Land of Mystery and Mists
Wild Flowers • Volcanoes • Geysers • Cultural Heritage
KAMCHATKA
Coming in July 2010

OVERVIEW
Kamchatka is the most unique natural area in Russia! A remote peninsula in the Russian far east, it includes spectacular active snow-capped volcanoes and diverse ecosystems, including glacier, tundra, taiga forest, birch forest, wetlands, lagoons, and desert. On the mountainous volcanos there are 414 glaciers, some 150 meters thick. There are 200 healing mineral springs; 150 of them are hot springs.

For two weeks, we will explore this remote land of mystery and mists. During our expedition we will:

• Explore Petropavlovsk, the capital of Kamchatka, situated on the lovely Avachinskaya Bay.
• Discover the villages of Mil’kovo, Esso, and ethnic settlements, including Sosnovka, which maintain their rich culture.
• See fabulous geysers, steam vents, mud pots, recent lava deposits, and snow covered volcanos, including the scenic, world famous Valley of the Geysers.
• Discover a profusion of flowering plants and ferns. Many of them have medicinal value and about 100 species are already used in scientific medicine.
• See amazing and noisy seabird rookeries, with nesting gulls, kittiwakes, guillemots, and cormorants. There are 240 species of land birds.
• Discover the salmon capital of the world. Six species of ocean-going salmon and two species of freshwater salmon spawn here, including the king of the salmon—King Salmon. The coastal waters are incredibly rich in fish: cod, halibut, flounder, herring, perch, and rock trout, plus there are many species of crabs, shrimp, mollusks, sea cucumbers, and commercial sea weeds.
• Meet and learn from ethnic tribes (Even, Itelmen, Koryaks) who live much as they have for thousands of years and share their stories of hunting, fishing, and traditions. Visit the Regional and the Local Museums for more examples of artifacts and displays.
  With leadership by Dr. Victor Kuzevanov, and local experts, we will discover the delights of this remote paradise on a journey of a lifetime!

ITINERARY

Days 1/2 Anchorage to Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka
Early morning departure from Anchorage across the Pacific Ocean to Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka.

Meet your Expedition Leader and transfer to Petropavlovsk. Begin your introduction to Kamchatka with a visit and lecture at the Museum of Regional Studies. The museum's displays are devoted to the history of the region, its flora and fauna, the native peoples of Kamchatka, and their ancient culture. You will learn about the ancient tribes that lived on Kamchatka thousands of years ago, about the discovery of this beautiful land by Russian explorers, and the heroic history of Petropavlovsk.

On June 4, 1741, Admiral Vitus Bering led his expedition from Petropavlovsk to open up Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. After lunch continue your introduction to Kamchatka at one of the scientific institutes in Petropavlovsk. Welcome dinner. Petropavlovsk Hotel (4 nights). L,D

Day 3 Sosnovka
Today, we will explore Sosnovka, a small settlement where the ethnic Itelmen people maintain their lifestyle much as it was hundreds of years ago. There is an ancient village site where excavations are on-going and producing beautiful artifacts. Meet with the elders and learn about the traditional lifestyle and their plans for their settlement and tribe. After lunch, enjoy a walk through the forest discovering the plants and birds of the region. B,L,D

Day 4 Avachinskaya Bay
Depart for the port of Petropavlovsk to board the launch to explore Avachinskaya Bay. Avachinskaya Bay is geographically as perfect a bay as a city could hope for and is the busiest in Kamchatka. We will circle small islands looking for pelagic and red-faced cormorants, Mew and slaty-backed gulls, tufted puffins, guillemots, and harlequin ducks. The scenic Starichkov Island is good for fishing and we will try our luck. Lunch on board. This afternoon we will continue to look for seabirds and salmon as we return to the port of Petropavlovsk. B,L,D

Day 5 Valley of the Geysers & Uzon Caldera
In 2001 the Valley of the Geysers celebrated the 60th anniversary of its discovery. We will fly by helicopter to this world famous site. The 5 km long canyon at the Valley of the Geysers is steeply sided with yellow weathered volcanic rock, with the winding Geysernaya River at the bottom. The geysers have periods of furious activity followed by inactivity. Nothing can be compared with the magnificent view and sounds of gushing geysers, steam vents, and fumaroles. All of this is surrounded by small streams of cascading water, green meadows, a dwarf forest, and patches of snow on the mountains above. We will then fly to the picturesque Uzon Caldera, a massive collapsed volcano, 9x12 km across, with forests, marshes, lakes, and steaming mud pools. B,L,D

Day 6 The Switzerland of Kamchatka
The central part of Kamchatka, from the south to the north, is crossed by an ancient volcanic chain called Sredinnyi Ridge. It includes over 120 extinct volcanoes and over 1,000 lava cones that tell the former activity of the "builders of the earth.” The Sredinnyi Ridge is a giant, natural ensemble which tells scientists about the creation of the planet on which we all live. Within a group of lower strata are deposits of metals: gold, copper, nickel, and platinum. We will have a long day’s drive to the headwaters of the Kamchatka River and follow its course northward, stopping for wildlife and photography. Mid-day lunch in Mil’kovo and visit the Aboriginal Ethnographical Museum. Late afternoon welcome in the remote village of Esso. Alyona Guest House (4 nights). B,L,D

Day 7 Klyuchevskaya Volcanos
After breakfast board 24-passenger helicopters to fly to the Klyuchevskaya complex of volcanos for a breathtaking view. We will land on the slope of the volcano, the largest in Eurasia at 15,377 feet (5,866 meters), one of the many volcanoes visible in the region. We will explore the volcanic slopes covered with volcanic bombs, colorful lakes, and steep ravines. We will make another stop near a series of red cinder cones and stark lava fields dotted with small wildflowers Afternoon flight back with breathtaking views from the helicopter over the volcanic spine of the Kamchatka Peninsula. B,L,D

Day 8 Bystrinsky Nature Reserve & Esso Community
The local community of Esso petitioned the government and created the Bystrinsky Nature Reserve in 1995. The Even people wanted to protect the land to enable them to continue many aspects of their traditional lifestyle. We will meet with elders to share their successes and to learn from people who continue a long history living in central Kamchatka. Enjoy a discussion about local activities and learn about their economic plans and vision for the community. B,L,D

Day 9 Kozyrevsk & Klyuchevskaya
Today we will take a bridge across the Kamchatka River to the village of Kozyrevsk, the first settlement of Russian Cossacks in 1743. We will drive near the base of the Klyuchevskaya Volcano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the neolithic camp of Ushki. In the earliest layers at Ushki (12 thousand years ago) are found the outlines of skin tents and hearths with bison, horse, and elk bones. It is one of the earliest archeological sites known in the northern Pacific. Afternoon nature walks, photographic stops, and look for migrating salmon on our return to Esso. B,L,D

Day 10 Mil’kovo & return to Petropavlovsk
We will return south on an all-day bus ride along the course of the Kamchatka River, making stops for wildlife and photography of the scenic, snow covered volcano. The river flows through meadows and forests, and cascades through volcanic narrows. Mid-day stop at Mil’kovo for lunch and a walk around their market. Afternoon arrival in Paratunka. Petropavlovsk Hotel (2 nights). B,L,D

Day 11 The Blue Lagoon
Today we will explore the area south and west of the Blue Lagoon, including the Erman’s birch forest and hillside meadows. We will look for the Arctic warbler, common cuckoo, two species of spotted woodpeckers, and the Siberian tit. This afternoon explore on your own or relax in the hot pools at the hotel. Visit Alexander Yastrebov, who makes a living from his farm and what he collects from the forest. Learn about his artwork, farm, and join in an evening of music. B,L,D

Day 12 Mutnovsky Geothermal Station & Volcano
The volcanoes of Kamchatka created multiple ore deposits: mercury, lead, tin, gold, silver, and molybdenum. Sulfuric gases created deposits of elemental sulfur and we will see many samples of such creations when visiting thermal springs. Volcanoes are the giant chemical reactors that create pre-organic compounds and a substantial part of the water that we find in the seas, oceans, and rivers was brought to the surface of earth by volcanic activity. We will see the Geothermal Station and then walk in a valley with geothermal vents at the base of Mutnovsky Volcano. Geotherm Hotel (2 nights). B,L,D

Day 13 Mutnovsky Volcano
We will awaken this morning to the sights and sounds of an active geothermal area, with steam vents, hot pools, and highly oxidized basic soils. We will walk and explore this area, looking for wildflowers and singing birds proclaiming their nesting territories. We will explore the road that is generally lined with snow in the higher passes and will stop to see the new growth of Kamchatka rhododendrons, gentians, anemones, and prostrate willows as the snow recedes. We will make stops at cascading streams, scenic overlooks, and flower-filled meadows with massive Vilyuchinsky Volcano in the background. B,L,D

Day 14 — Petropavlovsk
Depart for Petropavlovsk and a morning lecture and discussion at the Institute of Ecology of the Far Eastern Division of Russian Academy of Sciences. Check in at Petropavlovsk Hotel (1 night). Lunch on your own. Afternoon guided walk of the downtown area, historic buildings and monuments. Farewell dinner and celebration of our journey. B,D

Day 15 Kamchatka to Anchorage & Home
Morning at leisure to explore the historic center of old Petropavlovsk. Lunch on your own. Afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Anchorage, cross the International Date Line, and arrive in Anchorage in the morning. Take connecting flights to the lower 48 later this morning. B

What to Expect
A great adventure for intrepid travelers, this expedition is planned for travel enthusiasts who would like to explore the remote Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the least visited, least accessible places on earth. The expedition is an ecological and cultural journey of discovery, touching remote cultures, visiting archaeological sites, steaming geysers, and immense volcanoes, with leadership by outstanding Russian scientists. Travel by motorcoach, vans, helicopter, and best available local transportation. There will be daily outings by coach, van, or foot at a leisurely pace suitable for learning and discovery. The trip is planned for travelers with an appetite for adventure who will happily undertake a day-long drive, partly on a gravel road, to the remote village of Esso (and return), fly in helicopters, deal with some mosquitoes, and rapid changes in the weather. The trip itinerary is subject to change, at the discretion of the expedition leader, based on weather and local conditions. Facilities and transportation options are quite limited; a spirit of flexibility and cooperation is essential. All said, we will have a tremendous adventure! (No smoking in vehicles, or during lectures or meals, please.)