#412 To the Land of bears and active volcanoes

We are delighted to offer you an exotic route to the inimitable, undisturbed and primordial Southern Kamchatka. You will be impressed by the treasures of Golygina lake, abundance of wild life and rich flora and fauna of the area. We take a helicopter flight to ancient caldera of Ksudach volcano, have an excursion around the crater lakes Kluchevoye and Shtubelya, then flight to the Golygina base where you will be accommodated in wooden lodge and spend some days exploring the area. It is a nice chance to observe brown bears, sea eagles and other animals in a wild. Be on the look-out! Bears may be met close and personal! In the end of the trip helicopter brings you to the Mutnovsky vlc area for ascending active Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes for stunning views and also relax in Rodnikoviye hot springs. The dates preferable for the kind of the route are in mid July to late August.

Departure: August 25^th  – September 03^rd

Day 1. Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Rest and unwind from travel. Accommodation in a hotel.

Day 2. Helicopter to Lake Kliuchevoye of Ksudach vlc. We board our helicopter MI-8 and fly into the caldera of Ksudach volcano passing by series of the southern volcanoes: Vilyuchinsky, Mutnovsky, Gorely, Opala, Asacha, Khodutka, - those you will be able to see if the weather favours (appx 1 hr). Land near the hot spring of Lake Kliuchevoye. Excursion to Shtubelya Crater Lake and waterfall. Flight to Golygino base. Overnight in a wooden lodge. A dining room, fireplace are available on the base.
During the next few days you will be able to watch the abundant wildlife including biggest in Kamchatka brown bear and many birds living in their natural habitat undisturbed by anyone. The landscape is stunning with spectacular volcanic peaks, mountains and small volcanic cones dominating the horizon. Bear is not dangerous as it is fed up with plenty of salmon living in the lake, and besides you are protected by an armed guide

Day 3. Staying in log cabins beside the 2km long Golyginskoe Lake, we explore the birch forests, surrounding tundra, and the lake. The group is divided into 2 parts for this day trip when one part participates in a boat excursion on the Golyginskoye lake, another has a walking trip to a bear's den (6 km on road and tundra).

Day 4. The same program as on day 3, but the groups trade places. Overnight in the lodge

Day 5. Today we have an excursion to the Kuzanyek river to watch spawning salmon and if you are lucky even fishing bears (5 km along the tundra, picnic on a shore). Overnight in lodge.

Day 6. Flight to the area of Mutnovsky vlc. Set up tented camp and after lunch we will have a short excursion to Canyon Opasny to see the waterfall (100 m). Return to the camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 7. Ascent of Mutnovsky vlc. On Mutnovsky you will be impressed by this perpetually changing natural wonder of steaming fumaroles, boiling mud pots and glaciers of this huge volcanic massif. In March 2000 steam blasts rocked one of the craters while within it a glacier began to collapse. A large section of the glacier vanished and a blue acid lake appeared amid the broken ice. Standing on ice you will at the same time feel the hot breath of the earth here. Return to the camp (6-8 hours in total). Overnight in tents.

Day 8. Today we put the camp off and drive to the foot of another active volcano that is Gorely. Ascend to the top at 1829 m (about 5-6 hrs) to see the string of craters for stunning views. Drive to Rodnikovaya hot spring area (1.5 hours). Relax in natural hot springs. Overnight in tents.

Day 9. Rest and bathe in Rodnikovaya, excursion to the waterfall and to old gold mine (1-2 hours). After having lunch we drive back to PKC. Hotel accommodation.

Day 10. Transfer to the airport and departure.

Group size is 10-15.

Included are accommodation, bеd & breakfast in the city, full board en route, helicopter, all transfers and local transportation, guide, interpreter and cook services, visa invitation and visa registration, permits.