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Far Frontiers Travel
Far Frontiers Travel specialises in tailor-making bespoke travel to Central Asia, China and Mongolia, the Far East, Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas, Indochina, Middle East, North Africa and Europe, Russia and South America.
Kamchatka in early summer 2012 | 13 days
Sea mammals, birds, bears, whales, wildflowers and volcanoes
Early summer is the best time to see Kamchatka’s migrating and breeding birds, land and sea mammals and wild flowers, before the mosquitoes become troublesome. We shall sail from Petropavlovsk on a small, refurbished ocean-going cutter and explore the south east coast of the peninsula. This is an extremely remote and seldom visited area, wild and spectacular with towering, snow-capped volcanoes including Viluchinsky and Mutnovsky. There are small islands and sea stacks which are the home of thousands of breeding seabirds including puffins and auks, and, on the high cliffs, the magnificent Steller’s sea eagle breeds.
On the black volcanic sands we should see brown bears turning over the seaweed which has been washed up by winter storms to look for dead fish. Whilst sailing, we should see grey whales and dolphins including orcas. We shall go ashore to explore the lakes, cliffs, beaches and rivers and possibly a hot spring area.
The ship-based part of the expedition is combined with a land visit to two mountainous areas of the peninsula. The ancient volcano, Vachkazhets, is scenically one of the most beautiful places in Kamchatka and we walk into its caldera and visit a beautiful waterfall. Mutnovsky, on the other hand, is still active and after climbing through a canyon past a glacier belching steam we enter the crater with its geysers, fumaroles, mud pools, spectacular rock formations and colours.
Dates: 22 June – 4 July 2012
Price: £3,690 per person
Leader: Local English speaking Russian leader
Key info: Maximum group size: 8. The pace will be leisurely. The walks are not difficult and are entirely at the discretion of the individual
Fiona’s travel tips
Top fact: If you’ve sledged in Russia in winter you’re in an elite club!Temperature: we should warn that winter dog sledging expeditions are for the hardy as it can be extremely cold!
Take with you: Dried fruit, nuts and chocolate to vary your diet.
Best time to go: June to September for summer adventures, January to March for winter activities.
Clients’ comments
“Wonderful, beyond expectations, well organised and always a Plan B if Plan A didn’t work out. Lorraine was a superb leader. Pre-departure information was thorough and clear.”
Sue Hynard, Arcturus Kamchatka group, August 2009
“Our local guide, Irina, was great – nothing seemed to be any trouble for her and she always seemed to have ideas about what we could do every day. We really enjoyed her company and felt that our days had good pace and rhythm about them. Irina was knowledgeable about the area and had obviously spent time developing good relationships with local people who took us about on boats and in trucks – we definitely benefited from this. We are keen birdwatchers and saw plenty including sea and great eagles, osprey and divers.”
Mr and Mrs James Nangle, Solovetskis and the White Sea
“It was truly unforgettable and, if anything, exceeded expectations. Thank you for a wonderful trip!
Chris Robb and Karen Murphy, Dog sledging with the reindeer herders and native people