When is the best time to go hiking in Kamchatka? Rest in Kamchatka When is it better for tourists to go to Kamchatka
Kamchatka is the outskirts of the Russian land. I’ll tell you why you should want to come here, how to visit volcanoes for free, get paid for it, not be afraid of bears and be a good fellow.
If you have not heard anything about the peninsula of volcanoes, and the word Kamchatka evokes in you the inaccessible beauty of wild places, then you simply have not seen these photos and have not come across practical notes of good travelers on the Internet.
In fact, everything is extremely simple (however, as in any business), and in the case of Kamchatka, it can turn out to be pleasantly cheap and as accessible as possible.
A small bonus: tickets from Vladivostok and from Moscow to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky are sold at the same price, despite the huge difference in distance, and if you buy at least two weeks in advance, you can find it for 12 thousand rubles one way. I don't think it's a lot.
What I saw flying over Kamchatka cannot be compared with any Indonesia ... whole complexes of volcanoes, colored lakes, rivers, hills, forests .., I didn’t even think that this happens, not even somewhere there, but in native Russia! If you're wondering if it's worth it or not, then you can rest assured, it's definitely YES!
Where to stay
There are hotels, apartments for rent and recreation centers in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and the main tourist points. You can find recreation centers through a search engine or on the spot, and a hotel in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky can be selected and booked in advance according to reviews and ratings:
How to travel around Kamchatka
Season for traveling around Kamchatka- from July to September. But all year round here you can take commercial tours and excursions, travel to volcanoes on your own, or get a job in a travel company and earn money by visiting volcanoes - you choose which side to be.
The cost of tours in Kamchatka is high, and visiting all territories is free, that is, permits have not yet been introduced here.
Tours and excursions in Kamchatka
If you have money and you just came to relax, then a huge number of tourist organizations are at your service, choose any trips and excursions upon arrival on the spot or through sites that offer tours.
Hitchhiking and buses in Kamchatka
You can also take the position of a tramp who is not interested in money and the company, open maps.me maps and boldly go on trips along the indicated paths, as I do, for example.
Hitchhiking in Kamchatka very pleasant, the locals are kind, relaxed, they are always interested in who you are, where you are from, how things are on the mainland ..
Bus Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Ust-Kamchatsk costs 3000 rubles and this is the farthest distance, therefore all other routes are within this amount.
In Kamchatka in a rented car
In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, you can rent a car for independent trips. The cost, depending on the season and the brand of the car, is 2-4 thousand rubles per day (on average). Gasoline in Kamchatka costs around 44 rubles / liter. You can go around a lot of steep places, with the exception of some, where only a snowmobile or ZIL will pass, or peaks and volcanoes, where you can only climb with legs.
Work in Kamchatka and travel for a salary
If you are ready to work, but it seems to you that you don’t know anything special, then know that you know more than enough.
Who is required? Actual among those required: a cook (cook food on hikes, fishing trips, rafting), a porter (to carry backpacks for pampered tourists), a guide assistant, or the guide himself (we download routes, read literature and lead a group, if you have relevant experience, of course), or translator (very relevant).
Salary an average of five thousand a day, trips an average of a week, the most season is July, August, half of September. If you know languages other than English, then they are paid quite nicely.
About prices in Kamchatka
In general, prices in Kamchatka are not as exorbitant as it is commonly thought, if you do not take into account fruits and dairy products.
Half a liter of kefir is 70 rubles, in principle, you can magically live with this, especially if you earn money here. A loaf of bread is 30 rubles, canned food is the same as in any town on the mainland.
Otherwise, everything is like everywhere else: there are billiards, saunas, cafes and taxis.
Hiking and rafting cost differently, visiting the territories themselves is free, and prices for hikes and excursions are crazy, so be wiser, download maps to your phones and go on a journey yourself. You will definitely fall in love with the peninsula of volcanoes, there is no other way.
What to see in Kamchatka
There are only two cities in Kamchatka: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PK) and Yelizovo, all interchanges, road and public, are tied around them. First of all, we get into the PC and from it we are already moving further on a rented car or hitchhiking - whoever is good for anything.
Sopka Mishennaya
The first thing everyone should visit is the observation hill in the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Mishennaya hill, stop "6 km"), from there there is a cool view of the city, the bay, the ocean and two main volcanoes on the horizon.
View of the city from the Mishennaya Hill. Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes are on the horizon. Volcanoes of Kamchatka
All volcanoes are located in separate groups, and some of them can be reached by road, sometimes even paved. Some territories are protected areas (the region of Kronotsky Lake, district) and get there only by helicopter and for a lot of money.
You can, of course, walk on foot in good weather in a couple of days, but if you get caught, then for the lack of permission they will get into the administration at best (I personally raised an uprising on a hike, but snow and common sense stopped us).
You can get a job there as a volunteer - it's no problem, just airstop no one has canceled it yet, it also works (by agreeing with the pilot, you can fly for free).
The nearest group of volcanoes can be reached in two hours from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Just open the maps.me map, find the Avachinskaya Sopka volcano, see where the path leads from it, and go to that point. If you hitchhike, then you will need to overcome another 16 kilometers from the track along the path (if you have cars, of course, you will be given a lift), and boldly set up a tent camp in the bushes at the foot.
Way to the volcano Avachinskaya Sopka Avachinskaya Sopka
This is the easiest volcano from where you can see incredible beauty with minimal effort. In the summer this is the level of a simple walk, and we went in bad weather in the snow and in strong winds, this was my most difficult climb (and I went a lot). The volcano is active and periodically vibrates and makes buzzing sounds, sometimes stones fly out of the crater, stones fly out, but this does not bother anyone. The rock on the volcano is red, the fumaroles are doing their job, the steam flows in two streams, the top is quite hot, having descended into the crater, you can hide from the wind and drink tea with chocolate!
Koryakskaya Sopka
Opposite Avachinsky is the volcano Koryakskaya Sopka (3456 meters). All the locals say that only equipped professional climbers go to it and the routes to it are not registered at the base. We found route 1 B on the Internet and conquered it the next day after Avachinsky. We were incredibly lucky with the weather, the sun was shining and it was absolutely windless.
Descent from the Koryaksky volcano The most beautiful landscapes of this group can be observed from the Kozelsky volcano, the path to it leads through Avachinsky.
Group of volcanoes Gorely and Mutnovsky
From Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky you can take a bus to the Termalny village (95 rubles) and turn to the Mutnovskaya GeoPP, this is the road to another group of volcanoes, which is famous for its cosmic landscapes.
I went to the Gorely volcano in the evening and spent the night with a tent in the forest, not having reached 35 kilometers. I put up a tent at the campsite and decided that I didn’t want to meet bears. Foxes came at night, but before I understood it, I remembered everything colorful that was in my life, and exhaled, realizing that these were not bears.
A few words about bears in Kamchatka
The most kind and shy (well, or I have good karma).
These are not polar bears, they are not at all interested in destroying everything in their path, and people are not at all a delicacy for them. Especially in September, when the bear is already full and picking berries.
The only thing to watch out for is cubs, because somewhere near them there is definitely a big mother who will definitely suspect you of a threat to her babies.
Undoubtedly, about a dozen people die from bears every year, and the remaining five thousand who were lucky enough to see them close up remained alive and satisfied, I think this is good statistics. It turns out that it is much more logical to be afraid of car accidents than bears, they are much more often. And of course, to remove garbage from nature, because a baited bear is always not good.
Erupting volcanoes of Kamchatka
The craziest adventure was my trip to the village of Klyuchi, where the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano is now erupting. Before that, I thought that the eruption is a kind of process of ejecting lava, like a lightning phenomenon .. Here, lava has been flowing along the slopes since April, and gathers huge crowds of tourists from all over the world.
During the day it is not visible, it is black and inconspicuous, but at night ... This is the most unrealistic thing I have ever seen! Lava splashes out in a hundred-meter fountain and scatters along the slope of a tall mountain.
It seems that these are just embers flying at the speed of a feather, but you realize that these are huge blocks, and they fly very quickly, just the height is huge, what a force pushes them out of there !! Insanely sticky and cosmic spectacle, indescribable delight.
They even try to climb it, but basically everyone flies in ashes and people descend. One of them was hit on the helmet by a piece of hot stone, one got lost and wandered for four days along the bed of a dry river, going down ...
The other day, another volcano from that group began erupting. He just threw kilometers of ash into the air and a few centimeters of mud fell on the cars, and continued to fall for some time, not to say that it was a harmless contraption. In general, you will not get bored here.
Other places
I almost forgot, the city of Ust-Kamchatsk! Rows of Khrushchev houses, dilapidated wooden houses, landscapes of the consequences of the apocalypse, garbage dumps with rotting fish and bears, all this on the ocean with a cemetery of sunken ships and ultra-modern windmills.
However, getting here is already a whole adventure, the hitchhiking is good, but the gaps between the cars are filled with specific romance. .
Limited number of participants in the group - only 48 people
How to get to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
There is no rail or road connection between mainland Russia and the Kamchatka Peninsula. You can fly directly from Moscow to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in 8 hours and 20 minutes. You will have to get there from St. Petersburg with a transfer in Moscow, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk or Vladivostok, from where there are direct flights to the capital of the Kamchatka Territory.
Regular passenger traffic by sea between Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Russian Pacific ports was discontinued in the 1990s.
Read more about how to get to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Search flights to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Transport
The main tourist attractions of the city are conveniently located in its center in a touristic way, and at the same time very compact - so you can get an idea in general terms during a walking tour.
In addition, you can travel around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by buses, minibuses, affectionately called “mikriks” here, or taxis. "Mikriki" ply through all the more or less significant streets of the city; boarding is carried out according to the “all-Russian” type: wave your hand at an approaching car with the desired number on the windshield, climb inside and give the driver the money for the fare (30 RUB for any distance) and announce the desired disembarkation point in advance and loudly. Buses move mainly along the central streets of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, but there are also suburban ones. A bus ride within the city limits will cost 25 RUB, the fare must be paid to the driver upon exit. A taxi voyage around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky will cost between 200-500 RUB. Prices on the page are for November 2018.
Maps of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Hotels in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Cuisine and restaurants
Fish and seafood are the basis of the local cuisine. Here everything is just "from the abyss" - the freshest, cooked simply, but very tasty. Another "feature" of the gastronomic Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the abundance of establishments of friendly Japanese and Korean cuisine. The sushi here is simply excellent - the contrast with the assortment of Moscow's pompous sushi restaurants is especially striking. At the same time, prices are more than reasonable - an average of 400 RUB for a fixed sushi lunch. One of the most popular restaurants is Yamato in the Planeta shopping center on Lukashevsky Street. You can taste Korean dishes at the Korea House restaurant on Leninskaya Street - in addition, it is located in a stunningly beautiful historical building with a panoramic view of the bay. For great seafood cuisine, go to the San Marino restaurant on Karl Marx Street - by the way, in addition to delicious fish dishes, you can try elk and reindeer meat here.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Shopping and shops
From Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky it is worth bringing carved items made of wood and bone (mammoth tusk, walrus tusk, whalebone, bighorn sheep and elk horns), fur and leather items of clothing - from cute cases for mobile phones to "coachman" bear fur coats, in which the most severe frost is not terrible. Interesting little things come across among the national attributes of the aboriginal population - all kinds of images of totem animals, amulets and amulets, hats, costumes, tambourines and home decoration items, as well as jew's harps. In addition, it is worth paying attention to hunting trophies - animal skins, horns and stuffed animals.
You can buy the above in the souvenir section of the good old GUM - the main department store of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, in art salons and private souvenir shops in the historical center of the city.
Guides in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Entertainment and attractions of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
The main attractions of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky: Theater Square, the former Lenin Square (with a statue of the leader and a monument in memory of the tragically interrupted circumnavigation of the 18th century under the leadership of Jean-Francois de La Perouse), monuments to Vitus Bering (it was from here that the expedition to the shores of America started) and more to one "circumnavigator" Charles Clark, the Maksutov Battery memorial complex in honor of the heroic defense of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from the Anglo-French troops during the Crimean War of 1854
There are places in the world where you envy yourself. One of these places is Kamchatka, an amazing land of volcanoes! It always seemed to me something very distant, difficult and expensive, so I once again went to conquer new continents, leaving the far eastern corner of my country for sometime later.
Then it came unexpectedly. In early April, Aeroflot and Transaero simultaneously got tickets for the summer from Moscow to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and back for 18,000 rubles, which was an unprecedented generosity given the flight range, and we did not hesitate. During the day, a group of people gathered, we bought tickets and started planning the trip. Actually, at that moment, all planning came down to what I found from Kamchatka travel agencies interesting route called the Pacific Ring, read a couple of reports of people who went through it on their own, believed in our strength and took this route as a basis. Then I did not know that the weather and nature would make significant adjustments to our plan, and half of our plans would not come true. But this did not make the trip less interesting and eventful.
When to go to Kamchatka? Weather
Buying tickets in early April, we certainly could not imagine that a very late spring would be added to a very snowy winter, which, it seems, came to Kamchatka along with our arrival on July 24th. On the first day on the streets of the City we were met by blooming lilacs. And the next three days we spent among the two-meter snowdrifts of dense July snow, which was so much around that it seemed as if we were in the Kingdom of the White with rare islands of thawed patches covered with bright spring flowers.
The snow was wet, and with it, the feet in the "waterproof" boots were constantly wet through. It is no coincidence that local guides walk only in rubber boots! Periodically squeezing water out of socks has become a common practice, but thanks to sunny weather and +20 degrees of heat, no one got sick in the end.
Local residents told us that it rained continuously throughout June, in July the weather was also not encouraging, and the only six sunny days in July fell just at the beginning of our trip to Kamchatka.
One day I talked with a girl from Moscow, who said that she was in Kamchatka at the same time three years ago, and then nature resembled the Crimean steppes scorched by the sun, and it was so hot that the group did some transitions and ascents in swimsuits / swimming trunks. So year after year is not necessary. But we saw an incredible combination of snow, bright greenery and amazing Kamchatka flowers - contrasts were everywhere!
Unfortunately, a week after our arrival, the weather turned bad, it rained continuously for two days, and the remaining three days were cloudy. So we never saw volcanoes from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and the Pacific coast was cloudy and through drizzle.
Next time, I will probably try to come to Kamchatka at the end of August, and sometime in mid-late September, to catch both the berries and the colors of autumn, so as not to walk in the snow and easily wade shallow mountain rivers and also try to see how the fish go to spawn. Yes, and the bears will already be full))
Features of Kamchatka
The first thing that catches your eye upon arrival is right-hand drive cars. There are probably more than 90 percent of them in Kamchatka. At the entrance / exit from the airport around the terminal with a parking ticket, there are even two lanes - for left-hand drive cars and for right-hand drive cars. A few left-hand drive cars are either rare domestic or completely new cars from the salon. Among the cars dominated by Japanese. And among the left-hand drive buses - Korean.
There are few roads in Kamchatka, and even fewer paved roads, so the vast majority of cars are SUVs. Delica is very popular, put on tall and wide wheels - on such units people manage to drive almost to the very top of the Gorely volcano, as much as 1500 meters.
Organized tourists are transported on shifts made on the basis of Kamaz, GAZ and ZIL.
There are only a few cities in Kamchatka. But for the local residents of Kamchatka, only Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky deserves the name City. Usually they say this: "I'm going to the City, I can give you a lift to the City."
The self-name of the locals is Kamchadal.
Although Kamchatka is not an island, but a peninsula, the rest of Russia is called the “mainland”, and the Russians who arrived are called “from the mainland”. There are no roads connecting Kamchatka with "mainland" Russia through Chukotka or the Magadan region (except for winter roads), and you can get to the mainland only by plane or by sea.
If you want to pass for your own, put the stress on the first syllable in the names of the settlements of Yelizovo, Pinachevo and Nalychevo))
Prices in Kamchatka for food, transport and housing
We knew that everything is very expensive in Kamchatka, so we brought all the food for an autonomous trip for 10 days from Moscow.
In recent days in Kamchatka, we went “on an excursion” to the largest supermarket on the peninsula called Shamsa, we were horrified local prices. A kilogram of apples in early August cost 200 rubles, a kilo of bananas 180 rubles. There is a problem with dairy products in general! It is difficult for a resident of “mainland” Russia, accustomed to the variety of milk and kefir, to look at a small shelf in a huge supermarket without tears, where a couple of dozen packages of gourmet kefir are laid out in 3 piles. 73 rubles per 400 grams. This is 182 rubles for the usual liter / kilo of kefir !!!
Since we had plenty of food with us, on the spot we bought only caviar (1600 rubles per kilo of chum salmon caviar, 1800 rubles per kilo of sockeye salmon or pink salmon caviar, 2500 rubles per kilo of chinook caviar), cold-sweetened fish (700 rubles per kilo of sockeye salmon or chinook salmon), potatoes (30 rubles/kilo), bread and expensive "delicacy" butter. We were pleased with the prices for fresh fish - from 80 rubles per kilogram of salmon fish.
Prices in restaurants were surprisingly no higher than in Moscow, while the portions were large, and the food was very, very tasty. Loved the Boulevard restaurant mall Shamsa on Pobedy Avenue - I have never eaten such delicious sushi and miso soups in Moscow! We had a good lunch at the Ugli restaurant on KP (as everyone calls Komsomolskaya Square): an elk cutlet with honeysuckle, as well as fried fern, were incomparable!
Intercity public transport turned out to be very expensive! The bus from Yelizovo to Termalny for 75 rubles did not really surprise us, but the bus from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Malka at 525 rubles for 130 kilometers made us think ... However, on the first day we found out for ourselves that in Kamchatka there is an excellent hitchhiking on the roads of any quality, and communication with local residents greatly enriches the Kamchatka experience, so the idea of traveling by bus was abandoned for a combination of reasons. Thanks to hitchhiking, we got to know a very interesting people, as with simple Kamchadals who are afraid of bears and do not go beyond their locality or a vehicle, as well as with lovers of outdoor activities driving snowmobiles, motorcycles and even hang-gliders around the peninsula. And, of course, each of them had their own bear story!
We had accommodation in Kamchatka with us, and we spent the first 9 nights comfortably in our tents.
Prices for hotels in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky are inhumane, but it is very easy to rent an apartment for a day - we are our studio apartment with a fresh renovation, modern interior, perfect cleanliness and a set of absolutely everything that you might need for a normal life, at a price of 1800 rubles per day ( easily and comfortably accommodates four) were very satisfied!
Independent travel around Kamchatka
Traveling around Kamchatka on my own, with some preparation at home, turned out to be incredibly easy. Reports and GPS tracks posted on the Internet independent tourists, which are good to have for a landmark on the ground. Once again, the free offline MapsWithMe map turned out to be very useful, on which most of the trails, hot springs, and waterfalls were marked. Near Gorely, Mutnovsky, at Dachnye and Nizhne-Vilyuchinsky springs, we set up tents in places clearly intended for these purposes - somewhere nearby there were groups of organized tourists, in other places we were alone, but there were bonfires and even benches.
Wherever something is traveling, you can hitchhike, and even shift workers with organized tourists are brought up.
In terms of information, the Modern Guide to Kamchatka, published by the local visitor center, turned out to be valuable - you can ask for this book at the visitor center in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on Lenina Street and get it for free! It is a pity that I got this book only at the end of the journey, but it will clearly prove to be extremely useful in preparing for the next one.
What to take with you on a hike in Kamchatka?
In the summer in Kamchatka, anything can come in handy - from a light down jacket to a swimsuit! So you need to take clothes for any weather: a swimsuit / swimming trunks for hot springs, thermal underwear (at least a top) for comfortable transitions in weather conditions that change from cold to warm, long-sleeved synthetic sweaters so as not to burn in the scorching sun, a raincoat and rain pants, light warm fleeces, windbreaker.
A rain cover on the backpack or a dry bag inside the backpack - it will be very useful while fording, so as not to be afraid to soak things inside the backpack.
Big sun goggles are a must, as long walks in the snow under the scorching sun can turn any beautiful day into hell. Sun cream and lip balm with a high SPF, as it burns very easily in the mountains. Panama.
Trekking poles make climbing and descending very easy, as well as fording rivers.
In addition to comfortable worn shoes (preferably waterproof, but this will not help with constant walking in wet snow), sandals for fording rivers will not interfere.
We took down sleeping bags, so we slept softly and warmly everywhere. The guys went with thermals, I miraculously managed with foam.
The mosquito net was very relevant - there were a lot of mosquitoes almost everywhere!
Flashlight. Seat.
Bear protection! You can use beeps (we bought in Sportmaster), fan pipes (uncomfortable because you have to blow into them, which is difficult during long transitions, it is better to buy beeps in the form of a pear that you can easily knead in your hand), whistles. On the spot in Yelizovo, you need to buy flares - a pulled out pin gives a green or red flame 20 cm long for 30 seconds, which will help when meeting a bear face to face.
I read somewhere that vinegar helps against animals, including bears, so we took 0.3 liters with us and sprinkled the area around the tent in especially bearish places.
Fleece gloves and a hat were not useful - there was absolutely no cold anywhere, although near Gorely and Mutnovsky it became noticeably colder immediately after sunset, and the windbreaker hood was in demand.
Hiking layout. Nutrition
We brought all the food with us to Kamchatka from Moscow.
At first, there was an idea to buy freeze-dried ready-made meals from a well-known Gala-Gala company in hiking circles, but the tasting did not impress us - one dish was very salty, the second smelled like chicken droppings. So we took cereals (buckwheat, rice, lentils, millet, oatmeal), pasta, dry mashed potatoes, crackers, sausage, lard, dried pork and chicken (freeze-dried meat) in the oven, took Podtravka dry soups, to which we added dried carrots and onions from Auchan. From sweets and snacks, there were hazelnuts, raisins, dried apricots, halva, sherbet, gozinaki and Alenka chocolate. Plus green and black tea, sugar. They ate deliciously, no one went hungry, in the end I did not lose a single kilo, although, perhaps, the increased nutrition in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the last three days of the trip had an effect.
Most of the food display was packed in plastic bottles for milk, Shishkin Les water and 1-liter paper bags for milk and kefir.
The layout was based on 700 grams of dry product per person per day. As a result, at the start, each had 8 kg. food. Seryoga and I had backpacks at Sheremetyevo weighing 20 kilos, our two fellow travelers had 25 kilos each, but it all depends on how much extra unnecessary crap someone took as personal items))
Since immediately after arrival we wanted to go to the Gorely volcano, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was slightly out of the way, I was tormented by the question of whether it was possible to buy gas and flares in Yelizovo. I haven't been able to find the answer to this simple question on the Internet. Yelizovo, where the airport is located, seemed like a village to me, but it turned out that this is one of three full-fledged and self-sufficient cities in Kamchatka, where there is absolutely everything. Right next to the bus station there are many tourist, hunting and fishing shops where you can buy gas and flares. Plus, there is a market nearby with red caviar and fish)) So go to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to buy what you need to buy in Kamchatka, since you can’t bring it from Moscow, you don’t need it at all - you can buy everything you need in Yelizovo and immediately advance at least under Gorely, even under Avachinsky, even to the north, which is much more convenient to do from Yelizovo!
If you are one of those who love outdoor activities and are not afraid of difficulties, then Kamchatka is a real treasure for you. Hills, geysers, volcanoes, wild nature, first-class fishing and endless supplies of red caviar - this and much more awaits you during your trip.
How to get to Kamchatka?
The only way to get to the peninsula is by plane. The airport is located in the town of Yelizovo, 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There are direct flights from Moscow to it, but the ticket price is very high - from 35 thousand rubles. one way. The cheapest way is to fly with a transfer in Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk or Vladivostok: in this case, one way can be reached for 25 thousand rubles.
From Novosibirsk there are direct flights costing from 45 thousand rubles round trip, and with a transfer in Vladivostok you can fly to Kamchatka for 30 thousand rubles. Approximately the same prices for tickets from Krasnoyarsk. There are no direct flights from this city, and the most convenient option is with a transfer in Khabarovsk.
From St. Petersburg can be reached with one or two transfers. It is most profitable to fly with two transfers - in Moscow and Vladivostok. The cost of round-trip tickets will be 50 thousand rubles.
To save on airfare, buy tickets in advance. If you buy tickets for the summer months in winter, then the road from Moscow to Yelizovo and back will cost 26 thousand rubles. There is also a subsidized fare for pensioners and young people: according to it, the cost of a round-trip flight will be 15 thousand rubles. Such tickets are not presented on the websites of airlines, but you can find out about their availability by phone and redeem with a passport.
Climate of Kamchatka
The main thing that characterizes the weather of Kamchatka is instability. This is due to the terrain, the influence of the Pacific Ocean and cyclones. In the coastal zone, the climate has pronounced features of the sea, and in the center and in the north it is more like a continental one. Kamchatka receives more precipitation than any other region in Russia. The rainiest and snowiest areas are in the southern part of the peninsula, where the average annual rate is 2500 mm.
Snowy and frosty winter in Kamchatka. The average air temperature is -15 °С in the west and -11 °С in the east. In the mountains there are severe frosts down to -50 °C. Spring begins in mid-April-early May and is characterized by a large amount of rain. Frosts may return until June.
Summer is short and cool: in August it is usually around +12 °С in the west and +16 °С in the east and in the central part. In the eastern regions, summer weather is especially unstable. Even if it is very hot during the day, autumn drizzling rain can fall in the evening. There are often fogs and cold penetrating winds. In coastal areas, there are usually few clear days with temperatures above +20 ° C - about 5-6 throughout the summer. There are more of them in the central part - up to 30.
Autumn in the northern regions of Kamchatka begins already in August, and in the southern regions - in October. Since the weather is unstable, the heat often returns in autumn. In the autumn months there are windless and clear days. Due to the riot of natural colors, many tourists like to come to Kamchatka in the fall.
Tourist seasons in Kamchatka
The fishing season starts in June. At this time, you can catch a large Pacific salmon - Chinook salmon. Fishing in Kamchatka is popular until October.
In July, snow melts from almost all slopes, and the high trekking season begins. Helicopter tours also start this month.
In August, there are most tourists in Kamchatka, since the weather is the warmest on the peninsula, all tourist routes. This month is ideal for traveling to volcanoes and observing bears.
In September, Kamchatka is popular with trekking enthusiasts who come for the beauties of autumn nature. At this time, photo tours, excursions to the foot of volcanoes and to the Valley of Geysers, sea cruises are held.
In October and November, there are few tourists, as the weather becomes windy, rainy, and in some regions there is a large amount of snow. Preparations for the winter season begin. Tourists come to Kamchatka solely for the sake of fishing.
December and January are winter holidays in Kamchatka. Tourists go to ski resorts, ride dog sleds. Sea cruises are also available in winter.
From February to April, extreme sportsmen who appreciate freeride come to Kamchatka. It is impossible to climb the peaks on your own, so helicopters are delivered there. There are snowmobile excursions to volcanoes, geysers, as well as winter trips along the Pacific coast.
In May, the snow gradually melts, and popular car routes open.
What to take with you to Kamchatka
Tourism in Kamchatka is not as well developed as in other regions of Russia. Here you can feel like a "wild" tourist even during an organized tour. Therefore, when traveling, you need to take with you as many necessary things as possible. These include:
Big backpack. It will come in handy for long hikes.
Trekking shoes. It should have a solid sole with a deep tread and protection against getting wet. An ideal option for hiking in Kamchatka will be mountain boots.
Waterproof and windproof clothing. Take a warm hooded windbreaker and ski pants with you.
In summer - a complete set of hiking clothes for different weather. In Kamchatka, you will not need jeans, as they get wet very easily and take a long time to dry. Clothing should be made of lightweight materials, not hinder movement, keep warm and dry quickly after rains.
Thermal underwear. It can be useful both in winter and summer. In such linen it is convenient to sleep during campaigns.
Sneakers. Trekking shoes are usually very heavy and you don't want to wear them all the time. In the evening it will be nice to change into comfortable shoes, and sneakers in this case are the best option.
A large stock of socks - woolen for cold weather and cotton - for warm weather.
Swimsuit. It will come in handy when you get to the hot springs.
Hats. For cold weather, take a wool hat, and for protection from the sun, a cap or panama hat.
Several pairs of gloves: even in warm weather, these will help protect your hands from cuts on rocks.
First aid kit and a complete set of personal hygiene products. During the hikes, you will not meet shops and pharmacies, so everything you need should be in your backpack. In the first aid kit, be sure to put repellent and insect bite remedy.
Sunglasses and sunscreen. In clear weather, there is a risk of getting sunburn, so you need to protect yourself from the sun.
To make your trip as comfortable as possible, you should take a seat, trekking poles, a folding knife, a headlamp and spare batteries with you. And do not forget your camera: you will really want to capture the extraordinary beauty of Kamchatka.
Pros and cons of holidays in Kamchatka
A trip to Kamchatka is a real adventure that only brave people. Such a tour is completely different from traditional trips to Turkey and Egypt. It is suitable for active tourists who like to relax away from civilization. The disadvantages of such a trip include:
Low level of service in local hotels. Here you can stay comfortably, but do not expect the luxury of foreign hotels.
Probability of being in a dangerous situation. If you are driving on your own, you may choose to take a route that is too extreme or encounter a predator in its natural habitat. In addition, this area is characterized by increased seismic activity. To reduce the risks, it is better to go on organized tours.
unpredictable weather. Sudden rain, piercing wind, a sharp drop in temperature - all this threatens your holiday.
High prices. Many tourist sites in Kamchatka are located in hard-to-reach places that can only be reached by air. And this is very costly.
For tourists who are ready for such tests, Kamchatka will give a sea of unforgettable impressions. The advantages of resting on the peninsula include the following:
Extraordinarily beautiful nature.
Variety of tourist activities.
A large number of attractions.
Amazing fishing and the opportunity to eat red caviar with spoons.
For real extreme vacation winter and summer.
Opportunity to improve health thanks to clean air and thermal springs. A trip to Kamchatka is a chance to get rid of stress and chronic fatigue, normalize sleep and metabolism.
Where to relax: popular locations
There are several areas in Kamchatka where tourists stop. The first of them is Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the main city of the peninsula. It attracts with a large number of hotels that offer good service. In the city itself, there are many travel companies that organize group tours. There are two volcanoes and many hills in the vicinity, so you can admire nature from almost anywhere in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Tourists who want to be closer to the benefits of civilization stop here, but still the city is located far from the main attractions of Kamchatka, and this is its main disadvantage.
The second area is the area of the village of Paratunka. Near it, thermal waters come to the surface. From here it is convenient to make excursions to volcanoes, and around - the purest nature of Kamchatka. There are many good guest houses in the village and its surroundings.
The third area is the village of Svetly, 18 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It attracts with its calm authentic atmosphere and proximity to two attractions of Kamchatka - Avacha Bay and Vilyuchinsky Volcano.
One of the most popular locations in winter is the village of Termalny. Freeride lovers come here to ride from the steep snowy slopes.
How to relax in Kamchatka
Wander through the mountains
Trekking is the most popular tourist attraction in Kamchatka. We offers inexpensive tour during which you will find many mountain landscapes. You will visit the Pacific coast, pass through the passes and climb to the top of the volcano. Along the way, Aag, Koryak narzans and swimming in thermal springs.
See wild animals
Kurile Lake is the largest spawning reservoir in the world. It is not surprising that there are many brown bears near it. You can see these animals in their natural habitat.
Kamchatka
Land of bears and volcanoes
- During the tour you will visit the unique places of Kamchatka:
Lake Dvuhyurtochnoe, where you will watch the fishing of brown bears, Steller's sea eagles, the course and spawning of salmon. You can go fishing and taste red fish dishes.
You will cross Kamchatka from the South to the North and, moving from one climatic zone to another, you will find yourself in Central Kamchatka, the location of the largest volcanoes in Eurasia. Visit the area of the most intense manifestation of volcanism in Russia - the area of the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes.You will be able to climb new volcanoes - the cones (299m and 278m) of the Northern Breakthrough of 1975. Walk through the "Dead Forest", destroyed during the eruption on a vast territory.
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Look into the mouth of a volcano
There are so many volcanoes in Kamchatka that you will definitely come across a couple of them as part of any sightseeing tour of the peninsula. Many routes include climbing to the very top of the volcano. These include the Volcanoes of the North and South tour. For 15 days you will see the sights of Tolbachinsky Dol, visit the Polennitsa rock, the canyon of the Studena River, on the Pacific coast. You will bathe in thermal springs and, of course, climb volcanoes - Plosky Tolbachik, Mutnovsky and Gorely.
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Float down a mountain river
If you like a varied holiday, choose a rich program. For example, the Classic Kamchatka tour includes trekking, boat trips, visiting the valley of geysers, climbing volcanoes and rafting on the Bystraya River. During such an rafting, you can also go fishing, and then have dinner by the fire.
Kamchatka
Classical Kamchatka
- In this tour to Kamchatka, we have collected the best. You will visit active volcanoes Mutnovsky and Gorely. You will visit the area of Klyuchevskaya Sopka - the zone of the most intense manifestation of volcanism in Russia. See the consequences of the Tolbachinsky volcano eruption in 2013 and take a walk through the "dead forest" destroyed by it.
During rafting on the Bystraya River, you can go fishing and watch the wildlife Kamchatka. See local birds, salmon run, and maybe even brown bears. If you wish, you can also fly to the Valley of Geysers and swim in thermal springs. the best option to get acquainted with Kamchatka you can’t think of it!
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Ride a dog sled
Sledding is one of the most popular activities in Kamchatka in winter. As part of the classic program "Winter Kamchatka" you can visit the kennel of Kamchatka sled dogs and take a ride on a sled.
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Go down the mountain with the speed of the wind
On the snowy Kamchatka, it is very pleasant to go skiing and snowboarding. During the winter tour you will stay at ski resort Moroznaya Mountain, where you can rent equipment.
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Out to the Pacific Ocean
To visit Kamchatka and not ride on the Pacific surface is almost a crime. Therefore, most tours include sea travel. For example, as part of the Living Volcanoes program, you will take a walk along Avacha Bay and the Pacific Ocean, see the islands, nesting seabirds and enjoy the unique atmosphere.
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The main attractions of Kamchatka
Kamchatka reserves
The nature of the peninsula is under protection, so most of the territory is protected areas. In total, there are three nature reserves, five natural parks and dozens of reserves in Kamchatka. The most popular of these attractions are the Valley of Geysers, the Koryaksky, Kronotsky and Commander nature reserves, the Oleniy Dol nature reserve.
The Valley of Geysers is located within the canyon of the Geysernaya River. There are many waterfalls, thermal sites, mud pits and, of course, geyser outlets. Getting into the valley is quite difficult, as it is carefully guarded. Therefore, it is better to go here as part of an organized excursion tour.
The Koryak Nature Reserve is located in the northern part of the peninsula. Here is a very interesting vegetation, characteristic of the Berengian tundra. About 20 species of fish are found in the reservoirs, amphibians and 35 species of mammals are found on the territory.
Kronotsky Nature Reserve is one of the oldest in Russia. It was founded in 1934 on the peninsula of the same name. Here is a freshwater lake with a unique ecosystem, Erman and Taush birches, creeping cedar, Maksimovich poplars, Sakhalin willows and other interesting trees grow.
The Commander Reserve is located on four islands - Bering, Medny, Ariy Kamen and Toporkov. Many of the plants that are found here are listed in the Red Book. The reserve attracts with a large variety of animals, fish and birds, as well as some cultural and historical objects. Among them is the grave of the famous navigator Vitus Bering and the former site of the expedition he led in 1741–42.
The Oleniy Dol nature reserve is located in the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula. It was created at the end of the last century in order to preserve the reindeer population. In addition to the animals themselves, the tundra vegetation and Verkhne-Opalsky mineral springs are of interest here.
Lakes of Kamchatka
There are many lakes on the peninsula. Some of them you can just go fishing, others have unique features - for example, a high content of acids and minerals.
At an altitude of 600 m above sea level is natural complex Blue Lakes. It consists of three reservoirs united by a common stream. In the spring, the ice begins to melt and disappears under the water, which makes it appear bright blue - hence the name of the complex. Around are picturesque hills with snow-covered slopes. The lakes are located in an accessible place, so they are very popular among tourists.
Nerpiche Lake gives rise to the Ozernaya River. It is located in the eastern part of the peninsula and used to be a sea lagoon. You can often meet fishermen here: carps, salmon, smelt, grayling and other fish species are found in the lake.
Kuril Lake is a large reservoir in which not only people but also brown bears fish. Not far from it is the Ilinskaya hill, and on the lake itself there are a large number of interesting islands.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka
These are the main attractions of the peninsula, of which there are several hundred, and all of them are under the protection of UNESCO. The most famous and largest are Karymsky, Shiveluch and Ichinsky.
Karymsky is an active volcano, the crater of which is located at an altitude of 1468 m above sea level. Its activity is manifested in the form of emissions of hot gases. Last eruption took place in 2013.
Shiveluch is also an active volcano, part of the Kamchatka East Range. The active part is located at an altitude of about 2800 m, and its absolute height is 3283 m.
Ichinsky volcano is located in the very center of Kamchatka. It has a conical shape and is characterized by a layered structure, due to which it belongs to the type of "stratovolcanoes". The absolute height of the hill is 3621 m above sea level.
The water in Kamchatka is very clean, so you can safely drink it: not only from the tap, but also from rivers and many lakes.
Buy at the store before you go geographical map: It will help you navigate the terrain.
Don't travel alone. Choose organized tours or at least gather a group yourself.
If you go to the reserve, be sure to register the route with the Kamchatka Directorate of Natural Parks.
Stock up on cash: there are few ATMs in Kamchatka.
Prices in Kamchatka
If you want to save money on vacation, Kamchatka is not for you. Everything is expensive here: flights, accommodation, meals and organized excursions:
To get to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from Moscow and back, you need to prepare at least 50 thousand rubles.
The average check in local catering establishments is not less than 500 rubles.
The cost of accommodation is from 1300 rubles per person per day. The average price is 3000 rubles.
Excursions are organized only for groups. Minimum cost- 7000 rub. from a group of up to 5 people for a trip to the volcano.
Top 10 tourist bases in Kamchatka
"Snow Valley"
Location: near the village of Nadezhda.
Accommodation: a large number of rooms - the main hotel, detached houses and a VIP house.
Advantages: sauna, conference room, thermal pools, organization of active recreation in winter and summer.
Price: from 1500 rubles.
"Velvet"
Location: not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Accommodation: standard single and double rooms, 1 family room for three people, 1 two-room suite.
Advantages: sauna, thermal pools, breakfast included in the price.
Price: from 3000 rubles.
"Solar"
Location: Paratunka village.
Accommodation: 10 double rooms, 1 family room and 2 single rooms. All rooms have home appliances, satellite TV and a bathroom.
Advantages: pools with thermal water, cafe-bar, left-luggage office, dance floor.
Price: from 2500 rubles.
"Southern"
Location: Esso village.
Accommodation: 5 standard double rooms, 1 double superior and 1 quadruple. The bathroom and toilet are located separately, on the 1st floor.
Advantages: a birch grove for walking, a swimming pool, equipment rental, barbecue sites, a bathhouse, a left-luggage office.
Price: from 1600 rubles.
"Birch"
Location: Paratunka village.
Accommodation: 8 double rooms and 1 quadruple. Toilets and showers are located on the floors. There is a common living room with a fireplace and TV.
Advantages: billiard room, sauna, swimming pool with thermal water, parking, barbecue areas.
Price: from 1300 rubles.
"Helios"
Location: 23rd km of the Paratunskoye Highway.
Accommodation: two-story cottages, each of which has a common living room and three bedrooms. Two bedrooms have two single beds, the third has one double bed. On the ground floor there is a common living room.
Advantages: pools with thermal water, conference room, cafe, wireless internet.
Price: from 4000 rubles.
"Blue Lagoon"
Location: Paratunka resort area on the shores of Lake Mikizha.
Accommodation: 2 hotels, each with 24 rooms. Single one-room and double one-room with shared bathrooms - the most economical option. There are also single and double rooms with shower, toilet and sink.
Advantages: conference room, parking, table tennis, gym, steam room, masseur services, solarium, thermal pool.
Price: from 2300 rubles.
"Bonfire"
Location: Paratunka village.
Accommodation: suites, junior suites and economy rooms. Children under 5 years old and WWII veterans are accommodated free of charge.
Advantages: swimming pools, picnic areas, table tennis, rental of winter and summer sports equipment, organization of excursions, hunting, fishing.
Price: from 1000 rubles.
"Lotus"
Location: Paratunka village.
Accommodation: two-storey hotel with a capacity of 20 people. 1 six-bed room, 2 four-bed and 1 double. Each room has a stove, refrigerator, heating radiator.
Advantages: swimming pool, sauna, picnic areas.
Price: from 3000 rubles.
"Paramushir-Tour"
Location: Esso village.
Accommodation: deluxe, junior deluxe and standard rooms, one-room and two-room.
Advantages: ski and skate rental, heated car park, billiards, thermal pool, wireless internet, covered picnic area.