Kamchatka

Kamchatka is one of the most exciting ecotourism destinations in East Russia. Its rich biodiversity is known all over the world. Kamchatka is without exaggeration one of the most spectacular regions in Russia. It occupies the area of 470,000 sq. km, which equals the size of France, Belgium and Luxembourg combined, and separates the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean.

One should not confuse Kamchatka with Siberia; this name is used for the peninsula itself and the closest part of the continent, including Karaginsky Island and the Komandorsky Archipelago. The mountain ridges - Sredinny, Valaginsky, Ganalsky and Kumroch - stretch from the north to the south giving the peninsula the shape of a giant fish. There are more than 160 volcanoes on the peninsula (29 of them are active), due to the fact that it lies on the Great Pacific “ring of fire”. Active and dormant volcanoes dominate the landscape.

Volcanoes and volcanic peaks, cyclones and underground heat created here a mixture of twenty climate zones and a great variety of flora and fauna. But the main attractions of Kamchatka are volcanic calderas, stone sculpture “parks” and lakes in craters, geysers and mineral springs, all in pristine condition.

The biggest brown bear in the world roams alongside fast, running rivers that abound with different types of fish World class fishing is one of the main stays of Kamchatka's tourism. The region also is home to the famous Kronotsky reserve and the wondrous Valley of the Geysers, smaller than Yellowstone, but perhaps more picturesquely located.

The latest figures about the number of Amur Tigers in East Russia fortunately show that their number has stayed the same. Researchers from WWF report that approximately 334-417 adult tigers remain and about 100 cubs.

The numbers reflect the work on tiger preservation that has been done by organizations, such as World Wildlife Fund, the Save-the-Tiger Fund, U.S. National Wildlife Foundation and others, who have established a protective network to save these magnificent animals from extinction. For more details contact park@mail.kamchatka.ru at Nalychevo Nature Park

Three additional protected areas offer unique wilderness experiences, the Yuzhno-Kamchatksy Reserve, Nalychevo and Bystrinsky Nature Parks. Further north, Kluchevskoye Park, nearby the volcano with the same name, offers experiences for scientists, hikers’ aand climbers. Esso and Anivgai, nearby villages, located in Kamchatka Switzerland, are home to the Even and Koryak reindeer herders.