Getting here, permits, weather and what actually goes in the bag.
Yelizovo airport (PKC) serves Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, about 30 km from the city. Flights come from Moscow (roughly nine hours, overnight), Novosibirsk and Vladivostok. There is no rail and no road onto the peninsula from anywhere.
The Kronotsky Reserve, the South Kamchatka Sanctuary and several coastal areas require permits arranged in advance. We handle these; we need passport details three weeks before departure, and longer if you are travelling on a passport that requires border-zone clearance.
Maritime and unstable. Summer temperatures in the valleys run 12–20 °C, considerably colder on the cones and at altitude. Fog closes helicopter operations regularly — every itinerary carries two spare days, and we use them most seasons.
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Hard-shell jacket and trousers | Not showerproof. Actually waterproof. |
| Boots, broken in | Ash and scoria destroy soft soles |
| Gaiters | Volcanic grit gets into everything |
| Sleeping bag to −5 °C | Tents and mats we provide |
| Sunglasses, category 3+ | Snowfields at altitude |
| Insect repellent | July in the tundra is memorable |
You must carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation. There is one hospital of any size on the peninsula, in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and from most of our camps reaching it means flying. We ask for your policy number before departure and will not start a trip without it.