• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PKS) is a city of about 260,000 residents. It is the capital of the Kamchatka Region and the oldest port in the Russian Far East (RFE), originating from 1741 when Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov set sail on the 2nd Kamchatka Expedition resulting in their discovery of Alaska.
• Pay tribute to Charles Clerke, a famous British explore and hero. He took the lead of the 3rd round-the-world expedition in 1779 after the death of his chief Mr. James Cook. Mr. Clerke was later awarded a monument by the British government in 1913. It was placed in PKS, where he died after a failed attempt to cross the Bering Strait. Salute the exploration spirit at the monument to Jean-Francois de la Perouse, a French explorer, whose ship was torn apart during his round-the-world voyage (1787) by a storm with only one crew member surviving out of 242.
• Tour Kamchatka Regional Museum to get a good background on the natural history of the Peninsula. Exhibitions cover the prehistory and history, ethnography, flora and fauna of the Peninsula.
• Experience Paratunka valley. "Par" means "steam" in Russian, and this valley is famous for its geothermal riches. A number of spas are located in the area where locals and visitors alike enjoy soaking in the natural hot mineral waters.

TRAVEL OPTIONS

Prices are subject to change without notice. Availability must be confirmed. Discounts are available for groups and individuals if basic tour is booked with both supplements. Please inquire. 

BASIC TOUR: 8 hrs, driving sightseeing tour + museum. Planning to meet at 8am. If weather is calm, drive up to a scenic outlook over Avacha Bay for an opportunity to take photographs of the city and port below. Then drive to the city's historic center, and stop to walk between monuments to Vitus Bering, Charles Clerk, Captain James Cook's First Mate. By 10am, drive to the Kamchatka Regional Museum followed by a short walk to the Artists' Gallery. After the gallery, drive through the city with a short stop at the public market. The amazing displays of Kamchatka's most precious natural resource -- smoked salmon, caviar, crab, shrimp, scallops all fresh from the waters around the Peninsula are sold here. Continue driving out of the city towards the Paratunka pools of thermal mineral waters (70km). During the drive enjoy majestic views of Koriyakskiy (3458 m), Avachinsky (2741 m), and Vilyuchinsky (2173 m) Volcanoes. Your driver will stop as you wish to let you take photographs. At Paratunka pools feel free to join locals for a short swim or bath. Closer to 1pm, we are ready for a lunch. Depending on your choice, we will take you to Mr. Sasha Yastripov's lunch with folk show (see supplement #1), or local restaurant in the city. Closer to 4pm, the driver will take you back to either seaport/hotel/airport. 

NOTE: Cost of services not included in the basic tour, paid on the spot by travelers, per choice: Paratunka pools admission ($10 - $15); lunch at the local restaurant (on average $18-40 per meal with soup or salad, main course, tea/coffee and maybe 1 beer) 

SUPPLEMENT #1: lunch with Mr. Sasha Yastripov & his home. Sasha lives in his country house outside of the city. Upon arrival, he will greet you and escort you into the dwelling, heated by a cozy campfire in the center of the big tent. He will offer you herb tea that he has specially prepared from plants like fireweed, wild mint, and rosehips. Sasha offers a musical and culinary experience, serving you a selection of natural salads he and his wife have prepared from wild plants they gathered, locally grown potatoes, and salmon cooked by his own secret recipe. While you eat, he will serenade you with his special brand of Russian folk songs, many of them about Kamchatka, that he himself wrote. To top off your appetite, he offers a taste of his own liqueur, made from good quality Russian vodka in which he has steeped wild pine nuts and berries. This is a unique opportunity to have a quintessentially Kamchatka cultural experience.

NOTE: Sasha prepares and prices his lunch and folk show for 5 tourists minimum. Solo tourists are welcome to book Sasha's homemade dinner with no discounts. If you can, coop with your friends and mates to share fun and minimize the cost per person. 

SUPPLEMENT #2: bilingual guide (will speak your language). Book a guide with your Basic tour. The experience and knowledge of local guides is a great supplement to your Kamchatka experience. Please note that if you choose your lunch at the local restaurant in the city and want your guide to stay with you thru the dinner, you will need to pay for the guides lunch as well. Or you can ask the guide to assist you with the menu and meet again in an hour.

NOTE: Groups of 10+ tourists are advised to book 2 guides