Fodor's Expert Review Valley of the Geysers

One of Kamchatka's major volcanic attractions is in the Kronotsky Preserve, a multi-faceted jewel covering more than 10,000 square km (3,860 square miles) of land and a 4.5-km (3-mile) -wide zone stretching along 245 km (152 miles) of shoreline. The Valley of the Geysers, part of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an 8-km (5-mile) -long valley, discovered in 1941, famous for its geysers, numerous bears, and exotic landscapes. Access to the valley is restricted during certain times of the year, but even when it is open only two helicopters can land in the valley at a time. Wooden walkways and benches strategically sited at the most picturesque points welcome visitors from all over the world to view the valley's multiple geysers, which erupt at specific times.