The Ploskiy (Flat) Tolbachik Volcano (3085 m, active) and Ostriy (Sharp) Tolbachik (3682 m, extinct) are located in the central part of the peninsula on the south from the Klyuchevskaya sopka volcano(4750 m active) – the highest volcano in Eurasia. Ploskiy Tolbachik and Ostriy Tolbachik are so close to each other that from the side it seems a single volcano with sharp and flat parts.
The latest Tolbachik volcano eruption was from November 27 of 2012 to February 2014, in the result of which one of the volcano cones disappeared. The previous eruption is known as the “Great Fissure Tolbachik Eruption” (BFTE) happened in 1974-1975. New cones called “Northern” and “Southern” breaks, “The dead forest”, a lot of unique lava caves and valley of lava column appeared during the eruption.
The tour season: June – September
Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights.
Group size: 8-16 persons.
Travel periods: July-September
Tour itinerary:
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Day 1 – Departure from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy to Tolbachik volcano. |
DAY 1. DEPARTURE FROM PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKIY TO TOLBACHIK VOLCANO
Departure from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky or Paratunka towards the Tolbachik dale.
The journey takes about 12 hours (500 km.) and there is mostly no asphalt. A stop in the Milkovo villages to have lunch (paid by tourists on their own).
Arrival at the Tolbachik dale.
Setting up the camp next to the “Claw” cone. Dinner.
Overnight in tents.
DAY 2. HIKING AROUND LAVA FIELDS AND VISITING LAVA CAVES.
Breakfast.
Prepare for hiking, leaving the camp. The trip starts with a visiting of lava fields, the result of the old and the recent volcanic eruptions. When you take a look at that great amount of volcanic material that appeared in the result of volcanic activity, you will understand how Tolbachik eruptions were powerful.
After several years (the last Tolbachik eruption was in 2012-2013), the lava river is still hot! You will be able to see hot streams of gas and steam are going out from lava cracks. If you would like to have an evening walk, you will see cracks with red-hot magma in the dark.
During the hike, you will also have the opportunity to explore some caves that will surprise you with their diversity: in one of them, there are colorful stalactites of bizarre forms on the ceiling and the other cave will impress you with its size, the third cave has a ceiling covered with a “snow” coat – white salt crystals. Tolbachik volcano caves are of the great value in Kamchatka and in the world, because they are the only ones caves formed by volcanic eruptions of its kind.
When you finish visiting caves, return to the camp. Dinner.
Overnight in tents.
DAY 3. TOLBACHIK VOLCANO ASCENDING
Breakfast.
Prepare for climbing, leaving the camp.
Looking at the top of Ploskiy (Flat) and Ostriy (Sharp) Tolbachik volcanoes it is hard to believe that Flat Tolbachik is an active one. There are two volcanic calderas at the top of the volcano. The top looks like it was cut down, that is why the volcano got this name. The first caldera was formed during the powerful eruption about 6500 years ago, its diameter is about 3 kilometers. There is a new caldera inside the old one; the depth is about 400 m. and diameter is 1.8 km. This new caldera appeared in the result of BFTE in 1975-76.
Flat Tolbachik height is 3140 m. The ascent takes about 9-11 hours. You’ll have a snack at the top and there will be enough time to have rest after ascending.
Return to the camp. Dinner.
Overnight in tents.
DAY 4. CONES OF THE NORTHERN BREAK AND HIKING THROUGH THE “DEAD FOREST”.
Breakfast.
Start for the cones of the Northern break, formed in the result of BFTE (lasted more than a year from July 6, 1975 to December 10, 1976). The result of that eruption was the appearance of new cones up to 300 m., and the lava streams covered the area of 40 sq.km.
The Northern break – it is quite a high cone preserved volcanic activity. The Northern break – it is a quite high cone of volcanic activity. When the weather is good, from that point you may enjoy a wonderful view of Ploskiy and Ostriy Tolbachik, the Klyuchevskaya hill volcano and the Bezymyanniy (Unnamed) volcano. The surface of the cone is still warm and if you put a stick or a piece of paper in the crack, they will be set on fire.
After a hike around the cones of the Northern break you will have lunch. Going by bus truck to the Star cone and you’ll have a walk along the “dead forest”. During BFTE, cloud of hot ash covered the nearby forest destroying all alive.
The most firm trees, despite the fact that they were covered with hot ash and burnt to the core, are still standing as a silent monument of the destroying disaster. The forest is slowly recovering but even now, you may feel the sulfur smell and the ground is covered with a thick layer of ash and slag.
If you are not tired from the hike, we will offer a trip to the nearest cone with amazing views: on the left side you will be able to see the green stripe of forest and on the right a huge part of burnt forest that appeared in the result of the eruption.
Return to the camp. Dinner.
Overnight in tents.
DAY 5. RETURN TO PKC
Breakfast.
Going back to the city. The way takes about 12 hours (500 km). Stop in the Milkovo village to have lunch (paid by tourists on their own).
Check into a hotel. Free time.
Overnight in the hotel.
The price includes:
- Visa support
- Three meals daily according to the program;
- Transport services;
- Guides services on the routes;
- Cooks services on the route;
- Use of group tourist equipment;
- Accident insurance.
The price DOES NOT include:
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Any additional tours above the programme.
Our company will provide you with tents, sleeping bags and mats, walking poles, etc.
We recommend you to have personal equipment:
- Backpack (20-30 liters);
- Trekking shoes;
- Water- and windproof clothes;
- A set of warm clothes (sweater, warm trousers, socks, hat, gloves);
- Head protection from the sun;
- Sunglasses;
- Accessories for personal hygiene;
- Towel;
- Insect repellent / spray;
- Sunscreen;
- Photo and video equipment.
Additional Information:
The route or the route schedule may be changed according to the weather conditions, the training level of the group, other external factors. The guide may decide to change the route on the place.
WISHING YOU MANY DISCOVERIES AND PLEASANT HOLIDAYS
WITH THE RED RIVERS TOUR COMPANY!