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!

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.

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 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.

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 👍🫶

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...

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.

A great, interesting and full of various activities tour!

Great tour! We explored both Vladivostok and the stunning, untamed nature of Primorye. Overall, every day of the tour felt worthwhile — though next time, I’d probably prefer to explore Vladivostok on my own. The guides were fantastic: knowledgeable, professional, and clearly passionate about what they do.

Unfortunately, the bad weather didn’t let us fully appreciate the beauty of Kamchatka. However, it didn’t diminish the overall experience of the trip. We stayed at the Sputnik Hotel, which we really enjoyed. It had several thermal pools, a fantastic sauna, delicious breakfasts, and a great variety of dinners. During our journey, we visited volcanoes, spotted an Arctic ground squirrel and a bear, flew over an active volcano, went fishing, hiked to waterfalls, bathed in thermal springs, navigated through the forest in off-road vehicles, and, of course, enjoyed plenty of fresh fish.

The tour was absolutely wonderful :) A big thank you to the tour team for such a well-planned vacation. It was all positive vibes. Sakhalin will forever hold a special place in my heart – love at first sight, and it’s here to stay.

Absolute delight! Flawless organization, professional guides, stunning landscapes, culinary delights, and unforgettable experiences! Thank you so much!

Beautiful, mysterious Sakhalin! Huge thanks to the tour team for making everything absolutely seamless—we didn’t have to worry about a thing and could simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery around us. The trip was stunning, delicious, comfortable, and truly fascinating!

This tour left only positive impressions. Everything was top-notch—from the airport transfer to the entire itinerary. Due to the weather conditions, some excursion days were rearranged, but our group actually saw this as a plus. Seeing the Aniva Lighthouse at the end of the trip was even better than at the beginning—otherwise, the other excursions might have felt less impressive in comparison. June is the rainy season, so it’s probably better to visit Sakhalin at a different time, but the organizers provided raincoats, which was a great help. One day, our driver even took us to an extra site that wasn’t originally part of the tour (with our consent, of course) and patiently waited for an hour while we explored. The outdoor meals were mainly seafood—fresh, delicious, and plentiful! We were completely full, and there was still food left over. The vehicles for the excursions were comfortable and spacious, with enough room for everyone. These five days flew by in an instant. Thank you for such an incredible experience 💜