Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
TOTAL TREK DISTANCE: 70 km
MAX ALTITUDE: 3000 meters
TOUR DURATION: 13 days
LODGING: Mix of wild camping, hotels
GROUP SIZE: 10 – 12 people
How many of you or your friends have heard of the Kamchatka Peninsula?
Probably not many. That’s exactly why we love it
Witness surreal volcanic landscapes in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage national park in Kamchatka — a Siberian peninsula that is closer to Alaska than the nearest Russian city. This EPIC 13-day itinerary is tailored for keen trekkers and lovers of wild camping among active volcanoes!
Discover the raw splendor of the Kamchatka Volcanoes on a self-supported trekking expedition of a lifetime.
Dates | Places | Deposit | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coming Soon | Coming Soon | $800 | $3175 |
Whether you’re just curious about this trip or are ready to make a deposit, we’re here for you.
To submit an inquiry or make a trip deposit, please fill out and submit the form below.
10 AM arrival at PKC airport. Thermal pools soak to ease the muscles after a few days of travel. , check in to a hotel/guesthouse.
Today we will have our first team meeting and take some of the afternoon to rest.
Tonight we will have an EPIC group feast.
Note: clients are responsible for book their own return flights from Moscow.
We recommend that you sleep one night at a hotel in Moscow before the trip starts (not included).
Starting at 8AM, 7-8 hrs private minibus transfer to Kozyrevsk village with lunch en route. Then 3 hrs 6WD transfer to Kopyto drop-off point, North of Tolbachik volcano .
Trek to Edelweiss Meadow campground. Hiking around. Epic views of Klyuchevskoy Volcano – the highest active volcano in the Northern hemisphere
Tonight is the first day we are tents! Enjoy a tasty hot meal before spending the evening relaxing and getting ready to do some star photography once it gets dark.
Distance: 8 km
Today is the day we explore landscapes straight out of a graphic novel as we head to a place that literally makes you feel like you are walking on another planet Mars Field.
We will wade the Studenaya river en route to our stopping point of the day: Mars field camp ground.
Distance: 15 km
Today we will cross the beautiful Tolbachinsky pass.
This is the point of the trip where every where you look there are mind bending views of volcanoes set against lush fields of green tundra pasture.
We finish the day with a hike to Zimina Shoulder with yet another epic perspective of Klyuchevskoy Volcano.
Distance: 8 km
Today we head to one of the only man made landmarks found out here: Tolud cabin.
The hiking today is challenging and over varied terrain. Sighting brown bears (not Grizzlies), marmots, and other animals is not uncommon.
We sleep in tents or in the cabin if it is open/available.
Distance: 17 km
Another day brings another stunning objective: trekking Tolbachik Basecamp.
We try to arrive at campsite not too late as we have a big day tomorrow.
Distance: 10 km
Today we are sending a Volcano Guys! This trek is probably the most challenging day of the whole trip, but by this point everybody will be ready to crush it.
The steep climb to the summit (3,000m) requires about 1,700m in elevation gain with plenty of rests in route including a visit to the breathtaking lava caves.
We return to the basecamp in the late afternoon to spend another night in our cozy tents.
Distance: 24 km
Alas our trip by foot comes to an end. Our trusty Mad Max rigs pick us up and shuttle us back to Kozyrevsk Village in the morning with an excursion around the lava fields along the way.
The total drive back to the village takes around 5 hours.
What is in store for tonight? A real bed and a traditional Russian steam sauna to sooth those tired joints and feet.
Distance: 5 km
Road trip day!
The minibus transfer back to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky takes around 7-8 hrs.
Listen to your favorite podcast or music while taking in the serene views. Lunch en route.
Early in the morning we head straight to the port to experience Kamchatka and its wildlife from the seaside!
A comfortable boat takes us out to Avacha bay, one of the largest natural bays in the world. We sail by the legendary ‘Three Brothers’ rocks – a magnificent symbol of the city and a mascot of local sailors.
We exit the bay and venture into the open ocean aiming at a tiny Starichkov island located about 30 kilometers south of the city. Rising steeply up to 140 meters above the sea its shores are home to multiple colonies of countless marine birds, mainly ancient murrelets (the islet is named after them in Russian!) and puffins but also red-faced cormorants, guillemots and seagulls. Often it is possible to spot fur seals lazing on the coastal reefs and if we are lucky we may even catch a glimpse of an orca (killer whale)!
Weather-permitting, we will take turns using an inflatable motorboat to draw closer to the island. Those remaining on the boat can try their hand at sea fishing with the most common catch being plaice, halibut, sea perch, greenling and cod. At the same time, a professional diver will fetch sea urchins, sea stars or even crabs from the ocean floor. In a short time piping hot seafood will be waiting for us, complemented with a tasting of sea urchin caviar! The entire trip takes about 6-7 hours which seems to pass all too quickly!
We use custom-made all-terrain monster trucks (the Mad Max rigs) to reach Russia’s only geothermal power plant and then trek into the caldera of the Mutnovsky volcano.
This place feels like one of the planet’s energy nodes where its raw untamed energy comes out in the form of sulfur vents, roaring like jet engines, steam fountains and bubbling mud. The downside of the show, of course, is the acrid smell of rotten eggs!
The heat of the Earth melts glaciers in the caldera, giving birth to a wild stream that cuts through colorful layers of volcanic sediments and abruptly ends in a dramatic 80m high waterfall. On the way back to the city we stop at one of the numerous thermal pools which are a delight to soak in after our adventure.
We return to Kamchatka for our final group meal and party.
Today is the day we say good bye and head back to the other side of Russia.
Transfers from the hotel to the airport will be arranged.
Note: Epic Backpacker Tours staff do not fly back to Moscow with you and it is your responsibility to make your own hotel arrangements there – though we can provide suggestions of course!
Best done as a day trip or an epic 2 day rafting expedition. You can observe spawning salmon and there is a high probability of brown bear sightings. If you are serious about fishing we recommend taking 2-day rafting exped instead.
Inquire for price.
The Valley of Geysers is a UNESCO Heritage site and the world’s second-largest geyser field that rivals Yosemite! After spending 1.5 hours in the valley (a geyser sighting is guaranteed!) the next stop is at the mind-blowing caldera of Uzon volcano with its colorful moonscapes of steaming vents and bubbling mud painted by thermophilic algae and microorganisms. The last stop is at Nalychevo national park where you can soak in natural hot springs.
The trip also includes a flyby of Karymsky and Maly Semyachik active volcanoes, the latter featuring a bright turquoise acidic lake inside its crater.
Price is around $800 if you are one person, and of course it would be less per person if the cost is shared among other trip members.
Witness traditional, colorful dances and taste authentic dishes with the locals of Siberia. On the way back, there is a stop at relaxing hot springs – because this is volcano country!
Inquire for price.
Finally, if that is your first time in Russia, it makes perfect sense to stop in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg for a few days on the way back. We can provide recommendations on sightseeing and how to extend your visa accordingly.
Inquire for price.
Not at all although a visit to your local embassy is usually required. We will e-mail you a scanned copy of the invitation letter and the ‘tourist voucher’. Our team is available in case you have any difficulties filling the online application. Most nationalities have their visas issued within 5 working days. You do not need your air ticket to apply for the visa.
Sightings are not guaranteed but quite likely despite barren volcanic landscapes. The animals are not aggressive unless provoked but the group must be large enough to be a deterrent. We will be safe as long as there are at least 4 participants plus the guide. The bear population in this part of Kamchatka is sparse and we do not carry firearms – just flares.
It is safer to say YES – but – hiking in September the mosquito populations are way less than in July. Mosquito repellent of industrial strength – at least 30% DEET – is essential. A mosquito net is also necessary to enjoy quiet evenings but most of the time we will be walking without a face net.
Strenuous: Trekking in the Kamchatka Tre is a challenge even for experienced hikers. As a group, we spend 6 days trekking deep into one of the world’s wildest areas – with all of our gear on our back. Unlike in Nepal, there are no villages out here. This an expedition style trek, meaning we carry all of our gear with us – though we aim to keep everyone’s backpack weight between 15 and 20 kgs maximum.
Our trekking days will certainly not be “death marches” and all trekking days are of reasonable distance and intensity.
You do not need technical mountaineering gear. You do need things like mosquito repellent, mosquito net, sturdy hiking boots, your preferred tent, sleeping bag, and trekking poles.
We will also send you a detailed gear list along with the visa invitation once we have received the deposit.
You need to arrive at Kamkatcha Airport (PCR) on day one of the tour at the latest.
We do recommend that people arrive earlier if your schedule permits. Pre-tour accommodation is not included.
Geographically Kamchatka is a peninsula but there are no roads from the mainland. In fact, the only practical way of getting there is by air. The airport code is PKC, which is much easier to type in when searching for tickets than the full name of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Flying from Europe, it is convenient to take a direct flight from Moscow operated by Aeroflot daily. The flight is usually refundable for around €30. From Hong Kong or Seoul there are flights via Vladivostok by S7, another reputable Russian carrier. Kamchatka can also be reached from the West Coast of the USA on a flight from Anchorage run by Yakutia airlines.
Cheap fares for July are on sale regularly and start at €300 roundtrip from Moscow with luggage, which is actually very reasonable for an 8 hour non-stop across the globe. If you are considering bespoke dates, mind that flights can be up to two times more expensive in August.
Once we leave Kamchatka City, WiFi is non-existent.
There is no mobile reception whatsoever on the trek. To stay online in Kozyrevsk and Petropavlovsk avoiding data roaming charges you can buy a local SIM card for about €5.
Guides do carry satellite messenger devices.
Chat with us now!
Chat with us now!
