Avachinsky volcano (ascent)

Avachinsky ranks among the most active volcanoes in all of Kamchatka. It emerged over ten millennia ago, and its regularly shaped cone once towered above neighbouring Koryaksky (currently much taller at 3451m). However, after the relatively (very relatively) peaceful eruptions were followed by some disastrous ones, enormous explosions tore the entire top part off the volcano, creating a bowl-shaped basin known as caldera and measuring around 4km in diameter. Then, some 5,000 years ago, a new cone began growing from the bottom of the caldera, and it is still growing.

Upon reaching the summit, one can see the valley of the river Nalycheva, the adjacent volcanic chain of Zhupanovo-Dzenzur, the Pacific Ocean, the city of Petropavlovsk, the Bay of Avacha, and more volcanoes such as the Vilyuchinsky, Mutnovsky, Gorely, and Opala.

Thousands of tourists climb the active volcano of Avachinsky every year. The ascent takes seven to eight hours and (in summer) requires no mountaineering skills or equipment.

In 1787, members of Jean François Lapérouse’s round-the-world expedition tried to reach the summit.

Tour programme: 

Day 1
Set out in the afternoon, drive to the base of the volcano, and settle in lodges (4 to 6 people per room, sleep in bags). Supper. Russian sauna. Rest

Day 2
Get up at 5:30 a.m., light breakfast. Briefing and start. Traverse some rubble fields, cross the deep gorge of the Dry River, straddle the volcanic ridge. Snack at 2,000m elevation, a little rest, and proceed up the cone, steep at 30 degrees all the way to the summit. Hot tea, sandwiches, and sweets to be had at the summit. Walk around the crater. Return to camp, supper, drive back to Petropavlovsk.

• Time available: July through September
• Duration: 2 days
• Number of participants: up to five (or more, but then the price is increased)

Climb and descent length (both ways): 12km. Climb takes six to eight hours, descent takes three to four hours.

• Price per person: 17000 RUB

What to pack: wind- and waterproof jacket with a cape, hiking boots, fleece, headgear, cotton gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, repellent, small backpack for climbing (30-50 litres), camera, spare batteries.

Weather may impose change in itineraries, including delays and postponed departures.