Photo: Avacho Volcano annual climb, courtesy of Dmitry Ryzhov

Volcano Day in Kamchatka, August 19-21, 2016

Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula hosts 300 volcanoes, 30 of which are active. The Day of the Volcano is an official holiday in Kamchatka gathering annually several thousand locals and visitors at the foot of Avacha Volcano. The main event is the climb to the top of the Avacha volcano (2700 meters/6562 feet). Approximate time for ascending is 6-8 hours; approximate time for descending is 2.5-4 hours. Celebrations and performances are held at the foot of Kozelsky Volcano and throughout Kamchatka.

Photo: Tourists hiking the Avacha Volcano, Courtesy of Vladislav Teplukhin

Photo: View from the Avacha Volcano, Courtesy of Alexander Mukhin

Photo: View of the Avacha Bay and Avacha Volcano from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Courtesy of Sergey Krasnoschekov

Photo: Winter fun in the middle of the summer on Kozelsky Volcano, Courtesy of Polina Sibryai

Photo of the fox at the foot of Avacha Volcano, Courtesy of Polina Sibryai

Find out about direct flights from Alaska to Kamchatka.