Russian Adventure - Heli-hiking

Ultimate Kamchatka

The ultimate birds-eye perspective on Kamchatka's wonders, steaming volcanoes, hot springs, reindeer herds, bears and geysers
Experience the best of the Kamchatka Peninsula the aid of a helicopter, for spectacular views and unforgettable hikes. Watch the world's biggest bears feasting on salmon in the shadow of volcanoes. Ascend the Tolbachik volcano for a full panorama of the Kluchevskoye volcano. Watch traditional reindeer herders as they move to their summer camps. Trek into the Valley of the Geysers to witness multi-color mud pots and spewing geysers. An incredible journey to see Mother Nature at her wildest.

Highlights:
" Bird's eye view of steaming volcanoes and crater lakes on the backdrop of the Pacific
" Ascend the Plosky Tolbachik volcano (3085m) for a full panorama of Kluchevskoye volcano group
" Track reindeer herders by helicopter and meet their families north of Esso
" See Kamchatka's brown bears fishing in pristine lakes
" Relax and contemplate the incredible surroundings from hot springs
" Ascending the Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes and viewing their incredible activity up close

Day 1 Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski. Rest at hotel, have lunch, and tour the city founded by Vitus Bering as a base for exploring the area between Asia and America. (L,D)
Day 2 Spectacular helicopter flight to Southern Kamchatka. Touch down at Ksudach Volcano to visit blue crater lakes. Take off again for the Golygynskoe Lake, a paradise for bears with plentiful fish. Overnight in lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 3 Search for bears and Stellar Sea Eagles from the safety of a motorboat. Enjoy the pristine forest on a hike with a forest ranger to see a close-up of how bears live. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Helicopter to the Khodutka volcano. Stop for a dip in the hot Khodutka River. Helicopter to the Gorely Volcano, dotted with 11 craters, and stop for a closer look. Fly around the steaming Mutnovsky volcano to glimpse its ice-falls separated by hissing fumaroles. Overnight at Paratunka Hot Springs hotel. (B.L.D)
Day 5 Take a research boat into the Avacha Bay to view Kamchatka from the sea. Visit Starichkov Island to view sea birds and mammals and the Northern Pacific sea life. (B,LD).
Day 6 Fly north into the Kronotsky Nature Preserve to camp on the bank of the Sestronka River. Make short trek into the Valley of the Geysers, an otherworldly valley with strange colored rock, boiling mud pots, and sprays of steam and water. (B,L,Q)
Day 7 Fly to Uzon Caldera to explore mud pots, bear tracks and geological wonders. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Ascend Plosky (flat) Tolbachik (3085m) for a panoramic view of the Kluchevsky group of volcanoes, including Kluchevskoy, the tallest active volcano in Eurasia. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Rest and explore the area near Tolbachik. Short hike to the dead forest and optional hike to the old and new craters. (B,L,D)
Day 11-13 Drive to Esso to enjoy traditional dancing of native people and observe them herding reindeer from the helicopter. (B,L,D)
Day 14 Departure (B)

Summary:

Days: 14 days/13 nights
Type of trip: Heli-hiking
Group: 5-12 people
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: June 15-August 15
Departure: June 30-July 13, 2002
June 29-July 12, 2003
Price: $4651 per person (5-8 people)
$3670 per person (9-12 people)
$ 400 Single Supplement

To learn more please enquire hobo.partner@t-online.de