The Kamchatka photo tour is an excellent opportunity for adventure photographers, to discover this wild part of Russian Far East, know as Russian Alaska. Plenty of volcanoes, the landscapes in the Kamchatka peninsula are the perfect place to take amazing photographs. A place to enjoy photographing his lakes, lava flows & forests at the National Parks, and of course the volcanoes.
Also, we will be photographing the wildlife of the area. Especially on our trip with a boat in the Avacha Gulf where we can photograph whales & seals. An area close to the Kuril islands & Hokkaido, where birds as the Steller’s sea eagles live during summers in Russia.
And of course the famous brown bears of Kamchatka. In this area, the bears are not dangerous, but we will be taking all the necessary precautions during the travel. At this time of the year, the bears are easier to see as they are preparing for the long winter. Fishing in the rivers during the spawning season of salmon. Anyway, as we explain the bears here are trying to avoid human contact, so it’s a perfect place in the world to photograph them.
Organized & Guided by local guides, we will explore during 14 days in August the best spots in Kamchatka. Summer is the best time to visit Kamchatka to avoid bad weather. We will be able to visit several ice caves, volcanoes and lava flow around the peninsula. This expedition is the dream of all landscape photographers, that now you can live yourself with us!
All services are included, so you do not need to worry about anything else than your Russian visa during this photography tour. Prepare your photographic gear for this amazing workshop to one of the most spectacular destinations in Russia. Our travel agency company offers you the most amazing package for photographers in Kamchatka.
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Arriving in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky where we will be meeting to start the Kamchatka photo tour. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of Kamchatka and home to around 180,000 people.
After a short city tour, we will approach the Mishennaya hill with the view of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
We’ll spend this day cruising the marine wildlife-rich waters of the bay (approx 10h). During this tour, we will visit a remote and spectacular cove on the south-western side of the Avachinsky Bay.
Regarded as one of the most pristine natural areas in the region, Russkaya Bay. Resembles an Arctic fjord, with crystal clear waters ringed by forested hills and snow-dusted mountain peaks. We will have the opportunity to photograph seals, sea lions, otters, Steller’s sea eagles, and an abundance of fish and birdlife. With a little luck, we might even be able to witness orca whales and dolphins breaching the surface.
For dinner, we will try fresh-caught fish, crabs, and sea urchins on board. After a full day on the water, we’ll head back to our vehicle and drive back to the hotel.
Firstly in the morning, we will move to the area of Mutnovsky, Gorely. On the way, we will visit the “Silent” waterfall on our first tour at the Kamchatka peninsula.
Once there, we will explore lava caves (if the road and weather condition allows) and we will go directly to Mutnovsky Volcano. After arriving at the surroundings of the volcano, we will set up a camp. Also, we will have time to visit a near ice cave.
At night, and around our camp we will be enjoying our first session of night photography.
Firstly in the morning, we will be exploring the Mutnovsky volcano and the ice caves near it. Also, we will visit Mutnovskaya geothermal power station. Finally, in the evening, we will photograph the sunset near the Viluchinsky volcano.
After that, we will come back to our camp. Of course, tonight will be another perfect moment to capture the Milky Way.
Today we will visit more points of view of the Mutnovsky & Viluchinsky volcanoes. During this day, we will be able to photograph lava flows around the area. Also, we will have time to visit more ice caves before moving to Paratunka. Once in the village, we will have time to rest in our hotel.
Today begins with a full day’s journey, in the middle of our Kamchatka Photo Tour, to a typical Russian village of Kozyrevsk. We’ll cover a total distance of approx 450km – the very exhausting drive is on unsealed roads takes roughly 8 to 10 hours. Along the way, we pass the old Cossack village of Milkovo. There we stop for lunch and a stroll around the village to get a feel of typical Russian rural life.
From here we head further to the wilderness along the banks of the Kamchatka River. It’s Kamchatka’s largest river, which runs northward through the central valley of the peninsula. An excellent opportunity to photograph bears around the river. At this season of the year, brown bears arrange salmon fishing along the shoreline.
On arrival at Kozyrevsk, we will stay overnight in very basic wooden cabins. There we will enjoy a real Siberian sauna (banya). If the weather lets us, we will photograph a stunning night starry sky.
Next two days we will spend the day visiting the volcanoes of Klyuchevskoy National Park. Registered into the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1999, covers an area of 376,000 ha.
That is Eurasia’s most grand and active group of volcanoes in its center. It consists of 13 volcanoes. Including 4 active ones: Klyuchevskoy, Plosky Tolbachik, Bezymyanny & Ushkovsky. And 9 extinct ones: Kamen, Krestovsky, Ostry Tolbachik, Ovalnaya Zimina, Ostraya Zimina, Bolshaya Udina, Malaya Udina, Sredny & Gorny Zoub.
One of the main landmarks here is the “Dead Forest”, an area that was destroyed by enormous eruptions between 1975 and 1976. We will be photographing this forest till sunset.
In this area again we will establish our camp. This way, we will be able to capture the Milky Way with incredible volcanoes in the background.
Today we will continue exploring the area. Firstly we will climb up the cones for sunrise, walking on the lava fields.
After a full day walking around, for sunset we will be shooting from nearby hills.
Finally, during the night we will be enjoying the clear skies of the Kamchatka peninsula for another night photography session.
After another sunrise session from the top of the cones, we will move to Kozyrevsk. Once there, we will have time to rest & take a sauna. This night, we will be sleeping in small houses in Kozyrevsk.
Today we will transfer to lake “Bowl”, which is located near the “Hoof” mountain. At this place, we will enjoy the sunset. As we will pass the night in tents, we will be able for an amazing night photography session.
First, in the morning, we will wake early to capture the sunrise from the shore of the lake. We will spend the day taking photos in the area of the lake “Bowl”, visiting the nearby canyon. For sunset, we will come to our camp close to the lake and enjoy photographing these volcanic landscapes even at night.
Like the rest of the nights, if the weather lets us, we will do some night photography.
After our sunrise session, we will transfer to a hotel in the Paratunka base. Once there we will have time to rest and make an analysis of the footage capture these days. We will have time for some post-processing lessons and visit the hot springs at the hotel.
Today we will be shooting the sunrise at Sinichkino lake. After that, we will be visiting the Volcano museum. Finally, for sunset, we will have time for a sunset session in the Pacific ocean. To finish our trip, we will have a Farewell dinner.
According to our schedules, we will drive to the market in Yelizovo. There we can buy some seafood & souvenirs before departure to the airport where will finish our Kamchatka photo tour.
If you want to make longer this trip, we offer you the possibility to visit Kuril lake by helicopter. At this time of the year, the bears are fishing salmon on the shore of the lake. It will give you the perfect possibility to do wildlife photography with our team of local guides and plenty of safety.
During the helicopter ride, you can photograph the Khodutka volcano & natural hot springs. A nature world heritage that you will have the opportunity to shot from the air.
Eduardo Fuster
Spanish photographer & teacher, diplomate in Art & specialized in Video & Photography. His photos were published in magazines such as National Geographic, Vogue, El Pais, Washington Post … Also worked in Real Estate photography for large luxury companies in the USA. He has also been working for the last 20 years in video design, collaborating on ads campaigns for Nike, Carrefour, Nivea, Hiberdrola, Tourism of Spain… His photographs were recognized in different international conquests. As an example the 1st place in Sunrises & Sunsets 35 awards 2019. Also get honorable mentions in the fine art photography awards 2018,2017,2016, Monochrome visions, 35 Awards 2018 & 2017 as an example.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport, Russia
Price
The price of this Kamchatka Photo Tour is based on the participation of a minimum of 6 participants. In case there are not enough participants, the possibility of making the trip will be offered with an increase proportional to the price, or a 100% refund of the total paid.
The last time of exchange rate calculation was January 1st, 2021, the final price can be modified up to 30 days before the tour start.
Accommodation
The accommodations offered are shared double rooms at Hotels, Individuals cabins & shared tents.
You can book an individual room during the process of the book your place for the photo tour or writing us at [email protected]
Meals
This tour includes all meals from dinner Day 1 till breakfast Day 14. Extra snacks or alcohol are not included.
Insurance
Our tours include basic insurance, we suggest contracting full cover insurance. Contact us to expand your insurance coverage.
Transports
Our tours include all internal transports (cars, vans, trains, or flights). We don’t include international flights, but we will guide you at the moment of your booking the best options to arrive to the destiny from your home.
Itinerary
The itinerary mentioned can be changed due to a force major reasons like weather conditions or accidents for example.
Payment & Refunds
To book your place you need to pay 20% of the total cost. The total payment must be made 30 days before the trip. For security reasons due to the pandemic, you do not need to pay for booking
This tour is done by LLC “CLUB OF PHOTO TRAVELERS”, due to illness or other reasons the trip may be made by another guide.
Cancellations
DUE TO COVID-19, we have exceptional conditions for cancellations: Before 15 days we refund 100%. Less than 15 days there is no refund.
Other considerations
Please, check the section “This tour include” and “This tour not include” to know more details about meals, guides or other services include.
Nowadays, most of the inhabitants of the peninsula are emigrants from the mainland of Russia. Even if the size of Oblast (region) is similar to France, with a population of around 400,000 people, and 75% live in the capital: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
The meaning of Kamchatka has the origin in the Ainu language, the original inhabitants of the peninsula. It’s formed by the three words: kam + cak + ka, so the original name could sound like Kamcakka. It means stretch + explode + place and together will be like the land that stretch and explode.
The best way to visit Kamchatka is by plane. The airport is located in Yelizovo, just 25 km from the capital. Most of the visitors come from Moscow in a direct plane of around 9 hours. Exists also other flights from Vladivostok & Novosibirsk, especially if you travel from Asia or America.
