Types of Visiting Programs
According to the visiting rules for the South Kamchatka Reserve of federal significance, subordinate to the Federal State Budget Institution “Kronotsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve”, the following types of touristic excursion programs are possible:
1. A multi-day walking program - an excursion program carried out on foot, lasting several days (depending on the chosen route). The escort of the group during this program is carried out by state inspectors of the reserve to ensure safety and compliance with the rules of visiting of the protected areas.
To accompany a group of 6 or less people - 1 state inspector of the reserve is provided, for a group of more than 6 people - 2 state inspectors are provided.
The movement of groups within the protected areas, regardless of the type of purchased program, is carried out only by routes approved by the Kronotsky State Reserve.
A group with multi-day walking tour is located on a ranger or research station, uses the available infrastructure (use of some infrastructure is negotiated and paid in advance - see approved prices). Period of group staying according to the multi-day walking program should not exceed 3 nights/4 days.
The maximum group size is 12 people (10 excursionists (paid) and 2 persons accompanying the group (free of charge), it is possible to include 1 additional person in the group - a cook who should not leave the campsite.
The group can visit the viewpoints of photography, but their staying at the place of shooting should not exceed 4 hours, taking into account the time of movement along the route. This program is not provided with priority in choosing the location and time of shooting. A group of multi-day walking program should not disturb the photo tour group.
If the group gets at the ranger station by helicopter, a meeting of the group takes place at the helipad of Ozerny ranger station; then the group is introduced and instructed by the inspectors of the reserve. If the group walks to the ranger station, the meeting and instructing is carried out directly on the territory of the reserve, after passing the ferry of the Ozernaya river.
On the first day of the program the group is accommodated according to pre- arranged and prepaid services, the content and sequence of excursion is checked. Also places of accommodation and cooking are introduced, rules of visiting the PA are explained.
The head of the tour group agrees the plan of stay with the senior inspector on the ranger station or his deputy, who can promptly adjust the sequence defined in the tour plan in case of unforeseen circumstances. The following services are provided: water excursion by the Kuril Lake, an excursion to the fish-counting fence on KamchatNIRO territory; if the group walks from the ferry, it is possible to visit the “Kutkh’s boats” rocks. The group can coordinate a visit to the Kutkh’s Boats with a senior inspector of the ranger station or his deputy.
On the second and following days of the multi-day program the group staying at the Ozerny ranger station or at the campsite can take hiking routes of the Kuril Lake: “The Kingdom of Kutkh” - ascent to Ilyinsky volcano, “A Bird’s eye view” - ascent to the Domashnaya hill, “The secrets of Khakytsyn ”- a trip to pumice rocks - the Sypuchka site, “Brown Bears at the Severnaya”- a trip to Severnaya Bay, a trekking trip to the Kutkh’s Boats rocks or boat excursions by the waters of Kuril Lake.
At the end of multi-day program the group leaves the Ozerny or Travyanoy ranger station or camping in a pre-planned way, having received reporting documents by which the final payment will be calculated – used or not used definite services.
2. Photo tour - is a multi-day (or one-day) program for photo and film groups that use specific viewpoints, specially organized and equipped or not equipped in the PAs. Priority in choosing a location for shooting is given only to groups arriving with the Photo tour program. During the 2020 season, it is possible to organize only one Photo Tour on the Kuril Lake, regardless of the location of the group: camping, Ozerny or Travyanoy ranger staton. Depending on external factors, if there is space for a photo tour, it is possible to place the second group of a photo tour by prior agreement with reserve protection service.
The maximum group size is 12 people (10 excursionists (paid) and 2 accompanying the group (free of charge), it is possible to include 1 additional person in the group - a cook who should not leave the campsite).
The number of inspectors for the Photo Tour group is determined by the calculation: 1 inspector for 6 tourists, 2 inspectors for more than 6 tourists.
State inspectors of the protected areas provide safety of the group up to 8 hours a day. A multi-day group arriving under the Phototour program can make video and photography from an unequipped shore. A single stay of a group on an unequipped shore for the purpose of taking photos and filming should not exceed 4 hours (the time spent by the group may change depending on weather conditions or other factors). After 4 hours the group leaves the place of shooting and returns to the ranger station for rest and/or eating. The subsequent location of the group at the place of the photo or video should not exceed 4 hours (the time spent by the group may change depending on weather conditions or other factors).
At the end of Photo-tour program the group leaves the Ozerny or Travyanoy ranger station or camping in a pre-planned way, having received reporting documents by which the final payment will be calculated – used or not used definite services.
3. Camping - a group located on a campsite located near the territory of KamchatNIRO uses the existing infrastructure. Accompanied by the state inspector of the protected areas or the security officer the group can move to the Ozerny ranger station, located in a short distance from the campsite. The group may not use facilities for cooking or eating located on the Ozerny ranger station.
The campsite has all the necessary infrastructure and equipment for cooking and eating (dishes, gas, stoves, bins for separate garbage collection, tables, benches and water tanks).
Safety and regular operation of the camping infrastructure provides state inspector or other employee appointed by the senior of the ranger station or his deputy.
Using of camping by local residents for the purpose of commercial activities and making profit is possible according to the scheme: no more than 3 groups per month and no more than 3 groups in a row from one travel company. The maximum group size is 12 people (10 excursionists (paid) and 2 accompanying the group (free of charge), it is possible to include 1 additional person in the group - a cook who should not leave the campsite). At the same time, the number of excursionists cannot be increased by reducing the number of escorts. If the travel companies cannot completely fill the campsite, the campsite accepts individual tourists from among the local residents who got the permission of Kronotsky Reserve administration.
The period of staying at the campsite should not exceed 3 nights / 4 days. If the group walks to the campsite, it will be met by inspector of the protected areas at the ferry. At the end of camping program, the group leaves the camp in a pre-planned way, having received reporting documents by which the final payment will be calculated – used or not used definite services.
