Winter’s Tale
“Winter’s Tale” — a snowmobile or ski tour to the Kipeliye springs.
The Levaya Shchapina River, flush to the foot of the Kizimen Volcano on the south and the Ashachny mountain range, greets visitors at the reserve’s border. Snowmobile tracks wind between the majestic and silent fir trees. Their snow-covered branches bring to mind the well-known and beloved Russian fairy tale “Father Frost.” And then — the sparkling expanse of the tundra and a view of the Kizimen Volcano, which is currently active. With its beautiful, almost spiky, peak, its summit ridged from petrified lava, and its constantly steaming vents, this volcano always makes an impression.
The Kipeliye springs themselves are similar to the Narzan in the Caucasus, and their medicinal waters have long made them popular with the population of the Kamchatka River valley.
Length of excursion: 3 days.
Level of difficulty: a generally accessible route.
Important! Passes to the “Winter’s Tale” tour and permission to visit the Reserve territory can be obtained in Yelizovo or directly at the Ipuin base.
Additional services: A delivery service is available for an extra fee. Snowmobile rental is not available.
Getting there: Tourist agencies throughout Kamchatka organize tours to the territory. Public transport: a bus from Yelizovo to Atlasovo village leaves daily at 12:30; the trip’s duration is about 7 hours (more schedule and station information available in Yelizovo). The distance from Lazo village to the Kronotsky Reserve territory is 84 kilometers. The snowmobile route takes about 6–8 hours. For more information, call the Kronotsky Reserve’s Division of Ecological Education and Tourism at +7 (41531) 7 16 52.
The tour’s contribution to the development of protected areas: all proceeds will be used for the preservation of natural systems, research of the territories, and growth of environmental education.
