Kamchatka is so far and unattainable… But if you remember that in the 18th century the journey there took 8 months, and nowadays a direct flight takes only eight and a half hours, then a trip to the peninsula no longer seems difficult to implement. We tell you what to do on your first trip to the land of large volcanoes and boiling geysers.
Fly over a volcano
Climbing a volcano on foot and flying over it by helicopter are far from the same thing, but the impressions are off the charts in both cases. And the region is firmly associated with helicopter rides. The extinct Uzon, the constantly smoking Mutnovsky, Maly Semyachik with a gray-blue acid lake in one of the craters – from a bird’s eye view it seems as if you have landed on another planet. Dark gray areas of solidified lava give way to white fields of snow, and green forests contrast with ochre-terracotta glades of bare soil.
Relax in the thermal springs
Kamchatka has its own SPA procedures: to lie down in a thermal spring after a long walk through the local wilderness is a sacred thing. Not to mention that the water is healing – it will make your skin velvety, and strengthen your nervous system, and it has other properties. The closest balneological resorts to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky are in the Paratunka River Valley, as well as in the Zelenovskie Ozerki complex. But in general, there are about 150 thermal springs on the peninsula, and therefore there are many options for swimming. This is especially convenient for tourists with tents: the camp is often set up near the spring – somewhere it is a well-appointed place with a pool, somewhere the residents have installed a bathtub-like container, and somewhere you will have to lie in a hot puddle. But it is still nice!
Climb the volcano
Kamchatka and volcanoes are inseparable concepts: there are about 300 of them on the peninsula, of which about 30 are active. It is impossible to imagine a trip to these distant lands without climbing to the crater. One of the most popular and least difficult routes is to the Gorely volcano: only 12 km, 5 hours there and back and 900 meters of elevation change. Along the way, you will see Martian landscapes, acid lakes, lava caves and fumarole fields (cracks through which hot gas and steam escape). By the way, Gorely has 11 craters: the most famous is with a stunning blue lake. No less exciting destinations are the Mutnovsky and Avachinsky volcanoes.
Eat your fill of caviar and crabs
Red caviar for breakfast, lunch and dinner – and every day: it’s quite difficult to refuse such a menu. And there’s no need: while you’re traveling around Kamchatka, the freshest seafood at reasonable prices will always be on your table. Crabs, scallops, halibut, pink salmon – don’t go overboard with delicacies, though, to avoid protein poisoning. Of the national dishes, it’s worth trying the local ukha, tel’noye (fish cakes), yukola (dried fish without salt) and tol’sha (boiled salmon, crowberries and rendered fish oil).
“Enjoy” the aromas of geysers
There are about 40 of these geysers in the famous Valley of Geysers. Some of them spurt out from underground, while others show small splashes of water with temperatures reaching 95 degrees. Some erupt every 10-15 minutes, while others take 2-3 hours to erupt. Many have names. The “Toilets” got their name for the characteristic sound of water draining after an eruption. The “Gates of Hell” are two “eyes”-holes in the ground, from which steam pours out and sounds similar to a groan are heard. In general, everything in the valley gurgles, snorts, steams and smells of hydrogen sulfide! And, looking at the miracles happening around, you are amazed that the location was discovered only in 1941. And before that, no human foot had set foot here.
Ride the wave
How about a swim in the ocean? “Easy!” – the bravest travelers rush into action, having just arrived at Khalaktyrsky Beach, covered with black volcanic sand. Well, the ardor of some daredevils is quickly cooled by the water temperature of +13…+15 degrees. And the most daring still take a running dive. Others put on a wetsuit and conquer the elements on a surfboard. It is no secret that Kamchatka has the best waves in Russia: the most comfortable period for surfing here is from May to mid-October. And then come the typhoons, which reign until the end of November: yes, the Pacific Ocean is not so quiet.