Russia’s Impressive Kamchatka Peninsula
Dominated by nature, the peninsula of Kamchatka , is a volcanic peninsula located 1,250 kilometers long in Siberia, to eastern Russia, which flows into the Pacific Ocean and is separated from Moscow for eleven time zones.
With large dimensions, it is considered one of the largest wild areas on the planet, practically intact and free of commercial tourism. This area was forbidden to foreigners until the 90s, this isolation contributed to preserve its nature and beauty.
Petropavlovsk, capital of Kamchatka
Interestingly, its capital, Petropavlovsk, is closer to Tokyo and Seattle than to Moscow, the capital of Russia. It is the administrative, industrial, scientific and cultural center of the Kamchatka Krái and is an important tourist center of Russia.
Petropavlovsk, was founded in 1740 by Vitus Bering, the Russian captain who gave its name to the famous strait that separates Russia and Alaska. Located in Avacha Bay, it offers impressive views of two volcanoes and a set of snow-capped peaks. There, excursions are organized to different parts of the peninsula, many of which require the services of a helicopter.
Kamchatka volcanoes
The volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and some thirty of them are active. This feature makes it
The Avachinskaya and Koryakskaya volcanoes, visible from Petropavlovsk, are the most easily accessible. The journey to reach the top of Avachinskaya will take about 6 hours, while the Koryakskaya, with a more demanding trail, will take at least 12 hours.
The route to visit the volcanoes may be difficult but admiring the views of the sea, the lush vegetation and the landscapes of one of the most incredible areas in the world make it worth the time, effort and patience.
The valley of geysers
A must see when visiting the Kamchatka Peninsula is the Valley of Geysers. The Gesisernaya River Valley is part of the Kronotski Nature Reserve and has more than 200 geothermal pressure valves that expel steam, water and mud.
Of the geysers, 20 of them have their own name given by how they look: the Velican is giant, the Konus is conical in shape, the Shemchuzny is pearly in appearance, the Fontan resembles a fountain, the Bolshoy is large and the Maly is small.
It is quite easy to explore the area, there are several walking routes that take you to explore it in a single day, but getting there is a bit expensive. This valley is 200 kilometers from Petropavlosk and is most easily reached by helicopter, which increases the value of excursions.
Lunar Landscape in Tolbachik
Tolbachik is perhaps the most isolated and hauntingly beautiful region on the peninsula. To get there it is necessary to enter one of the densest forests in the world and go by boat on a river. Upon arrival you will find the Ploski Tolbachik volcano, with a 3-kilometer crater and surrounded by dead forests, destroyed by eruptions.
The Tolbachik volcano, still active, has surroundings that evoke a lunar landscape. Some say that the former USSR tested its lunar rover in this area before sending it into outer space.
The animal world of Kamchatka
There is a great variety of brown bears, most easily visible in the month of August. It is then that they descend from the Yuzhno-Kamchatski mountain range to Kurilskoe Lake, at the southern tip of the peninsula, to taste the salmon that spawn in the nearby streams.
It is also possible to spot Steller’s sea eagles, wolves, arctic foxes, lynx, wolverine, sable, weasel, and sea otter; also species such as the mouflon, the reindeer, the elk and rodents such as the hares, the marmot, the lemmings and several species of squirrels.
