Kamchatka · Three Volcanoes

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

Craters, fumaroles and the Pacific.

Three active volcanoes near Petropavlovsk: Avachinsky with a steaming plug in its crater, Mutnovsky with fumarole fields and a glacier, Gorely with an acid lake. In between, 6x6 trucks across lava fields, the Dachnye hot springs and the Pacific at Khalaktyrsky beach. Ten days for those who want to walk a lot without always sleeping in a tent.

• Avachinsky, 2,741 m, a crater with a warm plug
• Mutnovsky’s fumaroles and glacier
• Hot springs after every volcano
• The black sand of Khalaktyrsky beach

1. 01
   DAY 1 · Transfer 30 km

   Arrival at the edge of the world

   We meet at Yelizovo airport and drive to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In the evening a gear check, the weather outlook and the rules for bear country.

   Overnight: Hotel in Petropavlovsk
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 6 km, 300 m of ascent

   Into the Avachinsky base camp

   The 6x6 follows a dry riverbed to the Avachinsky pass at 900 m, two hours. In the afternoon we climb Verblyud at 1,200 m to acclimatise and view both peaks.

   Overnight: Tent, Avachinsky pass 900 m
3. 03
   DAY 3 · Summit 2,741 m, 10–11 hours

   Ascent of Avachinsky

   Off at 5:00 for 1,800 m of ascent on scoria and snowfields, the last 200 m on warm red rock. The crater at 2,741 m, its lava plug warm to the touch. Four hours down.

   Overnight: Tent, Avachinsky pass 900 m
4. 04
   DAY 4 · Rest, a beach walk

   Rest and Khalaktyrsky beach

   Down to the city, then in the afternoon to Khalaktyrsky beach: black volcanic sand, surfers and a cold Pacific. Swimming for the brave.

   Overnight: Hotel in Petropavlovsk
5. 05
   DAY 5 · Transfer 90 km

   To the Mutnovsky group

   Four hours by truck over passes and snowfields to the camp at the foot of Gorely at 1,000 m. A short evening walk across the lava fields.

   Overnight: Tent, below Gorely 1,000 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · Summit 1,829 m, 12 km

   Gorely volcano

   A gentle climb of Gorely at 1,829 m, 800 m of ascent in 3–4 hours. We walk the rim of two craters: one with a turquoise acid lake, one with fumaroles. Down by lunch, then the move to Mutnovsky.

   Overnight: Tent, below Mutnovsky 1,100 m
7. 07
   DAY 7 · 16 km, 900 m of ascent

   Mutnovsky crater

   Through the Opasny canyon into the Mutnovsky crater: fumarole fields, boiling mud pots, an ash-streaked glacier. Up to 1,800 m; the summit at 2,322 m depends on weather and snow.

   Overnight: Tent, below Mutnovsky 1,100 m
8. 08
   DAY 8 · 10 km, transfer 100 km

   Dachnye springs and the small geyser valley

   On foot to the Dachnye hot springs by the Mutnovsky geothermal plant, where steam rises from the ground at every step. A long soak, then back to the city.

   Overnight: Hotel in Petropavlovsk
9. 09
   DAY 9 · 4-hour boat trip

   Avacha Bay and reserve day

   A reserve in case the volcanoes were weathered out. If all went to plan, a boat trip across Avacha Bay to the Three Brothers rocks and a fish lunch.

   Overnight: Hotel in Petropavlovsk
10. 10
    DAY 10 · Transfer 30 km

    Flight out of Kamchatka

    Transfer to Yelizovo airport. Morning flights to Moscow take around nine hours.

    Overnight: —