16 days detailed itinerary

The following itinerary is intended as a working guide only and it is a subject to variation as a result of local conditions, weather and governmental restrictions. We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) the trek at any time if necessary. Aeroflot domestic timetables are altered occasionally and it may be necessary to vary our itinerary to adapt to these changes.

Day 1. Departure from Moscow. Overnight flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski.

Day 2. Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamtchatski. Transfer to Paratunka hot springs resort area not far from the city. Accommodation in a hotel heated by thermal springs. Bathing in the hotel's swimming-pool. Trek briefing.

Day 3. Drive to the foot of Gorelyay Sopka Volcano not far from the picturesque Viliuchenskaya Sopka Volcano (by 4WD vehicle 3-4 hours, and 2 hours walking). Camp.

Day 4. Ascend Gorelaya Sopka Volcano, walking on volcanic ash, alpine tundra and gently angled snow. There is a beautiful panorama of Viliuchinskaya Sopka and other volcanoes. The main crater is deep and extensive crater with lake inside it. Descend to the same camp. Gorelaya Sopka is an active volcano. The latest 'big' eruption started here in September 1979 and lasted for more than a year. It is possible to watch gentle fumarola activity of one of the craters (Aktivny ("active") crater). To the west a chain of interesting craters can be explored: Zapadny "west" Crater is extinct, then a nest of crater consists of craters of different sizes and shapes among them being the almost ideally round, vertical-sided, Cylinder Crater. Further east lies the biggest and the most beautiful, Goluboye Oziero ("blue lake") Crater. Another small blue lake occupies the bottom of the Chasha ("bowl") Crater. The ascent takes 6-7 hours.

Day 5. Walk 3-4 hours to the new campsite. Camp. Radial walk to the waterfalls.

Day 6. Ascend of Mutnovskaya Sopka volcano (2300 m). Its active crater makes an amazing combination of magnificent hanging glaciers, lava rocks, poles of steam, huge natural boiling lakes of mud, small caves with bubbling pots of sulphuric acid, bright yellow rocks of crystalline sulphur and much more. The crater (about 4 km in diameter and 400m deep) is filled by glacier except some small thermal site (100 - 200 m) issuing up light swirling column of gases and steam. Steep walls surround a tremendous "bowl", shining in the sun with glaciers covering its slopes. A marvelous view. Mutnovskaya Sopka is one of the most active volcanoes of Kamchatka. Sometimes the steam column goes up to the altitude almost 1 km. During the last century there were 10 eruptions (the last one being in 1960). The area is covered by small springs with lots of volcanic mud. It is possible to walk in boots, but sometimes only in high rubber boots. The ascent takes 6 - 8 hrs. During the ascent we will most likely need to walk on the snow (gently angled). Descend to the camp.

Day 7. Walk over Pioneersky pass to the Dachnye hot springs (12 km). Camp. Bathing in the hot springs.

Day 8. Walk down the old unused road to Voinovskie hot springs (about 18 km). This day walk will involve several river crossings. The springs are at the river terrace and sometimes get covered with sand. If you dig out sand you find hot water coming up. Camp. Beautiful waterfalls are nearby and it is possible to go there in the afternoon.

Day 9. Walk to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The route passes through the thick forest, so one will be able to see huge kamchatka vegetation. Although it is not very difficult as most of the time we will walk along an old unused road. This day we will also have to cross rivers many times. Camp on the Pacific coast. Bathing. Salmon fishing is possible. Fishermen normally stay there and salmon dinner is most likely.

Day 10. Walk along the Zhirovaya river valley to Zhirovskye hot springs (about 4 hours). Camp. Bathing in the hot springs. Salmon fishing on the Zhirovaya river might be possible on the way. Rest in the afternoon.

Day 11. Walk over Tuneev Pass. The pass is rather steep (the steepest ascent of the trek). We will walk up by the small stream (about 10-15sm deep). Sometimes we will need to walk on the snow. We will also need to walk through thick Kamchatka vegetation and bushes for some time before we start ascending the pass and on descending. The very first part of the decent is rather steep. The pass provides magnificent views of the Zhirovaya river valley on the way up, and of Viliuchinski volcano on the way down. Camp on a small meadow half the way down from the pass. About 7-8 hours. Camp.

Day 12. Continue walking to Viljuchinskye hot springs. We will be walking through Kamchatka thick forest vegetation, along a narrow path. Several river crossings on this day. Camp close to the hot springs. Viliuchinskie Hot Springs provide us with several hot pools where one can relax and enjoy nice views of the valley and neighboring volcanoes. Bathing in the hot springs. Salmon fishing on the Viliucha river might be possible (if spawning is good).

Day 13. Walk up along the road to the Viliuchinsky pass (1,5 hour). Transfer to Paratunka by a cross - country vehicle (3 hours). Accommodation in the hotel. Bathing in the swimming - pool.

Day 14. Transfer to Avacha tourist base near Avachinsky pass, 1.5-2 hours by a cross-country vehicle. Camp. Nice view of southern volcanoes, including Mutnosvkiaya, Viliuchinskaya and Gorelaya sopka.

Day 15. Ascent of Avacha volcano (2747 m) by easy route. (Altitude overall 1700m, average slopes are 20 -30% steep). The ascent does not require any special experience, walk on the volcanic ash and snow, trekking boots are enough. The crater of the volcano is blocked by the cold black lava and has some volcanic activity on the sides. Magnificent view of the Avacha bay, Pacific ocean and neighboring volcanoes. Descent to the Avacha tourist base. The total trip is about 8-9 hours. Transfer to the hotel. Rest.

Day 16. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Moscow.

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