Between the misty forests of Siberia and the turbulent waters of the Great Pacific Ocean lies this majestic land, nature's hidden kingdom. This 1,250 km long peninsular is a land of geysers and hot springs, erupting volcanoes and remote mountain valleys covered by lush vegetation. With a population ratio as dense as one person per 2 km? it is an adventure traveler's and explorer's dream. Russia's far eastern frontier Kamchatka is now slowly revealing its bountiful natural treasures after being entirely closed to foreign visitors throughout the Soviet rule. Trek into the unexplored wilderness, climb challenging volcanoes, compete with brown bears in salmon fishing, dive into distant blue forests in search of abandoned gold mines, experience lunar-like landscapes and frozen lava fields and cruise the waters of the ocean. Kamchatka will leave you breathless!

In 1740 two ships St.Peter and St.Paul of Russian commander Vitus Bering sailing the Pacific Ocean dropped anchor at the beautiful Avacha bay and gave the town of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PK) its name. Now the administrative and economic center of the region Petropavlovsk benefits from an exciting and diverse history as well as stunning location. It offers good accommodation conditions and is the start and finish point for all of the tours.

Avacha Bay itself is arguably one of the most beautiful natural harbors of the world. It also offers astonishing views of surrounding volcanoes, reflecting in its waters. At its shores noisy bird colonies with many guillemots, puffins, seagulls, cormorants, ducks and sea eagles can be observed, and with luck an orca or a sea lion can be spotted.

Kamchatka peninsula characterised by its lush vegetation and diverse wildlife is a unique ecological museum under the open sky. There are some 37 of the mammals alone including brown bear, reindeer, snow sheep and lynx; and 145 species of birds including brant goose, white-tailed eagle and peregrine falcon. Many interesting and distinctive species can be observed in their natural habitat during any of the tours. At Ruski Connection we are conscious of the impact tourism can have on the environment, and consequently ensure our tours are as eco-friendly as possible, respecting the natural balance of flora and fauna long-established in Kamchatka.

Containing 29 active and 160 dormant volcanoes, Kamchatka peninsular is one of the most active links of the big Pacific fire belt. The area represents a full range of volcanic phenomena including volcanoes in all stages of activity, hot thermal and mineral springs, geysers, bubbling mud cauldrons and lava streams.

The UNESCO protected Nalychevo national park is just north of PK and is the most accessible volcano getaway both in distance and facilities. The Park combines stunning volcanic scenery, glacial landscapes, vast expanses of tundra and stone birch forests and of course the remarkable coastal seascapes of the Pacific. Avacha volcano (2741 m) is crowned by a considerable crater that was formed as a result of an eruption that filled it with lava, and its bigger 'twin' Koryaksky volcano (3456 m) could easily become a nominee for the title of the "world's most beautiful volcano".

The volcanic area south of PK features Gorely volcano (1829 m) which is an active caldera volcano with recent eruptions being observed from PK almost a 100 km away! As a result of the eruption a turquoise-blue acidic lake appeared on the summit. The nearby Mutnovsky volcano's (2323 m) crater is by far the most impressive in all of Kamchatka. It is commonly referred to as the "devil's kitchen". A mini-Valley of Geysers containing outstanding field of thermal springs and geysers with vapor-gas spurts, boiling mud, hot lakes and heated bogs, can be found near the foot Mutnovsky volcano.

One of least visited and more mysterious areas of Kamchatka is the Kluchvskaya group of volcanoes which is dominated by a 8000 year old Kluchevskoy volcano (4750 m). It is the biggest volcano in Eurasia and it has beautiful cone-like shape. Its closest neighbor is Bezymyanny volcano (2882 m) whose last explosion destroyed the top of the mountain and formed a crater roughly a mile across leaving a few frozen lava glaciers on its slopes. Two-peaked Tolbachik volcano (3682 m & 3085 m) has some of its black-sanded slopes destroyed and covered with ledges. Finally Zimina volcano (3119 m) has two ice covered summits and a glacier running down its northern side.

Valley of Geysers - is a world-famous valley in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve north of PK, where hydrothermal activity displays itself in the most dramatic manner. This breathtaking palace is only accessible by helicopters, however it surely will impress your imagination.

There are more then 150 therapeutic thermal springs dotted around the area, which make Kamchatka a dream location for a totally natural heath spa resort under the open sky. In fact no health resort in the world has such diverse healing capabilities. Many of the springs are concentrated in the Nalychevo national park and around the area of the Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes. Both beautiful and therapeutic they are a true reward after a hard days trekking.