What is Kamchatka?

The Kamchatka peninsula is situated in the Russian Far East with a population of 380,000. Two thirds of the people live in the capital city, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski. The peninsula is often called the "Land of Volcanoes" due to its 29 active volcanoes. Kamchatka is well-known for its breathtaking beauty and untouched nature. More than 150 volcanoes, 100 000 lakes, about 400 glaciers and 300 geysers are the main attractions for tourists. Most rivers in Kamchatka have all six species of Pacific salmon and are exceptionally wild and scenic. The climate is mild, with a short summer and long, snowy winter.


How many years' experience do you have?

We, VULKAN TOUR COMPANY, have 14 years' history of running fly-fishing trips on Kamchatka remote rivers and are one of the first tourist companies in Kamchatka.


What is the tour group size?

Our average group size is 8-10 guests. Sometimes we may have smaller groups.


What kind of rivers do we fish?

We take you to the best, uninhabited, pristine and beautiful rivers, teeming with eager fish on the south-west of Kamchatka peninsula, classic for fly-fishing. The rivers have class 2-3 white water and some have hot and cold mineral springs on their way. They flow through luxurious woods, rocky mountains, majestic canyons, and past magnificent volcanoes.


What is the trip itinerary and daily schedule?

6-7 days out on the river floating, fishing, camping and 1 or 2 days in town touring and shopping. While out in the wilderness: coffee at 7: 00, breakfast at 8:30, lunch at 1: 00, dinner at 8:00. While in town: breakfast at 9:00 at the hotel cafe, lunch at 1:00 and dinner at 7:00 at the restaurant. Sometimes the itinerary may be changed due to the weather.


What kind of meals are served out on the river?

You will be introduced to our traditional Russian cuisine and served home-style meals while on the river. The food includes fresh meat, plenty of fresh vegetable salads, and lots of juices. The meals are cooked on gas stoves and sometimes on the camp fire. The meals are so delicious that many of our guests ask for the recipes!


Will it be hard for us out on the river?

We expect you to be fit as you will sleep in tents, wade the rivers and climb up the river banks. You may be of any age group beginning from 14 and we welcome ladies on our trips as well. During the trip you will be continually helped by our Russian guides. We have most experienced and dedicated guides in Kamchatka working for our company! They are excellent fly fishers, very knowledgeable about the wildlife, have a great sense of humor and are simply wonderful, cheerful and warm people, fun to be with! The only thing you will have to do out on the river is to fish, fish and fish… You can fish from early morning till late at night if you wish.


What kind of fishing should we expect?

We cover 6-10 km (5-6 miles) floating down the river a day and fishing from the rafts. You can also wade fish from the river bank near the camp while the camp is being set up by the guides and the meals are being prepared. Excellent fishing for Rainbow, Char, Silver, Chum, Pink, King is available during the summer season. The Rainbow Trout average size is 62 cm. (24 inches) and you might catch some of them up to 82 cm. (33inches) long! Chars vary from 45cm. (18 inches) average, up to 67cm. (27 inches). Silvers may be of 65 cm (26 inches) up to 80 cm. (32 inches). Kings are 80 cm.(32 inches) average and maximum 1.30m. (52 inches). More than once our guests said it was the fishing of their lifetime!


Do we need a fishing license?

Yes, you do. Your fishing license is included in the trip package. According to Russian fishing regulations the number of fish caught daily is not limited and you can catch all kinds of salmon but you cannot keep steelhead. We have a catch and release philosophy.


Is camping enjoyable?

Yes, you are going to enjoy camping with us as we have the best available up-to-date American equipment for your comfort, such as NORTH FACE or TATONKA tents, SOTAR rafts, a tarp and a big dining tent which may be heated, food-coolers, and portable showers. There will be two guests per raft, a guide rowing the raft and helping you with fishing, and also a cook and interpreter while out on the river. The staff takes good care of you and the camping while you relax or wade around. A fun spirit reigns in the camp throughout all the trip!


Is the trip safe?

Kamchatka controls everybody who comes here. As it is the remotest place in world and you can reach it only by plane and with a visa invitation not regarding your nationality. Thus crime and terrorism are very rare here almost non-existent. Our guides are highly experienced and they have an excellent command of water safety techniques. They are also equipped with the safest and most reliable highest quality equipment so your safety is assured. We use large 16 foot SOTAR (American) rafts and catarafts, which are considered state-of-the-art technology. A highly trained guide operates each raft, so that clients have no need to row unless they want to row for fun. Each participant is provided with a life jacket for his/her safety. Although the Kamchatka bears are rarely aggressive, we take a gun with us on all our trips for the clients' safety.


Do we need to bring our tackle with us?

Yes, you need to have your own fishing equipment with you and we do not furnish the tackle. As we have a catch and release philosophy we recommend you to use single hooks without barbs so as not to harm the fish since they work best for releasing the fish.


What do we need to bring while on the trip in Kamchatka?

Sleeping bag, pad, pillow, water-proof bag, camera and films, camera bag, polarized sunglasses, flashlight or head light with spare batteries and bulbs, pepper spray against bears, mosquito head net and repellent, two rolls of toilet paper, water filter bottles, fishing gloves, personal items, bath towel, swimming suit, running or hiking shoes, waders or chest waders, wind- and waterproof coat with hood, wool and cotton socks, cotton shirts and woolen sweater, fleece jacket and pants, jeans, wool hat and baseball cap, long wool and cotton underwear, shorts and sandals. This list of clothing will help you through June-August but in September-October you may need more warm clothing as the nights may be chilly and sometimes even frosty.


How to get to Kamchatka?

Your final destination to Kamchatka will be International Airport Elizovo, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski, Russia. MAVIAL (Magadan Airlines) performs direct weekly flights Anchorage, USA -Petropavlovsk, Russia. Direct daily flights to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski are also available from Moscow, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok, Russia. Information on Air Companies, flights schedule and prices can be found here: http://www.airagency.ru/English/Passenger/TimeT/PKT/timetable.htm


Are we picked up at the airport?

You will be met at the airport by an English-speaking representative of the VULKAN TOUR COMPANY and board a bus going to Petropavlovsk or helicopter site (weather permitting).


Can we use credit cards while in Kamchatka?

One can use VISA, Mastercard/Eurocard in some local banks and big department stores in the city. There are also ATM where you can get rubles and you will be charged 2-3% for it. Besides, you can exchange money at the airport, hotel and some local banks.


How much money should we exchange while in Petropavlovsk?

$100-$300 may be enough to buy souvenirs. You can buy native crafts, bone and wood carvings, paintings, semi-precious jewelry, some folk Russian crafts, books, and maps. Sometimes guests may want to buy gold jewelry for their loved ones and in this case they need to exchange more than one or two hundred dollars.


What does the hotel have to offer us?

Singles or doubles with private bath and shower, TV, refrigerator, telephone; English-speaking receptionist: fax, e-mail, international phone calls.


What is the climate in Kamchatka?

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/ Petropavlovsk_Kamchatskiy_RA_c.html

Summer and especially autumn is the best time for visiting Kamchatka. This table shows you average summer temperatures, but we must say that there is a certain contrast between day and night temperatures and the nights may be chilly in summer in the wilderness. Night temperatures in July-August can vary between zero and plus 8O C but in September-October they can be from minus 6O C up to zero. Rain and wind are not rare here during summer and autumn. Generally Kamchatka weather is well-known for its changeability and unpredictability.

May	+ 02/+08C	(35/46F)
June	+ 06/+15C	(42/59F)
July	+ 10/+20C	(50/68F)
August	+ 12/+20C	(53/68F)
September	+ 08/+15C	(46/59F)
October	+07/-0C	(44/32F)

How do we get our visa to come to Kamchatka?

In order to get to Kamchatka you need an invitation from us. The VULKAN TOUR COMPANY will send you the invitation upon receiving a signed BOOKING FORM from you. Then you send a completed and signed visa application form with 3 photos, your passport and our invitation to your nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate. For more detailed information click Russian Embassy or Consulate http://www.visatorussia.com in your country.


What is the difference in time?

Kamchatka is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich time.

Please contact us for more information.