What to see in Kamchatka in summer

The summer season in Kamchatka lasts from July to September, during which time the peninsula is visited by the maximum number of tourists. In summer, it's easier to get to hard-to-reach attractions. Tourists have the opportunity to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the local places, visit the Valley of Geysers, see bear fishing, go on a yacht trip.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

The center of the Kamchatka Territory is located on the shore of Avacha Bay. The city offers views of the nearby volcanoes, which locals call home. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky itself is built on low hills. You can view the surroundings from a height from the observation deck on Mishennaya Sopka, and a panoramic view of Avacha Bay opens from Nikolskaya Sopka.

The Theater Square is located in the center of the city. There is a monument to Peter and Paul on it, and there is a picturesque lake nearby. There is a Regional museum in the city, the exposition of which tells about the history of Kamchatka. Another museum worth visiting is the Vulcanarium. You can find out interesting details about volcanoes in it.

Also take a look at the fish market in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Be sure to try the local delicacies: Kamchatka crab, scallop, caviar, and freshly caught fish.

Halaktyrsky beach

This beach with black volcanic sand is one of the attractions of Kamchatka. Khalaktyrsky beach is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Locals and tourists like to come here, and surfers can be found on the beach.

The black sand of the beach is due to the minerals contained in lava and slag. The cooled and solidified emissions fall into rivers, are gradually washed away by water and carried away by the current into the ocean. Then the particles rise in waves to the shore. To date, the length of the beach is more than 30 km, and the thickness of the black sand layer is about 20 m. You can get to the beach by public transport, by rented car, by taxi or with a tour group.

Valley of Geysers

The Valley of Geysers is located in a remote area on the territory of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve in the valley of the Geysernaya River. The only way to get here is by helicopter tour in the summer. The valley is one of the largest geyser fields in the world, which was formed due to a powerful volcanic eruption. There are many places of hydrothermal activity in the Valley: geysers, mud cauldrons, mineral springs.

Due to the high temperature of the water in the geysers and the location of the Valley, a unique microclimate has formed here. Thermophilic plant species, rare moss species grow in the canyon, swans, golden eagles, seagulls, and bighorn sheep live. But the main attraction is the brown bears, fishermen who catch prey in numerous streams.

Uzon Caldera

*** Uzon is an extinct, partially destroyed volcano on the territory of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, near the Valley of Geysers. About 40 thousand years ago, the top of the volcano collapsed into underground voids, forming a caldera with an area of more than 100 square kilometers. The bottom of the caldera is flat, it rises 700 meters above sea level. Many lakes have formed on the bottom, under which there are fumaroles — small cracks and holes from which hot volcanic gases escape. Due to the release of gases, the surface of the lakes foams and boils. The abundance of chemical elements in volcanic emissions and the prevailing microclimate create conditions for the reactions to occur. The caldera is a unique natural site in which you can see the manifestations of volcanism, different stages of ore and mineral formation.

*** The flora and fauna of the caldera are no less interesting than the geological processes taking place here. Green birch groves, tundra vegetation, wild blueberries, pine nuts — all this is present in the Uzon caldera. The wildlife is also impressive — brown bears come here to fish.

A visit to Uzon is included in the program of a helicopter tour to the Valley of Geysers.

Volcanoes in the Valley of the Giants

*** Volcanoes are one of the symbols of Kamchatka, so visiting them is a must for any tourist. But the volcanoes in the Valley of the Giants (also called the Valley of the Giants) can only be reached in summer.

Valley of the Giants belongs to the Kronotsky Biosphere Reserve, part of the Klyuchevskaya group. The highest active volcanoes are concentrated here: Klyuchevskoy, Kamen, Tolbachiki. In the Valley of the Giants, you can see stunning "moonlit" landscapes, Lake Azhabachye.

During the day, you can explore the local vegetation, pick berries, and swim. During daylight hours, volcanoes seem peaceful and serene. After sunset, the picture changes — a stream of red-hot lava becomes visible on the slopes of Klyuchevsky, and flames burst out of the crater.

You can get to the Valley of the Giants by all-terrain vehicles. The journey from Yelizovo takes 10-12 hours, so tours with several overnight stays are available.

Three Brothers Rocks and Oldies Island

Three brothers — a group of vertical rocks (kekurs) in Avacha Bay. This natural monument is considered the hallmark of the bay. An ecosystem of its own has developed next to the rocks — sea urchins and crabs, anemones, sponges, and fish live in the water. Fishing at the Three Brothers attracts tourists and locals.

The cliffs can be reached by yacht. The boat trip program includes a visit to the island of Starichkov. The island is so named because of its main inhabitants, the old birds. In addition to them, hatchets, cormorants, Pacific gulls, spoonbills, puffins, thick-billed and thin-billed guillemots settled here. All together they form noisy bird markets, which the guests of the peninsula like to watch.

Where else to visit Kamchatka in summer

In summer, you can go fishing from the yacht. It can be a guided fishing trip or a separate exit for enthusiastic anglers.

Trips to Gorely (Gorelaya Sopka) and Vachkazhets volcanoes are popular with tourists. It is relatively easy to get to them on your own or as part of a tour to admire the amazing nature and manifestations of volcanism. 

Jeep tours to the Avacha Pass, the Small Valley of Geysers, the rivers and thermal springs of Kamchatka are a great opportunity to explore the peninsula and take part in an adventure.

Kuril Lake is the pearl of the south of Kamchatka with beautiful landscapes, volcanoes, and springs. Here you can watch salmon migration and bear fishing. White-shouldered eagles, snow sheep, sea otters, antlers, largus, and humenniks live near the lake.

*** In summer, you can visit ethnic villages, taste local cuisine, relax at the balneological resort and fishing and tourist bases, and hunt. Everyone will find a vacation to their liking in Kamchatka!