Kamchatka is without exaggeration one of the most spectacular regions in Russia. With an area of 470,000 sq. km, Khamchatka Peninsula separates the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean. There are more than 160 volcanoes on the peninsula (29 of them are active), which is due to the fact that it lies on the Great Pacific "ring of fire". Volcanic calderas, stone sculpture “parks” and lakes in craters, geysers and mineral springs - all in pristine condition - are Kamchatka's main attractions.

The fauna of the peninsula is relatively low in diversity, but the species are found here in abundance - you don't have to travel far to see brown bear, reindeer, salmon and seabirds. It is known for a fact that 50 % of the global population of Aleutian tern nest on Kamchatka Peninsula. Exceptionally unpolluted rivers and beautiful birch and Siberian pine forests are perfect for fishing, hiking, white-water rafting tours. The indigenous peoples of Kamchatka living in the northern part of the peninsula - Koryak, Itelmen, Chukchi and Eveni - still keep their culture and traditional lifestyles, which is another reason why one of the most remote regions is visited by so many people every year.

The main settlement of the peninsula and the capital of Kamchatka Region is the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It was founded by the famous marine explorer Vitus Bering in 1740, when he chose the Avachinskaya Bay as a base for sailing across the Pacific Ocean to the shores of future Russian America. The city is located on the south-eastern shore of the Kamchatka Peninsula against a background of volcanic peaks. With a population of over 300,000 people, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is an important port as well as a center of industry, science and adventure tourism.

RED STAR TRAVEL invites you to visit Kamchatka - the land of geysers and hot mineral springs, active volcanoes and remote mountain valleys. Explore the history and culture of Kamchatka native peoples, taste the famous giant crab in one of the restaurants of Petropavlovsk, see for yourself why almost every Russian dreams of visiting this beautiful land.

PETROPAVLOVSK * * *

The most popular hotel in the city known for its good service. 30 km to the airport and 7 km to the city center. Built in 1988. 5 floors. All floors accessible by elevator. 64 rooms with nice views of Avanchy volcanoes. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV, radio, direct-dial international satellite telephone, refrigerator. Restaurant. Bars. Business center. Conference room. Billiards room. Beauty salon. Pharmacy. On-site parking. Room rates - from $91.

AVACHA * *

Located near the city center, close to the central market. 40 km to the airport, 1 km to the city center. Built in 1978. 5 floors. All floors accessible by elevator. 46 standard rooms: 32 singles, 23 doubles, 1 triple, 3 junior suites, 2 main suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, color TV, radio, direct-dial international satellite telephone, refrigerator. Bar. Beauty salon. On-site parking. Room rates - from $69.

OKTYABRSKAYA * *

Located in the city center. 40 km to the airport. Built in 1960. Tourist class hotel. 41 rooms. All rooms feature private bathroom (in double rooms - 1 shared bathroom for 2 rooms), color TV, direct-dial international satellite telephone, refrigerator. Coffee shop. Conference room. Sauna with a small swimming pool. On-site parking. Room rates - from $96.
Note: Reservation fee applies: 25% of the first night rate.

ALBATROS * *

Located on the outskirts. 36 km to the airport and 4 km to the city center. 2 floors. 6 rooms: 2 singles, 2 junior suites, 2 suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, color TV, direct-dial international telephone, refrigerator. Bar. Towncar service. Room rates - from $57.

GOLUBAYA LAGUNA * *

The name is translated as Blue Lagoon. Located in the Paratunka river valley which is famous for its hot springs. The newest hotel in Peropavlovsk suburbs. 23 rooms. All rooms feature color TV, refrigerator. Shared bathroom on the floor. Restaurant. Fitness center: sauna, 2 swimming pools with jacuzzi, solarium. Towncar service. Room rates - from $80.
Note: Reservation fee applies: 25% of the first night rate.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Museums

The Museum of Regional Studies. Operating hours: 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 8pm, closed on Monday and Tuesday. 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, the heroic history of Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky. There are interesting exhibits on Kamchatka's nature: the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Kamchatka's volcanoes, its wildlife and natural resources. You will see an exhibition of handicrafts by local artists.

The Museum of Volcanoes. The museum is owned by the Institute of Volcanology and can be visited by special appointment only. Founded 20 years ago, it houses a unique collection of minerals, ores, lava samples from the numerous volcanoes of Kamchatka and from other places in the world: Japan, America, New Zealand, Iceland, Mexico, Italy, etc. You will have an oppurtunity to see incredible photographs and a videofilm of the latest volcano eruptions on Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands.

City Tour by bus, 2 hours

There are no tall buildings in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky because of earthquake risks, the city consists mostly of Soviet-style 5-storey buildings and even its long-time residents make no claims about Petropavlovsk's beauty. Nevertheless, there are still many interesting things to see. On this tour you will see Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky as a big sea port, a city with dramatic history and incredibly beautiful surroundings. Visit the fishing and trading ports, Lenin Square with most of the government buildings and the main theaters and museums, enjoy a magnificent view of the volcanoes surrounding the city - Avachinsky, Koryaksky and Kozelsky, learn about the city's past as a home-base for military submarine fleet. The 18 monuments of Petropavlovsk reflect the stages of the city's exciting history.

Monument to Vitus Bering. It is the oldest monument in the Russian Far East and is believed to be made between 1823 and 1826 in St. Petersburg. It was erected in memory of Vitus Bering, the founder of Petropavlovsk, who died in 1742 near an uninhabited island in North America. Primarily placed near the Governor's residence, the monument was moved several times and now it stands on Sovetskaya Street, not far from the harbor from which the famous explorer started his expedition to America.

Monument to Charles Clark. This is the only monument in Russia which reminds about the 3rd round-the-world voyage of the famous British explorer and navigator James Cook. After captain Cook died, his expedition was led by captain Charles Clark. On June 12, 1779 his ships sailed from the Avachinskaya bay to the Bering Strait, but were stopped by numerous ice-fields. On the way back to Petropavlovsk Charles Clark died and was buried on the site where in 1913 the British erected a monument in his memory.

Monument to La Perouse. The monument's story is as tragic as the story of Jean Francois de la Perouse in whose memory it was built. The prominent French explorer started on a round-the-world voyage in 1775, his ships were supposed to visit in 4 years North America, Japan, China, Australia and return back to France. In September 1787, after a short stay in Petropavlovsk, the expedition headed for Japan, but of 242 participants of the expedition, most of them talented scientists, artists and navigators, only one survived in the violent storms in the Pacific Ocean. The remains of the ships were found in 1959. In 1843, on the request of the French Government a monument was erected to commemorate the courageous explorers, but in August 1854 it was completely destroyed by a cannon ball from a French frigate. It was rebuilt in 1882 and since 1930 it stands on Lenin street, in the city center.

Memorial Complex on top of the Nikolskaya Hill. The Monument of Glory was erected in 1882 in memory of the heroic defense of Petropavlovsk. In 1854 the military ships of Great Britain, who wanted to diminish Russian influence in the Far East, and its ally in the Crimea War, France, entered the Avachinskaya bay. Being at that time Russia's main Far Eastern port, Petropavlovsk held a 10-day defence and made the enemy retreat. With 988 people and 68 coastal cannons against 6 frigates, 212 cannons and 2,540 people of the British and French squadron, Petropavlovsk garrison led by General Zavoyko repelled many attacks. Finally, when the last Russian cannon was destroyed and only 300 people were alive, the Russian troops made the final attack and on August 26 the British and French left Avachinskaya Bay.

The Chapel. A small necropolis with a chapel buit of stone is a sacred place in Petropavlovsk. 35 Russian defenders are buried on the right side of the Chapel and 38 French and English sailors on the left. All people are equal before God, the fact that people who faught against each other are now buried in one place shows the spiritual generosity of Kamchatka's residents, who honor the dead and don't want the same tragedy to happen again. Five guns on wooden gun carriages symbolically guard the sea entrance to the city.

Monument to the Heroes of Lt. A. Maksutov’s Battery. In 1954, the year of the 100th anniversary of the heroic defense of Petropavlovsk, a new monument was opened - the monument to the legendary 3rd Battery under command of lieutenant A.Maksutov. This battery defended the inner harbor of Petropavlovsk and repelled the main attack of the English-French squadron. The battery itself was reconstructed to its original appearance.

Boat Tour of the Avachinskaya Bay with Picnic Lunch, 6 hours

This tour is a unique opportunity to see the fascinating surroundings of Petropavlovsk from the sea, to explore the shores of the Avachinskaya bay, to watch colonies of seabirds in their natural habitats. You will be enthralled by the view of the Avachinsky volcano, the latest eruption of which occurred in 1991, when Petropavlovsk residents could watch red streams of lava going down the slopes and clouds of ashes shooting into the skies. You will have a chance to taste local seafood during a picnic on shore. This tour is sure to be an experience you will never forget.

Departing from a pier located at the center of town the expanse of this hilly city soon falls into prespective. As you journey further toward the middle of the bay, the Koryaksky group of volcanoes comes into view. These monstrous volcanoes dominate the view creating an extreme contrast with the city.

The Avachinskaya Bay is geographically as perfect a bay as a city could hope for. It is large and deep, with a narrow opening which keeps out foul weather and ice. The harbor is open to shipping year round, it is well protected from the dreaded tsunami tidal waves.

The boat continues toward the mouth of the bay, allowing views of the North-west side of Petropavlovsk and the many boats that make their home in these ports. The mouth itself is a highlight of the excursion as the Three Brothers come into view. These three finger-like rocks shoot steeply out of the water to form what is one of Petropavlovsks' most distinguishing landmarks.

You can toss out a fishing line and catch cod-fish or sole for your lunch on shore.

Meet the Koryaks and see the amazing wildlife. This tour may fulfill your wildest dreams! You will be flown by helicopter to the Koryak settlement Palana. Travel around the unique Palanskoye lake, learn about the culture of the Koryak people with their tribal traditions, exotic rites, beautiful songs and dances. Tour price starts from $1,360. Suggested travel time: May - October.

Visit one of the most beautiful places of the Kamchatka peninsula - the Avachinsky Mountain Range. There is a great number of things which will grab your attention from the very first moment of this tour: gigantic volcanic constructions, sand cones, dammed rivers, magnificent fjords and great highland lakes with crystal-clear waters. Encounter bears and hares, reindeer, eagles... Feel in harmony with nature. Tour price starts from $ 2,250. Suggested travel time: July - September.

Dog sledding is a real adventure. You will travel with native Koryaks and a dog team between Esso in Central Kamchatka and Palana in North Kamchatka. Tour price starts from $ 4,240. Suggested travel time: February - March.

We can arrange any adventure and cultural tours of Kamchatka: helicopter trips to the famous Valley of Geysers, sea mammal and bird watching tours, heli-skiing trips to volcanoes, horseback riding in the wilderness, tour of the old Russian Cossack settlement Milkovo.