Tourists reviews of vacations in the Far East

Before this trip, the farthest point in Russia my wife and I had visited was a cape on Russky Island. Now we found ourselves 220 km farther from home, with Cape Aniva lying 6,794 km away in a straight line. Enough of the numbers—let’s get back to the trip itself. First of all, I’d like to mention that the weather on the island was just fine, with only the last two days being cloudy. This didn’t dampen our experience in the least, largely thanks to the excellent organization and the care shown by our guide, the drivers and the rest of the staff. For instance, we never imagined that meals in the open field could be so varied and beautifully presented (other agencies we know of often make do with instant noodles and sandwiches). But here, we enjoyed cedar plank redfish (!), a dish worthy of a fine restaurant. The team's chef prepared it right there on the shore of Silent Bay. Our thanks also go to the managers for arranging our stay in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The Mega Palace Hotel was comfortable, with high-quality service in both the hotel and its restaurant. As for our impressions of Sakhalin itself, the island’s natural beauty made a lasting impact on us. The stunning coastal cliffs, green hills veiled in mist that drifts down to the sea, and, of course, Cape Aniva with its legendary lighthouse, seals sunbathing on the rocks and flocks of seagulls. Even though St. Petersburg is also a seaside city with plenty of seagulls, on Sakhalin they are just so big and so... loud. One vivid memory is the trip to Birds Cape along a narrow forest road. Honestly, I was wondering what we’d do if we met an oncoming car on such a path, which to my experienced driver’s eye seemed barely wide enough to pass. Yet, not only did we manage, but our massive Land Cruiser even overtook another car, cheerfully flashing the hazard lights as we passed. In general, Sakhalin is a land of used, right-hand-drive Land Cruisers and Pajeros—a very practical choice for off-road drives and coastal trips, and they’re easy to find with Japan so nearby. An unexpected surprise: on the second day of the tour, we went oyster gathering at the oyster banks on Lake Busse. We didn’t just collect oysters, we ate them fresh on the spot—with lemon and champagne! Right on the shore! Afterwards, we enjoyed a rich and delicious lunch, topped off with some 'klopovka' liqueur from Dmitry, the captain of the excursion. Our trip to Sakhalin was a fantastic experience!

From July 16 to 22, 2024, we took part in the Kamchatka Express tour. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone. I think it’s perfect for a first introduction to Kamchatka.

Kamchatka! This word always sounded so mysterious, enticing, almost unreal to me. I’m so glad I happened to see on social media that people actually travel there—it's possible! My first tour, 'Water and Flame,' was just the spark I needed. The idea of exploring Kamchatka through this very program lit me up, and I have no regrets! The itinerary is thoughtfully planned for balanced activity levels and variety. There’s no overload, but never a dull moment either. The tour also offered different accommodation options to fit any budget, which was super convenient.

Thank you for the excellent organization of the tour. The program was engaging, and every detail was well thought out. Special thanks to the guides and chefs. This tour gave us the chance to experience Kamchatka from many different angles.

A fantastic choice for anyone who prefers not to carry heavy backpacks or sleep in a tent. Big thanks to the tour team for adjusting the excursions based on the weather. As always, a wonderful group, new connections, and an abundance of positive vibes!

The tour was packed to the brim – in such a short time, we managed to experience Kamchatka from all angles and even get a taste of it 👍🫶

I really enjoyed the tour—it provides a great introduction to Kamchatka. It's suitable for people of all ages. The accommodation at the Laguna Hotel was excellent, with plentiful food and rejuvenating thermal baths.

Many thanks to the tour providers, and special thanks to our guide Mikhail for creating such a wonderful experience and atmosphere. Kunashir is magical ❤️

It was just great!