Walking Grades and Fitness
Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individuals own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our grading system. The levels of difficulty are divided into categories B/C/D. Although the trekking is not at great altitude, it occasionally traverses rough terrain and involves some long days and steep climbs.

Grade B walks (Moderate): are for those of any fitness level who are able to traverse moderately hilly terrain. Walking is limited to day excursions from a central location to which you will be transported. These day hikes are normally no more than 6 hours in duration and all walking may be done with no backpack or with a light day pack.
Grade C walks (Strenuous): are for the more serious hill walker and a higher level of physical fitness is required. However, no special physical preparations should be needed. Walking days are normally 6-8 hrs and may involve up to 900m of ascent and descent. You should be prepared for several consecutive days of walking, sometimes at higher altitudes, so stamina is important. However, occasionally rest days in the course of the trek will be included.
Grade D walks (Tough): require that you are very fit and previous trekking experience is strongly recommended. Grade D includes long walks with steep uphill and downhill gradients. There will be some hiking at high altitudes (up to 4000m) and corresponding cold weather conditions. These treks will also involve several long days (up to 8-9 hours) of trekking continuously without a rest day.

#101. Viewing bears and Steller's Sea eagles on Golyginskoe Lake


FoxSEASON: May 10th - June 15th
Departure 2008: not available
GRADE B.

Group size - up to 8 pax.

This tour gives you many opportunities to see and take pictures of Steller's Sea eagles, foxes, brown bears, owls, capercailye, and others. You will be staying in the log cabins located in a truly excellent bird watching habitat, between tundra and a beautiful ancient birch forest. Golyginskoe Lake, located in the south of Kamchatka, is nearly two kilometers long. It is surrounded by spectacular volcanic peaks, mountain ranges, and small volcanic cones. At this time of the year, there is still snow on the ground, but Kamchatka is slowly waking up. Bears are emerging from their dens, and many mothers have young cubs with them. Flocks of Willow ptarmigan feed on the newly exposed tundra fields, and the black billed capercailye begin to appear. Your expert guide and naturalist will take you around in a comfortable, specially designed viewing snowmobile sled.

9 DAY ITINERARY

BearDay 1. Arrival at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Transfer by bus from airport to a hotel. City tour including visit to a local museum. Meet the guide and prepare for the trip.
Day 2.
Drive by bus to heli-site and helicopter MI-8 flight to Golyginskoe Lake (1.1 hour). Accommodation in cabins by the lakeside.
Day 3. Hiking along the lake, getting acquainted with this breathtaking wilderness. Viewing bears and Steller's sea eagles.
Day 4.
Drive by snowmobiles to Ksudach Volcano (located 20km from the lodge): the highest point of caldera slopes is 1080 m. There is a good chance of seeing bears on the way. Beautiful panorama of three caldera lakes: Shtubelya, Nizhnee & Kluchevoe, which gained its name due to the hot springs along its banks (Russian 'Klyuch' means 'spring'), while Nizhnee Lake gives birth to the Tyoplaya River. Return to Golyginskoe Lake.
Day 5. Excursions around the lake. Viewing bears, Steller's sea eagles and other wildlife.
Day 6. Drive by snowmobiles to Zheltovskaya Sopka Volcano (1953 meters above sea level). This shapely volcano can be seen on the far skyline from Golyginskoe Lake, and once you reach it you will be able to see the whole place of the South Kamchatka Reserve and the large Kurilskoe Lake (40km from the lodge).
Day 7. Helicopter MI-8 flight back to Petropavlovsk with rest-stop for bathing in the thermal hot water of the Khodutka River. Accommodation in a hotel at Paratunka resort. Swimming in thermally-heated pool.
Day 8. Reserve day in case of bad weather.
Day 9. Shopping for souvenirs. Depart Kamchatka.

Khodutka thermal hot springs.Cost EUR 2157 per person.

Price includes:

  • Full board
  • Double accommodation in cabins, city hotels and the Paratunka resort
  • English-speaking rep at the arrival and departure in PKC airport
  • Transfers by coach and helicopter MI-8
  • City tour and museum fees
  • Snowmobiles
  • Guide, interpreter and cook services
  • Invitation letter and visa registration
  • Permits

What to wear?

Questions? Interested in booking a trip? See here for answers to frequently asked questions and here for more Kamchatka pictures, click here for booking details or ask your questions here.


#102. Wildlife viewing: Golyginskoe Lake & Ksudach Volcano (this tour offers easy trekking)


Caldera of Ksudach volcano. SEASON: July 15th - September 15th
Departure 2008: not available
GRADE C/B.

Group size - up to 12 pax.

This tour gives you the opportunity to see a variety of the South Kamchatka's wildlife, at the height of summer and salmon spawning season: arriving first at the wide and open old crater of Ksudach Volcano, amid a panorama of snow-covered volcanic peaks, you will spend two nights camping near the hot springs, trekking around the three caldera lakes, and along the Tyoplaya river to its amazing waterfall. Then walk down the mountain slopes, through scrublands and birch woodland to Golyginskoe Lake, 2 km long. Here, from the comfort of your log cabin's deck, you will watch bears and eagles fishing on the lake and get close to them by boat just offshore.

10 DAY ITINERARY

Bear fishing. Day 1. Arrival at Petropavlovsk. Transfer by bus from airport to hotel. City tour including visit to a local museum. Meet the guide and prepare for the trip.
Day 2. Drive by bus to heli-site and MI-8 helicopter flight to Ksudach Volcano's crater (1079 meters above sea level). Accommodation in tents near the three caldera lakes: Shtubelya, Nizhnee & Kluchevoe. Rest beside the hot springs.
Day 3. Excursion to the active Shtubelya crater or trekking along the Tyoplaya River. Relax in the hot springs. Easy ascent to the highest point of Ksudach Volcano - Lukina Hill. Fabulous panorama of Ksudach Volcano caldera to the north, the Pacific coast with remote islands in the east, and the south Kamchatka volcanoes. Rest beside the hot springs.
Days 4-5. Trekking down (35km) the gentle mountain slopes through the birch woods to Golyginskoe Lake, where the salmon and char are gathering in thousands to spawn. This attracts many bears from a large catchment area, and also Steller's Sea Eagles and other large fish-hunting birds.
Days 6-7-8.
Motor-boat excursions on Golyginskoye Lake, abundant with salmon and char, view bears fishing, or take a short walk over the tundra to where the bears may be feeding on berries.
Day 9. Helicopter MI-8 flight to Petropavlovsk stopping for a bath in thermal hot water in the Khodutka River. Accommodation at the Paratunka resort.
Day 10. Shopping for souvenirs. Depart Kamchatka.

Cost EUR 1994 per person.

MeetingPrice includes:

  • Full board
  • Double accommodation in cabins, city hotels and the Paratunka resort
  • English-speaking rep at the arrival and departure in the PKC airport
  • Transfers by coach and helicopter MI-8
  • City tour and museum fees
  • Tents
  • Guide, interpreter and cook services
  • Invitation letter and visa registration
  • Permits

Questions? Interested in booking a trip? See here for answers to frequently asked questions and here for more Kamchatka pictures, click here for booking details or ask your questions here.


#103.Viewing wildlife in Kronotsky State Biosphere Reserve

KronotskayaClick here to find out more pictures of this trip

SEASON: August 10th - September 30th
Departure 2008: not available
GRADE B.
Group size - up to 10 pax.

A very special opportunity to see the jewel of Kamchatka's wilderness: Kronotsky Reserve, with a total area of over 1 million hectares including the impressive Valley of the Geysers, Uzon caldera, Kronotskoye Lake, nine active volcanoes unique for their volcanic features and steam vents, and a large population of easily approachable bears. This is a pristine wilderness area with plentiful flora and fauna, and a unique microclimate generated by geothermal activity.

9 DAY ITINERARY

Day 1. Arrival in Petropavlovsk. Transfer by bus from airport to hotel. Meet the guide and prepare for the trip. Take in an excursion of Petropavlovsk, shop for souvenirs, go to the museums. In the evening you will have the option of going to a restaurant or night club.
Day 2.
MI-8 helicopter flight to Kronotskaya River (1.2 hours). Fly over Maly Semlyachik Volcano with its vivid blue crater lake and land near the active Karymsky Volcano. Arrival in the Kronotsky reserve and accommodation in a cabin or a tent camp with electric fence. A 4km hike along the river in this pristine wilderness.
Day 3. Floating down the Kronotskaya River by a motor boat. Hiking through the tundra, viewing bears fishing and gathering berries. It is also common to see deer in this region.
Day 4. Continue floating down the Kronotskaya River to the Pacific ocean coast (8 km). Watch sea otters and seals playing along the seacoast and, with any luck, bears as well.
Day 5.
A one day 8 km hike to the Lebyazhya River and more wildlife observing.
Day 6.
Excursion to salmon spawning place to watch bears fishing.
The bear feeding in the pasture.Day 7.
Helicopter MI-8 flight back to Petropavlovsk, stopping for a bath in the Nalycheva hot springs. Check into the Paratunka resort hotel.
Day 8.
Reserve day in case of bad weather.
Day 9. Shopping. Depart Kamchatka.

Cost EUR 2900 per person.

Price includes:

  • Full board
  • Double accommodation in city hotels and the Paratunka resort
  • English-speaking rep at the arrival and departure in the PKC airport
  • Transfers by coach and helicopter MI-8
  • Accommodation in cabin or tents and a motor boats in the Kronotsky Reserve
  • Licenses for the Kronotsky Reserve
  • City tour and museum fees
  • Guide-consultant, interpreter and cook services
  • Invitation letter and visa registration
  • Permits

Questions? Interested in booking a trip? See here for answers to frequently asked questions and here for more Kamchatka pictures, click here for booking details or ask your questions here.


#105.Viewing wildlife in Vestnik Bay (Pacific Ocean coast)

Steller's sea eagles. SEASON: December 15th - April 15th
Departure 2008: not available
GRADE B.
Group size - up to 8 pax.

A very special opportunity to see another jewel of Kamchatka's wilderness while taking pictures of Steller's Sea Eagles, owls, active volcanoes, large populations of sea birds, sea-otters and rabbits.


10 DAY ITINERARY

Day 1. Arrival in Petropavlovsk. Transfer by bus from airport to hotel. Meet the guide and prepare for the trip.
Day 2.
Helicopter MI-8 flight to Vestnik Bay (1 hour). Fly over Mutnovsky, Gorely, Asacha, Khodutka and Ksudach Volcanoes. Arrival in the Vestnik and accommodation in a heated lodge. A 4km drive by snowmobiles along the coast to get acquainted with this breathtaking wilderness.
Days 3-7.
Taking pictures of eagles and owls from special, hidden observation sites which your guide will have already prepared for you. During this time you will have an excellent opportunity to catch fresh Char fish in the Vestnik River. Our experienced guide will show you a lot of capercailyes and white rabbits. If you're lucky you may have an opportunity to take pictures of sea-otters sleeping on the cost of the Pacific Ocean.
CapercailyeDay 8. Helicopter flight to Petropavlovsk with a stop for swimming in the Khodutka thermal hot River. Check into the Paratunka resort hotel. Visiting the house of our famous farmer Sasha Yastrebov, who plays the guitar and piano and sings old Cossack songs.
Day 9. Take in an excursion around Petropavlovsk, shop for souvenirs, go to the museums. In the evening, you will have the option of going to a restaurant or night club.
Day 10. Free time and transfer to Yelizovo Airport. Depart Kamchatka.

Cost EUR 1969 per person.

Price includes:

  • Full board
  • Double accommodation in city hotels and Paratunka resort
  • English-speaking rep at the arrival and departure in the PKC airport
  • Transfers by a coach and a helicopter MI-8
  • Accommodation in cabins and snowmobiles in the Vestnik Bay
  • City tour and museum fees
  • Guide-consultant, interpreter and cook services
  • Invitation letter and visa registration
  • Permits

What to wear?

Questions? Interested in booking a trip? See here for answers to frequently asked questions and here for more Kamchatka pictures, click here for booking details or ask your questions here.


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