Available May 5 -May 30
10-day tour
To the Sobolevsky Reserve and back by helicopter
Groups from 3 to 8 people

Imagine being nearly surrounded by over a hundred love-struck Capercaillie grouse dancing and clicking their hearts out in the middle of the pristine Sobolevsky Reserve in southwestern Kamchatka. Spend time with Anatoly Valentsev, a senior research biologist, at his field station, watching this rare and glorious rite of Russian spring. Then take a break and quietly hike to look at an active Steller sea eagle nest not far away. For dinner, catch a rainbow trout or two.

Capercaillie is one of the most ancient bird species on earth, having witnessed mammoths, cave-bears, and saber-toothed tigers. The breeding display of the male Capercaillie is one of the most dramatic and vocal of grouse and they are so rapt in their dance that they are quite approachable.

Besides grouse, you'll see Steller sea eagles nesting and the spring's first arrival of ducks and songbirds. Hopefully the great Kamchatka brown bears will be feeding in nearby spring pastures after their hibenation. In a closeby river, you may go rainbow trout fly-fishing but if you're not a fisherman, the staff will likely catch a few for a dinner. While at the reserve, live in a rustic wooden cabin 200 m far from the Capercaillie breeding place. For the amateur or professional wildlife photographer, this is a unique filming opportunity.

Come and be dazzled by white snow with patches of brown-thawed earth, dotted with many, many huge black birds with red-eyebrows!

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival on Kamchatka. YTS staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodations-either homestay or hotel. Rest a bit and at lunch meet with your interpreter and go over the plan for the trip. Look at maps and we'll double check you have all of the gear and clothing you need.

Day 2 Fly 1.5 hours by helicopter to Sobolevsky Reserve field station in southwestern Kamchatka. Settle into your cabin, meet Anatoly Valentsev your biologist-guide, and explore the area.

Days 3-6 Spend time as you wish watching and photographing birds-either the Capercaillie, the Steller sea eagle, or ducks and songbirds. Hike to look at bears if they are in the area. At all times the group will have Anatoly Valentsev with them as a guide.

Day 7 Return flight 1.5 hours to Yelizovo. Settle into your accommodation.

Day 8 Reserve day for bad weather. If the group is already in Yelizovo, tour the town and go to Yelizovo to see museums, shops, the open market.

Day 9 Excursion to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the oldest seaport in the Russian Far East. Visit the Institute of Volcanology, the Regional Museum, the Art Museum, shops, and markets as desired. Also take a tour of a state-of-the-art fish hatchery.

Day 10 Departure day.

This tour is organized by Yelizovo Tour Service. Please contact them for more information.

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