Useful Information
Petropavlovsk The City
Petropavlovsk the City
Since it was founded in 1740, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city has been a crossroads for explorers and military expeditions. The British and the French were trying to claim the city, while Russians viciously defended it. The stakes were high. Losing Petropavlovsk and strategic Avacha Bay would result in losing Russia's Pacific claims (including Alaska at that time). So, from the early times and for many years later, the city remained a military fortress. Marine officers in sparkling uniforms, bearded fishermen, geologists, and native hunters were the only residents of the city.
Only recently, after the fall of USSR, the city finally began emerging into the civil world. Travelers from Asia, Europe, and the Americas are a common mix in today's crowd of Petropavlovsk. Being a gate to the wealth of the peninsula's nature attractions, it took only a few years before the city reached the top list of popular travel destinations in Russia.
Sightseeing highlights:
- Learn about Russia's famous explorer Mr. Vitus Bering, who lead the first Russian arctic expedition. He and his team were the founders of today's Petropavlovsk-Kamchatksy.
- Pay tribute to Charles Clark, a famous British explore and hero. He took the lead of the 3rd round-the-world expedition in 1779 after the death of his chief Mr. James Cook. Mr. Clark was later awarded a monument by the British government in 1913. It was placed in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where he died after a failed attempt to cross the Bergin Strait.
- Salute the exploration spirit at the monument to Jean Francois de la Perouse, a French explorer, whose ship was torn apart during his round-the-world voyage (1787) by a storm with only one crew member surviving out of 242.
- Think about what makes Russia Russia at the Memorial Complex on Nikolskya Hill, and at the Replica of Lt. Maskutoff's artillery battery. Both sites are dedicated to Russian soldiers, who with fervent loyalty defended Petropavlovsk from British and French invasion in 1854.
- Remind yourself of the controversy of the world we live in by visiting a monument dedicated to joining the Kuril Islands to the USSR/Russian flag. Meanwhile, Japan still considers these Islands their own.
- Ask yourself how the worst of enemies became brothers in time by visiting a small Chapel with a common grave dedicated to Russian and French-British soldiers who died fighting each other in 1854.
- Make a quick acquaintance with major events the city lived through at the Museum of Regional Studies. Samples of Kamchatka's flora and fauna, history, folk art of natives, and interesting facts about National Parks are also featured here.
Route and schedule
We will start our tour at the heart of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, right at the central square next to the city hall and tall statue of Lenin. Right at the square, within walking distance, we will visit some of the historical sites described above. From the square, we will drive through old Petropavlovsk with wooden houses to the shore of Avacha Bay, where we will visit the remaining sites. After the historical part of the tour, we will take you to the Petropavlovskya Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Avacha Bay. Our final stop will be the Regional museum, or one of the alternatives of your choice*.
*Alternative museums (upon availability, additional fees apply)
Museum of Geology
Museum of Volcanoes
Included:
- Escort guide with choice of your language
- Private car with driver
- Admission fee to the Regional Museum (incl. guide)
Not included:
- Meals/snacks
- Special exhibitions fees
- Time/Fees for pick ups outside of the city center perimeter
- Travel insurance
Duration:
3 hours
Date:
upon request
Discounts:
- 2 people - discount 20%
- 3 people - discount 25%
- 4 people - discount 30%