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Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Guide:
GMT +12 (London
+12, Paris +11, Moscow +9, New York +17)
Phone Code: 4152
Population: 300.000
General
Info & Facts about Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the capital and only city at the peninsula.
Built like a base for Russian Navy the city has poor infrastructure.
However the only airport at Kamchatka is situated near the city,
so it is a starting and final point for any tourist visiting Kamchatka.
The locals call the city just Petropavlovsk or even PK.
It is very easy to move round the city. There is the main street
leading through Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky along the bay all the
big shops and sights can be found there.
Most of the offices and banks and shops open from 10.00 to 18.00.
Meanwhile, there are many daily shops.
Weather: The weather is changeable, the rains
are frequent.
Average temperatures in the area of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Mon Jan Feb May Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Celc -8 -8 -5 -1 4 9 12 13 10 4 -2 -6
Fahr 18 18 23 30 39 48 54 55 50 39 28 21Phoning
There are two types of local phone numbers: 5-numbered
and 6-numbered one. The phone code of the city is 4152.
Mobile phone company in Kamchatka operates in
DAMPS standard only. So the GSM phones do not operate there.
Emergencies
01- pogarnaya slugba (fire-brigade)
02- militcia (police)
03- skoraya pomosh (ambulance)
Please note, none of the operators speak English.
Brief History
1740
- navigator Ivan Elagin explored the bank of Avachinskaya bay
and founded a harbor in it.
1740, 6 october - first two ships arrived to the new port. Official
date of foundation of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Port was perfectly
located, so many long-distance geographical expeditions used it.
1779 – the third expedition of James Cook arrived in the
port.
1787 – the circumnavigation expedition of La Peruz arrived
in the port.
1804 – first Russian circumnavigation expedition headed
by Kruzenshtern arrived in the port.
1812 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was proclaimed the capital
of Kamchatka.
1822 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky obtained the status of the
city (it was just a settlement before).
1830 - Population of the city ran up to the 1000 inhabitants.
1849 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky obtained the status of the
primary Russian Pacific port
1850 – First lighthouse was built in the port. It was the
single lighthouse at the Russian Pacific shore.
1854 – 10 days long defense of the city. Allied UK and France
were up to conquer Russian Far East and Alaska (it was part of
the Russia then ). Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky as the important Russian
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A "Burned" Crater at Kamchatka |
Navy base was the primary target of the Allies. Six military ships
carried 900 soldiers entered Avachinskaya bay and attacked the
city. The garrison of 350 soldiers was equipped with two ships
only. Main struggle took part at the Nikolskaya sopka (the hill
in the central part of the city). Russians won and got rid of
the conquerors.
1917-1922 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was the center of revolutionizing
actions at Kamchatka.
2000-2001 – The lack of the coal at the local coal station
during the wintertime. Inhabitants were using open fires to heat
their apartments.
2003- Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was listed by WayToRussia.Net guide.
Walking Around:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky provides few possibilities to promenade
with the pleasure. Kamchatka do. However if you up to walk round
the city just take the main street and you will see all the
main sights.
Ploshad Lenina (square of Lenin)
All the main squares in soviet towns were called after Lenin. But
for the last 10 years almost all of them were renamed and redecorated.
Things seems
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Skaters in Petropavlovsk |
to be the same
in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, there is still Lenin’s square
with the monument of Lenin in the center of it.
Local skaters occupied a small area just near the square. To get
there face the monument and go to the right, pass building of the
local administration and the skaters hub will be at your left.
How to get there: there is only one Ploshad Lenina in the city,
most of the buses go there.
Naberezhnaya (embankment)
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is an ocean port, gaunt along the shore,
but there is just single 200 meters long embankment. There are several
24h cafes over there.
How to get: As you get to Ploshad Lenina, look where the ocean
are and get there.
Nikolskaya Sopka (Nikols knoll)
This is a small knoll just in the city center. It took me about
15 min to get to
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Nikolskaya Sopka, Petropavlovsk |
the top. You
don’t need any special equipment to get there, just wear the
good pair of shoes. There is a splendid view to Avachinskaya bay
and to the city from the top of the knoll.
How to get: You have to get to Ploshad Lenina. Face the bay,
Nikolskaya sopka will be on your left. The road to get up is at
the opposite side, but there are pathes you can use at this side
either.
Chapel
Small grey building in the park, locals call it “Chapel”
and recommend to visit. Absolutely ordinary.
How to get: Chapel is situated at the back side of Nikolskaya
sopka. There is a path from Chapel leading to the top of the knoll.
Transportation:
Getting to and from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
The only way to get to Kamchatka is the airway and the only airport
at Kamchatka is in the village called Elyzovo in 20km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
To get to the city from the airport take the Bus #113 or shuttle
with the same number. Bus will cost you $0.3, shuttle $0.5. You
can take a taxi to the city for $5.
Traveling around Kamchatka.
You
can travel around Kamchatka by the buses only. The buses operate
between the city and local villages: Esso, Oktyabarskiy, Milkovo,
Ust-Kamchatsk.
Bus station (Avtostanciya) in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
located at the beginning of the Prospect Pobedy street. Ticket
offices open hours: 8-12.30, 13.00-16.00. Tickets can be obtained
the same day only. The bus service will be cancelled if there
will be few passengers on board.
There are daily services:
#215, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Esso, depart at 8.30, arrive
at 20.00, price $15
#208, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Oktyabrskiy, 8.30-16.15, price
$7
#201, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Milkovo, 8.30-16.00, price $10
#218, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Ust-Kamchatsk, 8.00-23.00, price
$30
You have to pay for every luggage unit $2.
Around the city
The only public mean of tranport in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is
a bus transport.The green municipal buses operate all over the
city. There is always a conductor inside the bus, you will buy
a ticket from him for $0,15-0,30 (depends on the route).
There are also privately owned buses of different colors and models.
They are operating at the same routes as city buses. The ticket
costs $0.3-1. As you entered tell to the driver where he should
stop and take your place.
The most popular mean of transport is the minibus (locals call it
“mykreek”) – privately owned minibuses. These
minibuses operate at the same routes as city buses. The ticket cost
up to $1 for the ride. Mykreek stops by request only. So if you
want to stop the passing by minibus wave with your hand and don’t
forget to tell to the driver where to stop.
Accommodation &
Hotels at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka:
There
are several hotels in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and no hostels.
Hotels are usually full in the high season, so you better reserve
the room beforehand. All the hotels accept cash only, rubles.
Do not leave valuable things and money in the rooms, stealing
is spread over.
Hotel Edelveis
Strange
place. Crappy building with the entrance from the backside and
small sign. No hall for reception, just table standing in the
corridor. Receptionist speaks basic English. There are 20 room
in the hotel. Double and single for same price – 52$ (breakfast
included). Cash is only acceptable.
All the rooms equipped with telephones, TV-sets. There are no
showers and toilets in the most of the rooms.
Address: Prospect Pobedy, 27
Tel.:5-3324
Hotel Petropavlovsk
 |
Most
“western” hotel in the city. Recently renovated,
all the staff speak English. There is a bowling and a bar
in the building. ATM machine can be found in the lobby (Visa,
MasterCard, American Express). TV-sets and phones in every
room.
Double- 88$, single- 78$, breakfast included. Cash is only
acceptable.
Website in English, Japanese, and Russian.
Address: Karla Marksa str., 31.
Tel.: 5-03-74
http://www.petropavlovsk-hotel.ru/ |
Heiser Hotel
 |
The
cheapest option in the city. There are two types of doubles
for 30$ and 34$ and three types of singles for 45$, 28$, 17$.
The difference is in the room size and width of the bed. They
also provide number for 3 persons for 40$. Most of the stuff
don’t speak English. They charge visitors for additional
equipment – TV-sets, fridges, etc. Hot water in the
rooms is available from 7.30 to 8.30 and from 21.00 to 22.00.
Meanwhile there is always a hot water in the common showers
at the floor. It smells like in Soviet hotel inside. Building
is crappy, but they said it will be renovated soon. Hotel
is near the main street, but far away from the ocean. To get
there you need to walk about 10 min from the main road. Surprisingly
this hotel is surrounded by colorful private houses. I was
told this area called “The valley of beggaries”,
there are Mercedeses parked near houses and even the helicopter.
So you have an opportunity to live like you are in USSR and
looking at new Russia at the window.
Address: Toporkova ul., 10
Tel.: 5-85-95 / |
Avacha Hotel
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Double-
76$, Single- 60$.
Nice, clean, recently renovated, full of Japanese tourists.
The only casino “Collisem” in the city is in the
same building. This hotel located in the middle of the city
– not far from ocean, there are daily shops near and
many restaurants, market is in front of it. There are TV-sets,
fridges and phones in the rooms. The have tour agency inside
and DHL office. English-speaking staff.
Address: Leningradskaya str., 61 |
Rus Hotel
 |
Double:
25$, Single: $ 30.
This hotel is situated deep inside the residential blocs and
far from city center. It was hard to get there, hotel is at
the top of the hill, so you have to go up pretty much. The
nearest bus station is in 15 minutes. There is a great view
from the hotel to the city. Nobody at the reception speak
English, although there are many Americans in the hotel. Clean.
Address: Zvezdnaya ul., 4/2
Tel.: 7-55-15
Fax: 7-06-82 |
Communication:
Internet-Café “Tête-à-Tête”
Tiny lodge equipped with 10 PCs usually occupied by several teenagers
playing Quake. They have 64K connection speed for the whole café.
Price: $2 for an hour. Additional: services: printing, CD recording.
Open: daily
Address: Lukashevskogo str., 4
Tel.: 11-05-40
International communication center
Recently renovated building where you can phone, send a
fax or get access to Internet. As you enter the building turn left
to get to the phone center or right to get to the Internet center.
Price: $2 – 1 h. Additional services: printing.
Open: 8.00-22.00
Address: Vladivostokskaya ul., 9
International phone
Usual phone station. You can only phone from it.
Price for 1 min: New-York- $0.8, London –$1.
Open: 8.00-20.00, sun - day off
Address: Prospecr Pobedy, 7
Eating Out / Restaurants:
There are several restaurants and cafes in the city, generally eating
out is not popular in the city. All the hotels propose own cafes,
where you can eat.
Café “Press-Club”
It was really hard to find it. I had an address, but when
I come to the place I only saw crappy office building and several
ruined houses around it. I thought, I came to the wrong place but
I mistook. This restaurant is situated in the crappy building but
considered to be one of the best. They serve seafood mainly.
Open: 12-till the last client
Address: Lukashevskogo, 5.
Tel.: 6-09-38
Keseku Japanese restaurant
Address: Leningradskaya, 35
Tel.: 3-70-71
Activities and Entertainment:
Golubaya Laguna – aqua center.
The best aqua center in the area of the city. The hot water
comes directly from the spring. They change water in swimming pool
once a week on Wednesdays.
Entrance fee: $4
Open: 10.00-2.00, Tuesday – day off.
How to get: the aqua center located in several kilometers out of
the city, so the easiest way it to get the taxi for $12 or you can
take the Bus #110 from the Bus station.
Avacha Bay
Hire the motorboat and make the voyage to the ocean the bay. The
shore looks nice from the boat and you watch the whales if you are
lucky.
The boat can be hired through the tourist agency.
Casino “Colliseum”
Address: Leningradskaya str., 61 (in the building of Avacha
hotel)
“Comic” bowling
Address: Karla Marksa str., 31. (in the building of Petropavlovk
hotel)
Yellowpages:
“Rossiyskaya kniga” – bookstore: books and maps
Open: 11.00-14.00, 15.00-19.00, Sun- day off
Address: Tushkanova str., 2
Maps of city and peninsula
“TRIO” food shop
Address: Lukashevskogo str, 4.
City Hospital (Gorodskaya Poliklinika)
Open: daily
Leningradskaya str., 112.
Drug store
Open: daily.
Address: Tushkanova, 4.
Taxi
Tel.: 16-81-81
ATM machine
Address: Karla Marksa str., 31 (in the building of Petropavlovsk
hotel)
Bank of Moscow
Address: Leninskaya str., 18A.
Bank Impex (ATM inside)
Address: Artilleriyskaya str., 5/1
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