Esso & Bystrinsky Nature Park
An ancient volcanic chain called Sredinny Ridge crosses the middle part of Kamchatka, south to north. The Sredinny Ridge includes over 120 extinguished volcanoes. Sometimes it is called the "cemetery of volcanoes".
The central part of the Sredinny Ridge is the Bystrinsky Region. Almost all of its territory (1.4 million hectares) is a preserve. The population includes 2695 people, 1027 of which are indigenous. (the Evens - 806 people, the Koryaks - 150 people, the Itelmens - 57 people).
This is the area where hunters and reindeer breeders predominate. With Esso as its central settlement, the region has become a wonderful place for both recreation and relaxation. There are many hiking and horse trails here for visitors to enjoy. On the recommendation of UNESCO, the Bystrinsky Region is now part of the World Nature Heritage and most of its territory has status of Bystrinsky Natural Park. The climate of the region is continental: in January it can be 46°C below zero and in July it can be 34°C above zero. It is one of the sunniest areas of Kamchatka.
One of the main objects of interest for experienced mountain climbers is the Ichinsky Volcano (3,607m). This is the only active volcano of the Sredinny Ridge that lives and breathes among its extinct brothers. It is decorated with multiple cones, domes, and lava streams. At the foot of the volcano you can find blue obsidian (volcanic glass).
One of the most picturesque rivers of the region is the Uksichan River that comes from the crater of an extinct volcano. Within the region, there are several groups of hot springs - Uksichansky, Oksinsky, Appapelsky, and Bystrinsky.
Esso settlement is situated in the approximate middle of the Kamchatka peninsula, 528 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is the administrative center of the Bystrinsky Region and is in the central part of the Sredinny Ridge.
Almost all of the area around Esso is preserved as an ecological treasure. On the peninsula, they call this region "Kamchatka Switzerland". Protected from the winds, with dry climate and multiple therapeutic springs, the Bystrinsky region has been created by Nature to resemble a special health resort. The village itself is surrounded by evergreen forests, sculptured cliffs and beautiful mountain ridges. It lies on the banks of the hot spring-fed mountain river Uksichan (translated as "hot water" in the aboriginal language). The inactive Dygeren-Olengerde volcano (1,950m) rises above this fabulous scene. Esso is heated by thermal waters, as well as the national settlement Anavgay. This gift of Nature for the people of Esso allows them to grow southern vegetables and fruits in greenhouses even in winter. In the center of the settlement there is a large swimming pool, heated by thermal waters.
The aborigines are the Evens. A special ethnographic museum has been constructed in Esso, and is considered one of the best of its kind in Russia. Here one can see unique articles of shamanism, original utensils and pieces of clothing of the aborigines of Kamchatka. The museum collection is constantly being updated by new findings during ethnographic expeditions to aboriginal habitats throughout the region. Information on the history of the region, rituals, beliefs, clothing, dwellings, and food come mainly from information received from the indigenous peoples themselves during a number of expeditions.
There is a regular daily bus from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Esso, so that both the people of Kamchatka and visitors can easily visit this fabulous area of "Kamchatka Switzerland".
There are numerous small private hotels offering B&B to the guests of Esso. Accommodation in Esso (link)
