Helicopter excursion to Kuril Lake (brown bears watching), visit of Ksudach caldera, bathing in Khodutka hot springs
- General information
- Detailed program
- Necessary equipment
- Tour cost
Short description
Itinerary: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PKC) – Kuril lake – Ksudach caldera – Khodutkinskiye hot springs – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Visiting "The land of bears" - Kuril Lake is one of the most desired excursions in Kamchatka. This phenomenon is explained by salmon spawning concentrating in that area and attracting a number of bears. By the end of summer there are more than 200 brown bears on the shores of the lake: they are trustful because they are protected by South-Kamchatka Sanctuary. That is why we may approach bears and stop just a couple of meters away from them. The flights are made by modern Russian helicopters Mi-8Т
09:00: Transfer to the heliport.
To make it more comfortable for you we may pick you up in PKC, Yelizovo or Paratunke village.
The further timing is approximate because the starting time depends on the weather conditions!
10:00: Helicopter flight to Kuril Lake. On the way we observe and make photos of the unique nature of Kamchatka with multiple volcanoes. Flight time is about 1 hour.
11:00: Arrival at the lake. Trekking excursion on the lake.
Bears and salmon spawning viewing. Walk to the fish-counting weir. Duration of the excursion is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Lunch: salmon with rise, tea/сoffee, juice.
13:30: Flight to the next stop - the caldera of Ksudach volcano. Flight time is 15 minutes.
Trekking excursion in the caldera. Hot Beach viewing.
The group is accompanied by an English-speaking guide. Duration of the excursion is 15 - 20 minutes.
Caldera of Ksudach volcano is the Monument of Nature due to its geological construction. The eruption resulting in the volcano collapse took place in 1907 so that its volcanic ash is still recognized 200 km away from the epicenter of eruption.
14:10: Flight to the next stop. Flight time is about 20 minutes.
Landing at the foot of Khodutka volcano. Bathing in the unique hot river, where temperature of water reaches 40°С.
The springs are believed to have a healing effect as they contain a great amount of silicic acid.
16:00 – 16:20: Flight back to the heliport. Flight time is 40 minutes.
17:00: Transfer back to the hotel.
- backpack for your personal staff;
- comfortable trekking shoes / trekking boots with high tops;
- windproof (fleece) jacket;
- sunglasses, sunburn treatment cream;
- mosquito spray;
- bathing suit;
- personal hygiene products, towel;
- individual medical kit.
Cost of the tour:
The cost of the tour for the year 2020 is 45 000 Rub. or 755 Euro per person.
* The price includes:
- transfer to the heliport and back;
- guiding services;
- accident insurance;
- meals en route (lunch).
* Not included in the price:
- alcoholic beverages.