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Photography Tour Bears and Ocean

Destination: Kamchatka
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
Minimum age of the participant of this trip
12 Days
Highlights
  • Visit of Kurile Lake
  • Cruise on the bays of the Pacific Ocean on a comfortable ship
  • Brown Bear Watching
  • Acquaintance with the flora and fauna of Kamchatka
  • Accompanied by an experienced guide and local photographer
Tour Overview

There are many places in Russia where the photographer can go in search of pictures of unique wildlife. Among them, there is one that has become a place of attraction not only for photographers, but also for all wildlife lovers - Kurile Lake in Kamchatka.

We offer you a unique photo tour during which you will find yourself in a real country of bears: the number of brown bears here is the largest in Russia! Taking a picture of a bear in its natural habitat against the backdrop of the majestic Kamchatka volcanoes is a worthy goal to go to the south of the peninsula to the territory of a specially protected reserve. There are a lot of fish, the bears are not distracted by the guests who arrived and lead their measured lifestyle, so you can photograph them from a distance of only a few meters.

In addition to observing the bears, we propose you also go on a cruise along the bays of the endless Pacific Ocean, where you will see the inhabitants of these places: majestic whales, sea lions, killer whales and many bird rookeries.

A professional photographer or a beginner can become a participant. We also invite wildlife and animal lovers to participate - there are so many things to see on the tour!

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Arrival to Kamchatka Peninsula
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • Day 2
    Along the Sea of Okhotsk to the territory of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky — Pauzhetka
  • Day 3
    Road to Kurile Lake
    Pauzhetka — Kurile Lake
  • Day 4
    Brown bears watching
    Kurile Lake
  • Day 5
    Day on the lake
    Kurile Lake
  • Day 6
    Return to Pauzhetka
    Kurile Lake — Pauzhetka
  • Day 7
    Return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
    Pauzhetka — Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • Day 8
    Sailing to Pacific ocean
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky — Russian bay
  • Day 9
    Cruise in the bays of Avacha bay
    Pacific ocean
  • Day 10
    Continuation of the cruise
    Pacific ocean
  • Day 11
    Return to the city
    Pacific Ocean — Petropavslovsk-Kamchatsky
  • Day 12
    End of the programme
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • 11:00
    Arrival to the airport of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
    Meeting with your driver and transfer to the hotel of Paratunka village. Accommodation and rest after the flight. You have possibility to bathe in the thermal springs situated on the territory of the hotel.
  • 15:00
    Meeting with your guide
    Meeting with your guide and photo tour-leader and discussion of the programme.
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Antarius, Paratunka
Twin room
  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Departure by 4x4 to Pauzhetka village
    We will go along the shore of Okhotsk sea to the southern part of the peninsula. En route, we will cross two rivers by ferry.
  • 13:00
    Picnic en route
  • 17:00
    Arrival and accommodation in teh guest house
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in the guest house
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky — Pauzhetka
Accommodation
Accommodation in the guest house of Pauzhetka village
House for 5-6 perons
Note

7 h 4x4  (450km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Transfer to the territory of the Kronotsky nature reserve by 4x4
  • 11:00
    Trekking to the lake
    Trekking to the territory of the cordon - 13 km without luggage (the belongings will be transported by the bark). En route, we will visit the special place: Kuthiny baty - natural monument, pumice-stone uncoverings.
  • 13:00
    Picnic en route
  • 16:00
    Arrival to the territory of the inspectors' cordon
    We will be met by the inspector of the reserve who will accompany the group during our stay on the lake.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on cordon
Photo of the day
Route
Pauzhetka — Kurile Lake
Accommodation
Accommodation at the cordon of Kurile lake
House for 8 persons
Note

4 h trekking  (13km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Brown bears watching
    For 2 days you have a possibility to make photos in the best place for photographers! During the Kuril Lake part, you will be accompanied by the inspector (armed person for protection just in case), English-speaking guide and our local experienced photographer - he will help with the photo issues. There will be a bark for making tours around the lake. Kuril Lake is the biggest reservoir of the fresh water on Kamchatka. It's a is a breeding ground for the red salmon. Their quantity can reach 10 million fishes! That's why there are a lot of brown bears and also Steller's sea eagles. You have great possibility to watch bears, follow their lifestyle and catch the best shots: picturesque landscapes with the volcanic views, reflections in the water and brown bears. The territory is strictly protected and there are no crowds of tourists. Please, follow the instructors advices and the principle "Leave no trace" - there people are the guest of the wild nature!
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on cordon
Photo of the day
Route
Kurile Lake
Accommodation
Accommodation at the cordon of Kurile lake
House for 8 persons
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Brown bears watching
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on cordon
Photo of the day
Route
Kurile Lake
Accommodation
Accommodation at the cordon of Kurile lake
House for 8 persons
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Trekking to the border of the natural reserve
  • 12:00
    Lunch (picnic)
  • 13:00
    Return to Pauzhetka village by 4x4
    Arrival and accommodation in the guest house.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in the guest house
Photo of the day
Route
Kurile Lake — Pauzhetka
Accommodation
Accommodation in the guest house of Pauzhetka village
House for 5-6 perons
Note

2 h trekking  (13km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Return to the city by 4x4
  • 13:00
    Lunch en route (picnic with lunch-boxes)
  • 17:00
    Arrival to the city, accommodation in the hotel
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Pauzhetka — Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Antarius, Paratunka
Twin room
  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Transfer to the port, embarkation on board
    Acquaintance with the crew, accommodation in the cabins.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 15:00
    Start of the navigation in Avacha bay
  • 19:00
    Dinner on the board
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky — Russian bay
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin Omega, Kamchatka
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast on board
  • 11:00
    Navigation
    We will have a 2-days cruise in the interminable waters of the Pacific ocean. We will discover the ocean with all its beauties: breeding-grounds of sea-lions and seals, great whales and rookeries of different birds. Don't miss the chance to get up earlier for catching sunrises! Our itinerary: Avacha bay, Three brothers cape, Starichkov island, Chasovoy cape, Green cape, Vilyuchinsk bay, Russian bay (where we will spend our overnights), Kekourny Cape, Pyramid rocks. There is a big cabin for the the group and an open main deck with benches for animal watching and photographing.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 19:00
    Dinner on board
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Sunset in the Sea of Okhotsk
Route
Pacific ocean
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin Omega, Kamchatka
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast on board
  • 11:00
    Animal watching
    Our boat is equipped with the small craft. If the weather is favourable, we will make some disembarkations for approaching rookeies and sea-lions breeding-ground.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 19:00
    Dinner on board
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Steller sea lion
Route
Pacific ocean
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin Omega, Kamchatka
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast on board
  • 11:00
    Navgation to the port of the city
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 16:00
    Return to the port of the city
    Transfer to the hotel, accommodation and rest.
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Shantar
Route
Pacific Ocean — Petropavslovsk-Kamchatsky
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Antarius, Paratunka
Twin room
  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 11:00
    Transfer to the airport
    En route, we will pass the souvenir and fish market. End of the programme.
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
  • Letter of invitation
  • Russian-speaking guide services
  • English-speaking guide services
  • Meals according to the program
  • Photo and video permit at visited places
Price does not include
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Airline tickets
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The departure is guratedd for the group from 6 persons. Kindly note that the use of quadrocopters is forbidden on the territory of the Kurile lake. We recommend you to take a sleeping-bag for overnights in Pauzhetka village. We also ask you to refrain from oversized suitcases and bags for the convenience of their transportation on off-road vehicles and a boat.

Reviews
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this tour. Below reviews for destination:
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Liang
From 28 July 2023 to 7 August 2023
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
An excellent travel tour! The organization was top-notch, the tour leader was exceptional, and the customer service was outstanding, promptly addressing any inquiries.
4.50
4.50
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Jenna
From 21 January 2020 to 28 January 2020
Destination: Kamchatka
Custom tourExpedition to Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
The group had a fantastic time and we will definitely be returning to Kamchatka soon. Thank you so much for the excellent service.
4.00
4.00
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
4.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
4.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Martin
From 19 October 2018 to 24 October 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Custom tourAutumn Tour to Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Many Thanks to my " personal " very good and professional Tourguide Katerina Kuzmina.
4.67
4.67
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Laurence
From 7 August 2018 to 19 August 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Très beau voyages, des volcans, et des ours !!
4.67
4.67
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Jean-Pierre
From 22 August 2018 to 3 April 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Très bien ! J'ai fait un super tour avec une très bonne organisation. A recommander !
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