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Kamchatka will stay an unforgettable experience after travelling to Kronotsky Nature Reserve. There are many spectacular things to see even for experienced travellers. There are warm waterfalls flowing down form basalt rocks, groves of sea plants and noisy bird colonies on the Pacific Coast, narrow paths with walls of giant grasses and flowers, magnificent volcanoes with steaming tops, deep valleys with rivers full of salmon going upstream to spawn and many different species of wild animals. Sometimes it is possible to watch peaceful groups of bears grazing among tundra bushes.

Kamchatka was inhabited about 15 thousands years ago. The first settlers to come there were ancient hunters, the ancestors of the North-American Indians, who inhabited North America having crossed Kamchatka and Chukotka. About 10 thousands years ago, a local culture was formed by the peoples migrated from Asia to Alaska. They were the ancestors of present Eskimos, Aleuts and Itelmen. And their ‘culture of nature’, was based on the people’s wide use of marine and continental flora and fauna in their everyday life.

The first Russian explorers were coming to Kamchatka in the early 17th century. In the second part of the 17th century there were several expeditions to the Peninsula. The exploration of Siberia and Kamchatka continued faster and faster in 19-20 centuries. Nowadays Kamchatka still remains a wild region, one of the few places on the Earth where nature can be still found in its primary state. About 30% of its territory are being preserved in different national reserves. The oldest and the most famous natural reserve of the peninsula is certainly Kronotsky Nature Reserve.

Kronotsky Nature Reserve is situated in the South-East of Kamchatka. The total square of the Reserve is about 1 million hectares. Kronotsky Reserve is one of the first nature reserves in Russia. People started protecting these lands even in the early 18-th century, when they realised that the amount of wild sable and some other animals was decreasing year by year. Kronotsky Reserve is also famous due to its unique variety of nature complexes, which represent mostly all the main nature complexes existing in Kamchatka Peninsula. Since 1977 mass tourism in Kronotsky preserve has been completely prohibited. These factors have saved and preserved this place and made it almost untouched by economic activity.

Kronotsky Reserve is also famous for the Uzon Caldera and the world-known unique natural phenomenon Geysers Valley. Indigenous Itelmen people considered these places as a residence of their almighty Spirits who lived in secret places. There are many geysers, hot springs and other thermal sources in the Geyser Valley. Every second there are about 250-300 liters of thermal water pouring out in the Geyser Valley. The fountain of Velikan (Giant) Geyser is 2 meters in diameter and goes up to 30 meters. Other geysers are not so huge, although they are very impressing too. The Uzon Caldera and Geysers Valley were explored by European travellers only in the second half of the 20th century and this place was also closed to Russian citizens in Soviet times.

 

Some long days and some steep ascents to the passes and crater rims. Our route follows trails but they are not way marked nor well trodden for the most part.

 

The climate is rather extreme with snows and cold clear weather from November to April. But summers can be surprisingly warm. As the winter snows are slow to melt, July, August and September are the best time for trekking although ski-touring is perfect in spring time. Late summer and autumn bring the magnificent reds and yellows to the landscape and this is the time when Kamchatkan bears are berry-picking and fishing for the Pacific salmon which ascend the rivers in vast numbers.

 The weather is not extreme at the trekking time, day temperatures in the mountains are about +20 C. Warm clothes are required for evening and nights. Full, lightweight, waterproofs required as some rain should be expected anytime. Waterproof, strong walking boots with good ankle support are essential but you will also find waders are very useful when crossing streams and swampy terrain. Light weight trousers are useful for the lush undergrowth through which the route goes.

Walking poles can be very useful especially for river crossings and boulder fields.

 

Russian visa is required to enter into the territory. Detalied visa information will be send in pre-departure documents.

There are no vaccinations required for entry into the area but please consult your doctor regarding travel to Kamchatka. In particular mention encephalitis from tick bites. You will need a good insect repellent against mosquitoes for their nuisance value although they are not malaria carrying.