| Flight arrivals in Petropavlovsk, the capital city of this little known Peninsula. Transfer from your flight to a centrally located hotel. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner. |
| This region is home to over 160 volcanoes, of which 29 are still active; and after a tour of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky area we take an Mi8 helicopter over 3 of the most spectacular - Korryaksky, Avachinsky and Kozhelsky - on our way to Geyser Valley. Discovered in 1941, it is the only geyser field in Eurasia. This 6 km long basin has over 90 geysers, and is the second largest in the world. The largest geyser, Velikan, is capable of producing a jet of water reaching up to 130 feet (40 meters). Tonight is spent in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. |
| Today we take another private helicopter to visit volcanoes south of the city - Gorely, Viluchinsky and Mutnovsky – where, weather permitting, we will land in the crater. Our flight continues to Kurilskoye Lake and the Yuzhno-Kamchatskiy Reserve which contains the world’s largest concentration of brown bears. Accompanied by a Park Ranger we will view wild bears and stellar sea eagles. From mid July to the end of September the bears can be seen catching salmon as an estimated 6 million run upriver from the sea of Okhotsk to spawn in Kurilskoye Lake. On our return we stop at the Ksudoch Volcano for a brief visit to the crater's edge overlooking a large lake. The walls of the crater are covered with reds, golds, browns, and greys from volcanic activity. This is one of Kamchatka's most beautiful and least visited places. Return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky for overnight stay. |
Morning tour of the highlights of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. After lunch we visit an Itelmen settlement. The native inhabitants of Kamchatka, the Itelmen’s are thought to have settled in this region over 6,000 years ago, having migrated from China. Traditionally fisherman and fur hunters, they are reputedly the best herbalists among the Nordic people.
|
| Transfer to the airport for departing flights. |
| Note : Day 4 may take place any point during our stay, depending on weather and flying conditions. All flights subject to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions. In the event of this happening we will substitute an alternative programme by road. |
