Wild Kamchatka: Russian Far East Expedition (9 Days) | Searching for Earth's First Pristine Earth

Day 1 Shanghai → Vladivostok

·morning

Tourists gathered at Terminal 2 of Shanghai Pudong International Airport early this morning. Their tour leader will take them through boarding and customs formalities before boarding a Siberia Airlines flight to Vladivostok, the capital of Russia's Primorsky Krai.

After arriving and passing through customs, enjoy Russian cuisine.

·afternoon

After lunch, we will start our city tour of Vladivostok, the cultural city of the Far East:

Check in at Tokanev Lighthouse. This is the same check-in spot as the one in "Soulmate" and the filming location for the cover of Jay Chou's album "The End of War."

Afterwards, we came to Vladivostok Railway Station, a popular check-in spot for internet celebrities, and took a photo at the 9288 Monument, the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which marks the eastern terminus of the railway running through Russia.

Visit St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral. The cathedral is built in Russian Orthodox style, incorporating Byzantine architectural elements.

Visit the C56 WWII Submarine Museum. Housed within a decommissioned submarine, the museum commemorates the Soviet military and civilians' heroic resistance in Vladivostok.

Take the cable car to the Eagle's Nest Observation Deck. From the hill, tourists can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Over 70% of Vladivostok is within sight, offering a distant view of the Golden Horn Bay and the Golden Horn Bridge, as well as the numerous ports dotted along the coast.

The Golden Horn Bay is a natural landscape that this port city is most proud of and is also the essence of Vladivostok's charm.

Then proceed to the hotel to check in.

Note: If part of the itinerary is not completed in time, we will adjust it to the last day of returning to Vladivostok from Kamchatka.

Note: Full Refund in Case of Visa Rejection:
This itinerary includes individual visas to Russia and visa services. Documents must be submitted to the designated email address on China-TravelNote approximately 14-21 days prior to departure. If there are no document issues, visas will be issued within a week of departure. In the event of a group visa rejection, a full refund will be offered. Please refer to the "Fees Included - Visa" section for details.

Day 2 Vladivostok → Petropavlovsk

·morning

After breakfast, fly to Petropavlovsk, the capital of Kamchatka.

After leaving the airport, take a photo at the Twin Bears monument in Kamchatka. We also arrange a special folk welcome ceremony for tourists.

Afterwards, visit the city's Orthodox Cathedral, St. Peter's Monument and the city bay.

·afternoon

After a Russian lunch, visit the Kamchatka Volcanology and Geology Museum to learn about the most volcanoes and geological features of Kamchatka.

Visit the local seafood market and experience the daily life of local residents firsthand. You can also buy some homemade items by yourself and truly integrate yourself into the lives of local people.

Note: Since the flight is early, we will not make too many arrangements for the afternoon to give tourists more time to rest.

·night

In the evening, we climbed to the top of Mishkin Mountain in the center of the city to overlook the entire city of Petropavlovsk and the magnificent Avachinsky Bay, until the sunset slowly fell into the sea behind the volcano.

Notes: 1. Since the flight is early, the journey may be a bit tiring.
2. Due to the hotel shortage in July and August, the hotel may be arranged in a small town near the city.

Day 3 North Pacific Cruise (8-10 hours)

All day

After breakfast, we will drive to the pier to board a boat and explore Avachinsky Bay, one of the world's most famous bays, before entering the North Pacific Ocean.

Take a boat trip to visit the Three Brothers Rock, a symbol of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Then, visit Starichikov Island, home to a vibrant birdlife and marine life. Puffins, seals, sea lions, and dolphins are also frequent visitors. Bait and hooks are provided on board for sea fishing. If conditions permit, the crew will assist with catching fresh seafood, so tourists can enjoy delicious crabs.

Whale watching in the Russian Gulf. Twenty species of whales have been spotted in the waters around here, including sperm whales, killer whales, humpback whales, marsupial whales, and white-rumped porpoises. If you're lucky, you might even see several whales resting in the sea.

Arrive at Sea Lion Rock in the afternoon, where you can see hundreds of sea lions.

Afterwards, return to Petropavlovsk and check in.

Important Note: Our cruises are 8-10 hours long, unlike some 6-hour cruises on the market. China-TravelNote also includes a whale watching session, increasing your chances of spotting whales. We also visit Sea Lion Island, home to a vibrant area of ​​sea lions and other marine life.

Notes: 1. June to October is the best time for whale watching, when you can often see groups of whales. The chances of seeing whales may be lower during other times of the year. Sea lions and flocks of birds are also common on the sea.
2. Whale watching is a rare event, so sightings are not guaranteed.
3. If you are unable to sail due to weather conditions, please adjust your itinerary at any time.
4. Seasickness can easily occur during a cruise, so please bring your own seasickness medication.

Day 4 Dangerous Canyon & Small Geyser

All day

Today we'll embark on a wilder day, taking an off-road vehicle for approximately three hours to the dangerous canyon at the foot of Mount Mut.

On the way there, we passed the "Little Geyser," where bubbling streams and springs gurgled and steam rose slowly. The area surrounding the springs was awash in shades of green, a breathtaking sight of nature's healing power. From here, we could see the valley in the distance, emitting clear "smoke." The entire geyser valley, small and concentrated, resembled a fairyland.

There is also a chance to encounter small animals such as groundhogs and foxes along the way.

Capture life-changing photos at Dangerous Canyon! Witness the glacial waterfalls at Dangerous Canyon. The sight is truly breathtaking. The pristine landscape will leave visitors feeling like they've traveled through time, making the trip feel like an epic movie.

Afterwards, return to Petropavlovsk.

Driving time: It takes about 3-4 hours to drive from the city to Dangerous Canyon

Day 5: Bear Chasing at Lake Nachi

·morning

After breakfast, we'll take an off-road vehicle through dense forests. As we drive through the mountains and forests, the signal and navigation become lost, and tourists will understand why they say Kamchatka has directions but no roads.

After arriving at Lake Nachi, we made preparations at the campsite. We then boarded a speedboat and began our bear-hunting mission.

Lake Nachi is one of Kamchatka's best bear-watching spots. Tourists can get up close and personal (ranging from 50 to 200 meters). Brown bears prey on migrating salmon, and witness the annual bear fishing season. Kamchatka is one of the few places on Earth where all Pacific salmon species can be found.

·afternoon

After watching the bears, we will return to the camp to enjoy a simple meal.

Then take the SUV back to the hotel for check-in.

Driving time: It takes 3-4 hours to drive from the city to Lake Nachi

Notes: 1. Bear viewing is a probability event and there is no guarantee of seeing a brown bear.
2. Due to safety and weather issues, helicopter flights to Kuril Lake have recently been affected, so bear viewing has been changed to Nachi Lake. Unlike Kuril Lake, you won't see large groups of brown bears at Nachi Lake; you'll likely see a few or more scattered bears.

Day 6 Petropavlovsk → Northern hunting camp

·morning

After breakfast, we headed to the northern hunting camp. Since the drive was long, we would be on the road all morning.

·afternoon

After arriving in the afternoon, we will [transfer to an armored vehicle] and head to the hunting camp. Upon arrival, we will track the brown bear according to the actual situation.

Afterwards, tourists are free to move around. We arranged a river fishing experience for them. If you are lucky, you may even see a brown bear on the other side of the river!

Complimentary* camp target shooting experience. Other optional activities, such as off-road motorcycle riding, can be requested on-site.

Accommodation at the hunting camp: The camp consists of several rooms within a single building, each furnished with multiple single beds. The interiors are rather basic. Toilets and showers are shared, and the rooms lack private bathrooms. Overall, the conditions are quite harsh.

·night

Enjoy a special BBQ meal at the campsite for dinner and then check in to the campsite.

Special Note: *Due to limited accommodation resources near the campsite, the accommodation conditions are average.

Driving time: 4-5 hours one way from the city to the hunting camp

Notes: 1. The drive is long and bumpy, so please prepare motion sickness medication.
2. Bear watching is a matter of chance; there is no guarantee of seeing a brown bear.
3. Fishing is a matter of chance; there is no guarantee of catching fish.
4. The hunting camp is located in areas frequented by brown bears, near rivers and lakes, or along salmon runs. These areas are rich in food resources, attracting large numbers of brown bears. Especially during salmon run season (July-September), brown bears gather near rivers, waiting for opportunities to catch the plump salmon. They stand in shallow waters, using their keen eyes and nimble claws to snatch up swimming fish, demonstrating their formidable hunting abilities.

Day 7 Hunting camp → Petropavlovsk

·morning

After breakfast at the camp, we will return to Petropavlovsk by 4x4 vehicle.

·afternoon

After arriving in the city, head to nearby Khalaktyrsky Beach, also known as the Black Sand Beach. Stroll barefoot along the beach and enjoy the beautiful black sand.

Afterwards, return to the hotel to rest and relieve the fatigue caused by the long journey.

Driving time: 4-5 hours one way from the hunting camp to the city

Day 8 Petropavlovsk → Vladivostok

·morning

After breakfast at the hotel, take a timely flight back to Vladivostok.

·afternoon

Enjoy a simple local meal for lunch in Vladivostok. Then embark on a half-day tour of Vladivostok's main island:

Cross the famous Golden Horn Bridge and head to the Great Russian Island.

Visit the [Fortress] (Inside) This magnificent fortress took nearly 30 years to build and is one of the largest defensive facilities in the world.

Explore the Vladivostok Oceanarium (inside). This unique aquarium, opened in 2015 with the ribbon-cutting ceremony by Putin himself, is a center of Russian science and education. Walking through the stunning transparent tunnel creates a sense of being underwater, while the trainers and dolphins entertain visitors with their captivating performances.

Day 9 Vladivostok → Shanghai

All day

Today, tourists can freely explore Vladivostok and then proceed to the airport in time to catch their flight back to Shanghai. They will arrive in Shanghai at 0:05 the next day.