Kamchatka eco tours, bear viewing, fishing, skiing, hiking and more

Skiing & Winter Fun!

Heli skiing – We offer heli skiing with Flory Kern Ski Berge Abenteuer from March to early May.  Join in, 10-14 skiers, 3 UIAGM guides. 

Ski tour - Nalychevo Nature Park Ski Tour and Avachinsky Volcano Ski Mountaineering Competition mid-April. Add a ski tour in the mountains and hills of the park prior to or after participating in or watching the competition. For two years in a row, a French team has claimed the top team award. You’ll find excellent opportunities, camp, with or without snow machine support. Contact us for details to plan your trip.

Ski marathon - Participate in the Avachinsky Ski Marathon, Russia’s first of the all-nation ski marathon extravaganza taking place all over the country in April each year.  Kamchatka’s marathon attracts several thousand enthusiastic cross country skiers of every level, from basic to world class athletes who come specially to ski this gorgeous route under the gaze of Avachinsky and Koriyakskiy volcanoes.  We can arrange an individual tour for 1-2 weeks, giving athletes who wish to participate, time to get acclimated to Kamchatka before participating in the ski marathon.

Biathlon – Kamchatka hosts some of the world’s outstanding biathletes in this late April international sport event.  Come and see champions from around the globe ski and shoot their way to victory in this challenging sport.  We can arrange week and two week custom tours which include watching the biathalon meet, followed by winter sports at per your interests and abilities.

Bakhening Volcano to Timonovsky Hot Springs Ski Tour- 14 days, best between March 15 and April 15. Cross the spectacular Central Kamchatka Mountain range and ski down into the Timonovsky Hot Springs Snow Sheep Reserve and out the Avacha River Valley on this 80 km route.  This is a trip for experienced backcountry skiers who can carry a backpack with their camping gear and their food.  Highest point 1,400 m and total elevation gain from road is 900 meters.

Bystrinsky Nature Park

Even New Year and Bystrinsky Nature Park horse trek or hiking trek mid-June. The treks may be organized for either before or after the festivities at Menedek for the Even New Year. Travel by public bus to Esso, spend a day visiting the fine ethnographic museum, the Chau-chiv Koriyak camp, and then drive 45 minutes to the Even village Anavgai and go to the cultural camp Menedek. Here the Even celebrate their New Year on June 21-22, the longest day of the year. Participate in traditional games, master dance classes, and top it all off with dancing in the marathon which lasts most of the night on June 21. After the holiday weekend, depart the village of Esso with your Native guides on their sturdy horses. Return to Esso and take the bus to the city.

The Koriyak aboriginal clan Andreanovka offers 1-3 day rafting trips on the Esso Bystraya River throughout the summer. Live at their camp ground or if you prefer a cozy small hotel, Esso has several to choose from. We recommend August or September for these trips when the numbers of mosquitoes diminish significantly. Plan a 10-day trip in the Bystrinsky Nature Park to include a rafting trip, cultural activities, hikes, and possibly horseback rides.

South Kamchatka Nature Park

Wildlife watching at Maly Khodutka available from July through September. This lodge on the east coast of Kamchatka is in the Bereg Chubuka Regional Reserve and the South Kamchatka Nature Park. Here there is dramatic scenery of a windswept bay, river, and high sea cliffs where you may see snow sheep, brown bear, and Steller sea eagles. Fly by helicopter to the base, 50 minutes flight from Yelizovo. Accommodations are rustic but with some conveniences like indoor toilet facilities, showers, and sumptuous meals. 3 double rooms are available. The itinerary is based on 7 days at Maly Khodutka and on return to the city transfer to the base camp at Avachinsky Volcano and spend 2 nights, ascend this 2741 meter volcano.

Backpacking in Yuzhno-Kamchatsky Park around Gorely and Mutnovsky Volcanoes  This route is available after about July 20 when the snow melts. Best in August. Mutnovsky Volcano (2324 m), 70 km southeast of Petropavlovsk, erupted in 2000 and has one of the world’s largest geothermal fields. The entire volcanic mass is composed of 4 craters flanked by vast flower-filled tundra. The Mutnovsky Geothermal plant supplies steam generators with part of Yelizovo’s electricity.  Gorely Volcano (1829 m) is 5 km from Mutnovsky Volcano.  Last erupting in 1984-85, Gorely consists of 11 superimposed craters.  Inside the active crater is a turquoise-blue acidic lake.  Drive by all WD truck to plateau, make camp and from there hike 3-7 days (depending on your wishes) in the area with a guide.

Klyuchevskoy and Bystrinsky Nature Parks

Hiking in Klyuchevskoy and Bystrinsky Nature Parks –this itinerary requires a minimum of 14 days, and better with 16 days.  Spectacular scenery, hiking on the shoulder of Zimina Volcano with views in good weather of the Klyuchevskoy group of volcanoes, through lava rock canyons. Also hike in a remote area of the Bystrinsky Nature Park. Contact us for more details.

Hike Tolbachik to Bezimyanniy and Zimina Volcanoes Late July to early August 14 days The Pacific Mountain Range features Klyuchevskoy Volcano, the highest active volcano in Eurasia. Surrounded by a bevy of gorgeous active and extinct volcanoes forming a ring of fire and fantastic scenery and volcanic landscapes.  This route can be adapted to the mountaineering skill levels of the participants ranging from active with moderate skills and experienced to advanced mountaineering.  Hiking distance is between 50 and 70 km dependent on whether or not you choose to ascend Zimina Volcano. 

South Kamchatka Federal Nature Sanctuary

The realm of salmon and bears Kurilskoye Lake Lake August 2-11 and August 21-30 Kuril Lake in South Kamchatka Sanctuary hosts the largest red salmon spawning in Eurasia. The abundance of food allows for the plentiful population of brown bears. Visit the lake when bears are present, when berries are ripe, and salmon are still plentiful for a once in a lifetime bear viewing opportunity. Following the visit to the lake visit other protected areas in Kamchatka.

Photograph Steller sea eagles at Kurilskoye Lake each winter to spring when the lake mostly freezes over, over 50 of these majestic birds congregate along with golden eagles and other birds in openings of the ice to catch salmon still swimming in the lake.  Conditions are cold and difficult, stay in Grassy Point Lodge.  But for hearty nature photographers this is the chance of a lifetime. Be aware that ice conditions on the lake vary from year to year and prior to booking such a tour, we will verify ice conditions have allowed the birds to congregate.

Bear Viewing at Kambalnoye Lake - a rare opportunity. Click HERE for details

Timonovsky Snow Sheep Regional Reserve

Hike around Bakhening Volcano in a 14 day total itinerary which includes 12 days of backpacking. If you are a good hiker in good physical condition, and can carry your own pack, food, and love to camp in wilderness settings, this is a spectacular hike. Visit high mountain lakes, hike along the shoulder of extinct Bakhening Volcano, bathe in Timonovsky Hot Springs, and visit Kastakan Lake as you make a big circular route. Best time is after August 15 as there are fewer mosquitoes. Also it is possible to ride horses to/from Timonovsky Hot Springs.

Nalychevo Nature Park

Nalychevo Nature Park is close to the cities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Yelizovo, and the border for hiking into the park is just a 20 minute drive from Yelizovo. Hiking in the park is very good from mid-June through September. It is 44 km by trail into the park center from Pinachevo ranger station. Experienced backpackers may take the trail into the park either with or without a guide. However park entrance fees and registration are required. Inside the park are either areas designated for camping or cabins for rent. Enjoy the scenery and wonderful hot springs! In August it is quite common to see brown bears.

It is also possible to charter a helicopter to be dropped off or picked up. As well we can arrange a horseback trip to/from the park.

Fly fishing

Rafting & Fishing the Kolpakova River by joining an international group. The Kolpakova is a lovely river with superb rainbow trout, char, and salmon fishing. Fly in/out with a helicopter.
Available dates: July 19-28, 2010; August 6-15, 2010; Sept. 8-18

Rafting and fishing the Vakhil River by joining an international group. Fish for coho, char, white-spotted char. Helicopter in/out of the river, raft between camp sites.
Available dates: Sept. 18-26; Sept. 24-Oct. 2

Shorebird migration!

Red-necked Stint

Witness one of the largest shorebird migrations on the East Asian flyway. Kamchatka’s West Coast is a vital staging and breeding area for many species of Charadriidae, with 50 species having been recorded, including the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper. May 16-28 and May 26-June 1, 2010. 6-10 passengers. Field camp. Lead by Dr. Yuri Gerasimov. Groups from 6 to 10 guests.
Price per person from $4689 (6 clients) to $3106 (10 clients)

Click HERE for details and itinerary

Dunlin-spring	Great Knot	Pacific Golden Plover
Spoon-billed Sandpiper	Terek Sandpiper	Whimbrel