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  • Kamchatka brown bear | © Andrew James

Highlights and Main Attractions of the Kamchatka Peninsula

Highlights and Main Attractions of the Kamchatka Peninsula

Situated as far east as one can travel in the Far East, Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula is a vast area of remote wilderness prime for adventure. Despite its size, there are less than 200 miles of paved roads here, and the best way of getting around is often by helicopter. Kamchatka contains the highest concentration of active volcanoes in the world, as well as freezing winters that are braved by nomadic reindeer herders. The volcanoes have been incorporated into an extensive UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including brown bears, sea otters and sea eagles. The region’s extensive network of rivers and proximity to the Sea of Okhotsk and Pacific Ocean allows it to play host to the largest variety of salmonid species on earth, including the sockeye salmon. The seas surrounding the Commander Islands are perfect for intrepid adventurers wishing to catch a glimpse of marine wildlife, with orcas, humpback whales and teeming seabird colonies often visible. 

Kamchatka is not your typical safari destination. There are no luxury lodges here and little in the way of tourist infrastructure. In the words of our Founder & CEO Will Bolsover, who has pioneered safari travel in the region, "this is a place where wild is wild, and the creature comforts of the modern traveller are left behind". Natural World Safaris are proud to forge the way into these remote bastions of pristine wilderness. We've put the time in on the ground to build up a strong network of local contacts, discovering how best to travel through and experience Kamchatka. We've ventured to the very end of the road to untangle the complexity of travel here for those who follow. Looking to leave the manicured lawns and well-trodden paths behind? If so, we can design an adventure that will allow you to witness the majesty and spectacle of Kamchatka in the best possible way. Contact our Destination Specialists for further information.

Kamchatka Highlights

Anton Agarkov, Kamchatka Anton Agarkov, Kamchatka Valley of Geysers, Einar Fredriksen, Flickr Kamchatka brown bear | © Andrew James Moose Steller's sea lions off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia | © M. Kelly Anton Agarkov, Kamchatka

A Land of Fire...

Sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Kamchatka Peninsula is home to around 160 volcanoes, 29 of which are still active.

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...and a Land of Ice

Hot water springs have carved out otherworldly ice caves beneath glacial ice on the flanks of Mutnovsky Volcano, found towards the peninsula's southern point.

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A Geothermal Wonderland

Alongside Kamchatka's hot springs and volcanoes are a huge amount of geysers. There are around 90 in the aptly named Valley of Geysers alone!

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Roaming Giants

Kamchatka is home to one of the world's largest brown bear subspecies. More than 10,000 live here, subsisting mostly on the land's rich supply of fish, nuts and berries.

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A Wildlife Haven

It's not just bears that call this land home – inland parks and reserves provide sanctuary for moose, wolves, reindeer, bighorn sheep and sable.

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Life-Giving Waters

There are some 100,000 lakes and rivers in Kamchatka, all teeming with fish, while coastal waters provide habitat for whales, otters, seabirds, sea lions and the rare Steller's sea eagle.

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A Wilderness Like No Other

Much of the peninsula's 100,000 square miles is as pristine and primal as it was before the arrival of humans – this is a true frontier destination.

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Kamchatka Peninsula Quick Facts

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Population: despite covering a larger area than the UK, the population is almost 200 times smaller with a total of under 330,000 people.
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Abundant wildlife: the region is incredibly rich in wildlife due to its diverse ecosystems, from temperate forests to subarctic tundra, and low human density.
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Geothermal activity: the Kamchatka peninsula has the highest density of volcanoes in the world with 160 volcanoes, of which 29 are still active.
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Lost wilderness: until 1990, no foreigners were permitted to visit the peninsula.
Will Bolsover, Kamchatka

The land of fire and ice

Containing a wide diversity of ecosystems and an abundance of wildlife, Kamchatka is a fascinating destination for the more intrepid traveller. The peninsula boasts the highest density of volcanoes in the world which form the Volcanoes of Kamchatka UNESCO World Heritage Site, spread across six different sites in central and southern Kamchatka. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the largest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere, at a staggering 15,584 feet high, while the perfect conical shape of Kronotsky Volcano has earned it the reputation of being among the most beautiful. 

Surrounding this volcano on the eastern coast is the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, home to over 800 Kamchatka brown bears and as many as 750 different plant species. The rugged terrain also incorporates the famed Valley of Geysers, a literal hotspot of thermal activity featuring the second-largest concentration of geysers in the world, along with a host of hot springs.

The Kamchatka brown bears, renowned for their exceptionally large build, are also drawn to the shores of Kuril Lake, located on the southernmost tip of the peninsula. This beautiful crater lake, set against a backdrop of the Ilinsky and Diky Grebe volcanoes, contains the largest stock of sockeye salmon in Asia. Further north, the annual salmon run in the Kamchatka River is a real spectacle, as millions of spawning salmon turn the waters a deep crimson.

Due to its rugged landscape and low population density, much of the peninsula is not easily accessible, but the region's volcanoes and lakes are often best viewed from the air.

Our blogs on Kamchatka

Images of Kamchatka: A photographic journey through one of Russia's most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes.
The Land of Fire and Ice: NWS MD Will Bolsover's report from his journey into the wilds of Kamchatka.
Unlocking Far East Russia: Reflections from our resident Russia expert Will on the possibilities awaiting intrepid travellers in Kamchatka.

Our favourite Kamchatka Peninsula adventures

  • Brown bear in Kamchatka |© Andrew James

    Kamchatka Brown Bear Safari

    Russia - from $12,106

    On this safari, you'll travel to one of the world’s most wild and picturesque places in search of brown bears and spectacular landscapes. Kamchatka is an essential destination for anyone interested in frontier travel, and you'll be well placed to capture the region's stunning beauty on camera.

  • Orca, Kamchatka | © J. E. Ross, Heritage Expeditions

    Siberia East Coast Expedition

    Russia - from $7,452

    Discover eastern Siberia, one of the most remote regions on the planet, setting your sights upon seals and sea otters, thousands of seabirds and the magnificent brown bears of Kamchatka while sailing along Russia’s coastline.

  • Arctic Russia | © Aterauds Jewel

    Jewel of the Russian Far East

    Russia - from $7,268

    Cruise the rugged coastlines of Russia’s eastern seaboard, a remote and seldom-visited area that is known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife. Travelling in September, witness thousands of seabirds prepare for migration, along with the walrus, sea otters and Kamchatkan brown bears that call this region home.

  • Bukhta Natalia, Kamchatka | © J E Ross, Heritage Expeditions

    Ring of Fire: Kamchatka and Kuril Islands

    Russia - from $7,867

    The Kuril Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula are situated prominently on the Ring of Fire, a series of volcanic belts and colliding tectonic plates that almost encircle the Pacific Ocean. Geothermal activity has created a beautiful and unique landscape here in Russia’s Far East, where brown bears, seabird and cetaceans thrive. Discover the Ring of Fire on board the Spirit of Enderby.

Russian High Arctic

Your Next Steps

Talk to one of our specialists for further details on travelling to Russia.