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Magnificent Kamchatka
Highlights: There really is nothing with which to compare the Kamchatka peninsula. Some people say it is a wilder Alaska, but that does not justly describe the Kamchatka experience. It is just that the peninsula seems to fit right where it is, a continuation of the Ring of Volcanoes with shorelines that offer magnificent entrees to remote wilderness. Most of all perhaps, the six protected areas in Kamchatka set the peninsula apart from any other unique travel destination. While each protected areas has their own legal and management infrastructure, their mission is the same, i.e. to protect large tracks of untouched wilderness of incredible beauty and diverse biodiversity. Our itineraries always touch on those areas where they are accessible. Logistical details: After a short stay in Vladivostok depart for Kamchatka. You will explore both the small town of Yelizovo as well as Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Spend two days hiking in Nalychevo Nature Park, located amidst towering volcanoes. Participate in a horseback/rafting trip on the Avacha River and conclude your trip with the ascent of Avacha volcano. This itinerary can accommodate both walkers and hikers. Operated by Explore Kamchatka Itinerary Day 1, Thursday Day 2, Friday Day 3, Saturday Day 4, Sunday Day 5, Monday
Day 6-8, Tuesday thru Thursday Nalychevo Park is a microcosm of Kamchatka's ecosystem and this diversity along with the park's close proximity to Petropavlovsk and Yelizovo make it a favorite sport for recreation and tourism. There are several trails for hiking and you will be able to observe Steller's Sea Eages, climb the hills below a volcano, enjoy its beautiful views or linger in the hot springs. Nalychevo Park is also famous for its bird watching opportunities. Some of the unique birds that can be observed include the Oriental Cuckoo, the Siberian Rubythroat and the Oriental Greenfinch. The park was established on August 18, 1995 and the next year was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. Covering a total area of 706,721 acres, Nalychevo has a complex geological construction and fascinating history of volcanic and hydrothermal activity. Its heart is the valley of the Nalycheva River, which flows to the Pacific Ocean. The main part of the park is formed by a bowl of active and extinct volcanoes. The four highest volcanoes are still active--Koryaksky (3456 m) last erupted in 1956; Zhupanovsky (2927 m) in 1957; Avacha (2741 m) erupted in 1991, and Dzendzur (2156 m) is active but there are no records of its last eruption. Dzendzur displays regular fumaroles and gaseous emissions. In this compact area, many rare geological activities are concentrated providing visitors with a unique opportunity to observe and study volcanoes, ore formation, glaciation, and hot springs. This volcanic activity gives rise to formation of tremendous geothermal and cold mineral springs, concentrated near the headwaters of the Nalycheva River. The thermal springs range in temperature from 14 to 75 degrees centigrade. The best known are Nalychevskie, Talovye, Shaibnye, Kraevedcheskie, Dzendzurskie, Shumninskie thermal springs and the Aagskie, Koryakskie cold mineral springs. The waters of the largest hot springs - Nalychevskie - are the only known example in the world with such carbonaceous, arsenic and boric concentrations. Nalychevo Park combines stunning mountain scenery with vast expanses of tundra and coastal seascapes. The presence volcanic and ancient glacial landscapes, together with the specific microclimatic conditions of the valley of the Nalycheva River have produced unique richness and diversity of flora and fauna, many of which are presented in Russia's Red Book. The death of vegetation on sizable areas from periodic volcano eruptions, make it possible to study plant regeneration on different aged lava fields and flows. Vegetation that appears on the hydrothermal altered soils near hot mineralized springs is of special research interest. The Erman's birch (stone birch) forests around the hot springs have a variety of wildflowers including the rare Lady's Slipper orchid. Day 9, Friday Day 10, Saturday In the afternoon you take a gentle walk up the valley to Camel Mountain, a distinctively humped ridge amid a group of small hills on the saddle between Avacha and Koryaksky. The hills are mainly eroded remains of old cinder cones, with some shoulders and summits. Snow fields drape some of the slopes. Return to camp for dinner and an early night in the bunkhouse. Day 11, Sunday The newer summit cone rises above, and its northern slope overlaps and buries the old caldera rim, so that the easy shoulder does not continue round. There are views south to the cone of Viluchinsky and beyond to the complex peaks of Mutnovsky and the rounded shield volcano of Gorely; as well as to the north where the old degraded cones of the Zhupanovsky volcano can be seen if the weather is clear. The summit crater yawned hundreds of meters deep until 1991, when it was filled with andesite lava. The black lava now forms a gentle dome - it is the fresh top of a classic plug dome. Steam rises through its fissured surface, and there are even lots of fumeroles. When walking round the rim to the left; giant crescent flow ribs mark the lava's surface where it flowed over the lowest point on the old crater rim. The descent of the summit cone is on a straight steep down-trail alongside the zigzag up-trail; and requires careful consideration... Return to Explore Kamchatka's B & B for a farewell dinner Day 12, Monday Option: You can make a stop at the beautiful Arboretum and then a hike in the Kedrovaya Preserve, the home of the Fareastern Snow Leopard. Regretfully there are only twenty species left, so it will be virtually impossible to spot them, however the Reserve has an ecological path that is quite interesting. Option: You can participate in a four hour long city tour, visiting the highlights of Vladivstok, including the Military Fortress. In the evening have a great dinner at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the magnificent port of Vladivostok Day 13, Tuesday Day 14, Wednesday Details Hotel in Vladivostok With its prime location on the Amursky Bay and close to the downtown area, the hotel is situated in a perfect location for both business as well as leisure clients. The hotel is close to the downtown business center, shopping, entertainment and the railway station. Explore Kamchatka B & B Martha originally is from Alaska and she and her Russian husband have been living in Kamchatka for many years. She has worked with numerous tour companies as a tour coordinator and is very knowledgeable about Kamchatka. Included:
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Refund Policy
Visas A visa is required for Russia. We will process your visa for you, as it requires extensive paperwork. You will receive a visa application and information as soon as we have received your deposit. Visa fees for two week processing are $120, not including any express handling charges. Pre- or post itineraries We will be more than happy to add additional days in Russia both pre and post to the offered itinerary. Important Notes This itinerary takes you to one of the most remote parts of the world. All though services have improved in the last couple of years, we will encounter problems with delays, bureaucratic conditions, bad road conditions, uneven surfaces and steps and unavailability of public bathrooms. Please also note that weather circumstances may change each day's activity as to take advantage of good weather. This program requires flexibility and good humor. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary; however there is always the possibility of changes We work only with tour operators who adhere to the following basic ecotourism principles. Our Ecotourism Guidelines 1. Make tourism and Conservation compatible Weather Spring is cool in Kamhatka. Also much snow still covers the mountains and sometimes also the roads. This time has its own special circumstances when nature is just waking up and slowly comet into its full beauty. Clothing Hiking gear, double layers, good waterproof hiking jacket and boots. Also clients must bring their sleeping bags. Flights to and from Kamchatka will be changed in April. As soon as we have the new schedule we will advise you.
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