Kamchatka Cruising Permits

[SariTimur]

Does anyone on this forum have any connections in Kamchatka? We have been trying to get a cruising permit for a while. We know it is hard, but not impossible. That is why we have been trying already though we do not intend to head there until May of 2014. We had a tour group with their headquarters there tell us they have done it in the past. We asked if they would do it for us and what we needed to do. We got no reply and now that email seems to be defunct. So we are reaching out to a larger crowd. Any help is welcome. If you do not want to post directly you can send to my private email. Which you will get by PM.

Cheers

Mark

[DeepFrz]

You might be able to find that information on the GSSR.

(About the GSSR): (Download zip file of...

[GordMay]

To enter Russia as a tourist, one is required to have an invitation from an official tour company.

Ie:
Yelizovo Tour Service
Yelena Yarovaya, Director
Martha Madsen, Manager
684010 Russia, Kamchatka Region
Lenin St. 22
Phone: +7 (415-31) 64-807
E-mail: tourserv@elrus.kamchatka.su

[svtatoosh]

Alvah Simon @ Cruising World was unable to get one several years ago.

[DeepFrz]

Gord, where did you get that information. I know someone who went into Russia on his own this past summer.

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Gord, where did you get that information. I know someone who went into Russia on his own this past summer.

If you use a travel/tour/visa agency to get the visa, they usually provide an invitation as a part of their service.

[DeepFrz]

Ah, okay. So as long as you have the invitation you can go where you like, kind of...

[Dockhead]

I don't think the OP is asking about a visa, but rather a cruising permit. Different things altogether. Kamchatka is a closed zone, so I would not be surprised if it is very hard to get permission to sail there.

[Dockhead]

Here's a firsthand account from people who managed it:

Illywhacker - Japan to Russia

Apparently entirely realistic if you make arrangements with the local yacht club and are willing to deal with the bureaucracy.

[DeepFrz]

You can take a nice tour of the Naval base on Google Earth. It is on the South shore, away from the city.

[MarkJ]

I was in Russia for a few months a long time ago and told it would be impossible to get an un restricted visa without pre booked accomodation.

I just rolled up to the Russian embassy filled out the paperwork, explained what I wanted to do and rubber stamps pounded all over the place.

Just give it a go and have lots of paperwork, proof of funds, an idea on paper etc... Do a bit of research and find what that area is known for and say you want to visit it.

If they say no then try some other tactic.

[SariTimur]

Hey everyone. Sorry I made that post and went off the air for a couple of days. I read the GSSR blog a few years back when I first had a hint I wanted to go this route. There is nothing in there about who he used or contacts to get them. Hey Gordon thank sfor the quick links as usual you are on top of them but as Dockhead says I eed a Kamchatka cruising permit. Both Illywhackers and the GSSR blogs talk about the difficulties of entering with the right paperwork. So unlike elsewhere in the world showing up is probably not an option. And it is a part of the world with not many places to go if you are rejected. Hey MarkJ what are you up to these days?

Anyway I hope some one here has some connections. And I will post if we find out anything via other channels.