Summer holidays in Kamchatka. The best edge of the Earth is Kamchatka! How ordinary people live in Kamchatka

Kamchatka is a peninsula in the Far East, washed by two seas and the Pacific Ocean. Only 315 thousand people live in the Kamchatka Territory, the tenth largest region of the country, more than half are registered in the capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Now the region, where there are 300 volcanoes, a valley of geysers and several nature reserves, is becoming a popular tourist destination. Despite the expensive tickets (you can fly from Moscow to Kamchatka for at least 40 thousand rubles), in recent years the flow of tourists has tripled. Mikhail Raspopin, a resident of Kamchatka (@ sergeevich) told The Village about the prices and peculiarities of life in the region, where going to a cafe costs more than swimming in thermal springs.

low income

25 thousand rubles per month

average income

50 thousand rubles per month

high income

from 100 thousand rubles per month

Housing

20-30 thousand rubles per month

Renting a two-room apartment costs 20-30 thousand rubles a month, depending on the quality and area. Basically, housing in the Khrushchev five-story buildings is rented and sold in the city. An old three-room apartment in a house built in the 70s costs 3.5 million rubles. In the new quarters there is more or less high-quality housing, and it costs 85 thousand per square meter: an apartment without finishing will cost about 7.5 million rubles. There are also cottages and townhouses: the price of a townhouse with an area of ​​120 square meters is 10-13 million rubles, a cottage with an area of ​​200 square meters - from 20 million.

Transport

25 rubles per trip

Mostly foreign cars drive around the city, there are almost no domestic cars, except for KAMAZ trucks and garbage trucks. But there are many Korean, Japanese and American cars. There are probably as many jeeps as we have anywhere else, because there is a lot of snow in winter. City buses are multi-seat Daewoo, one trip costs 25 rubles, but I have not ridden them for many years. Taxi in the city - an average of 300 rubles. You can rent a car from private traders - it will cost 5 thousand rubles a day, but taking a jeep and going out of town will cost more.

Food

20-30 thousand rubles per month

In a month, an average resident of Kamchatka spends 60% of his earnings on food, since our products are expensive - they are mainly brought from the mainland by plane or by sea. Bread is baked on the spot, it costs 50 rubles per roll. Recently, a pig farm was opened and they began to produce fresh meat, and before it was only frozen. Now the price of frozen meat is 350 rubles, fresh meat is 350-400 rubles. Chicken costs 250-300 rubles.

Our products are the same as everywhere else. But there are many types of red fish: sockeye salmon, coho salmon, chum salmon, chinook salmon, mykizha, pink salmon. In the summer you can buy fresh - for 800 rubles per kilogram. Very tasty white fish - blue-colored halibut - costs 1,000–1,200 rubles per kilogram. There is also a king crab - 2 thousand rubles per kilogram.

Entertainment

250–5,000 rubles

There are restaurants, cinemas and cafes in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. A movie ticket costs 250–500 rubles, depending on the movie and location. You can eat in a normal restaurant for 2-3 thousand for two, with a drink the bill can increase to 5 thousand rubles.

The restaurants are different, there is the Italian "Da Vinci", it is unrealistically expensive there - you can leave 7 thousand. There are Japanese sushi restaurants, sashimi - we have fresh fish, therefore Japanese cuisine is common. There is also a lot of Chinese cuisine, but it is not the same as in China. There are pubs, for example, the Harat`s franchise, where a mug of beer costs 500 rubles - this is twice as expensive as in Vladivostok. There are pizzerias with good pizza from 300-400 rubles.

We have a large selection of excursions and trips. You can fly to the base in the mountains, take snowmobiles and ride them. It costs 100-110 thousand rubles per person per week. You can come in the summer and rent motorcycles and ATVs. The townspeople just go to the thermal springs, they are 40 minutes from the city. A ticket will cost 250-300 rubles if you drive your own car.

Purchases

A lot of Chinese consumer goods are sold in the city, but everything is expensive. I try not to buy anything in Kamchatka, I bring things from my trips. Recently dressed here: simple jeans - 5 thousand rubles, good ones - up to 15 thousand, a sweater - 3 thousand. Branded items are unrealistically expensive, so I buy them online - it's cheaper.

Distinctive features. What do we know about Kamchatka? Even at school, this was the name of the farthest desk, where you could hide from teachers, calmly go about your business and even sleep. So it is in reality - it takes a long time to get to Kamchatka, and the one who ended up there has the feeling that he has come to the end of the Earth.

From the same school lessons we know that Kamchatka is the land of volcanoes and geysers. And we also know that it is here that red caviar is mined, which has always been considered a delicacy, but more “democratic” compared to black sturgeon caviar.

The vast expanses of Kamchatka are very sparsely populated. More than half of the population are residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In addition to it, there are only two cities in Kamchatka - Vilyuchinsk and Yelizovo. But they can also be considered suburbs of the same Petropavlovsk. The base of the Russian Pacific Fleet is located in Vilyuchinsk, so it has the status of a closed territory.

Despite the remoteness, Kamchatka attracts extreme tourists, photographers and scientists. Here is the highest volcano in Eurasia - Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4750 m), "Valley of Geysers" in the Kronotsky Reserve. Not far from the eastern coast are the Commander Islands, which are also a unique nature reserve.

Volcano Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Photo by Georg (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/georgs53/)

Geographic location. Already by its name it is clear that the Kamchatka Territory is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. This is one of the most eastern regions of Russia, second only to Chukotka. The neighbors of the Kamchatka Territory are the Magadan Region in the west and the already mentioned Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in the north. Kamchatka Krai is part of the Far Eastern Federal District.

The coast of Kamchatka is washed by the Pacific Ocean. Of course, it is not so quiet, but rather severe, especially in northern latitudes. The western shores of Kamchatka are washed by the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the eastern - by the Bering Sea.

Most of the territory of Kamchatka is covered with mountains and forests. The Sredinny Ridge with a length of more than 900 km stands out especially. There is no taiga familiar to Siberia here - Kamchatka is separated from it by a tundra zone. Instead of taiga, here you can find unique forests of Kamchatka stone birch, which you can never confuse with our usual birch trees of the middle zone - they have grown up so much to withstand the gusty Kamchatka winds.

Stone birch is one of the symbols of Kamchatka. Photo by Innochka (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/cu-in/)

Population Kamchatka Territory - 320549 people. Over the past 20 years, it has decreased by two-thirds. It seems that the turning point has been passed, and now the population of Kamchatka has stabilized. For the past four years, it has remained at the same level.

Russians make up 78% of the region's population, followed by Ukrainians (3.6%). The indigenous population - Koryaks - is only 2%.

Interestingly, the ratio of men and women in the Kamchatka Territory is approximately the same - 49%: 51%, and in most central regions of Russia, the proportion of men is 2-3 percent lower.

Crime. The Kamchatka Territory is ranked 44th in terms of crime. The cities are quite calm - there are both military patrols and a more adult conscious population. Poachers are a big problem for law enforcement. Firstly, red caviar is a too tasty business that attracts various dark personalities, and secondly, hunting in reserves is also a pleasure loved by criminal elements. Another problem is corruption, which, as you know, the higher the farther from Moscow. And from Kamchatka to Moscow - 11900 km.

Unemployment rate in Kamchatka is not much different from the average Russian. In 2012, it amounted to 5.83%. This is not so much, considering that 10 years ago it was twice as high. As for the incomes of the local population, the situation is even better. The average salary in the region in 2012 reached 43,445 rubles. Unlike many regions of the Far North, the most profitable industry here is by no means oil and gas production.

A level above the average is shown by public administration (59 thousand rubles), the production of electrical and optical equipment (52.6 thousand rubles), transport (51.5 thousand rubles), food production (45.6 thousand rubles). .) and a number of other industries.

But you can hardly guess which of them recorded the highest average salary. This is ... financial activity, where the average income is 81.7 thousand rubles. Interestingly, if we assume that a higher level of wages is associated with difficult working conditions in the Far North, then what kind of harsh conditions are observed, for example, among bank workers in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky? Do bears come into their departments every day? Or is it showering them with volcanic ash? Unclear.

Real estate value. The average cost of 1 square. meters of housing in the capital of the region - 70 thousand rubles. A one-room apartment in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky will cost you about 2 million rubles. Two-room apartments are offered for 2.5 - 3 million rubles.

Climate Kamchatka varies depending on the latitude. In the north it is temperate continental, in the south it is temperate maritime. In winter, average temperatures are also different - from -9 ° C in the south to -24 ° C in the north. Winter in Kamchatka is very long, and summer is short and rainy, with an average temperature of +12..+16°C.

Valley of Geysers. Photo by victor.putnik (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/victor-putnik/)

A feature of Kamchatka is strong winds, snowstorms, hurricanes and storms. Particularly goes to the southern part of the peninsula. This is due to the movement of cyclones coming either from Japan or from the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. Also in the south there is heavy rainfall, reaching 1200 mm. In the north - drier, somewhere around 300-400 mm per year.

Kamchatka is divided into several climatic regions - western, eastern, northern, mountainous and the valley of the Kamchatka River. The most favorable climate is the east coast, where the summer is relatively long and the winter is warmer due to warm cyclones from the Pacific Ocean.

Cities of the Kamchatka Territory

Elizovo airport. Photo by Lex (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/food-itr/)

(22 thousand people) - the last of the cities of Kamchatka. It's not even a city. And the union of several naval bases that are located near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Rybachy, Primorsky and Seldevaya. The entire city is a zone closed to the public. There are no random people here. What to add here? The base is the base. With its own infrastructure - schools, kindergartens for children of military personnel and even Christian churches.

Vilyuchinsk. Photo by mis (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/mistepenko/)

Basic moments

Kamchatka is sometimes called the "edge of geography", and in Soviet times, the name of this peninsula, one of the largest in the country, was firmly assigned to the last desks in school classes. They even joked about the students who took their places there: "He is sitting in Kamchatka." Indeed, this land is associated with such concepts as "far", "remote" and so on. Today, however, Kamchatka has undoubtedly become much closer than ever before. And all thanks to the active development of the tourism infrastructure of the region. What you will not be offered here for a good rest: these are rich excursion programs, and exclusive tours with hunting and fishing, underwater sports, cruises around the famous Avacha Bay, not to mention horse and ornithological trips and, of course, medical and health-improving and cultural and ethnographic tourism. It is also worth mentioning snowmobile and helicopter tours, but this will still be far from a complete list.

Kamchatka is a land of pristine nature, so it is not surprising that there are as many as 3 state reserves, 5 natural parks, 19 reserves, which are also protected by the state, and 169 other unique natural objects. Protected are a total of 18% of the territory of this remote, largely harsh, but such an alluring land. Thus, the UNESCO World Heritage List includes 6 specially protected local natural objects, united by the common name "Volcanoes of Kamchatka". But at the same time, no statistics, even the most impressive, can replace those unforgettable feelings and emotions that await everyone who sets foot on this earth at least once. We say today to everyone and everyone: welcome to Kamchatka!

Geography and climate

Kamchatka stretches for 1200 km in length, but its width is half as much - 500 km. Such elongation provided the peninsula with the role of a natural border between the Pacific Ocean, the Bering and Okhotsk Seas, which wash the region from three sides. On the eastern side are the Commander Islands, in the south - the Kuril Ridge, which is part of the Sakhalin Region. In the north, already by land, the peninsula borders on the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, in the northwest - on the Magadan Region.

Kamchatka is the realm of mountain ranges: wherever you look, you will definitely meet their eyes. The local mountain-volcanic relief originates in the distant geological past, when, apparently, the peninsula was either absorbed by the ocean, or released from its embrace. Numerous volcanoes burned this land with fire and ash in ancient times. A significant part of them, namely 141, died out over time, but 28 volcanoes are still active. Earthquakes also remain a common occurrence in Kamchatka: local seismic stations record up to eight hundred tremors a year.

The peninsula, as well as the Karaginsky and Commander Islands form a constituent entity of the Russian Federation within the Far Eastern Federal District - the Kamchatka Territory, which appeared on the country's map on July 1, 2007 as a result of the merger of the Kamchatka Region and the Koryak Autonomous Okrug. The administrative center of the region is the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

The Kamchatka Territory is one of the largest regions in the Russian Federation: its area exceeds 464 thousand km², which is 2.8% of the country's territory. However, you cannot call it densely populated: only 345 thousand people live here, which is 0.2% of the population of Russia. They are commonly called Kamchadals, and they are engaged in reindeer herding, hunting, fishing and processing of fish, logging, and repair of ships.

Speaking about the climate of the peninsula, it should be noted that the proximity of the waters of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, as well as the Pacific Ocean, has a huge impact on it. These vast expanses of water act on seasonal temperature fluctuations and give the climate, especially coastal areas, a maritime character. In general, the weather conditions of Kamchatka can be called oceanic: they are relatively mild, characterized by a large amount of precipitation - up to about 2000 mm per year. The height of the snow cover is also quite impressive: 2.5-3 m. The average temperature in winter and summer has remained unchanged for many years: in July +13 degrees Celsius, in January - 16.4 degrees with a minus sign.

In the south of the peninsula (which is probably why it is south), there are no severe frosts in winter, but, oddly enough, it is not hot at all in summer - there are a lot of rainy days, fogs are frequent. But in the northern and remote areas of Kamchatka, the climate acquires a pronounced continental character, it is influenced by the large expanses of land of the Asian continent and the protection from the seas provided by mountain ranges. These features make the winter longer, and the summer period, on the contrary, is shortened. Not surprisingly, most sightseeing tours are organized at the beginning of summer, and trips in winter are less frequent. In the central part of the region, the winter temperature can reach -40 degrees, but in summer the heat is 30 degrees.

A feature of the climate of Kamchatka is also the presence of strong winds. It is they who bring with them abundant precipitation to the peninsula, the largest amount of which falls on the southern regions. In general, speaking in general, the weather in Kamchatka changes a hundred times a day. However, this circumstance does not bother the local population in any way. Kids go out to frolic outside even in a blizzard, go sledding, make snowmen. Both children and adults do not even pay attention to earthquakes: for them, 3-4 points are “little things in life”.

History of Kamchatka

The territory of modern Kamchatka has been inhabited since ancient times by representatives of various nationalities: Ainu, Koryaks, Itelmens, Kamchadals. On behalf of the latter, according to one version, the name of the entire peninsula took place.

Mikhail Stadukhin and his companions, who set off here in 1651, are considered the first Russians to visit these parts. For two whole months they wandered in search of the Penzhina river. As a result, they stumbled upon the right tributary and, having rafted along it on kochs, explored the western coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Around the same time, the industrialist Sava Anisimov and the former Cossack Leonty Fedotov settled in these parts. By modern standards, these were the real crime bosses, because, being very enterprising, they found a way to impose tribute on local communities, while remaining completely unpunished.

In 1697, the expedition of Vladimir Atlasov, consisting of 120 people, reached the eastern coast of Kamchatka. She set off from the Anadyr prison and overcame the Koryaksky ridge, which was very difficult to cross. After that, brave travelers explored the west coast. They even built an ostrog in the upper reaches of the Kamchatka River, which they called Verkhnekamchatsky. In 1700, Atlasov met with Semyon Ulyanovich Remezov, an encyclopedist and cartographer of Siberia. The result of their cooperation was a more detailed and reliable map of the Kamchatka Peninsula with all the necessary descriptions.

The development of the territory of this rather harsh region at the beginning of the 18th century deepened even more. The southern coast of Kamchatka was explored in 1729 by Vitus Bering's expedition, as a result of which Avacha Bay and Kamchatka Bay were mapped. In 1740, the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was founded. A year later, the Bolsheretsky prison was erected, an office and a command post, as well as food warehouses were located on its territory, and even a church was erected. There were also trading shops, and also four dozen private houses. In addition, a military garrison of 70 soldiers was quartered in the prison.

In 1803, the Kamchatka region was formed as part of the Russian Empire, in subsequent years, however, more than once passed from one jurisdiction to another. In August 1854, an attempt was made to capture the peninsula by the combined forces of the British and French troops, but the troops of the Russian garrison successfully repulsed the enemy attack.

Tourism potential of the peninsula

Despite by no means a tropical climate, the Kamchatka Territory, this distant and fabulous land, is attractive for tourists and welcomes them all year round. The development of the relevant infrastructure has recently received a noticeable impetus here. In such picturesque places as the Valley of Geysers, Lake Kurilskoye, Nalychevo Natural Park, the Opale and Zhupanova rivers, as well as at the Khodutkinsky, Malukinsky and Tumroksky hot springs, tourist campsites, hunting lodges and even entire hunting camps, shelters, and parking lots are equipped.

Great opportunities for the development of ecological, sports, mountain and ski tourism, as well as sports fishing and hunting, diving, rock climbing, snowmobile and dog sled racing open up due to the presence of volcanoes and glaciers, thermal and mineral springs, that is, local natural diversity and in most its untouched by civilization flora and fauna.

The list of tourist opportunities in Kamchatka also includes hiking or trekking, rafting on flat and mountain rivers, which can be combined with both sports and amateur fishing, climbing mountain peaks, descending from volcanoes using helicopters, extreme ski tourism. Separately, it should be said about diving: despite the fact that the Kamchatka waters are cold, their flora and fauna is in no way inferior to tropical seas.

Sights of Kamchatka

Not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 30 km to the north, the majestic Avacha group of volcanoes stretched out. Two of them - Avachinsky, whose height is 2741 m, and Koryaksky (it is even higher: 3456 m) - are active. This volcanic ridge is called the hallmark of the peninsula, and it is she who meets travelers arriving at the Yelizovo airport. The foot of the Avachinsky volcano has become a favorite vacation spot not only for tourists, but also for the people of Kamchatka. In the summer, local residents make traditional "weekend routes" - with an ascent to its crater. In winter, skiing and descents on snow-covered slopes are practiced. Avachinsky last showed his formidable character in 1990-1991: the eruption was accompanied by an outpouring of powerful lava flows.

From the northwest, another ridge adjoins the Avacha volcanic group, enclosing the valley of the Nalycheva River in a semicircle. Among these ridges there are also two active volcanoes: Dzendzur, its height is 2521 m, and Zhupanovsky, 2927 m. There are many hot and cold mineral springs in the upper reaches of the river. And in its valley there is the natural park "Nalychevo", where many hiking trails lead, the routes along which can not do without climbing to the craters of active volcanoes and bathing in healing mineral waters.

The most active volcano in Kamchatka is Karymskaya Sopka, its height is 1568 meters. Sometimes it calms down, but not for long, and such periods of calm will certainly be replaced by eruptions with emissions of ash and lava, which can last for many years in a row. The last such eruption began in 1996 and continues to this day. Karymskaya Sopka is known for its many hot springs located at its very foot. The Karymskaya River attracts tourists with a whole cascade of waterfalls, and hot springs pulsate on the shores of the lake of the same name.

One of the most visited "volcanic" regions of Kamchatka among tourists is the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes, covering an area of ​​about 7,000 square kilometers and numbering 12 fire-breathing giants. Travelers are attracted by landscapes created by volcanic activity, devoid of life cinder plateaus, heaps of lava flows. It is here that Klyuchevskaya Sopka “hides” - the highest volcano in Eurasia (4850 meters). Tourists and climbers visiting this area see with their own eyes volcanic processes that stagger every imagination and feel the powerful breath of the Earth. Climbing the peaks, looking into the craters, these courageous people test their will and stamina. Back in 2002, the Klyuchevsky Natural Park was formed on this unique territory.

One of the attractions of the peninsula is considered to be the Kronotsky State Biosphere Nature Reserve, one of the oldest protected areas in Russia, which is located on the eastern coast of Kamchatka. It owes its appearance to the Kamchatka sable, whose fur is so valuable that this representative of the local fauna has been considered the main wealth of the region for many centuries. If it were not for the ban on its fishing established in 1882, the animal would probably have disappeared.

Boiling hot springs are located on the territory of the reserve, more precisely, 14 km southwest of the Kizimen volcano or Shchapinskaya Sopka, in a swampy floodplain. They are also called Nizhne-Schapinskiye springs. The composition of the water is hydrocarbonate-magnesium, the total mineralization is 2-3 grams per liter. It also contains large amounts of iron, phosphorus and manganese ions. In addition, carbon dioxide is present in the water, which is close in composition to the Caucasian narzan.

A place of manifestation of volcanic activity, unique on the scale not only of the Kamchatka Territory, but of the entire planet, is the caldera of the Uzon volcano. Unlike its cone-shaped counterparts, it is a deep depression 9 by 12 km, which is about 40 thousand years old. The word "caldera" does not mean anything terrible and life-threatening: it denotes such a natural phenomenon as steam coming from under the ground, therefore Uzon is also called "floating earth". Walking on the ground of the caldera - and you will have such a unique opportunity if you find yourself here - you literally feel the indomitable energy of the earth's depths to the marrow of your bones and clearly begin to understand that our planet is alive, it breathes. In addition to powerful columns of steam coming from hot springs, the caldera is also notable for its mineral lakes, bubbling mud pots and numerous streams of various colors, which look simply magical against the background of surrounding rocks.

After mainland Kamchatka, the greatest interest among tourists is the Commander Islands, which are sheltered by the Pacific Ocean at a distance of 250 km to the east of the peninsula. The islands themselves and the 30-mile water area surrounding them make up the unified Komandorsky Natural Biosphere Reserve, where a zone of economic activity has been preserved. Within its boundaries, the indigenous inhabitants of the islands - the Aleuts - practice both traditional and modern areas of nature management.

The main attractions of the reserve are the rookeries of representatives of the local fauna: fur seals, sea otters, sea lions. Tourists are also attracted by the islands of Ariy Kamen and Toporkov, where you can see colonies of rare bird species. Of the sights, one cannot fail to name the amazing beauty of Gladkovskaya and Midday bays, as well as the unique natural monument "Steller's Arch". It is a geological structure that really resembles an arch, the height of which is about 20.6 m. This rocky outcrop is the hallmark of the reserve, it offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.

On the Commander Islands, many mountain rivers run, rich in fish and cascading waterfalls. On Bering Island, there is the only settlement in the entire archipelago, Nikolskoye, which is also the center of the Aleutian National Region. This settlement is connected with Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky only by air. There is a unique museum of local lore, the funds of which contain the rarest exhibits. For example, a cannon from the legendary packet boat "Saint Peter", the commander of which was Vitus Bering himself, or the skeleton of Steller's cow. Here are presented interesting examples of decorative and applied art of the Aleuts. If you find yourself in Commander Bay, you can visit the grave of Bering, the discoverer of the archipelago. For the information of tourists: a visit to the Commander Islands is usually included in the tour program by prior request and is a one- or two-day helicopter tour.

Well, now we suggest you move to the Valley of Geysers, which is rightfully considered the “pearl” of this Far Eastern Russian peninsula. In general, geysers are a very rare phenomenon in nature, they are found only in several regions of our planet, and when in 1941 they were discovered in Kamchatka by the geographer T. Ustinova, this event became a real sensation. To date, there are 22 large geysers in the region, as well as many boiling colored lakes, pulsating springs and mud pots. The largest among the geysers are Zhemchuzhny, Fountain, Giant and Bolshoy, whose names speak for themselves.

The Valley of Geysers can be called exclusive, because it remains the only place on the planet where the geological processes of the formation of the Earth are still ongoing. And this is its main difference from the geysers of Iceland, New Zealand and the USA. The Kamchatka Valley welcomes tourists, showing itself very violently. Your eyes will see streams of swirling steam, multi-colored splashes rushing upwards, and a slight smell of sulfur is invariably caught in the air. Excursion programs usually start from the Big and Small Geysers - the most powerful, beautiful and picturesque. Next come Leshy, striking with their unearthly form the Gates of Hell, the Double and the already mentioned Fountain. The biggest surprise for travelers is usually the eruptions of the largest geyser in the valley - the Giant. Just imagine: it “shoots” about 27 tons of boiling water to a 30-meter height in just 45 seconds!

Another unique and unforgettable place in Kamchatka is the Khodutka hot springs, located in the south of the peninsula, at the foot of the volcanoes Priemysh and Khodutka (the latter, in fact, gave them their name). They are, to be more precise, right in the funnel of a volcanic explosion. The uniqueness of the springs is that you can swim in them all year round.

No less famous and popular are other hot springs - Timonovskie, which are relatively close to the town of Yelizovo (90 km). Hot baths in them are indicated for those suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological ailments, metabolic disorders, diseases of the digestive system, dermatological pathologies, lesions of the peripheral nervous system, and water from these sources can also be drunk. And she really helps!

Recreation and entertainment

So, your dream has come true, and in front of you is Kamchatka! Why devote your time in this wonderful region, so multifaceted that at some point it may seem that you are not on Earth, but on some other unknown planet? Question, as they say, backfill. But we know the answer to it, and there will be several options for this answer.

Let's start with climbing volcanoes, the tops of which are heaps of hardened lava of bizarre shapes and eternal glaciers shimmering in the sun, and the bottoms are literally seething with life. Moreover, ascents - both dormant and active volcanoes - are carried out not only by climbers, but also by ordinary amateurs. The main condition: you must be physically healthy. Tourists are accompanied to the top by experienced guides. They have the appropriate equipment (helmet, adapted shoes) and are specially trained in the skills of moving on glaciers. The best time for climbing is from March to October.

Another favorite pastime for thrill-seekers is river rafting, which is usually practiced from mid-May to mid-October. The most popular for this type of recreation are such Kamchatka rivers as the Levaya Avacha, Bystraya (Malkinskaya), Opala, Pymta and the Plotnikova River.

If you are interested in unhurried and relaxing boat trips, you can go on an exciting boat trip around Avacha Bay. While skiing, you can see a unique natural monument - the Three Brothers rocks. An exit to the open Pacific Ocean awaits you: the boat will head towards the Starichkov Island, which will be remembered for a long time, because it is this piece of land where seals haul out. In addition, the ship comes close to bird colonies. And if you also see killer whales, this can be regarded as real luck.

The Kamchatka Territory literally attracts hunters like a magnet, and this is not surprising: after all, a brown bear is found here - one of the largest representatives of the bear family. Its prevalence on the peninsula is also impressive. According to available data, there are from 10,000 to 20,000 brown bears here. Hunting for this animal is usually carried out in spring and autumn. Statistics show that during the year about a thousand bears are hunted in the region.

Inveterate hunters are no less proud of the bighorn sheep trophy, especially since its prey involves considerable physical effort, not to mention great practical experience and elementary luck. The bighorn sheep found in Kamchatka is divided into two subspecies: the Kamchatka bighorn sheep and the Koryak bighorn sheep. August-November is the season of sport hunting for him. On average, up to 150 individuals are mined per year.

Moose, polar wolf, wolverine, lynx and reindeer are also hunted in Kamchatka. For elk hunting is carried out from autumn to mid-winter, but for the rest of the named animals it is not so common. The reason is the small number of populations and the inaccessibility of places for shooting. Hunting is also allowed for a very beautiful, but rare bird - a stone capercaillie, but only for one week in May. Meanwhile, fishing remains one of the main crafts in Kamchatka. Every year, Pacific salmon of various species swim in large numbers in local rivers. There are a lot of them - hundreds of thousands! Some fish are simply huge, their size exceeds a meter.

Kamchatka, like, for example, Switzerland and other Alpine states, is hard to imagine without such entertainment as skiing and snowboarding. The routes here are laid out for every taste: both for beginners and extreme riders. Fields of untouched snow from November to July stretch for many kilometers, opening up just fantastic opportunities for skiing. Only in Kamchatka and nowhere else can skiers descend directly into the craters of active volcanoes or from the mountain slopes go straight to hot springs.

Ski centers, in particular, are located directly in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - there are two of them. One is located in Krasnaya Sopka, the height of which is 380 m, and the maximum length of the track is 975 m, and the second one is in Pokrovskaya Sopka. The maximum length of the last track is 1305 m, and the height is 418 m. Another popular ski center of the Kamchatka Territory is Mount Moroznaya, located 30 km northwest of the capital of the region. The base has two drag lifts serving five ski slopes of different complexity. Some are designed for professional athletes, others for beginners and those who have just decided to join this type of outdoor activity.

But the northern region of the peninsula, located 500 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, remains the most remote area for skiing. This area can be reached by air (2 hours by helicopter) and by land (8 hours by bus). In this part of the peninsula, as we said above, there is the largest cluster of volcanoes and the highest of all those active in Kamchatka.

Are you into diving? The Kamchatka Territory is one of the best places on Earth where you can immerse yourself in this exciting activity. From May to October, diving is organized in the waters of the Avacha Bay of the Pacific Ocean and the bay of the same name. There will be something for you to see here, because in different parts of the Avacha Bay there are sunken ships that lie at different depths, from 5 to 20 m. Many divers, especially beginners, are interested in how safe it is to visit these dumb participants in sea disasters? Experts answer honestly: safety is relative. By the way, diving in Kamchatka is easily combined with spearfishing. On the same Avacha Bay, as many as 32 species of fish constantly live.

Transport

The road network in Kamchatka is underdeveloped, so the main transport that delivers both local residents and tourists to remote and hard-to-reach places is aviation, primarily helicopters. Regular passenger buses, minibuses and cars are usually used within the boundaries of many settlements, such as Ust-Kamchatsk, Milkovo, Ust-Bolsheretsk, Klyuchi, Esso, and, of course, in the capital of the Land of Volcanoes and Geysers - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Almost all sightseeing objects of Kamchatka are usually located outside the cities and are located in the mountains, volcanic plateaus, swampy lowlands of rivers and forests, that is, places where it is very problematic to lay roads, so you have to move along such terrain along a blurred track, dirt roads, potholes - in a word , off-road. In such cases, for the transportation of tourists, so-called off-road vehicles are often used, namely snowmobiles with passenger sleds, ATVs, URALs, GAZs, KamAZs.

There is no railway connection between the peninsula and the mainland, which affects the cost of fuel and, accordingly, the cost of travel, since maintaining and operating helicopters and large cars in proper condition is an expensive pleasure. Tourists going on vacation to Kamchatka should be prepared for some lack of comfort when moving around the edge and relatively high fares. But all possible inconveniences are more than compensated by a wonderful pastime and rest, rich in the most vivid impressions and positive emotions.

Where to stay

There are no five-star hotels, as you may have guessed, in Kamchatka. Hotels and recreation centers are basically located in Soviet-built buildings, but they provide everything necessary to ensure that travelers' rest is as comfortable as possible. The rooms in them, as they say, for all tastes and requests, ranging from simple and homely and ending with luxury apartments. A good level of service, not to mention the dishes of delicious Kamchatka cuisine, distinguishes local cafes and restaurants.

If you come to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, you can stay either in one of the city hotels or in a rented apartment. Hotels are scattered literally throughout the city, so you can find a suitable option both in the historical center and in its business part. By the way, once in the capital of the region, it is not always possible to spend time in a hotel: you can visit local theaters, museums or visit a nightly entertainment venue.

Fans of a more peaceful and measured holiday can recommend the Paratunka sanatorium and resort area, located just 60 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There are recreation centers, which are small hotel complexes. Each of them is equipped with one or even several pools with hot water from local mineral springs. The choice of vacationers as common buildings, and separately located cottages.

How to get there

In the city of Yelizovo, which is 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, there is an airport that receives flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as Magadan, Vladivostok, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Rostov-on-Don, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk.

We have already said above that there are no railways on the Kamchatka Peninsula. To the above, we add that there are no regular passenger sea flights.

Tourist seasons in Kamchatka

For your convenience in planning your vacation, we will tell you about the features of traveling around Kamchatka in different seasons and explain what time is most favorable for a particular activity.

The peak of attendance of Kamchatka by tourists, of course, falls on the summer season.
Let's start with him.

Kamchatka rightfully bears the name of the fish land. Fishing is one of the main economic areas of the peninsula. Not to mention the fact that there are a lot of avid fishermen among the local population. Moreover, both river / lake and sea fishing is common. River and coastal waters abound in a very wide variety of species, but of course the most famous are salmon: mykizha, coho salmon, kunja, chum salmon, pink salmon, char, sockeye salmon, chinook salmon.

fishing lovers can come to Kamchatka already from the beginning to the middle of June - the time when chinook (king salmon) - the largest of the Pacific salmon - enters the rivers.
Fishing in Kamchatka continues until October.
Also in June, boat trips along Avacha Bay, to Russkaya Bay will start and will continue until the end of September.

July and August- the most favorable months for lovers of trekking and climbing: snow comes off almost all slopes, with the exception of non-melting snowfields and glaciers in the highlands, trails are open. Helicopter excursions to the Valley of Geysers and Kuril Lake also start in July.

August- I would like to emphasize that it is the final summer month - the most pleasant time for traveling around the peninsula, when there are a lot of fish in the rivers, all routes are open, the weather is warmest; this is also the best time for watching bears on Kuril Lake and for trips to the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes (Tolbachik volcano).

September- the trekking period continues, the mountain circus of the Vachkazhets volcano is especially beautiful at this time, but snow is already falling on the tops of many volcanoes.
Excursions are also made to the Valley of Geysers and to the Kuril Lake, boat trips.
September is a great time for photo tours, when nature acquires bright contrasting colors, the air becomes clearer.

October November- fishing is still available on some rivers until mid-October: Opala, Pymta, Bolshaya. But the main tourist destinations are no longer available: snow falls, the summer season closes and preparations for the winter season begin.

Winter season in Kamchatka it starts in December and continues until the snow melts - that is, almost until mid-May (in mountainous areas).

December - January- the most wonderful and magical time is, of course, the New Year holidays! If you decide to spend them in Kamchatka, then you will find a wide variety of snowmobile excursions, skiing, dog sledding and even boat trips.

February - April- during this period, freeride lovers tend to get to Kamchatka. Here you will find the most interesting routes for ski touring, which are accompanied by the most experienced mountain guides of Kamchatka. The most experienced and advanced riders will discover the slopes of volcanoes and the highest mountains, where they will be delivered by helicopters - these are heliskiing and heliboring.

Snowmobile excursions to volcanoes, hot springs, and the Pacific coast continue. You can also get to the ocean in winter on super-passable off-road vehicles that will confidently take you through snowdrifts to the ocean beach with black volcanic sand.

May- the snow cover begins to slowly open up routes for us to travel to volcanoes by car. We will be the first to pave the road to Mutnovsky volcano, which is also beginning to thaw and provide the best view of its active crater, and the Gorely volcano caldera is covered with the brightest blue lakes.

Plan your trip with us and know that no matter what season you choose for a trip to Kamchatka, our region will always find something to surprise you and leave unforgettable pleasant memories!

general information

It must be remembered that you can get to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - the main city of the region only by plane. The plane arrives at the Elizovo airport (30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky). The airport connects Kamchatka with Russian cities - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Novosibirsk, Magadan, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Irkutsk.

It is necessary to tell us in advance information about your arrival: flight number, date of departure, airport of departure - this information is necessary for us to organize your meeting. (nnon-standard meetings are negotiated additionally with a representative of the company, pcosts associated with late or early departure are not reimbursed)

The cost of stay programs includes: transfers according to the program, services of a professional guide, meals on routes, accommodation on routes, permission to visit parks.

Off-route meals and all food preferences for on-route meals (what is allowed, what is desirable and what is not to be eaten) are agreed in advance.
It must be borne in mind that as a result of the vagaries of the Kamchatka weather, the order of routes may be changed. Routes such as climbing volcanoes, excursions around Avacha Bay, helicopter route options are sensitive to changes in weather conditions.

Planning a trip to Kamchatka

Even a month is not enough to enjoy the beauties of Kamchatka. In any case, you need to plan a trip for at least a week.

You can and should start looking for tickets for the summer months in the fall. Fortunately, airlines provide such an opportunity. The closer to the date of the planned trip, the higher the cost of the ticket.

In addition, at the end of August, beginning of September, Kamchatka vacationers return home. A vacation in Kamchatka is planned very early.
In November - December, airlines often offer cheap airfare for March.
In the winter months, the cost of air tickets to Kamchatka is much lower than in the summer months.

There is only one way to get to the Kamchatka Peninsula - by air.
The message is year-round. Planes arrive at the airport of Yelizovo.

Non-stop flights to Kamchatka can be made from the following cities:
Moscow, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok

Direct flights with 1 or 2 landings depart from:
St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg

When you check in for a flight P ask for a window seat on the left side of the cabin in the direction of the aircraft. It will simply take your breath away when the plane, going down, suddenly plunges into the clouds and “emerging” from them will present to your attention the Kamchatka volcanoes in all their glory.

Some passengers, forgetting that they are on a plane, even try to turn around to continue enjoying the beautiful views. Having shown the volcanoes, the pilots will turn the plane towards the ocean, and your air liner will make a lap of honor over the most beautiful bay in the world - Avachinskaya ... In general, if it is possible to book seats in advance - do it, you will not regret it!

Visas and registration

Every foreign guest needs a visa to enter Russia. To apply to the Russian Embassy, ​​you will need an invitation from the host (your hotel, travel company, business partner or Russian friend). A tourist visa is valid for a maximum of 30 days.

To obtain a visa for longer trips, a business visa (multiple entries 3, 6, 12 months) must have a good reason, although you will not be able to stay in Russia for more than 90 days in any 180 day period. Don't forget that you need an insurance certificate and a document confirming your negative HIV status if you want to get a visa for more than 3 months.

Check the documents at the consulate before submitting. You must be registered within 72 hours of your arrival in Russia. If you do not check in on time, you will have serious problems when you check out.

Tips

In Kamchatka, a service charge (tips) is usually not included in the bill, as is done in many countries.

Weather in Kamchatka is unpredictable and can change very quickly. In the mountains, the air temperature can drop to 0 ºС, precipitation in the form of rain, thick fog, strong wind are possible, so be careful in choosing and preparing your clothes.

Mountainous terrain, talus, snowfields, grassy slopes, wet paths and turbulent riversare a source of increased danger.
Tourists should remember that the mountains and gorges of Kamchatka are prone to avalanches, especially in February - March - during the period of heavy rainfall.

Kamchatka brown bear

Harmless at first glance, bears are actually quite dangerous ...

In Kamchatka, the largest brown bear in the world lives next to a person. They constantly meet each other in the forest, on rivers, lakes, in mountain valleys and at the foot of volcanoes. Bears are intelligent, curious and rather peaceful animals that usually prefer to avoid meeting you. They rarely attack people.

However, sometimes bears can threaten a person or even attack. This happens when a meeting with a person happens unexpectedly for them. Then they are forced to protect themselves and their offspring or just food. Situations are also dangerous when bears get used to human food. So your safety, like that of the bear, will depend on you and your reactions and actions in the wild.

When traveling with a professional guide, listen to his advice and instructions. He is a professional and knows how to behave in the wild!

Don't harass the bear! Traveling through the wild, you find yourself in its territory!
- Never put up tents on the trail, even if it is poorly visible. Seeing a tent on its path, a bear may try to remove an unexpected obstacle from its path.
- Don't put tents too close to each other, creating a small area of ​​your camp. The bear should not be frightened by the sudden appearance of a large object (for example, a cluster of tents in one place).
- Do not allow food, especially condensed milk, to be stored in your backpacks. Bears can smell treats even through an iron can. And never miss an opportunity to get it out of your backpack! Give your products to the chef, who will put them in special containers.
- Keep your camp clean! Do not leave dirty dishes and food waste overnight. Wash dishes, burn waste, burn cans at the stake! Never bury waste! The bear will still try to dig up the find!
- Never imitate the growl of a bear and do not scream piercingly! You won’t be able to become a bear, but you can scare an animal and cause aggression - yes.
- If the bear is on the same path as you, step aside to a safe distance and let it pass!

Bears are the real rulers of Kamchatka. They are its guardians and deserve your respect. Do not violate their rights to the territory and then they will allow you to see yourself in their natural habitat without threats and attacks!

What to take with you to Kamchatka (standard list of things ):

Identity documents, compulsory health insurance policy.

♦ Backpack for 45 liters You will need a backpack of this volume for radial exits. For example, for climbing volcanoes. In a backpack you will carry a snack, as well as personal items - a hat, gloves, a jacket, etc. In case of warm weather, you can take off your jacket and put it in your backpack, in case of bad weather, take extra warm clothes with you.

♦ Trekking boots with hard grooved soles and waterproofing The ideal option is high mountain boots that fix the leg and protect the ankle. The corrugated sole is necessary for movement on stones, slag and snowfields. Impregnation from getting wet - is necessary to protect shoes while traveling in the rain, in the early morning, when the dew does not have time to dry yet, while crossing streams, snowfields, while rafting down mountain rivers. ! If you are purchasing new shoes, then before leaving for Kamchatka, you need to break them in well. Otherwise, in the mountains, you run the risk of rubbing your feet badly. Alternative - rubber boots without a heel.

♦Warm windproof waterproof jacket with a hood. In the mountains, even at the height of the summer season, snowfields remain, thick fog can suddenly fall (clothes get wet instantly), rain with strong gusts of wind is no exception. Having a hood on a jacket is a big plus.

♦Warm windproofwaterproof pants ski or snowboard pants that do not hinder movement are suitable.

♦Comfortable hiking clothes, shorts Things should be made of lightweight material that dries quickly and is able to retain heat in case of temperature changes. Do not take jeans and similar trousers to the mountains. They get wet quickly, dry for a long time, do not warm and do not keep warm.

♦ Sneakers After climbing and long transitions in the camp, you will be comfortable and pleasant to be in light shoes.

♦ thermal underwear The weather in Kamchatka is unpredictable. Therefore, there is never a lot of warm clothing, because it can be removed at any time. In thermal underwear it is also comfortable and convenient to sleep, being in a tent in a sleeping bag.

♦A warm sweater It is especially necessary in the mountains in the late afternoon or at night, when the air temperature can drop very much.

♦wool socks Thick wool socks prevent blisters from forming. During long walks, it is not recommended to wear cotton and synthetic socks.

♦T-shirts It is desirable to have at least one T-shirt with long sleeves.

♦Gloves, warm mittens Protect your hands from the cold and cuts from slag or ice.

♦Woolen cap Protects from cold and wind.

♦Cap or panama hat For sun protection.

♦Change of underwear

♦Gaiters / gaiters / "lanterns" Worn over boots. Protect the foot and boot from small stones, sand, slag, snow and water. Especially convenient when climbing mountain peaks and passing marshy terrain.

♦Bath and bathing accessories Necessary when visiting "wild" hot springs, as well as thermal pools in the Paratunka River area.

♦Seat for sitting on stones and slag Sold in almost any sports store. They are light, do not interfere with movement, moreover, they are additional protection for the lower back. During rest stops, they are indispensable when sitting on rocks or on a cold slope.

♦Personal care products Kamchatka is a wild place. Therefore, during a multi-day hike, only in rare cases will you be able to use a shower or bath.

♦Individual first aid kit The instructor-guide will have a general first-aid kit with the necessary medicines. But, if you have any special medications that you may need, be sure to bring them with you. It is also desirable for everyone to have their own set, consisting of a patch and a bandage in case of corns and small cuts / scratches on stones.

♦Sunglasses They will protect your eyes from sun glare on the surface of the water and on the snow, and while fishing in fine weather, they will reveal what is happening under the water.

♦Headlamp with a set of spare batteries In the dark, it will be an indispensable assistant while searching for things in a tent, trails to the dining room or toilet.

♦Trekking poles. They greatly facilitate self-insurance when moving over stones, as well as when descending. On the rise and when driving on a flat surface, they save energy.

♦Sun cream and after sun When driving in clear weather, there is always a risk of sunburn. Snowfields and glaciers increase this risk several times.

♦Cream against mosquitoes and midges / balm after bites Mosquitoes and midges cause great inconvenience while traveling. We recommend that you always keep mosquito repellent in your backpack. In Kamchatka, Gardex (red) copes well with mosquitoes.

♦Mosquito net Sometimes there are so many mosquitoes and midges that no ointments help. In this case, a mosquito net will save you.

♦Knife The most convenient - small and foldable.

♦Photo and video equipment On the route, we recommend taking spare batteries / accumulators for cameras, as it will not be possible to charge them in the mountains. We also recommend taking spare memory cards with you. You will be photographing a lot, but the opportunity to free the card in time for new photos may not present itself.

♦Copies of documents in sealed packaging.

Advice. When traveling around Kamchatka, try to write down your feelings and impressions on paper. Perhaps this advice will seem completely stupid to you. However, the magic of Kamchatka's attraction is such that the bright colors and emotions given to you by this extraordinary land will overwhelm you even more when you are back on the plane heading back to your worries and everyday life.

At these moments, your notes will help you remember Kamchatka without sadness, and every now and then the memories that arise in bright flashes will form into an adventure story. After reading which sadness will be replaced by a firm intention - be sure to return

We will provide you with care and comfort, just tell us where…

Ex-mayor of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky:

I will say this: bad so far, but not harmful. Not harmful!

Alexander Danilov, driver:

Not harmful - subject to annual departure to the mainland. We, visitors, were conceived, born and raised in a different climate, and at first we feel discomfort here. And having lived here, we even stay young longer. I come to my Buryatia - and everyone says how wonderful I look.

Ekaterina Vodianaya, florist:

I lived in Minsk until I was 12 years old. I had luxurious hair. I came to Kamchatka, and my hair began to fall out, faded. And it’s not harmful for my daughter to live here, this is her native land. But being on the mainland is a must.

Viktor Khustik, orthopedist-traumatologist:

No! Kamchatka is the most useful place to live: the cleanest water, air, lack of technical enterprises. The influence of the vast ocean surrounding Kamchatka means a lot. I think this is the cleanest place on the planet.

Galina E., manager:

I was born a weak child, I was sick a lot. I am lucky that Kamchatka saved me. Thanks to this air, honeysuckle, cranberries!

Andrey, entrepreneur:

Harmful. We do not have enough vitamins, the sun, we cannot go to the mainland. And languish here.

Olya Perveeva, accountant:

Harmful, because we have a very low standard of living. No real fruit, little sun. There is no cultural recreation for young people.

Tilya, bass guitarist of the Kamchatka rock band "Krem-soda":

Healthy. I was born here, so I can't feel bad here.

Expert comments

"People are ruining the environment"

Robert Savelyevich Moiseev, Director of the Kamchatka Institute of Ecology and Nature Management, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (since 2002 - Director of the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. - Ed. site):

In these answers, there is mainly a social criterion. Kamchatka is a fairly comfortable area for living. People who are not tormented by any stresses, problems, live here very well. Why is the deep Ryazan village better than Kamchatka? There, as here, one can live badly, but one can live beautifully. If someone's hair falls out here, their teeth deteriorate, then the climatic factor has nothing to do with it. You have to eat good food. Need makes us buy cheap food. We think that our health suffers because we have to live in Kamchatka. And it's all about the same low-quality food.

Regarding the departure to the mainland, I will say this: someone goes there, and someone from there comes to Kamchatka to rest! And everyone who was here is full of delight. I know a lot of people who moved to the mainland, but after not living there for more than a year, they returned.

We are outraged by the local dirt. But after all, people themselves are dirty, and then they say that the environment is bad. By the way, Kamchatka is one of the best ecological regions.

"The best place in Kamchatka is between Sokochi and Milkovo"

Oleg Anatolievich Voitenko, healer:

In the Kamchatka forests and mountains, the air is ionized and healing. But in the city the air is rarefied, it has a lot of exhaust gases, gases from boiler pipes. Unfortunately, civilization chooses living space not where it is useful, but where it is convenient.

If we talk about the whole of Kamchatka, then it is most beneficial for health to live in the area from Sokochi to Milkovo. For example, citizens with lung diseases, moving to Sokochi (and further along the Milkovskaya highway), recover.

There are three good energy zones in Petropavlovsk: the historical center of the city, the district of the "75th section" (Solnechnaya street) and the quarter of the even side of Tushkanova street, with the center at school No. East". People living in the negative zone often get sick.

It is not so necessary to travel to the mainland every year. Frequent change of time zones, climatic zones, food has a bad effect on the body. After all, a person needs at least three months to adapt!