day 1: Flight from Frankfurt (or other European airports) to St. Petersburg. Hotel Moskwa***

day 2: St Petersburg: Peterhof + Metro + city tour
The morning starts with a first highlight: We drive by hydrofoil Finnich Sea to Peter court - the fantastic park, water garden & fountains invite us for a long walk.
Then we will experience the most beautiful part of the St. Petersburg-Metro - with a lot of different impressive train stations. After lunch we undertake a city tour throuh the most beautiful city of russia. Hotel Moskwa***

day 3 : St Petersburg - Eremitage
During the morning a visit of the Eremitage is on plan. During the afternoon a boat-tour through the canals or
an individual program with a visit of the Newskij-Prospect is possible.  Hotel Moskwa***

day 4 : St Petersburg
Hotel-Checkout at the late morning - we put our bagage into our bus and drive to the old history centre: the Peter-Paul-Fortress. There we'll find the stone caskets of the tsar-family.
Then we drive to Puschkin -we will visit the Katarinen-Palace and the Amberroom.
In the evening, after a comfortable dinner, we shall board our flight to Irkutsk

day 5 : Arrival at the Lake Baikal - Olchon Island
 In the early morning, following our arrival in Irkutsk, we'll continue our journey towards the mythical Isle of Olchon.
On the way we stop for early lunch and short hikes in the Tageran steppe, one of the exotic regions at the baikal - here they found the oldest settlements.
Among others we undertake a short, but beautiful around-hike at the Mount Sachuerta and visit there the about 2.000 years old stone paintings (hunting scenes with stag and elk).
The ferry to the sun-island of Olchon starts from the village named MRS and after about 20 minutes we reach Olchon. Who likes ( or is in need of ) can quickly climb the so-called mountain of sin – the legend says that for every stone you bring up a sin is forgiven.
In about half an hour we reach the small settlement Chushir - here we will overnight for 2 nights at Nikitas homestay ... a wild-rustical, woth seeing guesthouse - a "banja", a russian sauna is waiting!
Walking time in all about 2-3 hours.
Overnight guesthouse, Olchon (double room).

day 6g: Olchon – Exkursions & Trekking
After the breakfast we go to discover the north of the island.

With our cross-country cars we drive to the most original and unique landscape there. We undertake lovely hikes along the coast, from one sight seeing cap to the next, crossing flower fields and forests and enjoying the beautiful panorama sight on the open Lake Baikal.
Normally at lunch a fresh fish soup consisting of the good tasting Omul is cooked over open fire - delicious!

During the late afternoon we return to Chusier.

Now the wonderful white sand-beach and the crystal clear water of the baikal is calling ... and in the evening once more Banja ?
Walking time in all about 3-4 hours.
Overnight guesthouse, Olchon (double room).

day 7 : Trekking Baikal - Tagaran Steppe
In the morning we have to say good bye to the Isle of Olchon - we take the ferry ... and start our first hike through the exotic Tageran-Steppe.
From the small settlement MRS we walk - all the time with fantastic view over the Lake Baikal on our left - over wonderful Taiga grassland full of flowers to and on the top of the Mount Tan-Chan (500 m above sea level).
The view from up here is magnificent - on the one side we once again see the Isle of Olchon, beside of it the
unmistakable landscape of the Tagaran plain and on the other side the endless width of blue Lake Baikal.
Coming down our cross-country cars are waiting for us … forward we go across rough and bumpy trails towards our camping site "Panorama-Camp" - an idyllic place!
A camp-fire will end the wonderful day.
Walking time in all about 4-5 hours.
Overnight in tents (double tent).

day 8: Trekking Baikal - Tagaran Steppe – Sagan Zaba
First, after the breakfast, we walk above the cliffs along the coast and enjoy once more the most lovely flower fields on the one side and the blue baikal at the other side. Nach dem Frühstück wandern wir erst einmal oberhalb der Steilabbrüche entlang der Baikal-Küstenlinie und genießen wieder die verschwenderischen Blumenwiesen des Tagaran und auf der anderen Seite die endlose Weite des blauen Baikalsees.
Then we drive on the other side of the delta from the Anga-river.
We will undertake short hikes to the Schebete and Eche Jord mountains, important sacral locations of the Tagaran.
Then we drive on - bumpy trails guide us towards our next camping site "Sagan Zaba "
The last 45 minutes we walk across Karst terrain and much flower fields down to the Sagan-Zaba bay ... well know because of white cliffs and very old stone paintings.
Our camp lays only a few meters away from the inviting crystal clear water of the Baikal -  if it is warm enough, surly the one or other will take the opportunity of a refreshing swim.
Walking time in all about 5-6 hours.
Overnight in tents (double tent).

day 9 : boat trip on Lake Baikal – B. Goloustnoje
Today, very early in the morning, we will be picked up by a converted fisherboat and then we drive a long distance across the lake (about 8 hours) - our destination is named Bolschoi Goloustnoje.
Changes by stormy weather or high waves are possible. During the tour on board interested have the opportunity to learn the making of the traditional Russian soup Borschtsch.
Seeing the hilly country, the changing of the Taiga from woods to grass we slowly get an impression of the gigantic size of the Lake Baikal. In the afternoon we arrive in Bolschoi Goloustnoje.

Here we get rooms in several private guesthouses. .

This evening we plan to celebrate an excellent fare well evening from the baikal.

day 10: ... back to Irkutsk
Our time at Lake Baikal is ending, our vehicles waiting – it is going
back to Irkutsk, were we arrive during the afternoon. After a short sight seeing of Irkutsk and the dinner we will board the train of trains at about nine in the evening – the Trans-Sibirian Railway .. the sleeping wagon is waiting.
Overnight in 2nd class sleeping wagons (4 bed compartments).

day 11/12: Trans-Sibirian Railway

– 2 days and 3 nights we will be traveling on the legendary trans-sibirian railway track  (Moscau – Wladiwostoc) – long passages parallel to the chinese boarder. We will comfortably experience the width of Sibiria from our sleeping compartments or from the train restaurant with excellent meals and russian wodca.
Our destination is Khabarovsk – only one day away from the municipal of Sibiria : Wladiwostoc.


day 13: Khabarovsk at the river Amur
We arrive in the late morning at about ten-thirty and shortly afterwards our hotel. The long travel on the train drives us out of the hotel to make a circuit tour through the twirling city and to the banks of the river Amur.
Hotel Intourist

Short Journey ("only Kamchatka: From the Pacific to the Volcanos"):
Donnerstags  früh am Morgen (06:55) startet der Flug von Frankfurt nach St. Petersburg. Nach der Ankunft erleben wir die Zarenstadt auf einer kurzen Stadtrundfahrt, bevor wir am späten Nachmittag unser Hotel beziehen.  Am Freitag können wir vormittags noch eigene Erkundungen unternehmen, bevor es gegen Mittag wieder zum Flughafen geht: der große Flug quer über Russland nach Sibirien beginnt. Bei der Zwischenlandung auf dem Flughafen Khabarovsk am Folgemorgen (Freitag) treffen wir auf die Hauptgruppe – und reisen nun gemeinsam weiter.

Thursday early in the morning (06:55 ) the flight from Frankfurt (or other european airports) starts to St. Petersburg. After the arrival we experience the ancient Tsar-town on a short city tour, before we check in our hotel in the late afternoon. On Friday we can undertake in the morning still own investigations, before we drive again to the airport at noon: the large flight crosswise over Russia to Siberia begins. During the intermediate stop on the airport Khabarovsk next morning (saturday) we meet the main group - and continue to travel now together.

day 14 : Flight to Kamchatka
At about high-noon, leading towards our hiking adventure, our flight to Petropavlosk on the peninsula Kamchatka starts. In the afternoon we will delight ourselves with a stroll through the town of Petropavlosk, a town which is typical for the peninsula of Kamchatka – the Pacific ocean and far off the volcano Avacha ( mountain of  the town ) great us. Hotel Avacha***

day 15 : Boat tour Avacha and Zhjrovaja bay, hike to the hot springs of Zhirovskiye
– A adventures three to four hours boat trip takes us across the Avacha bay and along the east coast to the start-point of our trekking tour, the wonderful bay of Zhirovaya.
The boat trip is a real nature highlight: colonies of seabirds – parrot-divers, cormorants and gullimots live here. With a little luck we will be seeing seals and frequently meet orcas.

From now on you you have the following choices (day 15 - 17):

Variant A: "Adventurous nature- and wilderness trek from the Pacific to the Volcanos"

day 15 : Zhirovaya Bay - Zhirovskiye hot springs.
After an early lunch we start our trek.
Small old paths, then no way at all, across little brooks and once even an affluent – then it means: trousers up, shoes off and water sandals on. The telescope sticks are of great help to hold your balance. An exciting hike over forest and grass landscapes awaits us: the home of many animals. Today and during the next days the opportunity to maybe watch bears is very high, but without guaranty, as Mejdwed is extremely shy.
After about four hours we reach the first thermal spring – also our camp.     Overnight in tents 

day 16 : Zhirovskiye hot springs - Vilyucha valley
Onward goes our hike – upwards along a small mountain brook (about 3 to 4 hours). Over a small pass and then downwards into the valley of Vilyucha – wildness camp at the river-shore ( totally 5 to 6 hours).
Overnight in tents

day 17 : Vilyucha valley- Vilyuchinskiye hot springs
In permanent up and down, across brooks and meadows, through bush and forests we reach the hot springs of Vilyuchinskiye in the afternoon (totally about 4 hours). Here our large cross-country vehicle, which will accompany us during the rest of the journey, awaits us. We make use of the chance to take a relaxing bath in the large, hot thermal pond and afterwards, together with our porters and water cooled beer, we celebrate a big farewell party, because beginning tomorrow we board our vehicle – the volcanoes are calling!!!
Overnight in tents

Variant B: "From Petropavlosk to the Volcanos" (surcharge hotel)
Who likes it a bit more comfortable and is not in need of to much wild and pure nature chooses this alternative (very important: YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR CHOISE WITH YOUR BOOKING!!).

Day 14: Boat tour as alternative A, but you return to Petropavlosk with the boat.
Hotel Avacha***

Day 05: In the morning we make a sight seeing tour through Petropavlosk with a visit of the interesting museum of Kamchatka. Then we have lunch at a typical restaurant and visit after the local fish-market.
Hotel Avacha

Or you have the option to book a helicopter flight(*) to the valley of geysers and the Caldera Uson.

(*) The helicopter flight depends on the weather conditions and number of bookings – the flight has to be booked at least 2 or 3 weeks before its flight date and there is no right of cancellation by to many clouds or bad weather. Naturally the helicopter only flies if the conditions are safe, but this does not only mean if the sun is shining and by blue sky. The price for the flight, at the moment euro 460, has to be paid in cash on arrival at Petropavlosk (Day 13). If the weather is okay and the helicopter can fly your adventure begins: over tundra, taiga and volcano landscape the helicopter brings you deeply into the inland territory (about 70 min. flight).You may be so lucky to witness an eruption of one of the many active volcanoes or see a bear family on the ground. Then the valley of geysers invites you to an fantastic prodigy – 29 active geysers are bubbling, seething and shooting boiling water fountains nearly 30 meters high into the sky. Together with the steam clouds, up to 150
meters high, everything turns into an extreme misty atmosphere. In the late afternoon, flying deeply over the volcano landscape, the MO8 brings you back to Elizovo heliport.     Hotel Avacha***

Day 16: From Petropavlosk to the volcanoes- Today you board our large cross-country vehicle in order to collect the rest of the group at the hot springs of Vilyuchinskiye. Upon arrival we will have some time until the rest arrive -  time for a little hike or a bath in the well tempered hot water ponds. The whole group now continues together again. Overnight in tents

now all together

day 18 : Drive to the volcanoes
Some or another will be amazed that it is possible to drive here-but our Ural truck manages (nearly) everything-and suddenly, after adventures driving, we will see “our” volcanoes arise before us in the midst of the colorful tundra – what a picture!!
Again and again the fantastic world of volcanoes and geysers will impress us. Near to the Vakina hut at the Mutnovskij volcano we will build our camp for the next 3 nights.
After lunch we will undertake a circle hiking through the tundra, across lava fields and over marmot hills towards the wild Opasny canyon with its impressive 100 meter high waterfall (about 2 to 3 hours).
Overnight in tents

day 19 : Mutnovskij - essence of an active volcano (2.323 meters)
At first we climb upwards and then passing through a valley we arrive the inside of the Mutnovskij crater – a worth-wile hike of about 2 to 3 hours.
Clouds of steam arise before us and partly darken the sun – the exciting rises… it is like entering into the devils world: sulfide landscapes with bubbling hot acid ponds, gas fountains shooting to the sky and the tremendous opening of the active crater with its enormous glacier hanging inside. We walk around, looking and are totally amazed.       Overnight in tents

day 20 : Volcano Goreley 1.829 m - Petropavlosk
Again we undertake a adventures cross country drive with our Ural truck to the Gorelyi volcano, which we will climb up to in about 4 hours crossing over a mountain ridge – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

The Gorelyi impresses with several craters and different colored acid lakes, some in turquoise blue. About 5 to 6 hours hike.                                 

Then, finding it very hard, we again board our truck and leave the region of fire and ice. A long tour brings us back to Petropavlosk and our hotel Avacha***.

day 21 : …Return home
During the day we can enjoy our hotel, do some sight seeing and may be even buy some presents. In the evening we will start our flight back home. Now we will experience the time lag – although our flight across the enormous Russia nearly takes the half of day we will arrive at St. Petersburg at midnight..

day 22 : Transfer to the international airport of St. Petersburg – After a short stay we will continue our flight to Frankfurt or an other european airport (arrival Frankfurt about nine in the morning).
"Doswidanje" - Russia was REALLY great ... but now we are back home.

Impressions: