Sea Kayaking in Kamchatka

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Sea Kayaking in Kamchatka

Day 1: Welcome to Kamchatka

Arrive in Petropavlovsk -Kamchatsky, the administrative, cultural and industrial center of Kamchatka, home to around 180,000 people.

From the airport, you’ll be transferred to a guesthouse in town, where you will take your time to relax and acclimatise. Meet a guide for a tour of Petropavlovsk, allocation of equipment and a short briefing on a tour ahead.

Day 2: Avacha Bay and Starichkov Island

Set out from the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Head southwest, traversing the calm waters of Avacha Bay, enclosed on all sides by green hills and snowy volcanoes. Our journey begins at Srednyaya Lagernaya Bay, the small part of scenic Avacha Bay – one of the world's biggest bays. From here we start paddling southwest, savouring the unique experience of manoeuvring between the hulls of huge ships anchored in the bay. We traverse through the narrowest part of Avacha Bay, enclosed on all sides by lush green hills and snowy volcanoes. Out here in the vastness of the Pacific, you’ll ride swirling waves like a giant carousel.

After a while, you’ll start to notice the accumulation of rocky debris sticking out of the water, signifying our approach to Starichkov Island Nature Reserve. This incredible wilderness is one of the most spectacular sights of Kamchatka – made up of long white beaches, a labyrinth of weatherworn rocks and colonies of sea birds in breathtaking numbers. Red-faced and pelagic cormorants, Pacific gulls, kittiwakes, Pacific and spectacled guillemots, tufted puffins and horned puffins are just some of the birds that nest here in the summer. In the evening, we set up a camp on a white pebbled beach on the island.

If we have time in the evening, a trek to the middle Starichkov will take us to a solar-powered lighthouse with jaw-dropping views of Vilychinsky, Koryak, Avachinsky and Kozelsky volcanoes. The evening provides atmospheric light for photography, with the sun dropping behind the mountains and the Kamchatka sky transformed into a delicate palette of oranges and pinks.

Day 3: Vilyuchinskaya and Zhirovaya Bays

After circumnavigating the island, we head to the most picturesque bays of Kamchatka – Vilyuchinskaya and Zhirovaya. Vilyuchinskaya Bay goes deep into the land. Its coasts are almost parallel to one another and all together stretch for 17.5km. Being one of the most beautiful bays of Kamchatka, it offers a stunning view of the nearby Vilyuchinsky volcano.

Zhirovaya Bay stretches for 13.5km between capes Kruty and Razdelny. It offers a 3km long sandy beach. This bay is one of the most beautiful places in Kamchatka. Several waterfalls flow from the surrounding cliffs. Year-round visitors come here for fishing, kayaking and scuba diving.

Set up a camp at Zelyony (“Green”) Cape and enjoy starry nights sky.

Day 4-5: Kekurny Cape and Russkaya Bay

Our destination for today is Kekurny Cape.

Here will be greeted by the sight of dozens of largo (common seals) basking in the early morning rays. The seals are bold, playful and curious and not at all afraid of kayakers. The north side of the island is a reliable spot to watch dolphins play, and to observe the magnificent Steller sea lions, the heaviest of all sea lions and one of the rarest. Next, we head to the charming bay of Russkaya (“Russian Bay”), located in the south-western part of the Avacha Gulf. The craggy shores of the bay offer impressive sights, reminding of a Norwegian fjord and serving as a natural shelter for ships in the past.

The panoramas of the imposing inland mountains and volcanoes add to the dramatic impact of being in this spectacular bay. With a bit of luck, we’ll spot whales on their migration route. Killer (“Orca”) whales and dolphins are also common in the surrounding waters.

Day 6: Heading back to the city

Board a Sea Catamaran from the cruise back to the city. On the way, we will enjoy marine wildlife watching, sea fishing and sunbathing. Share some stories with your friends about the trip, as today is our last day in Kamchatka. Upon arrival at the seaport, you’ll be transferred to the guesthouse in the city.

Day 7: Free day or optional activities

This day is planned as a spare day in case of bad weather. Or you can choose to join one of the optional excursions we have on offer, such as helicopter excursions to the Valley of Geysers or Kuril Lake (for brow bears watching), cultural immersion at the ethnic centre, rafting and fishing and others.

***The program can be finished on this day upon request, contact us for prices just for kayaking part of the itinerary (day 1-7).

Day 8: Mutnovsky volcano ascending

After breakfast at the camp, we set out for a full day trek up the Mutnovsky volcano.

The trek is an enjoyable adventure for everyone, with the highlight being a stroll into the active caldera. The trek covers just under 7km, with a rise of 600m. A gentle stroll soon starts to climb steadily on the bedded volcanic rock of the Mutnovsky slopes, following a stream which emerges from the caldera gorge ahead.  Beyond the track, a foot trail climbs past old bore holds spouting steam, with views of a number of peaks in the distance. The route makes a long traverse on a mix of rough tundra, lava blocks and banks of air-fall ash and pumice. It crosses three broad snowfields before a final rise to the mouth of the caldera gorge. The caldera floor is at an altitude of 1,540m, which is still 800m below the ice-capped summit of Mount Mutnovsky. A picnic lunch will take place some distance from the active fumaroles. Afterwards, we’ll return to the city, with a stopover at Opasny Canyon on the way.

Day 9: Vachkazhets volcano

Today we hike around Mount Vachkazhets, a volcano which was once a one-cone volcano before exploding and splitting into three different summits, and explore its surroundings.

Vachkazhets and its surroundings are among the most beautiful spots in Kamchatka, telling a story stretching back to ancient times when Vachkazhets was a one-cone volcano before exploding and dividing into three parts. You will be able to take in the scenic surrounds and appreciate the serene quiet at a picnic lunch during the trek.

Day 10: Free day or optional activities

This day is planned as a spare day in case of bad weather. Or you can choose to join one of the optional excursions we have on offer, such as helicopter excursions to the Valley of Geysers or Kuril Lake (for brow bears watching), cultural immersion at the ethnic centre, rafting and fishing and others.

Day 11: Departure

It's time to say goodbye as our adventure is finished.

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure back home. Or prolong your tour in Kamchatka for a couple of more days, enjoying volcanoes trekking or helicopter excursions to the best spots of this beautiful region.

Included