Kamchatka Travel Guide

RUSSIA, SIBERIA

A TRAVELLER’S GUIDE TO

2

A TRAVELLER'S GUIDE TO KAMCHATKA

Once
considered
an
inaccessible
“edge
of
the
world”
location,
only
visited

by
the
hardiest
of
adventure
travellers,
today
Siberia’s
Kamchatka
Peninsula

is
gaining
a
reputation
as
one
of
Russia’s
most
remarkable
tourist

destinations.
Make
no
mistake
though,
Kamchatka
is
remote
-‐
with
no
road

or
railways
connecting
it
to
the
outside
world,
the
only
practical
access
into

this
pristine
wilderness
is
by
air.
For
lovers
of
wildlife
and
rugged
natural

scenery,
Kamchatka
is
paradise
on
earth.

Located
at
the
northernmost
edge
of
the
“Pacific
Ring
of
Fire”,
the

Kamchatka
Peninsula
juts
out
dramatically
from
the
north
eastern
tip
of

Russia.
Thirty
active
volcanoes
are
scattered
across
the
peninsula,
including,

including
Klyuchevskaya
Sopka,
the
largest
in
the
Northern
Hemisphere.

Equally
as
stunning
are
the
90
geysers
and
numerous
hot
springs
that
make

up
the
6km
Geyser
Valley.
The
second
largest
concentration
of
geysers
on

earth,
this
natural
gem
remains
a
virtually
untouched
region
of
raw

geothermal
power.
Getting
to
Kamchatka
is
half
the
journey,
but
once
you

arrive,
the
raw
beauty
of
this
far
flung
region
will
floor
you.
If
your
idea
of

the
ultimate
adventure
is
scaling
an
active
volcano,
coming
within
metres
of

wild
brown
bears,
or
exploring
some
of
the
most
remote
and
spectacular

coastline
on
earth,
the
isolated
splendour
of
Kamchatka
awaits!

Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website

www.56thparallel.com

3

SECTIONS WITHIN THIS EBOOK

When
to
Visit
Kamchatka

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5

Attractions
and
Activities
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6

Getting
In
and
Around
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14

Eating
and
Sleeping

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-‐16

Ethnic
Cultures
of
Kamchatka
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19

Tours
of
Kamchatka

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21

Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


4

KAMCHATKA FOR BEGINNERS

Call us on 1300 742 374 (toll free from Australia) or +61-2-8221-88-59 from the rest of the world, or visit our website

5

WHEN TO VISIT KAMCHATKA

Kamchatka stretches across several climatic zones. Central Kamchatka’s climate is mild and
continental. The alpine valleys are characterised by frosty winters and hot, humid summers, while
the coast experiences a temperate, marine climate. The summer and autumn months (June
through to October) are by far the most popular, when max temperatures range from 15°C to
30°C but a growing trend in winter sports means Kamchatka receives visitors year round.
Kamchatka’s famous brown bears hibernate during the long, snowy winter, so you’ll need to visit
between late July and mid-September to be able to spot them. Swimming, kayaking and SCUBA
diving in Avacha Bay are possible during the summer months, and the fly fishing season is
between May and October. Kamchatka’s ski resorts and off-piste mountain slopes attract
hardcore snow junkies from February through to May.
of
winter
activities
are
available
on
the
lake
and
its
surrounds,
including
ice
skating,
cross-‐
country
skiing,
dog
sledding
and
ice
fishing.

Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


6

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES


7

VOLCANOES

Kamchatka is renowned as one of the most
outstanding volcanic regions of the world, with a
high density of active volcanoes in a wide variety of
types.
Rugged volcanic peaks interspersed with lush
valleys, desolate lava-spewing plains and ancient
glaciers form a dynamic landscaped with a strange,
almost otherworldly sense of beauty. Nineteen
active volcanoes are included in the within the six
groups of UNESCO World Heritage listed sites of
Kamchatka.
The highest volcano is Klyuchevskaya Sopka
(4,750m), the largest active volcano in the Northern
Hemisphere, while the most striking is the perfectly
conical Mount Kronotsky, a prime contender for the
world’s most picturesque volcano.


8

These peaks are usually visited by helicopter,
providing breathtaking aerial views – sometimes
right over erupting craters. Somewhat more
accessible are the three volcanoes visible from
Kamchatka’s capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky -
Koryaksky, Avanchinsky and Kozelsky.
Trekkers can easily walk to the bases of these
impressive mountains, and they can be summited
on foot during summer with an experienced guide.


9

VALLEY OF GEYSERS

Seething, steaming and periodically expelling huge
volumes of hot water in a spectacular jet, geysers
are a remarkable natural phenomenon. Kamchatka’s
Valley of Geysers is home to the second largest
concentration of geysers on earth, scattered across
a 6km basin with bizarre volcanic scenery. Due to
their remote location, the geyers can only be
accessed by helicopter. Once inside the valley, local
guides and wooden walkways provide a safe
passageway past some of the largest and most
spectacular geysers, some with names such as
Giant, Pearl, Fountain and Grotto.


10
Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


THE FISHING BEARS

The most iconic resident of the peninsula is
undoubtedly the Kamchatka brown bear, one of the
largest subspecies of brown bear in the world. The
region’s well-preserved wilderness has created a
safe sanctuary for oneof the most concentrated
bear populations in the world, meaning summer
sightings of these impressive animals are virtually
guaranteed. The best place to view wild brown
bears is Lake Kurilskoye in the south of the
peninsula. During late July to mid-September, this
extraordinary place hosts Kamchatka’s largest
salmon spawning event, attracting about 2 million
fish each season. Tourists are transported to bear
territory by helicopter and escorted by rangers to a
number of watchtowers built especially to observe
the bears as they swim, play and fish for salmon in
the shallow waters of the lake.

11

THE PACIFIC COAST

Vast, rugged and largely uninhabited, Kamchatka
boasts one of the most isolated stretches of
coastline in the world. The region’s capital,
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, is situated in the calm
waters of Avacha Bay, under the shadow of the
three Petropavlovsk volcanoes. One of most serene
and beautiful Kamchatka experiences is a sunrise
over the bay, followed by a leisurely boat ride to the
unique rocky formations that spring out of the
surface of the water. Beyond Avacha are thousands
of kilometres of rocky coastline. The only human
inhabitants are found in remote indigenous fishing
villages. The most conspicuous residents here are
seals, giant Stellar sea lions, orcas, whales and sea
eagles. Experienced paddlers can explore the
Kamchatka coast by sea kayak during the summer
months.

Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


12

HELI SKIING

For experienced skiers and boarders with a taste
for the extreme, heli-skiing the untouched volcanic
slopes of Kamchatka is a wild winter adventure with
few equals anywhere else in the world. The
experience starts with an incredible flight over the
untamed peaks of the peninsula in a Russian
chopper – the ultimate chairlift! Then, it’s touch
down in the middle of nowhere and be prepared for
the freeride of a lifetime. Kamchatka is the only
place on earth where it’s possible to ski down active
volcanoes. On some volcanoes, such as Mutnovsky
(2,923m), it’s possible to ski into the crater, with
active steam vents smoking and seething all around
you! Under good weather conditions, heli-skiiers
can be dropped into Bolshe-Bannie hot spring
valley, or even ride all the way down to the Pacific
Ocean shore.


13

FLY FISHING

Thanks to its uniquely suitable environment,
Kamchatka is home the world’s greatest diversity of
salmonoid fish. All six species of Pacific salmon –
chinook, chum, coho, seema, pink and sockeye are
found in Kamchatka’s waterways. The pristine,
food-rich waters of the Icha River make for some of
the most outstanding salmon and trout fishing in
Siberia. Most prized among anglers are the chinook
(king salmon), reaching up to 14kg and a metre in
length, and the steelhead (known locally as
Kamchatka salmon), a monster rainbow trout
weighing up to 18kg.
Between May and October, tour companies run fly
fishing trips to Kamchatka’s richest fishing grounds,
camping in the forest and using motorised rafts as
transport.


14

GETTING IN AND AROUND

Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


15

BY AIR

Sandwiched between sub-Arctic Russia and the
Pacific Ocean, Kamchatka has no overland routes
leading into the region. There are no regular
passenger ferries to anywhere in Kamchatka, so
the only practical way for travellers to arrive is by
air. The airport is located 20km from Petropavlovsk-
Kamchatsky in the village of Elyzovo. There are
daily flights from Moscow (nine hours), and several
flights a week from St Petersburg, Khabarovsk,
Novosibirsk, Vladivostok and Beijing. In peak
summer season there are occasional flights from
Anchorage, Alaska and Tokio, Japan.

OVERLAND

Within the peninsula, most destinations are only
accessible by 4WD or helicopter. Due to
permissions required to visit Kamchatka’s restricted
wilderness areas, and a lack of public transport,
getting around independently in Kamchatka is
difficult – the vast majority of visitors travel on
organised tours. The only public transport are
buses operating from Petropavlovsk to the nearby
villages.
Most organised tours will include scenic helicopter
flights over the volcanoes and lava fields – a truly
unmissable experience on any visit Kamchatka.

Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


16

EATING AND SLEEPING

Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


17

ACCOMMODATION IN KAMCHATKA
Accommodations in Kamchatka have improved dramatically over the last few years as the region
grows in popularity. Still, there are a limited number of options – it’s best to let a tour company
take care of where you’ll be spending each night. Most of the accommodation is found within
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky township, or in the village of Paratunka, a 40 minute drive out of
town. Paratunka is now home to a handful mid-range resorts, with the cream of the crop being
the Russo-Balt North Adventures Resort. Heli-skiiers often stay further out near the foot of the
Viluchinsky volcano, roughly one and half hours from Petropavlovsk.

18

Camping with an organised, well-equipped
expedition is one of the most splendid ways to
experience the serene beauty of Kamchatka’s
alpine forests and valleys, or the remote bays
and beaches along the Pacific Coast. River
fishing, rafting and sea kayaking tours provide
tents and camping equipment on their multi-day
excursions.
Kamchatka is very much an adventure travel
destination, so don’t come expecting plentiful
restaurants and high end cuisine. Petropavlovsk-
Kamchatsky has some local eateries with a
focus on fish dishes. Staying at a ski resort, the
hotel restaurant will often your only option. Try
some of the local seafood – such as wild salmon
and Russian king crab. Meat dishes often
consist of local game such as moose and deer.


19

ETHNIC CULTURES OF KAMCHATKA


20

Kamchatka is one of Russia’s least populated
regions. The total population is around 340,000,
mainly concentrated in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
and the surrounding villages around the Avacha
and Kamchatka Rivers. The rest of the population
live mainly on the coast in small fishing
settlements.
Today, ethnic Russians make up about 80 percent
of Kamchatka’s population. The main indigenous
groups - Korykas, Itelmens, Evens and Evenky,
are spread out across different regions of the
peninsula. The coastal populations are mainly
involved in fishing, while further inland, many
indigenous people still live semi-nomadic lifestyles
based around hunting and reindeer herding. For
visitors interested in discovering the indigenous
cultures of Kamchatka, a few Koryak and Evens
settlements welcome guests at certain times.
Call
us
on
1300
742
374
(toll
free
from
Australia)
or
+61-‐2-‐8221-‐88-‐59
from
the
rest
of
the
world,
or
visit
our
website


21

TOURS OF KAMCHATKA

Due to its remoteness, lack of transport options and the permissions required to visit certain
areas within Kamchatka, an organised tour is by far the best way to get the most out of a visit to
Kamchatka. 56th
Parallel offers a wide variety of summer and winter tours to Kamchatka with
experienced guides, private transport, comfortable accommodations and a range of itineraries to
suit individual interests. Visit www.56thparallel.com to see a full list of tours to the Kamchatka
region.


Kamchatka Travel Guide

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