Tourists reviews of vacations in the Far East

It was just great!

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!

Good afternoon, our tour from July 13 to July 21, 2024, was an unforgettable experience. We first stayed at the Gorbusha camping resort, then on the second day moved on to Wrangel Bay.. Absolutely breathtaking.. At the start, we traveled by minibus with drivers Andrey and Roman, who were professional, careful, and responsible. Later, we were welcomed by outstanding professionals – captains Andrey and Sergey, along with navigator Kozmin, who accompanied us throughout the entire journey on the catamaran. At the Gorbusha base, administrators Oksanochka and Lenochka took care of us with such warmth and attention.. Like real magic! The chefs, Pavel and Anya.. Worked wonders in the kitchen, treating us to delicious meals that made us gain some weight 🤣.. We even had the chance to exchange tips on fish cutting.. Despite the rapidly changing weather, we explored the bays and were lucky enough to see whales, ORCAS, and seals. Every member of the team was knowledgeable and could lead excursions, sharing fascinating insights along the way. A huge thank you to the Gorbusha staff. A special shoutout to Ivan, who woke up early every day to make sure we had hot water, showers, and a bath – truly appreciated. At Wrangel Bay, you can watch whales around the clock, whether from a boat or even just from the shore. It’s a lively and bustling place, with many visitors, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. Scientists also gave fascinating lectures, adding to the adventure. The camping resorts were well-maintained, clean, and organized. In Wrangel Bay, there were occasional queues for the showers due to the number of guests, but that’s just part of the charm. It was a fantastic trip.

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.

The Sakhalin-Iturup trip was absolutely incredible! The islands' natural beauty is truly captivating. When you're surrounded by such untouched wilderness, everything else fades away. It would be a shame if, as so often happens, human activity eventually ruins it.

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.

The tour was incredibly interesting, featuring the top attractions of Sakhalin and a flight to the largest island of the Kuril chain – Iturup. On Iturup, you can expect breathtaking, almost otherworldly landscapes, though the level of service is quite basic. The lack of proper roads was offset by transportation in rugged Ural trucks and the skill of a professional driver :) The tour company put in a lot of effort, and overall, we were very satisfied. The dinners by the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean were simply wonderful. A free day gave us the chance to explore exactly the places we had dreamed of visiting in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – the Chekhov Book Museum (an absolute must-see!) and the Regional Museum. On Sakhalin, we also visited Tikhaya Bay, Cape Velikan (Giant), and Bird Cape, and enjoyed a boat trip to the Aniva Lighthouse. On Iturup, highlights included the Yankito Plateau, the White and Black Rocks, and the geysers of the Baransky Volcano. If you choose this tour, you’ll come away with unforgettable memories! During our trip from June 10 to July 20, 2024, we found that trekking sneakers were sufficient (no trekking poles needed), and a waterproof, windproof jacket with a hood (a raincoat is essential!) was a must. We even managed to swim in the Sea of Okhotsk! :D

An incredible three-day trip to Sakhalin, Kunashir and Shikotan!!! The tour was exceptionally well-organized! Each day brought breathtaking landscapes unlike anything we've seen before! No two days were the same!! We enjoyed delicious crabs, shrimp, scallops and a variety of other treats! We couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend visiting these stunning islands!! Absolutely unforgettable!!!

The trip to Sakhalin and Iturup was an unforgettable experience. The nature and fresh air were absolutely magical! A special thanks to the hosts for their excellent organization—everything from the welcome to the guidance and accommodation was top-notch.

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!

Excellent mountain accommodations with spotless cleanliness, delicious food, and cozy evening gatherings around the campfire. Swimming in the pool at the Helios base in Paratunka was a delightful experience. The staff was friendly and welcoming everywhere.

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 👍🫶

Overall, I had a great experience. Vladivostok is a beautiful city, its bridges, islands, ships, lighthouses, and the ocean are simply breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour. Primorsky Krai is a must-visit destination; it feels like Russia, yet at the same time, like a completely different world. It’s a bit disappointing that the safari park wasn’t included in the program, so we didn’t get to see any leopards, but that just gives me a great reason to come back.

This summer, my friend and I decided to take a guided tour for the first time and finally go on our long-awaited vacation to Vladivostok. We didn’t want to plan anything ourselves or worry about where to go and what to see, so we chose Big Country. The program had a moderate pace and, as we thought, great options for a first-time visit to the city. I enjoyed everything: the organization, the Discover Vladivostok tour program, everything was well-structured and easy to follow. The price for the tour (2024) was more than reasonable, especially for two people. We’re already planning to book another trip with Big Country and continue exploring our vast homeland.

Thanks to the tour managers, everything was fantastic, and the trip left us with so many great memories. The hotel was excellent, the breakfast delicious, and the guides outstanding. We took the "Discover Vladivostok" tour, and the city welcomed us like family. I highly recommend the tour operator "Big Country", no worries, no deception, everything is exactly as stated in the program, and you get the full experience.

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.

A trip to Kamchatka is a unique experience in itself.... I was very pleased that the tour was well-organized, carefully planned, and exactly as described.. the only exception was the bears—we didn’t get to see any—and the weather, which was mostly foggy and rainy.. Of course, the tour operators can’t control that, so it’s not really a complaint... :) Spotting a bear would have been a lucky bonus, and the weather is always unpredictable, especially with the Pacific Ocean being so temperamental..Overall, the guides did an excellent job .. They were attentive, professional, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time.. They were also incredibly kind and helpful.. The accommodations, by the way, were very comfortable...

The tour was booked back in the fall of 2023, and I was drawn to the rich and diverse itinerary of the 7-day Kamchatka Express tour. We were greeted at the airport and taken to the hotel. Each evening, we received detailed information about the next day’s activities. Our guide, Irina, provided thorough explanations about the excursions, including departure times and, most importantly, advice on how to dress and what essentials to bring — a crucial detail in Kamchatka! The excursions were conducted in jeeps with outstanding driver-guides who were both highly professional and incredibly friendly. Every trip was absolutely fantastic! The hotel accommodations were also excellent!

We’ve just returned from an amazing trip to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There is beauty and vibrancy in everything: the nature, the ocean, the volcanoes, the weather, and, of course, the people. The program was incredibly diverse, with each day offering something unique and full of unforgettable experiences.