Система Orphus
Currency:
EUR
In Russian
+7 495 800-8-800
Request a call
Mon-Fri: 10:00-20:00
Sat: 12:00-16:00
UTC+3:00
Bucket list journey to Kamchatka
Bucket list journey to Kamchatka

Mutnovsky, Gorely and Tolbachik volcanoes

Most popular
Bucket list journey to Kamchatka
Difficulty
Difficulty levels
Easy. Passive relaxation and sightseeing — cruises for example. No physical activities. Good for older people.
Normal. Active tours. You don’t have to be a sportsman, but you need to be strong enough to ride a snowmobile or go hiking in the mountains.
Advanced. Get ready for a challenge — long trekking with a heavy backpack on the shoulders, rafting along mountain rivers.
Hard. Professional training and perfect physical fitness are required. The level involves climbing to the tops of the mountains (above 3000 meters), freeriding and North Pole diving.
Age
8 y.o.
Group size
from 6 to 18 person
Duration
11 days

Accommodation during the trip

5 nights
5 nights

Languages

EN
guide
DE
guide
FR
guide
ES
guide
We update the dates and tour price.
Leave your email and we’ll notify you when get this info.

This route is best for the first acquaintance with Kamchatka. We have collected here the most interesting and picturesque places of the whole peninsula. The Pacific ocean, Mutnovsky, Gorely and Tolbachik active volcanoes, fumarole fields, thermal springs, lava flows and "dead forest" — let your dream of Kamchatka come true and see all the best sights it can offer just in one trip.

Most popular
Bucket list journey to Kamchatka
Difficulty
Difficulty levels
Easy. Passive relaxation and sightseeing — cruises for example. No physical activities. Good for older people.
Normal. Active tours. You don’t have to be a sportsman, but you need to be strong enough to ride a snowmobile or go hiking in the mountains.
Advanced. Get ready for a challenge — long trekking with a heavy backpack on the shoulders, rafting along mountain rivers.
Hard. Professional training and perfect physical fitness are required. The level involves climbing to the tops of the mountains (above 3000 meters), freeriding and North Pole diving.
Age
from 8 y.o.
Group size
from 6 to 18 person
Duration
11 days

Accommodation during the trip

5 nights
5 nights

Languages

EN
guide
DE
guide
FR
guide
ES
guide
We update the dates and tour price.
Leave your email and we’ll notify you when get this info.

Experiences you'll have

Active tour to Kamchatka in summer 2020

If you are ready to challenges in order to discover all the beauty of Kamchatka, you will appreciate this route. Be ready to ride hundreds of kilometers, spend the night in a tent, climb the crater of an active volcano or meet a bear on the river's bank.

 

We guarantee, that all activities in this trip are safe and accessible to people with average physical shape. But one of the main peculiarities of Kamchatka region is that the most interesting sights are located quite far from each other, in places where there are no hotels. However, Kamchatka, which you will see in this journey, is worth the long journeys and nights in a tent. We have tested it ourselves.

First-hand experience: our marketing specialist Alyona Chudanova went on this trip in August 2019. Find out from her review why Kamchatka is the place where you feel the planet truly alive.

In this journey you will find a variety of landscapes and activities:

  • boat trip along Avacha Bay with fishing, bird watching and, if you are lucky, meeting with whales and killer whales
  • a walk through the fumarole fields of Mutnovsky volcano
  • climbing into the crater of Gorely volcano
  • swimming in thermal springs
  • hiking through the huge lava fields of Tolbachik volcano
  • a walk through the "dead forest" destroyed by the eruption in 1975
  • acquaintance with the culture and life of the indigenous peoples of Kamchatka
  • rafting, fishing and possible meeting with brown bears

If you wish, you can additionally pay for a helicopter tour to the Geysers Valley or Kuril lake.

 

The trip will be as comfortable as possible. You will be accompanied by experienced mountain guides daily and provided with three meals a day including hot dishes, fresh vegetables and fruits. Trips to mountains will be organized by off-road terrain vehicles "KAMAZ" or "Ural". Hiking routes will be without backpacks, and nights in the tent will alternate with hotel accommodation, so you can take a shower, as well as wash or dry things.

 

Photos by Dmitry Chistoprudov

Itinerary

The journey begins with a meeting at the airport of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where you should travel to on your own. We can help with the purchase of tickets. If necessary, leave a comment on the application.

 

The sequence of routes may vary.

Day 1 Arrival to Kamchatka

After meeting at the airport you will move to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where you will be accomodated in the hotel and rest. Then you can walk around the city.

 

We recommend you to climb the Mishennaya and Nikolskaya hills, which offer a great view of the city, Avacha Bay and the "home group" of Kamchatka volcanoes: Avachinsky, Koryaksky and Kozelsky.

 

Also we advise you to visit the "Volcanarium" — an interactive museum, which clearly presents the volcanic processes of Kamchatka. Please note, that museum tours should be booked in advance. 

 

You will have dinner with the guide at 8 p.m. and discuss the program.

Day 2 Boat trip to Avacha Bay

Today you will enjoy a boat trip to the Avacha Bay. You will see sea bird rookeries on Babushkin Kamen (Old Woman’s Stone) Island and Tri Brata (Three Brothers) Island.

 

Next, you will go out to the Pacific ocean.  If you are lucky, you will meet the seals, whales and killer whales. If not, do not worry — you are going to visit Starichkov Island, where you will watch the largest sea bird rookery in Kamchatka.

 

If desired you will participate in sea fishing, after which you will have lunch with fresh crabs and red fish soup cooked by assistant captain.

 

After lunch you will return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. You will gather your baggage and go with SUVs to the area where volcanoes Mutnovsky, Gorely and Vilyuchinsky are located (90 km, ~2,5 hours). Here you will set up a campsite, have dinner and spend the night in tents.

Day 3 Hiking to the crater of Mutnovsky volcano

Today after breakfast you will go with SUVs to the Mutnovsky volcano (2323 m high) and will rise up to its slope. From this point you will start the hiking route, which will last for 6-8 hours with stops for a snack and photoshoot at the most picturesque places.

 

While climbing the crater of volcano, you will see eternal glaciers, colorful rock outcrops and a huge fumarole field with powerful sulfur dioxide emissions.

 

Next you will see a huge crater, consisting of two cones. Each of them has acid lakes of different colors at the bottom. Also you can see boiling fumaroles on the steep slopes and waterfalls formed by melting glaciers.

 

After climbing you will walk to the Opasny (Russian for Dangerous) waterfall. Its height is 80 m, and a powerful stream of rumbling water falls into a huge canyon. 

 

In the evening you will return to the tent camp, have dinner and rest.

 

Note: in early July, when there is still a lot of snow, the route to the Mutnovsky volcano can pass from the other side. Be prepared for more challenging hiking trail full of snow.

Day 4 Climbing the Gorely volcano

Today you will visit another active Gorely volcano (1829 m high). Hiking route will take 4-6 hours, but the ascent will be more difficult with the total gaining altitude of 700 m.

 

From the top of the crater you will see a bright acid lake. Then you will have a snack at the place with a beautiful view of Vilyuchinsky and Mutnovsky volcanoes.

 

In the afternoon you will return to the camp, pack your things and move to the village of Paratunka. Here you will check into the hotel, have dinner and swim in the pool with hot thermal water.

Day 5 Optional day for helicopter excursions

On this day you can relax in the thermal pool or take one of the helicopter excursions (extra charge). You can fly to the Geysers valley that is the famous UNESCO world heritage site. Or you can visit the Kuril lake, where dozens of bears arrange salmon fishing. See the detailed description of helicopter tours in the "Common question" section.

 

After returning from the helicopter excursion you will go towards the village of Milkovo (280 km, 3-4 hours). On the route you will stop in Sokoch village to have lunch in the cafe (extra charge).

Day 6 On road to Tolbachik volcano

Most of this day you will spend on the way to Tolbachik volcano (240 km, 6-7 hours).

 

The route will run towards the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes which is the largest in Russia. Its area is 6.5 thousand km², and the age is estimated by scientists as several hundred thousand years. This group includes the highest volcano in Kamchatka — Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4835 m). There are 4 active volcanoes, 10 extinct volcanoes and about 400 smaller volcanic formations, such as lava and cinder cones and extrusion domes.

 

Your camp will be located in the area of volcanoes Flat Tolbachik (3140 m) and Sharp Tolbachik (3682 m). In the coming days you will see the effects of its eruptions, which took place in 1740, 1975 and 2013.

 

Upon arrival, you will set up a camp and go for a short walk. In the evening you will have dinner and rest.

Day 7 Lava fields

Today hiking route in the vicinity of Tolbachik volcano is waiting for you.

 

The eruption of the Flat Tolbachik volcano in 2012-2013 became one of the most powerful on Kamchatka in the last hundred years. Two fractured breakthroughs formed at the southern slope. Powerful lava flows passed through the snow-covered volcano's slopes for about 18 km. Today it resembles a huge black river, frozen in incredible forms.

 

The surroundings of the volcano are covered with black volcanic sand and slag. It is interesting that such a composition corresponds to the surface of the moon by 96%. In the Soviet years, the lunar rover was even tested here.

 

You will walk through lava flows, climb volcanic cones and be able to descend into caves made by the wide lava flows, the temperature in which still reaches +60°C.

 

You will have a snack on the route, and you will return to the campsite for dinner.

Day 8 Tolbachinsky cones

After breakfast you will go by car to the North breakthrough. You will climb the Tolbachinsky cones which have a height of 100-200 m. Here you will see volcanic sand of red color and volcanic bombs of more than a man's height.

 

In some places the surface of the cones still have the holes from where hot gas comes. Its temperatures may reach up to +600°C. If you put there tree branches, they can catch fire after some time.

 

In the evening you will return to the camp and can feed the ground squirrels. This kind of gophers have already become an implicit symbol of Kamchatka. They are not afraid of people, boldly beg for nuts and even pose for the camera.

Day 9 Dead Forest

In the morning you will take a walk through the Dead forest – a huge area destroyed by slag and ash eruptions in 1975. The depth of the ash under your feet will reach up to 11 meters, so imagine, that you will walk at the level of the tree tops. 

 

During the eruption, the ash worked as a powerful absorbent and "dried" the huge forest. Today, however, this area is gradually recovering and new plants like "Ivan-tea" (loosestrife) appears.  

 

After a walk through the Dead forest, you will move to Milkovo village (240 km, 6-7 hours). Here you will stay at the hotel, have dinner and relax.

Day 10 Ethnographic museum and rafting on the Bystraya river

Milkovo is one of the oldest settlements of Kamchatka. It was founded in the XVIII century at the place where anciet Itelmen used to live. Today, visiting the local Ethnographic museum,  you will get acquainted with the culture, life and history of Kamchatka.

 

After that you will go to the area of Malki village (170 km, 3 hours). You will have lunch on the river's bank, taste cooked salmon.

 

Then rafting on the Bystraya river is waiting for you. It will last for 2-3 hours. The raft will be managed by a guide, so you can rest and fish. If you are lucky, during the walk you will see bears hunting fish going to spawn on the banks of the river.

 

It is possible to give up rafting and spend this time at the Malkinsky hot springs. In this case, the cost of the tour will be cheaper by 2000  rubles (~ 30 EURO) per person. It is important to warn about this desire in advance, at the stage of booking the tour.

 

In the evening you will move to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (130 km, 2 hours). Arriving at the city you will stay in a hotel, have dinner and relax.

Day 11 Departure

After breakfast you will be taken to the fish market. You can buy red fish, caviar and crabs here. Then you will be taken to the airport to depart home.

Most popular
Bucket list journey to Kamchatka
Difficulty
Difficulty levels
Easy. Passive relaxation and sightseeing — cruises for example. No physical activities. Good for older people.
Normal. Active tours. You don’t have to be a sportsman, but you need to be strong enough to ride a snowmobile or go hiking in the mountains.
Advanced. Get ready for a challenge — long trekking with a heavy backpack on the shoulders, rafting along mountain rivers.
Hard. Professional training and perfect physical fitness are required. The level involves climbing to the tops of the mountains (above 3000 meters), freeriding and North Pole diving.
Age
8 y.o.
Group size
from 6 to 18 person
Duration
11 days

Accommodation during the trip

5 nights
5 nights

Languages

EN
guide
DE
guide
FR
guide
ES
guide
We update the dates and tour price.
Leave your email and we’ll notify you when get this info.

Accommodation during the trip

The first and last night of the tour you will spend at "Petropavlovsk" Hotel 3* or "Geyser" Hotel 3*. Twin rooms are equipped with modern furniture, a table, chairs, a wardrobe, a TV and a private bathroom. On the ground floor there are cafe, where you will have breakfast. Please, note, that the hotel in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky mmay be changed to the same or higher level.

 

The second and third nights of the trip you will spend in a tent camp located near Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes. For the first time, the guides will teach you how to set up tents, and then you will do it yourself. All participants are given tents and tourist mats. You should bring your own sleeping bag or you can rent it on site for an additional fee (if necessary, please notify in advance). The campsite area also include 2 large public tents for the kitchen and dining room, as well as a tent for the toilet.

 

On the 4th day of the trip you will stay at "Solnechnaja" tourist base, located at the Paratunka resort area. There are 2 single beds, bedside tables, chairs, a wardrobe, a TV and a private bathroom in the twin room. Also there are a cafe, a sauna and 3 pools with hot thermal water on the territory of the base. 

 

On the 5th and 9th day you will stay at the "Geologist" Hotel, located in Milkovo village. The twin rooms have 2 beds, bedside tables, a table, chairs, a wardrobe, a toilet and a washbasin. A shower is in a separate room on the floor. 

 

The sixth or eighth day of the journey you will spend in a tent camp on Tolbachik volcano.

Call friends!

Common questions

+ Maximize Minimize

Who will be my guide +

Transfer from the airport to the hotel on the first day of the tour and back on the last day is carried out by the driver.

 

From the second to the tenth days with will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guides, a driver and a cook.

Meals +

The price includes three meals a day: hot breakfasts and dinners, as well as light lunches on the route. The menu includes cereals, salads, soups, side dishes, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, sandwiches, cookies, sweets, tea and coffee.

 

The cook will prepare meals on the route. During your stay in hotels you will have breakfasts and dinners in a cafe.

 

Breakfast and lunch on the first day, as well as lunch in the cafe in Sokoch village on the fifth day are not included in the cost of the program. You will need to pay for yourself.

Can children take part +

Children from 8 years old can participate in this tour. Children 8-12 years old are given a 10% discount.

What to bring +
  • a large backpack or travel bag (suitcases are not recommended)
  • a sleeping bag with comfort temperature from 0 to -15°C (or can be rented on site)
  • a warm, long, waterproof and windproof jacket with hood, belt and cuffs on the sleeves
  • a down jacket, a vest, a raincoat
  • a fleece jacket, a high neck sweater
  • shirts, t-shirts, thermal underwear
  • comfortable sports pants (made of lightweight quick-drying material, able to keep warm at low temperature)
  • membrane pants, sport pants
  • cotton and wool socks
  • underwear
  • swimsuit, rubber flip-flops, a towel
  • baseball cap, a cap, a buff, gloves
  • high trekking boots, hiking leggings, sneakers
  • trekking poles, a tourist seat, a headlamp
  • sunscreen and sun glasses
  • a personal first aid kit
  • a mosquito spray
  • a thermos or a water bottle
  • a small backpack (for day walks)


During the stay in tents you will be provided with tourist mats, and during the rafting — waders and dry bags.

What will the weather be like +

Kamchatka is a mountainous region stretching from the North to the South and surrounded by the waters of the Pacific ocean and the Okhotsk sea. The weather here is changeable, and there is a  special microclimate in different areas.

 

The best months for summer travel are July and August. The average temperature in August is +12°C to +16°C. In the highest parts of the mountains there are glaciers. Rain is possible, as well as snow at high altitudes. In the forest area there are a lot of mosquitoes and midges. In September, it is important to take into account the low temperature and the possibility of frost.

 

You should be ready for all kinds of weather conditions: from summer heat to strong winds with cold autumn rain and frosts.

Optional helicopter excursions +

On the fifth day of the tour, you can take one of the helicopter tours for an additional fee. Flights are carried out by Mi-8 helicopters. Duration of the tour: 6-7 hours. The group consists of 19-23 people, who are always accompanied by a guide. The price of the flight includes hot meals and swimming in natural springs (bring with you a swimsuit, a towel and slippers).

 

1. Geysers Valley

Cost: 690 EURO per person.

 

Highlights of the tour:

  • flying around active volcanoes Karymskiy and Maliy Semyachik
  • visiting the Geysers Valley — it is one of the largest geyser fields in the world. It is considered to be one of the Seven wonders of Russia and a UNESCO world heritage Site.
  • observing the caldera of Uzon volcano — it is a giant hollow formed as a result of an ancient volcano's collapse. Hydrothermal activity is high occured at the bottom of the caldera.
  • swimming in Nalychevsky hot springs


2. Kuril lake

Cost: 690 EURO per person.

 

Highlights of the tour:

  • Kuril lake — every year school of salmon come here to spawn, followed by dozens of brown bears. You will be able to observe them from a distance of only a few meters.
  • the сaldera of Ksudach volcano is a very picturesque place and is considered to be a natural monument
  • swimming in the Khodutkinsky hot springs


If you wish to book a helicopter tour, please inform us at the time of booking or at least 2 weeks in advance. The flight is paid for at the airport, but seats in the helicopter is important to book in advance.

 

Note: in case of bad weather, the helicopter tour will not take place. If it is important for you to get to the Geysers Valley or Kuril lake during your trip to Kamchatka, we recommend to take some reserve days before or after the tour.

Booking

Most popular

Bucket list journey to Kamchatka

Difficulty
Difficulty levels
Easy. Passive relaxation and sightseeing — cruises for example. No physical activities. Good for older people.
Normal. Active tours. You don’t have to be a sportsman, but you need to be strong enough to ride a snowmobile or go hiking in the mountains.
Advanced. Get ready for a challenge — long trekking with a heavy backpack on the shoulders, rafting along mountain rivers.
Hard. Professional training and perfect physical fitness are required. The level involves climbing to the tops of the mountains (above 3000 meters), freeriding and North Pole diving.
Age
from 8 y.o.
Group size
from 6 to 18 person
Duration
11 days

Accommodation during the trip

5 nights
5 nights

Languages

EN
guide
DE
guide
FR
guide
ES
guide
2 500 EUR
What's included in the price:
  • hotel accommodation (5 nights) 

  • FB during the whole tour (except  breakfast at day 1 and lunch in Sokoch village at day 5)

  • guide and cook service (at days 2-10)

  • interpreter's services (at days 2-10)

  • transport service (bus and SUVs)

  • transfer from the airport to the hotel and back

  • a boat trip to Avacha Bay (5-6 hours)

  • rafting on the Bystraya river

  • rental of necessary tourist equipment (tents, dishes, rafts etc.)

Extra charge:
  • airfare to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

  • accommodation in a single room at hotel and in a tent (+350 EURO per person)

  • the helicopter excursion to Geyser Valley and Uzon caldera (+690 EURO per person, optionally) 

  • the helicopter excursion to Kuril lake with bears watching (+690 EURO per person, optionally)

  • lunches in a cafe in Sokoch village at day 5 (3-6 EURO)

  • rental of a sleeping bag (+3 EURO per person per day)

  • insurance

In the price:
Included Extra charge
  • hotel accommodation (5 nights) 

  • FB during the whole tour (except  breakfast at day 1 and lunch in Sokoch village at day 5)

  • guide and cook service (at days 2-10)

  • interpreter's services (at days 2-10)

  • transport service (bus and SUVs)

  • transfer from the airport to the hotel and back

  • a boat trip to Avacha Bay (5-6 hours)

  • rafting on the Bystraya river

  • rental of necessary tourist equipment (tents, dishes, rafts etc.)

  • airfare to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

  • accommodation in a single room at hotel and in a tent (+350 EURO per person)

  • the helicopter excursion to Geyser Valley and Uzon caldera (+690 EURO per person, optionally) 

  • the helicopter excursion to Kuril lake with bears watching (+690 EURO per person, optionally)

  • lunches in a cafe in Sokoch village at day 5 (3-6 EURO)

  • rental of a sleeping bag (+3 EURO per person per day)

  • insurance

Best price
guarantee
Customized
tours
Discounts for
regular clients
Easy booking
and payments

Testimonials

Guillaume Jordan Armand Alain
Guillaume Jordan Armand Alain 4 Августа 2021

For me it was an excellent discovery, I didn't know Kamchatka, and I had not climbed Volcanoes in the past so the adventure was really worth the trip. I think all in all everything went well. My top highlights were:
- The whales and orcas - it was good that we were ourselves on the boat. Much freeier experience 
- The fantastic Mutnovsky - such an interesting volcano! 
- Tolbachik's experience and activities - the base camp, the walks, the discoveries, the views
- I also liked staying at Geolog hotel which was an experience in itself. 
- Base camping was great. 
 
Now I do think that on top of the sightseeing and the experiences there are a few stuff that made the experience even better:
- The fact that we were privatized as a group, made it really cosy and good in our exchanges and experience. Loved that.
- The fact that it was still adventurous - i wouldn't mind if it can be even more!  (i didn't always like for instance the helicopter moments where you land and it becomes very touristy. For me the wild is great, i don't like being told where to walk and what to do :) but in that case I understand it was necessary, and in any case it still was an interesting tour, and the views were great) 
-  I like the fact that there wasn't too many tourists - I think this is key to my enjoyment: I hate being on paved roads, so the moment it becomes too "organized" or too touristy, for me it's not good. We are still lucky that Kamchatka is not too known for tourism in the World, but i understand you want more tourism - in case you do, please make sure it remains wild!!!
- The team which accompanied (Guide, Driver and Cook) were really nice people. 
 
Now I have a few remarks and suggestions that I would like to share:
- Despite the fact that I loved the team that was with us the entire time (guide, driver and cook), I think the agency was a bit too laid back when it comes to alternatives when there is something wrong (for instance, a few days we had bad weather conditions, and we had to reschedule to something else, but it seems the owner/team is not very active in trying to find the best spots, solutions or activities that could replace the original plan) - for instance when we had to cancel the helicopter, it was either "move it to the end of the trip or cancel" - i think they can find more alternatives and stuff to do. 
- There are some journeys that require loooong drives. I think they are not necessarily optimized; for instance The fishing in Malki was nice but not the most experiential moment. We'd have loved to go tracking some bears, or try to see more in different stops. I don't know if this is doable, as I understand it depends on the road, but if there are interesting things, it good to share them. 
- I think all in all, the journey is a long one (going to and coming back from Kamchatka + the road we travel there which is more than 2 days) - and I believe i would have liked to have 2-3 days more on site so we could see other stuff (maybe go to Avacha volcano, experience Bear tracking, do more experiential stuff) to better optimize the trip and come back with more moments lived ! 
- Sometimes i missed a bit of technical information around the stones, the gaz, the volcanoes, etc. the Guide knew, but just enough, I would be eager to get more info, more in-depth, and more stories, etc. but I guess not everyone likes that haha