2011 Brochure

BETCHART PRSRT-STD U.S. Postage EXPEDITIONS Inc. P AID Sigma Xi & ACS Expeditions Staten Island, NY KAMCHATKA Permit No. 169 AAAS Travels Land of Mystery and Mists! 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014 TIME VALUE July 22–August 6, 2011

Dear Travelers: Join us!... from July 22–August 6, 2011, as we explore Kamchatka, a remote peninsula in the Russian Far East north of Japan! Kamchatka is two-thirds the size of California, includes several active volcanic corridors, and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kamchatka extends into the North Pacific Ocean along the highly volcanic zone where the Pacific Ocean and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Twenty-nine of its 300 volcanoes are active, including Klyuchevskaya, the tallest on the Eurasian continent at 4,835 Join us!... Explore the meters. The Peninsula's diverse ecosystems Land of Mystery & Mists! include glacier, tundra, taiga forest, birch forest, wetlands, lagoons, and desert. On the KAMCHATKA mountainous volcanos there are 414 glaciers, July 22–August 6, 2011 some 150 meters thick. There are 200 healing mineral springs; 150 of them are hot springs. For two weeks, we will explore this remote land of mystery and mists. During our gravel road, to the remote village of Esso Petropavlovsk, round trip, as part of the expedition we will: (and return), fly in helicopters, and deal group. Air fares are subject to change. Costs & Conditions ● Explore Petropavlovsk, the capital with some mosquitoes and rapid changes Reservations, Deposits and Expedition Fee: $5,995 per person plus in the weather. The trip itinerary is subject Payments: Please mail a deposit of of Kamchatka, situated on the lovely air fare of $1,000 + tax from Moscow to to change, at the discretion of the $1,000 per person with the completed Avachinskaya Bay. Petropavlovsk, round trip. Air fare from expedition leader, based on weather reservation form to: USA to Moscow is approx. $1200 + tax. and local conditions. Facilities and ● Discover the villages of Mil’kovo, Esso, and transportation options are quite limited; Betchart Expeditions Inc. Accommodations: Are based on twin 17050 Montebello Road ethnic settlements, including Sosnovka, a spirit of flexibility and cooperation is which maintain their rich culture. share with bath in a first class hotel in essential. All said, we’ll have a tremendous Cupertino, CA 95014-5345 Petropavlovsk and in a mountain lodge. adventure! (No smoking in vehicles, or The balance is due 60 days before ● Fly by helicopter to see fabulous geologic trout, plus there are many species of crabs, In Alyona, we’ll have accommodations at during lectures or meals, please.) departure. shrimp, mollusks, sea cucumbers, and a simple guest house with share bathroom wonders—geysers, steam vents, mud pots, facilities. Limited singles are available for Expedition Fee Includes: Cancellations & Refunds: The initial recent lava deposits, and snow covered commercial sea weeds. a supplement of $795 (singles are not Airport transfers in Petropavlovsk; land, deposit for this expedition is refundable boat, and helicopter transportation as up to 60 days before departure less a volcanoes, including the scenic, world ● Meet and learn from ethnic tribes (Even, available in Alyona). If you do not have a famous Valley of the Geysers. roommate, or we cannot provide one, indicated; accommodations twin share; handling fee of $100 per person. There Itelmen, Koryaks) who live much as they you must pay the extra cost of the single. meals in Kamchatka; entrance fees; will be no refund for any cancellation after ● have for thousands of years and share their baggage handling; tips to local guides and the 60-day period unless your place can be Discover a profusion of flowering plants and What to Expect: A great adventure for ferns. Many of them have medicinal value stories of hunting, fishing, and traditions. drivers; leadership, administration. resold, then only the handling fee of $100 is Visit the Regional and the Local Museums for intrepid travelers, this expedition is withheld. There are no refunds for unused and about 100 species are already used in planned for travel enthusiasts who would Expedition Fee Does Not Include: more examples of artifacts and displays. Air fare (quoted separately); any meals in meals, accommodations, or other expedi scientific medicine. like to explore the remote Kamchatka tion features. Trip cancellation insurance Peninsula, one of the least visited, least Moscow; pre or post night hotel in Moscow With leadership by Dr. Victor Kuzevanov, if desired and Moscow transfers; personal will be offered. ● See amazing and noisy seabird rookeries, accessible places on earth. The expedition with nesting gulls, kittiwakes, guillemots, we will discover the delights of this remote is an ecological and cultural journey of items such as laundry, phone calls, snacks, Questions? paradise on a journey of a lifetime! discovery, touching remote cultures, alcoholic beverages; gratuity to expedition Please call Marisa Eide, and cormorants. There are 240 species of visiting archaeological sites, steaming leader; Russia visa fee; personal insurance; Betchart Expeditions Inc. land birds. Best regards, geysers, and immense volcanoes, with foreign airport departure tax. Telephone: (800) 252 4910 leadership by an outstanding Russian Airfares & Airline Ticketing: or (408) 252 4910 ● Discover the salmon capital of the world. scientist. Travel by motorcoach, vans, All passengers should book independent Fax: (408) 252 1444 Six species of ocean-going salmon and two helicopter, and best available local trans flights to arrive Moscow on July 23, 2011 Email: species of freshwater salmon spawn here, portation. There will be daily outings by by approximately noon. Please call Marisa [email protected] including the King Salmon. The coastal Margaret M. Betchart, President coach, van, or foot at a leisurely pace for assistance, (800) 252-4910. We can waters are incredibly rich in fish: cod, suitable for learning and discovery. book Moscow transfers and pre-night On the web: Betchart Expeditions Inc. The trip is planned for travelers with an hotel for you for the night of July 22 if you www.betchartexpeditions.com halibut, flounder, herring, perch, and rock For AAAS, Sigma Xi & ACS appetite for adventure who will happily wish to arrive the day before. All passengers undertake a day-long drive, partly on a from the USA will fly together Moscow/ Sulfuric gases created deposits of Day 15 Petropavlovsk Itinerary elemental sulfur and we will see many Depart for Petropavlovsk. Check in Explore KAMCHATKA! samples of such creations when visiting at the Petropavlovsk Hotel. Afternoon Days 1/2 USA to Moscow thermal springs. Volcanoes are the giant guided walk of the downtown area, & Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka chemical reactors that create pre- historic buildings and monuments. Group members depart on flights from organic compounds and a substantial Farewell dinner and celebration of our the USA to Moscow (to arrive July 23 by part of the water that we find in the seas, journey. B,L,D noon). All group members will depart on oceans, and rivers was brought to the Day 16 Kamchatka to Moscow a flight from Moscow to Petropavlovsk, surface of earth by volcanic activity. We & Home Kamchatka at 4:10 pm. will see the Geothermal Station and then Transfer to the Petropavlovsk airport Day 3 Arrive Kamchatka walk in a valley with geothermal vents at for the flight to Moscow. Upon arrival Arrive in Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka at the base of Mutnovsky Volcano. Moscow, take a direct connecting flight 9:50 am. Meet your Expedition Leader, Geotherm Hotel (2 nights). B,L,D back to the USA. B Dr. Victor Kuzenanov, and transfer to Day 14 Gorely Volcano your hotel. After lunch, begin your We awake this morning to the sights introduction to Kamchatka with a visit and sounds of an active geothermal area, and lecture at the Museum of Regional with steam vents, hot pools, and highly Studies. The museum’s displays are oxidized basic soils. We will walk and devoted to the history of the region, its explore the area near Gorely Volcano, flora and fauna, the native peoples of looking for wildflowers and singing birds Kamchatka, and their ancient culture. proclaiming their nesting territories. Learn about the ancient tribes that lived We’ll explore the road that is generally & on Kamchatka thousands of years ago, lined with snow in the higher passes about the discovery of this beautiful land and we will stop to see the new growth

by Russian explorers, and the heroic of Kamchatka rhododendrons, gentians, THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY SIGM history of Petropavlovsk. On June 4, 1741, anemones, and prostrate willows as the Admiral Vitus Bering led his expedition snow recedes. We’ll make stops at cas from Petropavlovsk to open up Alaska and cading streams, scenic overlooks, and the Aleutian Islands. Welcome dinner. flower filled meadows with massive Petropavlovsk Hotel (3 nights). L,D Vilyuchinsky Volcano in the Day 4 Sosnovka background. B,L,D Today, we will explore Sosnovka, a small settlement where the ethnic Itelmen people maintain their lifestyle Reservations #1195 much as it was hundreds of years ago. A There is an ancient village site where Day 6 The Switzerland aspects of their traditional lifestyle. We’ll miles from Esso. See the Russian and Yes! I/We want to join the Kamchatka Expedition, July 22–August 6, excavations are on-going and producing of Kamchatka meet with elders to share their successes Even styles of buildings, the harvesting of 2011. Please reserve _____ space(s) on the expedition. As a deposit, I/we X I beautiful artifacts. Meet with the elders The central part of Kamchatka, from and to learn from people who continue a plants and drying of salmon. See lunch have enclosed a check for $______($1,000 per person), payable to and learn about the traditional lifestyle the south to the north, is crossed by an long history living in central Kamchatka. being prepared and then enter the local Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. and their plans for their settlement and ancient volcanic chain called Sredinnyi Enjoy a discussion about local activities style yurt (yaranga) to see the “Noorgenek” tribe. After lunch, enjoy a walk through Ridge. It includes over 120 extinct and learn about their economic plans dance troupe. They were the winners of Name(s) ______Age______Sex______& the forest discovering the plants and volcanoes and over 1,000 lava cones that and vision for the community. B,L,D the all-Kamchatka ensemble in 2002. Also birds of the region. B,L,D tell the former activity of the "builders of Day 9 Valley of the Geysers see their techniques for tanning hides ______Age______Sex______Day 5 Avachinskaya Bay the earth.” The Sredinnyi Ridge is a giant, and making traditional clothing. B,L,D & Uzon Caldera Depart for the port of Petropavlovsk to natural ensemble which tells scientists In 2001 the Valley of the Geysers Day 11 Mil’kovo & Paratunka Address ______A board the launch to explore Avachinskaya about the creation of the planet on which celebrated the 60th anniversary of its We’ll return south on an all-day bus ride Bay. Avachinskaya is geographically as we all live. We’ll have a long day’s drive to City______State______Zip______discovery. We’ll fly by helicopter to this along the course of the Kamchatka River, C S perfect a bay as a city could hope for and the headwaters of the Kamchatka River world famous site. The 5 km long canyon making stops for wildlife and photography Phone: Home (_____)______Work (_____)______is the busiest in Kamchatka. Circle small and follow its course northward, stopping at the Valley of the Geysers is steeply of the scenic, snow covered volcano. islands looking for pelagic and red-faced for wildlife and photography. Mid-day sided with yellow weathered volcanic The river flows through meadows and cormorants, Mew and slaty-backed gulls, lunch in Mil’kovo and visit the Aboriginal Email Address______

rock, with the winding Geysernaya River forests, and cascades through volcanic tufted puffins, guillemots, and harlequin Ethnographical Museum. Late afternoon at the bottom. The geysers have periods narrows. Mid-day stop at Mil’kovo for Membership: ___ AAAS ___ Sigma Xi ___ ACS ___ Planetary Society E ducks. The scenic Starichkov Island is welcome in the remote village of Esso. of furious activity followed by inactivity. lunch and a walk around their market. good for fishing and we will try our luck. Alyona Guest House (5 nights). B,L,D All of this is surrounded by small streams Virginia Hotel (2 nights). B,L,D Accommodations Preference:

Lunch on board. This afternoon continue x Day 7 Klyuchevskaya Volcanoes of cascading water, green meadows, a Day 12 Paratunka ___ Twin ___ Single ___ Twin Share with a friend or ___ assign a roommate to look for seabirds and salmon as we After breakfast board a helicopter to dwarf forest, and patches of snow on the Today we will walk and explore ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker

return to Petropavlovsk. B,L,D p fly to the Klyuchevskaya complex of mountains above. We will then fly to the the area south and west of Paratunka. volcanoes for a breathtaking view. We picturesque Uzon Caldera, a massive Explore the surrounding Erman’s birch Leadership will land on the slope of the volcano, the collapsed volcano, 9x12 km across, with forest and the hillside meadows. We Signature: ______Date: ______e largest in Eurasia at 15,863 feet (5,835 forests, marshes, lakes, and steaming should see the Arctic warbler, Common Dr. Kuzevanov has been leading meters), one of the many volcanoes mud pools. B,L,D cuckoo, two species of spotted wood Signature: ______Date: ______di t visible in the region. We will explore the expeditions for Betchart Expeditions Day 10 First peckers, and the Siberian tit. Afternoon Please Mail To: groups to Lake Baikal and Siberia volcanic slopes covered with volcanic Fish Festival to continue your exploration walks. bombs, colorful lakes, and steep ravines. Kamchatka Expedition 2011, Betchart Expeditions Inc. since 1994, and to Kamchatka since The local Afternoon and evening dinner with 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5345 We’ll make another stop near a series of Even people Alexander Yastrebov, who lives on

2003. He is the head of the Irkutsk i o Botanic Garden of Irkutsk State red cinder cones and stark lava fields honor the much of what grows on his farm and Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The dotted with small wildflowers. Afternoon Scientific Research Society, and the American Chemical Society (ACS) act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transpor University, and represents Russia at importance what he collects from the forest. Learn tation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or flight back with breathtaking views. B,L,D irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the botanical congresses throughout the of salmon by of his farming, artwork, and join in an arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other Day 8 Bystrinsky Nature Reserve celebrating evening of music. B,L,D services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or n world. He is a superb expedition expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right leader, beloved by his travelers, & Esso Community their return up Day 13 Mutnovsky Geothermal to substitute another leader of similar expertise or reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person The local community of Esso the Bystraya s and speaks impeccable English. Station & Volcano as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient He looks forward to sharing the petitioned the government and created River. Join the The volcanoes of Kamchatka created time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange

rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that the air wonderland of Kamchatka with the Bystrinsky Nature Reserve in 1995. local population multiple ore deposits: mercury, lead, ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are you in 2011. The Even people wanted to protect the at the Anavguy tin, gold, silver, and molybdenum. not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. land to enable them to continue many village a few ©2010 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Map by April Milne. CST# 2036304-40 Sulfuric gases created deposits of Day 15 Petropavlovsk Itinerary elemental sulfur and we will see many Depart for Petropavlovsk. Check in Explore KAMCHATKA! samples of such creations when visiting at the Petropavlovsk Hotel. Afternoon Days 1/2 USA to Moscow thermal springs. Volcanoes are the giant guided walk of the downtown area, & Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka chemical reactors that create pre- historic buildings and monuments. Group members depart on flights from organic compounds and a substantial Farewell dinner and celebration of our the USA to Moscow (to arrive July 23 by part of the water that we find in the seas, journey. B,L,D noon). All group members will depart on oceans, and rivers was brought to the Day 16 Kamchatka to Moscow a flight from Moscow to Petropavlovsk, surface of earth by volcanic activity. We & Home Kamchatka at 4:10 pm. will see the Geothermal Station and then Transfer to the Petropavlovsk airport Day 3 Arrive Kamchatka walk in a valley with geothermal vents at for the flight to Moscow. Upon arrival Arrive in Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka at the base of Mutnovsky Volcano. Moscow, take a direct connecting flight 9:50 am. Meet your Expedition Leader, Geotherm Hotel (2 nights). B,L,D back to the USA. B Dr. Victor Kuzenanov, and transfer to Day 14 Gorely Volcano your hotel. After lunch, begin your We awake this morning to the sights introduction to Kamchatka with a visit and sounds of an active geothermal area, and lecture at the Museum of Regional with steam vents, hot pools, and highly Studies. The museum’s displays are oxidized basic soils. We will walk and devoted to the history of the region, its explore the area near Gorely Volcano, flora and fauna, the native peoples of looking for wildflowers and singing birds Kamchatka, and their ancient culture. proclaiming their nesting territories. Learn about the ancient tribes that lived We’ll explore the road that is generally & on Kamchatka thousands of years ago, lined with snow in the higher passes about the discovery of this beautiful land and we will stop to see the new growth