Kamchatka is one of the most mysterious places on the planet
Today Kamchatka is accessible to everyone: tireless seekers of adventure who fly in to "say hello" to dormant volcanoes and countless glaciers, to see with their own eyes how geysers pulse. Arriving first in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – the administrative center of Kamchatka Krai – you can stay for a couple of days to explore local attractions. There are few entertainments here, but the city map http://www.city41.ru/map will help you get to the bay where you can observe a Steller sea lion rookery. To encounter other animals, go on an excursion.
The Master of Kamchatka
Speaking of bears. In summer, you can observe an idyllic scene – bears "grazing" in a forest clearing. The Kamchatka bear prefers a fish diet to a meat one, and for several months, until the rivers fill with fish, the predator turns into a true vegetarian. Perhaps that is why local bears are not as aggressive as their Siberian relatives.
But these animals should not be underestimated: they can move heavy boulders with their claws and nimbly climb vertical slopes. So that everyone understands who is the master of Kamchatka.
Salmon Run
Kamchatka's fish-eating bears are understandable: the salmon in local waters is simply excellent, and watching its spawning becomes a mandatory item in the program of tourists arriving in Kamchatka in mid-June. Having changed their silvery scales for a bright mating "attire," they swiftly follow the route of "life and death," clearly demonstrating how intricately and at the same time simply nature is arranged.
Kamchatka Volcanoes: The Most, The Most...
Local residents treat volcanoes with great reverence – they always ask their permission before climbing and thank them when they return without "adventures." Extra caution here really does not hurt. For example, Klyuchevskaya Sopka – the highest active volcano in Eurasia – is known for its difficult character: it likes to "throw" stones and only allows the most trained and resilient to approach. The stubborn old man is about 7,000 years old, but he is still growing (currently his height is 4,835 meters). Usually Klyuchevskaya Sopka erupts once every 5-6 years. The last time this happened was in August 2013, so travelers planning to visit the peninsula this year have a chance to avoid the wrath of the Kamchatka old-timer.
But the most predictable local volcano – Bezymianny – erupts twice a year, like clockwork. The most unusual volcano is named Maly Semyachik. In one of its craters is an acid lake of azure color. The temperature of this wonder reservoir ranges from 27 to 42 degrees, and in terms of mineralization, the lake is comparable to a solution of sulfuric and hydrochloric acids.
The title of the most mysterious volcano belongs to Golbachik, whose slopes resemble fantastic landscapes, like sets for a space saga. It is not surprising that it was here that the first Soviet lunar rovers were tested.
Valley of Geysers
Perhaps you will be one of the three thousand lucky ones who visit the Valley of Geysers this year – entry is strictly limited to that number to minimize human interference in the unique landscapes. On a small area of the valley, everything bubbles, murmurs, shimmers with dozens of shades, and drives you crazy.
As befits a real fairy tale, getting there is not easy – ten days on foot from the village of Milkovo. Therefore, the best option is a helicopter tour. Such an adventure will not be cheap (more than $300), but those who have tried it once return "for more."
This natural gem was discovered relatively recently and completely unexpectedly. In April 1941, during one of the research expeditions, they noticed a hot stream of water suddenly burst from the ground – this was the first officially recorded geyser in Kamchatka. It is easy to lose your head from the incredible play of water and light, but it is better not to lose vigilance: after all, this is boiling water, and you can get scalded. And under the seemingly harmless grass, which beckons you to sit and rest in summer, there is often a burning slurry, and the depth of such hot "quicksand" sometimes exceeds a meter.
5 "Winter" Things to Do in Kamchatka
1. Ski down a volcano slope. And this will be the most unforgettable ride. Because first you will ascend to the top of the volcano by helicopter, and then descend along an untouched snowy slope. This type of winter entertainment is called heliskiing, and one day of skiing will cost several hundred dollars.
2. Swim in thermal springs. Just imagine: snow all around, and you are swimming outdoors! There are many hot springs on the peninsula, and each has its own unique composition. For example, the Paratunka springs are rich in silicic acid, which is beneficial for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, skin and gynecological diseases. But keep in mind: you cannot stay in such microelement-saturated water for longer than 15 minutes.
3. Ride a dog sled. Until the mid-1950s, dog sleds were practically the only "transport" here, traveling between settlements in winter. They delivered mail, food, and medicine to the most remote corners of the peninsula. And today, tourists are taken along a specially laid route with picturesque views of the Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes.
4. Go fishing. Fishing is a separate, and sometimes the most important, item in the program for those arriving on the island. And no wonder: here you can find sockeye salmon, chum salmon, halibut, flounder, smelt, and many other types of fish. And catching a 20-kilogram chinook salmon while sitting on the bank of a beautiful river surrounded by volcanoes is a special, indescribable pleasure!
5. Meet locals and attend a shamanic ritual, listen to throat singing and drum playing, learn to dance an ethnic dance – all of this is quite possible.