The Kingdom of Brown Bears

Itinerary

Itinerary View map

Day 1:Arrival to Kamchatka

Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. From the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for rest and acclimatisation. Meet your fellow travellers during a welcoming dinner at the city's restaurant.

Day 2:Ksudach volcano by helicopter

Morning flight by MI-8 helicopter to Kurilskoye Lake, with a stopover at the Ksudach Volcano and bathing in hot springs. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to enjoy excursions along the lake’s pumice rock beach, where you’ll be briefed about the next day’s activities.

Day 3-4:Kurilskoye Lake: bears watching

Kurilskoye Lake is without a doubt one of the best places on earth to spot and photograph brown bears in their natural habitat, so the next two days is devoted to observing these mighty mammals as they hunt the salmon that gather here in their millions during the late summer months.

Day 5:Khodutka River hot springs

Our afternoon MI-8 helicopter flight will drop us off on the banks of the Khodutka River for a bathe in the thermal hot water springs, and then one more flight to the Mutnovsky Volcano plateau, where we set up a tent camp for next 2 nights.

Day 6:Mutnovsky volcano

After breakfast at the camp, we set out for a full day trek up the Mutnovsky volcano. With two options for the walk depending on the group’s physical ability.

Day 7:Gorely volcano

Today’s challenge takes us to Gorely, one of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. In the evening, transfer to the hotel in the Paratunka Valley.

Day 8:Avacha bay cruise

Today, we’ll enjoy the day cruising and discovering the wildlife-rich waters of the Avacha bay. After cruising and sea fishing from the boat you'll enjoy a short city tour with a visit to the Geology Museum.

Day 9:Optional helicopter tour to the Valley of Geysers

Today the choice is yours to either enjoy free day exploring Petropavlovsk at your leisure, or join an optional scenic helicopter flight to the World Heritage site of the Valley of Geysers and the crater of the mighty Uzon volcano.

Day 10:Departure

Today marks our final day in the Kingdom of Brown Bears. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport.

Inclusions

Inclusions

Accommodation

• 3* hotel accommodation in Petropavlovsk (3 nights)
• 3* hotel accommodation in Paratunka (1 night)
• Wooden cabin on Kuril Lake (3 nights)
• Base camp (tents) on the plateau of Mutnvovsky volcano (2 nights)

Meals

Full board (B,L,D)

Transportation

Group airport arrival and departure transfers

All transportation on tour according to the itinerary (coach, 6wd truck, helicopters, boats)

Guides

Professional local English-speaking guide, helper, chef

Activities and sights

All activities indicated in the itinerary (except optional tour to the Valley of Geysers):

• brown bears watching on Kurilskoye Lake
• trekking volcanoes: Mutnovsky and Gorely
• hot springs bathing
• sea fishing and marine life watching on a cruise around Avacha Bay
• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city tour

Other

• Kronotosky Reserve entry fees and photography fees
• camping equipment, except sleeping bag (can be rented on spot)
• Russian tourist visa support documents

*Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for comprehensive visa service here.

Not included

Flights, travel insurance, visa, optional excursions, individual transfers, alcohol, tips

Dates & Prices

28 Jul - 6 Aug 2018 Guaranteed Departures
Dates	Availability	Price	Single sup.
6 Aug - 15 Aug 2018 Guaranteed Departures
9 Aug - 18 Aug 2018 Guaranteed Departures
12 Aug - 21 Aug 2018 Guaranteed Departures
18 Aug - 27 Aug 2018 Guaranteed Departures
27 Aug - 5 Sep 2018 Guaranteed Departures
2 Sep - 11 Sep 2018 Guaranteed Departures
5 Sep - 14 Sep 2018 Guaranteed Departures
11 Sep - 20 Sep 2018 Guaranteed Departures
19 Jul - 28 Jul 2018 Guaranteed Departures	null	null	null