosphere Reservation.
Kronotsky State Biosphere Reservation, which is one of the oldest nature reservations in Russia (created in 1882 as a preserve for hunting sable). In the 1980’s, the Kronotsky Reservation acquired the status of a Biosphere Reservation and was included in the international network of the world's biosphere reservations. In 1996 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The flora and fauna of the Reservation area (11,421 km) is unique: 763 species of vascular plants, and 232 bird species, many of which are endemic. The Kronotsky Reservation houses the world's largest population of the Steller's Sea Eagle and Aleutian sea swallow.
Avacha Bay - one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Its indisputable highlights are the fabulous sheer rocks at the entrance of the bay, called the "Three Brothers".
Paratunka thermal hot springs suitable for bathing and swimming
For detailed itinerary of the tour please click here
CUSTOMERS REVIEW
Our guide, interpreter & cook were very energetic and helpful.The food quality during the trek was high and plentiful. The pleasant surprise availability of wooden cabins and UNESCO scientist huts accommodation at some sights. MI-8 helicopter transfers gave stunning views of the Krontsky area! The bus driver was very willing to stop for photo stops.The Petropavlovsk Hotel staff were very approachable and the atmosphere was good.The trip to the museum and fish market are not to be missed! The Aeroflot service was faultless on both the outbound and inbound flights. Also - the weather was exceptionally good! Victor Tse
If you only go to Kamchatka once and like hiking - do this trip. Dropped off and picked up by helicopter and spent 2 weeks trekking through wilderness visited by 1-2 groups a year, so don't expect a well trodden path. Great variety from mud baths, hot spring baths, river crossings, walking in living volcano craters, swimming in the ocean and climbing to a glorious blue crater lake at the end and the odd bear, of course. Quite an expedition but with an armed ranger, cook, guide/translater and Russian hospitality - well looked after. Martin
PRICES
EXCL. FLIGHTS: £1,999 INCL. FLIGHTS: £2,539 * NO HIDDEN COSTS!
SUMMARY
SEASON: Summer DAYS: 18 GROUP SIZE: 4-12 TOUR GRADE:
Victor Tse
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