Unexplored Kamchatka: A Journey to the Planet of Volcanoes

A trip to the peninsula is like a research expedition to another planet. Here there are poisonous geysers, alien landscapes, and in August—the best view of the Perseid peak. A place that is hard to reach, but very desirable. A true hero's journey.

Anna Kulikova, architect and partner at FANTALIS, whose team actively develops tourism in the region and knows all the features of the mountainous land, told us how to get to know Kamchatka better.

What to See

• The Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka is the most famous, but hard-to-reach attraction of the peninsula. To get here, you have to hire a guide and fly by helicopter to the Uzon volcano caldera. But it's worth it: although the valley's area is quite small, it is here that a huge number of geysers, thermal springs, mud volcanoes, waterfalls, and lakes are concentrated.

• The Uzon Caldera was formed by active volcanic activity over 40 thousand years ago, perhaps that's why its appearance is somewhat reminiscent of futuristic landscapes from science fiction stories. Like the Valley of Geysers, the Uzon Caldera can only be visited by helicopter, but even the road itself reveals incredible views of hundreds of lakes, whose surfaces constantly bubble and seethe. Therefore, it's a bit dangerous here due to boiling clay and fumes—special paths are provided for guests, which can be walked as part of excursion groups.

• Lake Kronotskoye is one of the largest on the peninsula in terms of scale. It is located on the territory of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, in the Yelizovsky district, not far from the famous Valley of Geysers. However, tourists are not usually taken here; the reserve is typically one of the points on the way to the Valley of Geysers or the Uzon volcano. There are no prepared routes here, except for the water one: reserve staff can conduct a boat tour of the lake with a view of the Kronotsky volcano.

The "Three Brothers" are pillar-shaped rocks at the entrance to Avacha Bay. There is a beautiful local legend: it is believed that these are petrified brothers who protected the Kamchatka lands from a destructive wave.

Where to Stay

• The Laguna SPA Hotel is located in the village of Paratunka, right in the forest on the shore of Lake Mikizha. From here it's easy to reach and see Kamchatka's main natural attractions, and the hotel itself offers views of the mountain lake and volcano. Laguna has a year-round aqua center with an outdoor swimming pool and a SPA center.

• Aurora is located far from civilization, in the taiga forests of the peninsula—accessible only by helicopter, with views of the peninsula's volcanoes and geysers along the way. The interior is dominated by natural materials and wooden elements, ethnic patterns in the wall relief. Interestingly, there is no electricity grid connection to the hotel; all energy is generated by solar panels on the roof of Aurora.

Where to Eat

In the very center of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, you can visit the restaurant "Two Seas, Ocean," which cooks exclusively with freshly caught local seafood.

And if you decide to relax on the territory of the Laguna SPA Center, there are two authentic restaurants right there: MISHKA and Los-Losos. MISHKA is a restaurant with panoramic windows offering views of Lake Mikizha and the Vilyuchinsky volcano. Here you can enjoy author's cuisine made from the best Kamchatka seafood and game. And Los...Losos! attracts with its warm atmosphere and a menu featuring Kamchatka delicacies—smoked venison, roe deer meat, bear pâté, gazpacho with snow crab, and fried crucian carp.

Source: https://seasons-project.ru/neizvedannaya-kamchatka-puteshestvie-na-planetu-vulkanov-gornyh-ozer-i-taezhnyh-lesov/