10 sights of Kamchatka that will take your breath away

The capital of the Kamchatka Territory is the city of Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky. It is from here that all trips around the peninsula begin. The airport in Yelizovo accepts tourists who want to see volcanoes, plunge into hot springs and get acquainted with the unique nature of Kamchatka.

1. Valley of Geysers

Valley located in the caldera of the Uzon volcano in the region of the Eastern mountain range. Its area is small - about 6 square kilometers. There are many hot lakes, mud pots, pulsating and boiling springs. And of course, geysers - small earthen cones that regularly throw fountains of hot water and steam into the air. There are about 60 of them here.

If you are going to the Valley of Geysers, be sure to take a camera or a smartphone with a good camera with you: there are many beautiful views here. And don't forget your swimwear to swim in the lakes with warm water from thermal springs.

You can also see brown bears in the Uzon volcano caldera. Of course, from afar - tourists can get here only as part of an organized group and accompanied by rangers who monitor the safety of guests.

How to get there: You can get to the Valley of Geysers only by helicopter along with an excursion group. The point of departure is the airfield in the city of Yelizovo, which is located near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. You can apply for a visit at page official website of the Kronotsky Reserve. Another option is to contact travel agencieswho cooperate with him.

2. Kronotsky Reserve

In addition to the Valley of Geysers, there are eight active volcanoes, waterfalls and the only grove in the world where grows graceful Kamchatka fir.

Here you can see Kronotskoye lake with a unique ecosystem. Larch and spruce trees grow on its banks, and in the eastern part of the reservoir there are several islands where slaty-backed gulls nest. In the neighborhood, on the mountain slopes, peregrine falcons live. Sometimes golden eagles and gyrfalcons are seen here. And in spring and early summer, Dolly Varden, a fish from the salmon family, goes to Lake Kronotskoye to spawn.

But the main symbol of the lake is swans. In late autumn, dozens of birds fly here and stay until spring, until the northern lakes are cleared of ice.

The reservoir is located at the foot of the Kronotskaya Sopka - the largest active volcano reserve. This is a regular cone with a height of about 3,500 m. Even in summer, you can see a white cap of snow and ice on its top.

In the nature reserve inhabit populations of rare and protected animals - 11 of them are included in the Red Book of Russia. In the forests you can meet bighorn sheep and Kamchatka fire fox, wolverine, sable and wild reindeer. Seals, sea lions and seals are found on the coast. Rare birds also nest here - for example, the Japanese crane, Steller's sea eagle and albatross.

Another local pride is the population of brown bears. There are over seven hundred of them.

An interesting fact: since 2022, a volunteer school has appeared in the reserve. The format is remote. You need to apply, go through training, pass exams and sign up for a shift. All details can be found here.

How to get there: by plane to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Further - by helicopter from Yelizovo. List of excursions There is on the official website, where you can leave a request. In addition, tickets can be purchased from tour operator.

3. Klyuchevskaya Sopka

This highest from active volcanoes in Europe and Asia. Its age is about 7,000 years. Height - from 4750 to 4850 meters. Differences in the data most likely appeared because it can change slightly due to eruptions.

During calm periods, tourists visit Klyuchevskaya Sopka, but only as part of organized groups and accompanied by instructors. To climb to the top, prepared travelers need 8-10 hours. From the slopes of the volcano, picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes open up.

During eruptions, you should stay away from the hill. But you can take a picture or video of the puffs of smoke and steam from afar.

How to get there: usually tourists go to the foot of the volcano from the village of Klyuchi. You can get to it from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by bus number 218 or by car.

4. Kurile lake

This is a beautiful lake too. located on the territory of the Kronotsky Reserve, or rather, in the South Kamchatka Reserve. If you want to see brown bears in a comfortable environment for them, then this is the place for you.

In summer, shoals of sockeye salmon come to Kurile Lake to spawn. And bears love this fish very much. They are located on the shore and arrange fishing - at the same time here going about 200 animals.

Of course, you can't get close to them. Therefore, tourists who want to see Kuril Lake are accompanied by instructors during excursions.

There are very beautiful landscapes here. Guests take pictures Ilinskaya Sopka and other picturesque landscapes, trees and shrubs on the shores of the lake, bird colonies. So don't forget your camera if you come here.

How to get there: to Petropavlovka-Kamchatsky - by plane, from Yelizovo Airport - by helicopter. Time in the air is about an hour. Learn about excursions You can also visit the website of the Kronotsky Reserve.

5. Tolbachik

Tolbachik is a volcanic massif in the east of Kamchatka. It is formed by two volcanoes: extinct (Ostryi Tolbachik) and active (Plosky Tolbachik). Both are over 3,000 meters high.

This area will appeal to connoisseurs of unearthly landscapes. The fact is that volcanoes form an interesting group. The first is a cone covered with a snow cap. The second is a hill of a slightly lower height, from which columns of smoke escape from time to time.

Plosky Tolbachik is a restless volcano. Its last major eruption was fixed in 2012-2013, but the activity has not subsided even now. Interestingly, it does not emit plumes of smoke and water vapor into the air, like other volcanoes.

Its crater is filled with liquid lava, forming a hot lake. When it overflows, lava flows down the slopes of the volcano. Bright streams of all shades of red have been attracting tourists for several decades. If you do not come close to the lava river, it is safe to be in this area.

How to get there: from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by bus or car from the villages of Esso, Klyuchi or Lazo.

6. Dead forest

In the second half of the last century, scientists recorded two large fissure eruptions of Plosky Tolbachik. They differed from the usual ones in that there was an unexpectedly large amount of lava.

In 1975-1976, when It happened the first such eruption, lava flooded an area of ​​​​several square kilometers, burned grass and shrubs. When it froze, the earth turned black. From the trees there were only frozen trunks with bare branches. This is how the Dead Forest appeared - one of the main attractions of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

In 2013, when the second major eruption ended, the landscape became even more reminiscent of post-apocalyptic paintings. soil fell asleep thin volcanic ash. But today this area is safe, and you can walk on it.

And among the lava and ash, grass sprouts and flower buds began to appear. So the Dead Forest can still come to life.

How to get there: from Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky by bus or car to Klyuchi, Esso, Lazo.

7. Avacha Bay

This is one of the main symbols of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the capital of the region and the Pacific port.

Avacha Bay, or gulf, is located on the Pacific coast and is the main sea gate of Kamchatka. Its water area never freezes, and therefore the port can receive ships of any carrying capacity from all over the world all year round.

There are many grottoes and small islands on the territory of the bay where birds. From here you can see the distant cones of active and extinct volcanoes. And not far from the coast, the stone rocks “Three Brothers” rise from the water, which also became a symbol of Petropavlovsk. According to one legend, they protect the city from storms and high waves.

How to get there: from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by buses No. 102 and 104, by private car or taxi.

8. Avachinskaya Sopka

Avachinsky volcano, or Avachinskaya Sopka, is another symbol of the city. This is a high snow-covered cone, above which you can almost always see jets of white smoke. The hill is perfectly visible from the streets of Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky. Its height is 2700 m. The slopes are covered with thickets of stone birch and elfin cedar.

The hill is popular with lovers of active tourism. In the warm season, they climb to the top of the volcano. You can get there from the foot in about 6-8 hours. The route is not difficult, but still requires good physical preparation. And in winter it is better to climb only with instructors.

How to get there: the foot of the Avachinsky volcano can be reached by car from Petropavlovsk. Near the hill there are tourist and ski bases, and guests often stop there.

9. Resort area Paratunka

A small settlement 70 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has become a well-known sanatorium zone, where tourists from different parts of Russia come to relax and improve their health. There is a balneological resort with thermal springs and healing mud, there are many sanatoriums and recreation centers. There are restaurants and cafes.

There is no thermal power plant near the village, because thermal waters from the bowels of the earth are used for heating. And thanks to this, the air here is very clean.

It's worth coming here in winter. Taking a dip in the hot springs when there is snow around is a separate pleasure. However, in the warm season there are also many tourists here.

From Paratunka you can go on excursions to the nearest volcanoes - Mutnovsky, Gorely and Vilyuchinsky. From November to June, the slopes of the hills are covered with snow, so people go skiing here. Heli-skiing is also developing here - a kind of alpine skiing, the essence of which is to descend without pre-laid tracks, on untouched snow.

How to get there: from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by regular bus number 111 or by taxi.

10. Esso village

This village is located in the center of the Kamchatka Peninsula. It is built in the caldera of an extinct volcano and is surrounded by taiga. Hot springs are located on the outskirts, and right in the center, under the open sky, there is a pool with warm thermal water. You can swim in it both in summer and in winter.

However, the main attraction attracts tourists in Esso is an ethnographic museum. It appeared in 1982 and is dedicated to stories and culture of the indigenous peoples of the peninsula.

The exposition of the museum is located both indoors and outdoors. It includes both the traditional dwelling of the Koryaks and the huts of the Cossacks. The latter came to explore Kamchatka and eventually settled here next to the locals. A special place is given to the clothes, attributes and musical instruments of local shamans.

In March, a traditional dog sled race is held here - Beringia. The route runs through 12 villages, its length is more than 1,000 km. This race is a real holiday, which the locals are waiting for and tourists are happy to visit.

How to get there: from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by regular bus No. 215, by taxi or private car.