NEW!!! #411 Unbounded Wildlife of the Commander Islands

This is a trip for your enduring memories of the abundant wildlife on the exotic Commander Islands, which is the preserved area of Kamchatka region, entirely included into Commander State Natural Reserve. They consist of two large islands - Bering Island (our destination) and Medny Island, and two smaller ones – Toporkov & Ariy Kamen, which are actually rocks inhabited by the seagulls, guillemot, cormorants, and puffins. The scenery of the areas offered to visit below will surely exceed your expectations as being very spectacular and giving a unique chance to shoot sea mammals, wild animals, sea birds unafraid of man, as well as dramatic severe landscapes. You will also be acquainted with the life style of the Aleutians, aboriginal people taken across from Aleutian Islands.

Mid July to August is the best time for the trip below.

Departure: August 16^th- August 24^th 

Day 1. Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Accommodation in a hotel.

Day 2. Transfer to the Commander Islands by helicopter.
Arrival to Nikolskoye village on Bering Island where only about 700 people live, including 350 Aleutians. Stay in Nikolskoye to be acquainted with the life style of Aleutians, indigenous people of Kamchatka. Visit to a museum, slide-show describing the nature and wildlife of the islands. Stay over in a wooden hut or tents.

Day 3. After breakfast we start 2 days excursion to Commander Bay, Tolsty Cape. We drive about 4 hrs by caterpillar vehicle to view and make exclusive shots of birds, deer, blue polar fox, seals and sea-otters. Our wildlife guides will make everything possible to show you as much as possible of the natural life of the bay and its unique fauna. Along the way (or weather permitting on the way back) you can witness red salmon spawning ground on Sarannoye lake, which takes place from the middle of July up to the middle of September. Overnight in a tent camp or in hunter's hut.

Day 4. Spend a day exploring the Bay, visit to the grave of the famous sailor and discoverer of Kamchatka - Vitus Bering and part of his team who were buried here. The remains of their expedition are still found in the places where the crew had spent nine harsh months Return to Nikolskoye village. Stay over in a wooden hut or tents.

Day 5. An excursion to the Northern rookery of fur-seals on Bering Island by a caterpillar cross-country vehicle (1,5 hrs). The population is about 7800 fur-seals. (or as a variant depending on the weather conditions to the North-Western rookery where there is a 1000 population but the surrounding landscape is very nice with picturesque rocks nearby).

Day 6. Flight back from Nikolskoye to Petropavlovsk. Accommodation in a hotel.

Day 7. City tour with a visit to the museum of Local Lore, historical monuments and viewing spot.

Day 8. Free time in Petropavlovsk. A reserve day in case of bad weather. A farewell party in a local restaurant.

Day 9. Drive to the airport for your departure home.
                                   
Group size is 8 persons max. 
Included: double accommodation, visa invitation and registration, full board en route, bed & breakfast in the city, all transfers and local transportation, helicopter, guide, interpreter and cook services, camp equipment, museum entrance, visa invitation and visa registration, permits.
Excluded: plane tickets, alcohol, insurance, sleeping bags.

Note: Any day’s schedule is flexible due to the particular features of weather conditions on the Commander Islands. Air temperature in summer is rarely higher than 10-15° C.