Kamchatka Peninsula
Kamchatka, located on the northeastern edge of Russia, is a unique land, full of contrasts and quite different from the rest of the country. Volcanoes here neighbor with glaciers, boiling geysers and hot springs with rushing rivers, waterfalls with lakes. This natural diversity could not but become the basis for the development of tourism, in particular, such directions as expedition, skiing and extreme tourism. In Kamchatka will not be bored not only fans of active recreation, but also those who love silence and unity with nature: where else in Russia you can almost all day to admire the smoking tops of hills, tenderly stroked by the rays of the sun?
Video: Kamchatka
” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen> Contents- Highlights
- Geography and climate
- History of Kamchatka
- Tourist potential of the peninsula
Sights of Kamchatka - Recreation and entertainment
- Transportation
- Where to stay
- How to get there
Highlights
Kamchatka is sometimes called “the edge of geography”, and in Soviet times the name of this peninsula, one of the largest in the country, was firmly fixed at the last desks in school classrooms. The pupils who took their seats there were even joked about: “Sits on Kamchatka”. Indeed, this land is associated with such notions as “distant”, “remote” and so on. However, today Kamchatka has undoubtedly become much closer than ever before. And all thanks to the active development of tourist infrastructure of the region. What you will not be offered here for a full-fledged rest: it is a rich excursion programs, and exclusive tours with hunting and fishing, underwater sports, cruises on the famous Avacha Bay, not to mention equestrian and ornithological journeys and, of course, health and cultural and ethnographic tourism. It is also worth mentioning snowmobile and helicopter tours, but it will be far from a complete list.
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Kamchatka is a land of pristine nature, so it is not surprising that there are as many as 3 state reserves, 5 natural parks, 19 zakazniks, which are also protected by the state, and 169 other unique natural objects. A total of 18% of the territory of this remote, in many ways harsh, but so alluring region is protected. Thus, the UNESCO World Heritage List includes 6 specially protected local natural sites, united by the common name “Volcanoes of Kamchatka”. However, no statistics, even the most impressive, can replace the unforgettable feelings and emotions that await everyone who sets foot on this land at least once. Today we say to everyone and everyone: welcome to Kamchatka!
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Geography and climate
Kamchatka is 1200 kilometers long, but its width is half that – 500 kilometers. This elongation has provided the peninsula with the role of a natural boundary between the Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, which washes the region from three sides. On the eastern side are the Commander Islands, in the south – the Kuril Ridge, which is part of the Sakhalin Oblast. In the north, already on land, the peninsula borders with the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, in the northwest – with the Magadan Oblast.
.Kamchatka is a kingdom of mountain ranges: wherever you look, you are sure to meet them. The local mountain-volcanic relief originates in the distant geological past, when, apparently, the peninsula was absorbed by the ocean and then released from its embrace. Numerous volcanoes burned this region with fire and ash in ancient times. A significant part of them, namely 141, have been extinguished over time, but 28 volcanoes are still active today. Earthquakes remain a common phenomenon in Kamchatka: local seismic stations register up to eight hundred tremors per year.
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The peninsula, as well as the Karaginsky and Commander Islands form a constituent entity of the Russian Federation within the Far Eastern Federal District – Kamchatka Krai, which appeared on the map of the country on July 1, 2007 as a result of the merger of the Kamchatka Oblast and the Koryak Autonomous Okrug. The administrative center of the region is the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
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Another peculiarity of Kamchatka’s climate is the presence of strong winds. It is they that bring abundant precipitation to the peninsula, the greatest amount of which falls on the southern regions. And in general, if we talk in general, the weather in Kamchatka changes a hundred times a day. However, this fact does not embarrass the local population in any way. Kids go out for fun even in a blizzard, go sledding, make snow women. Both children and adults do not pay attention even to earthquakes: for them 3-4 points are “trifles of life.”
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History of Kamchatka
The territory of modern Kamchatka was inhabited from ancient times by representatives of various nationalities: Ainu, Koryak, Itelmen, Kamchadals. From the name of the latter, according to one of the versions, the name of the peninsula was derived.
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In 1803, the Kamchatka region was formed as part of the Russian Empire, in subsequent years, however, more than once passed from one jurisdiction to another. In August 1854, the peninsula was attempted to be invaded by a combined force of British and French troops, but the Russian garrison troops successfully repulsed the enemy attack.
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Tourist potential of the peninsula
Despite the by no means tropical climate, the Kamchatka region, this distant and fabulous land, is attractive for tourists and welcomes them all year round. The development of the relevant infrastructure has recently received a noticeable impetus here. In such picturesque places as the Valley of Geysers, Lake Kurilskoye, Nalychevsky Nature Park, the Opale and Zhupanova rivers, as well as at the Khodutkinskiye, Malukinskiye and Tumrokskiye hot springs, tourist bases-campings, hunting lodges and even whole hunting camps, shelters are equipped, there are parking lots.
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Great opportunities for the development of ecological, sports, mountain and ski tourism, as well as sport fishing and hunting, diving, rock climbing, snowmobile and dog sled races are opened due to the presence of volcanoes and glaciers, thermal and mineral springs, i.e. the local natural diversity and mostly untouched by civilization flora and fauna.
.The list of tourist opportunities in Kamchatka also includes hiking or trekking, rafting on the plains and mountain rivers, which can be combined with both sport and amateur fishing, climbing mountain peaks, descents from volcanoes using helicopters, extreme ski tourism. Separately it should be said about diving: despite the fact that Kamchatka’s waters are cold, its animal and plant life is no inferior to tropical seas.
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Sights of Kamchatka
Not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 30 kilometers to the north, stretches the majestic Avacha group of volcanoes. Two of them – Avachinsky, whose height is 2741 meters, and Koryaksky (it is even higher: 3456 meters) – are active. This volcanic ridge is called the calling card of the peninsula, and it is it that welcomes travelers arriving at the airport “Yelizovo”. The foot of the Avacha volcano has become a favorite resting place not only for tourists, but also for the Kamchatka people themselves. In summer the locals make the already traditional “weekend routes” with climbing to its crater. In winter they practice skiing and descents on snow-covered slopes. Avachinsky last time demonstrated its formidable character in 1990-1991: the eruption was accompanied by the outpouring of powerful lava flows.
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From the northwest, another ridge adjoins the Avacha volcanic group, semicircumferentially covering the valley of the Nalycheva River. Among these ridges there are also two active volcanoes: Dzendzur, its height is 2521 meters, and Zhupanovsky, 2927 meters. In the upper reaches of the river there are many hot and cold mineral springs. And in its valley there is a natural park “Nalychevo”, where many tourist trails lead, the routes of which are not without climbing to the craters of active volcanoes and bathing in curative mineral waters.
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A unique place of volcanic activity not only in the Kamchatka region, but also in the whole planet is the caldera of the Uzon volcano. Unlike its cone-shaped brethren, it is a deep depression 9 by 12 kilometers, the age of which is about 40 thousand years. The word “caldera” does not mean anything scary and dangerous for life: it denotes such a natural phenomenon as steam coming from under the ground, so Uzon is also called “floating earth”. Stepping on the ground of the caldera – and such a unique opportunity you will have, if you find yourself here – literally to the bone feel the indomitable energy of the earth’s depths and clearly begin to realize that our planet is alive, it breathes. In addition to powerful columns of steam coming from hot springs, the caldera is also remarkable for its mineral lakes, clogging mud pots and numerous streams of various colors, against the background of the surrounding rocks looking just magical.
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After mainland Kamchatka, the biggest interest among tourists is the Commander Islands, which are sheltered by the Pacific Ocean at a distance of 250 kilometers east of the peninsula. The islands themselves and the surrounding 30-mile water area make up a single Commander Natural Biosphere Reserve, where the zone of economic activity is preserved. Within its boundaries, the indigenous inhabitants of the islands – the Aleuts – practice both traditional and modern areas of nature management.
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The main attractions of the reserve are rookeries of representatives of the local fauna: sea lions, sea lions, sea otters. Tourists are also attracted to the islands of Arii Kamen and Toporkov, where you can see colonies of rare species of birds. Among the sights one cannot but name Gladkovskaya and Poludennaya Bays of amazing beauty, as well as the unique natural monument “Steller’s Arch”. It is a geological structure, really resembling an arch, the height of which is about 20.6 meters. This rocky outcrop is a business card of the reserve, from it one can enjoy beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
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Many mountain rivers run on the Commander Islands, rich in fish and plunging waterfalls. On Bering Island there is the only village of Nikolskoye on the entire archipelago, it is also the center of the Aleutian National District. This settlement is connected with Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky only by air communication. Here there is a unique museum of local lore, in the funds of which are kept the rarest exhibits. For example, a cannon from the legendary packet boat “St. Peter”, the commander of which was Vitus Bering himself, or the skeleton of Steller’s cow. There are interesting samples of Aleut arts and crafts here. If you find yourself in Commander Bay, you can visit the grave of Bering, the discoverer of the archipelago. For tourists’ information: visiting the Commander Islands is usually included in the program of tours by prior request and is a one- or two-day helicopter tour.
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Well, and now we suggest you move to the Valley of Geysers, which is rightfully considered the “pearl” of this Far Eastern Russian peninsula. In general, geysers are a very rare phenomenon in nature, they are found only in a few areas of our planet, and when in 1941 they were discovered in Kamchatka by geographer T. Ustinova, this event became a real sensation. Today there are 22 large geysers in the region, as well as many boiling colored lakes, pulsating springs and mud pots. The largest among the geysers are Zhemchuzhny, Fountain, Giant and Bolshoi, whose names speak for themselves.
.The Valley of Geysers can be called exclusive, because it remains the only place on the planet where the geological processes of Earth formation are still ongoing. And this is its main difference from the geysers of Iceland, New Zealand and the United States. Kamchatka valley welcomes tourists, showing itself very vigorously. Your eyes will see jets of blowing steam, multi-colored splashes rushing upward, and the air invariably catches a slight smell of sulfur. Excursion programs usually start from the Big and Small geysers – the most powerful, beautiful and picturesque. Next are the Leshy, the Hell Gate, the Double Geyser and the already mentioned Fountain, striking with their unearthly shape. The biggest surprise for travelers is usually the eruptions of the largest geyser in the valley – the Giant. Just imagine: about 27 tons of boiling water it “shoots” to a 30-meter height in about 45 seconds!
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Another unique and unforgettable place in Kamchatka – Khodutka hot springs, located in the south of the peninsula, at the foot of the volcanoes Priemysh and Khodutka (the latter actually gave them their name). To be more precise, they are located right in the funnel of the volcanic explosion. The uniqueness of the springs is that you can swim in them all year round.
.No less famous and popular are other hot springs – Timonovskie, which are located relatively close to the city of Yelizovo (90 km). Hot baths in them are shown to sufferers of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological diseases, metabolic disorders, diseases of the digestive system, dermatological pathologies, lesions of the peripheral nervous system, and the water from these springs can also drink. And it really helps!
.Recreation and entertainment
So, your dream has come true, and there it is – Kamchatka! What to devote your time in this wonderful region, so multifaceted that at some point it may seem that you are not on Earth, but on some other uncharted planet? The question, as they say, is a riddle. But we know the answer to it, and there will be several variants of this answer.
.Let’s start with climbing volcanoes, the tops of which are piles of frozen lava of bizarre shapes and shimmering in the sun eternal glaciers, and foothills are literally teeming with life. Moreover, climbing – both on dormant and active volcanoes – is carried out not only by mountaineers, but also by ordinary amateurs. The main condition: you must be physically healthy. Tourists are accompanied to the top by experienced guides. They have appropriate equipment (helmet, adapted shoes) and are specially trained in glacier travel. The best time to make ascents is from March to October.
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Another favorite pastime of extreme sportsmen is river rafting, which is usually practiced from mid-May to mid-October. The most popular for this type of recreation are such Kamchatka rivers as the Levaya Avacha, Bystraya (Malkinskaya), Opala, Pymta and Plotnikova River.
If you are interested in leisurely and relaxing boat trips, you can go on a fascinating trip by boat on Avacha Bay. During the ride you will be able to see a unique natural monument – rocks “Three Brothers”. You will go to the open Pacific Ocean: the boat will go to the Starichkov Island, which will be remembered for a long time, because it is near this piece of land where seals breed. Besides, the boat comes close to bird markets. And if you see orcas, it can be considered as a real luck.
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The Kamchatka region literally magnetically attracts hunters, and it is not surprising: the brown bear, one of the largest representatives of the bear family, is found here. Its prevalence on the peninsula is also impressive. According to available data, there are 10 to 20 thousand brown bears here. Hunting for this animal is usually carried out in spring and fall. Statistics show that approximately one thousand bears are harvested in the region during the year.
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Avid hunters are no less proud of the trophy of the snow ram, especially since its extraction involves a lot of physical effort, not to mention a lot of practical experience and elementary luck. The snow sheep found in Kamchatka are divided into two subspecies: the Kamchatka snow sheep and the Koryak snow sheep. August-November is the season of sport hunting for it. An average of 150 animals are hunted per year.
.Also hunted in Kamchatka are moose, polar wolf, wolverine, lynx and reindeer. The hunting of elk is carried out from fall to mid-winter, but for the other named animals it is not so widespread. The reason is the small number of populations and difficult accessibility of shooting areas. Hunting is also allowed for a very beautiful but rare bird – stone grouse, but only during one week in May. Meanwhile, fishing remains one of the main fisheries in Kamchatka. Pacific salmon of various species swims into local rivers in large quantities every year. There is a lot of it – hundreds of thousands! Some fish are simply huge, their size exceeds a meter.
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Kamchatka, like, for example, Switzerland and other Alpine states, is hard to imagine without such entertainment as alpine skiing and snowboarding. The routes here are laid out for all tastes: both for beginners and for extreme riders. The fields of untouched snow in the period from November to July stretch for many kilometers, opening up fantastic opportunities for skiing. Only in Kamchatka and nowhere else can skiers make descents directly into the craters of active volcanoes or from the mountain slopes get directly to the hot springs.
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Transportation
The road network in Kamchatka is underdeveloped, so the main transportation that brings both locals and tourists to remote and inaccessible places is aviation, primarily by helicopter. Flight passenger buses, minibuses and cars are usually used within the boundaries of many settlements, such as Ust-Kamchatsk, Milkovo, Ust-Bolsheretsk, Klyuchi, Esso, and, of course, in the capital of the Land of Volcanoes and Geysers – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
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Fans of a more relaxed and measured rest can recommend the sanatorium-resort zone Paratunka, located just 60 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Here are recreation centers, which are small hotel complexes. Each of them is equipped with one or even several pools with hot water from local mineral springs. At the choice of vacationers as a general housing, and separately located cottages.
.How to get there
In the town of Yelizovo, which is 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, there is an airport that receives flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as Magadan, Vladivostok, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Rostov-on-Don, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk.
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Above we have already said that there are no railroads on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
We have already mentioned above that there are no railroads on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
