22 Dec 2015
Tags: Kamchatka, Russia, Travel in Russia, Travel Photography
A land where you're not just a camera-slinging tourist, but a real adventurer, trekking for days in a far flung land in search of the one photo to rule them all. Embark on a mission to explore one of the most extreme environments on earth and let nature's spectacle take centre stage and keep your shutter button working overtime.
No more cheesy holiday happy snaps! Photographers, this is where you want to be – surrounded by the might, the mystery, the explosive drama and the volatile power of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka, the subject of 56th Parallel's incredible 15 day photography expedition.
A vast peninsula off the far east of Siberia and part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, Kamchatka is one of the most volcanically active places on earth, second only to perhaps Iceland and Hawaii. The Photo Expedition Tour heads north out of Kamchatka's capital and into the heart of volcano country.
Photo by Galina Gorshenina
The first leg of the journey will take you through traditional Siberian villages and offer sunrise opportunities for shooting panoramic vistas over one of Kamchatka's most beautiful volcanic mountain chains, the colours of their snow-capped peaks changing as the day progresses.
Pin ItPhoto by Sergey Krasnoshchokov
Photos by Denis Budkov
Next you'll hike higher into the hills of this windswept wilderness for a photo session with six unusual but undeniably alluring Russian models, the giant volcanoes of Krestovsky (4,057m), Ushkovsky (3,903 m), Kluchevsky (4,750m), Kamen (4,579 m), Plosky Tolbachik (3,082 m) and Ostry Tolbachik (3,672m).
Photos by Denis Budkov
Not everything worth photographing in Kamchatka is huge and imposing. Back at our campsite, small animals, birds and plantlife make fascinating and endearing macro subjects. Now, with a bit of luck, you might meet the most famous inhabitants of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Photos by Denis Budkov
As you explore the campsite and look for all that you can find, take a moment and capture the panoramic views of the towering volcanos.
Pin ItPhotos by Denis Budkov
Pin ItPhoto by Sergey Krasnoshchokov
The Kamchatka brown bears sometimes pay a brief visit to our campsites in the morning. These curious, intelligent and social animals are a delight to witness. Photograph them from a respectful distance, and they'll show the same respect to you.
Pin ItPhotos by Denis Budkov
Day 5 dawns and we travel east in search of a true wonder of the natural world. Mount Kluchevsky, with its flawless conical shape, is considered by some to the perfect volcano. Some of the local indigenous believe it to be the birth place of the world. This breathtaking mountain towers at 4,750m, flexing its muscles as one of the peninsula's most active volcanos.
Our next few days are dedicated to the feisty Tolbachik volcano, still blasting out steam and producing lava flows today. Stay behind the lens as you take pictures of the spitting lava flowing through volcanic fissures and hot molten or semi-fluid rock. Moving on to more eerie subject matter, the Dead Forest of Tolbachik is our backdrop for still, haunting, atmospheric images of a lifeless landscape, burnt and desolate since Tolbachik's devastating Great Eruption.
Pin ItPhotos by Denis Budkov
Staybehind the lens as you take pictures of the spitting lava flowing through the volcanic fissures and hot molten or semi-fluid rock recently erupted from the closest volcanoes.
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Pin ItPhotos by Denis Budkov
We then continue back toward Petropavlovsk-Kamchatksy and the nearby volcanoes the city considers 'friendly giants'. Mutnovsky and Gorely provide awesome opportunities for summit hikes. Standing at the top, at the edge of the deep cavity, you feel as if you're witnessing the creation of the very earth itself. As an extra special treat, this tour takes you to the rarely seen Mutnovsky Ice Cave – the place where mind-blowing images of multi-coloured ice tunnels were captured on camera for the first time in 2012. Amid landscapes that would suit a race of ancient ice giants, you must step into winter's maw and traverse a volcanic path leading deeper into the ice.
Pin ItPhotos by Denis Budkov
Be swallowed up in the otherworldliness of the Mutnovsky Cave as the ethereal rainbow hues wash over the crystalline walls. Appearing like some Disneyesque light show, they are in fact the work of reflections from an underground river. This is truly one of the world's most magical places for photographers with a passion for bizarre and beautiful natural phenomenon.
Pin ItPhotos by Denis Budkov
Now it's time to tackle the mighty volcano head-on with a hike to its steaming craters. Near Mutnovsky's 2,322m summit is a nest of merged craters, among the most beautiful volcanic phenomenon in Kamchatka. We hike to the rim of the craters via a crack in the volcano's side. With a bit of courage, you can climb to the crest of the craters. Standing at the top, at the edge of the deep cavity, you feel as though you're witnessing the earth's creation, gazing down upon glittering glaciers, the torches of sulphur spewing fumaroles far below and the columns of vapour rising from the active funnel crater.
Pin ItPhotos by Denis Budkov
Our final photo shoot before we return to civilization involves a hike to the summit of Mount Gorely (1,892m). This relaxed climb will reward you with the chance to take fantastic photos of Mount Mutnovsky from a lofty vantage point, and observe Gorely striking turquoise crater lake of hot sulphuric acid. Hiking back from Mount Gorely, we pay our last respects to these mountain gods as our photo expedition draws to a close.
Pin ItPhoto by Sergey Krasnoshchokov
Pin ItPhoto by Denis Budkov
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out as a photographer, Kamchatka has the compelling scenery, the awe-inspiring volcanic action and the extraordinary wildlife encounters to make that once-in-a-lifetime, National Geographic eat-your-heart out winning photo a reality. And on top of all that, it's an eye-opening journey into to one of the wildest, most remote and unspoiled places on earth – an adventure never to be forgotten.
56thParallel tour: “Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo Expedition“
Call us to ask about the tour's details on +61 2 9388 9816
Or write us on info@56thparallel.com
- See more at: http://www.56thparallel.com/behind-lens-kamchatka-photo-tour/#sthash.Z15YWSxN.dpuf
