Esso: Culture, Museums and Sled Dogs

Esso is located in Bystrinsky Nature Park; the village of Anavgai is also part of this protected area. Esso is one of the centres for preserving and developing the distinct culture of the district’s Indigenous minority peoples. When choosing a holiday apartment in Esso, you can consider whether you would like your trip to focus particularly on culture, museums or experiences involving sled dogs.

Culture and the name Esso

The name Esso means “larch” in Even. The cultural significance of the place is also reflected in its role as a centre for preserving and developing Indigenous culture. Those interested in the region’s history and traditions will find several specific points of interest in Esso, from the Beringiya Museum to the ethnographic exhibition.

Museums in the village

The Beringiya Museum is located in the Bystrinsky Nature Park visitor centre in Esso. Visitors can learn about the history and achievements of dog-sled races and meet their participants.

In 2003, the “Koryakskoye polupodzemnoye zhilishche” was reconstructed on the grounds of the Bystrinsky District Museum of Ethnography—a semi-subterranean dwelling of the coastal Koryaks (Nymylans). It is described as the only one of its kind in Russia. The reconstruction gives a museum visit a tangible connection to the dwelling culture of the coastal Koryaks and complements the cultural themes for which Esso is known.

Meeting sled dogs

Tours of a sled-dog breeding station are offered in Esso. Visitors can meet the dogs there. Guests can also take a dog-sled ride in the village. These are two different options to consider when planning your trip: the tour focuses on meeting the animals, while the ride offers the experience of travelling by dog sled. You can decide with your travel group which option best suits your interests.

A tourist trail in the nature park

The popular “Pionerskaya Sopka” tourist trail in Bystrinsky Nature Park was marked and cleared of litter in 2024. It is another specific point of interest for travellers interested in the area around Esso. Check the trail’s current condition before setting out on a specific excursion.

Practical information for Esso

A tourist information centre is open daily in Esso. Check the current opening hours before your trip.

The Kamchatka region: a broader perspective

Beyond the village, the Kamchatka region offers a wider nature-park context. Nalychevo Nature Park has seven tourist routes, accessible at different times of year. There are also around 200 thermal springs with different hydrochemical, temperature and balneological properties. This is an approximate figure; check routes and accessibility locally before making specific plans.

The Nalychevo Valley is surrounded by the Zhupanovsky, Avachinsky, Kozelsky, Koryaksky and Dzenzur volcanoes. Bystrinsky Nature Park is also part of this broader regional setting: together with Nalychevo, South Kamchatka and Klyuchevskoy nature parks, as well as two federal protected areas, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Volcanoes of Kamchatka”.

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Back to the main travel overview: Kamchatka Region.