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Land of Mystery and Mists
Wild Flowers • Volcanoes • Geysers • Cultural Heritage

KAMCHATKA

July 22 - August 6, 2011

OVERVIEW
Kamchatka is the most unique natural area in Russia! A remote peninsula in the Russian far east, it includes spectacular active snow-capped volcanoes and diverse ecosystems, including glacier, tundra, taiga forest, birch forest, wetlands, lagoons, and desert. On the mountainous volcanos there are 414 glaciers, some 150 meters thick. There are 200 healing mineral springs; 150 of them are hot springs.

For two weeks, we will explore this remote land of mystery and mists. During our expedition we will:

  • Explore Petropavlovsk, the capital of Kamchatka, situated on the lovely Avachinskaya Bay.
  • Discover the villages of Mil’kovo, Esso, and ethnic settlements, including Sosnovka, which maintain their rich culture.
  • See fabulous geysers, steam vents, mud pots, recent lava deposits, and snow covered volcanos, including the scenic, world famous Valley of the Geysers.
  • Discover a profusion of flowering plants and ferns. Many of them have medicinal value and about 100 species are already used in scientific medicine.
  • See amazing and noisy seabird rookeries, with nesting gulls, kittiwakes, guillemots, and cormorants. There are 240 species of land birds.
  • Discover the salmon capital of the world. Six species of ocean-going salmon and two species of freshwater salmon spawn here, including the king of the salmon—King Salmon. The coastal waters are incredibly rich in fish: cod, halibut, flounder, herring, perch, and rock trout, plus there are many species of crabs, shrimp, mollusks, sea cucumbers, and commercial sea weeds.
  • Meet and learn from ethnic tribes (Even, Itelmen, Koryaks) who live much as they have for thousands of years and share their stories of hunting, fishing, and traditions. Visit the Regional and the Local Museums for more examples of artifacts and displays.

With leadership by Dr. Victor Kuzevanov, and local experts, we will discover the delights of this remote paradise on a journey of a lifetime!

2011 Brochure (Requires an Adobe pdf reader to view)

   

 

 

 

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