Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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Embark on an exciting and eventful journey through the Kuril Islands, where amazing landscapes, volcanoes, thermal springs, and rich flora and fauna await you.

You will walk around Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, taste local seafood, swim in thermal springs, see Golovnin volcano, visit Cape Columnar and admire the White Cliffs of Iturup Island.

You will also go on a boat trip and take memorable photos of frozen volcanic lava.

Location

Russia, Sakhalin region, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sightseeing tours

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

The Yankito Plateau

You will see the bizarre silhouettes and unusual shapes of the lava that was once boiling.

Marine life

During the passage through the Sea of Okhotsk, you will have the opportunity to meet dolphins and killer whales.

Thermal springs

Relax and recuperate in the relaxing hot baths.

Cape Columnar

Explore the majestic columnar structures in the shape of five-hexagonal columns

Tastes of the Far East

Enjoy Sakhalin fish soup, local delicacies and caviar

Friendly Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Go on a sightseeing tour of the city

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. City Sightseeing Tour
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Meeting at the airport.
If arrival is at 09:15, then transfer to the hotel, we leave our things. Free time ~2.5-3 hours.
Please keep in mind that check-in at the hotel is at 14:00. Early check-in can be booked and paid in advance, if necessary.
If arrival is at 12:30, then we immediately go to the restaurant.
Welcome lunch at one of the best Japanese restaurants.
Sightseeing bus tour of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital of the Sakhalin region. A modern, beautiful city with a history.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 2 - The bay Is Quiet. The Island Is Noticeable. The eastern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk
08:00 Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
09:00 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk by bus.
Travel time with stops is approximately 3 hours, 135 km, paved federal highway.
On the way, we will stop at the amber coast and collect amber, watch the seals resting on the rocks.
We will visit the Japanese Torii gates of the Karafuto governorate period, which were installed in front of Shinto temples.
An intermediate stop in the village of Rybakov Seaside, where you can buy freshly boiled crabs and taste them during lunch.
There is a quiet walk along the coast in the bay, after which you will have a hot gastronomic lunch — delicious Sakhalin fish soup with red fish, Far Eastern delicacies, caviar, tea with herbs, Sakhalin sweets.
19:00 Return to the hotel.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 3 - Departure of the ship to Yuzhno-Kurilsk
08:00 Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 Transfer to Korsakov port. Registration on the ship.
12:00 Departure of the Admiral Nevelskoy motor ship to Kunashir.
The ship leaves the port of Korsakov and follows the coastline of the Tonino-Aniva Peninsula for 4 hours. You can see the Aniva Lighthouse from aboard the ship, and dolphins and killer whales are likely to be seen during the passage through the Sea of Okhotsk.
Lunch and dinner on the boat in a cafe (independently).
Day 4 - The fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano. Thermal springs of the Mendeleev volcano
09:00 Arrival in Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
Meeting at the seaport, breakfast at the cafe, transfer to the hotel, we leave our things.
Departure for the route of medium difficulty "Large fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano". By car for 30 minutes, then trekking for 2-2.5 hours through bamboo with a constant climb, 3 km in one direction.
A path with stops for a short rest. Parking on the fumarole field ~ 2 hours.
Fumaroles and solfatars are among the largest, if not the largest, on all the Kuril Islands. Portals to the bowels of the earth. From the erupting hum and high-temperature gases, it's even scary to imagine what's going on inside.
Lunch (dry ration).
Bathing in wild thermal springs is optional. Dinner at the cafe.
Day 5 - Golovnin volcano. Lakes are Boiling and Hot
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route of medium difficulty "Volcano Golovnina. The Lakes are Boiling and Hot."
40 minutes by car, then trekking 2.5–3 hours along the path, 7 km in one direction. The entire journey is accompanied by beautiful fields of cedar elderberry and Kuril bamboo, completely impassable to humans.
The volcano is a caldera about 4 km in diameter, surrounded by a ridge with a max. height 541 m. There are four small domes and two crater lakes at the bottom of the caldera, Boiling and Hot.
The parking time in the caldera is ~3 hours.
Lunch (dry ration).
You can not swim in Boiling lake, there are hot springs, mud boilers and hot steam at the bottom of the lake and along the shores.
But swimming in the Hot lake is a great pleasure.
Dinner at the cafe.
Day 6 - Cape Columnar, Stolbovsky springs, White Monks rocks. The Sea of Okhotsk
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route of medium difficulty "Cape Columnar" — one of the most amazing and unique places on earth.
Residents of Kunashir say, "Whoever has not seen Cape Columnar has not seen Kunashir." Millions of years ago, as a result of the eruption of the Mendeleev volcano, basalt lava flowed towards the sea. Physico-chemical processes have created such columnar structures in the form of five-hexagonal columns. But once you get here, it's impossible to accept that nature created it. A mystical place with its own music. The cape, open on three sides, is located on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. A difficult passage through small shelves / fragments of pillars.
Relaxing at the cape, swimming in the sea.
There are many sea urchins in the littoral lagoons. Then 2 km along the shore to the parking lot, where a bonfire lunch will be organized – delicious fish soup.
The total mileage of the walking part of the route is 6 km.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 7 - Golovninsky Cliff is the white cliffs of Kunashir Island. Veslovsky Peninsula. Pacific ocean
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure by car to the Veslovsky peninsula, Golovnino settlement, the southernmost part of the island.
Visit to the memorial sign at the site of the founding of the Russian settlement on the island of Kunashir in 1778.
Golovninsky Cliff is an extremely impressive natural site. The giant outcrops of this unique relief form capture the main stages of the Golovnin volcano's activity and climatic events over the past 2 million years.
The structure of the cliff deposits is very complex: the ashes of ancient volcanic eruptions alternate with strata of marine sediments and include peat bogs of different ages. The cliff is "alive", constantly crumbling, and autumn storms play a particularly important role in this.
It is possible to drive to the cliff only at low tide (!).
Lunch by the ocean.
Dinner at the cafe.
Day 8 - Doggie Mountain. Lagunnoe Lake. Departure to O. Iturup
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Excursion to the Museum of Local Lore. Then departure to the route.
Today is a day without trekking, relaxing in a beautiful bay and taking short walks to Mount Sobachka and the neighboring peaks, offering scenic views.
Bonfire dinner – ear.
18:00 Dinner at a cafe.
19:00 Registration on the ship.
22:00 Departure of the motor ship "Igor Farkhutdinov" to Iturup.
Day 9 - Fumarole field and thermal springs of Baransky volcano
09:00 Arrival of the vessel in Kurilsk. Meeting at the seaport.
Breakfast at the cafe.
Transfer to the hotel. We leave our things.
Departure for the route, 20 km on the way. An interesting educational tour to the fumarole field (fumaroles, solfatars, mud boilers, steam griffins) – Sannikov Land.
We cook eggs in a geyser – that's our attraction. There is also a delicious lunch and eggs with caviar.
Transfer to the thermal complex – a stunningly beautiful paradise, an oasis among volcanoes and taiga.
In a natural Jacuzzi with a water temperature of 42 ° and under a hot waterfall, you are truly reborn.
Bathing.
Supper.
Transfer to the hotel.
Day 10 - Boat trip, Chirip Peninsula. White rocks, Sea of Okhotsk
Breakfast at the cafe. Departure to the pier, briefing, boarding the boat.
During the boat trip, you will see the most beautiful landscapes of the Chirip Peninsula, picturesque lava shores, bird markets, seal and sea lion deposits, Cape Chirip and Cape Spur.
Next, go to the White Cliffs.
A boat trip along the White Cliffs is a wonderful opportunity to see this unique natural object from the sea. Disembarkation, walk. Lunch on the coast.
The white cliffs are white crested ridges of bizarre shapes, cut by canyons. The landscape is constantly changing due to the fact that the rock (volcanic glass and pumice) is soft and prone to weathering and erosion.
The beach consists of white quartz and black titanium-magnetite sand.
Dinner at the cafe.
According to the weather, the route can be arranged on another day.
Boats provide an opportunity to disembark in the most attractive locations.
Day 11 - Kasatka Bay, a rocky massif in Kasatka Bay. Pacific ocean
Breakfast at the cafe.
Departure for the route, 60 km south to the Pacific Coast.
Inspection of the "Devil's rock", visit to the caves.
Tunnels were cut through the rocks by the Japanese for military purposes.
Lunch on the route.
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 12 - The Yankito Plateau. Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Room release. Breakfast at the cafe.
A trip to the Yankito plateau, Kuril Bay – frozen volcanic lava in the form of a pile of rocks on the seashore.
Bizarre silhouettes and unusual shapes of lava that was once boiling.
Visit to another interesting place "Crying Rocks".
Transfer to the airport.
Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
The flight schedule for the 2025 season will be released in March, after which routes on flight days can be adjusted.
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 13 - Free day
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Free day (reserved in case of late arrival).
After such a busy program, a free day is necessary.
Walking through the beautiful Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with a large number of alleys and parks, fragrant flower beds and many fountains will give you pleasure. In the evening, land in one of the cozy restaurants with Japanese, Korean or pan-Asian cuisine. And you can spend the day and say: "Goodbye, Sakhalin!" at the top of the "Mountain Air" with a view of the city and the setting sun, with caviar and champagne.
We also recommend visiting:
Sakhalin Museum of Local Lore.
Pobeda Memorial Complex with interactive expositions and panoramas using various modern technologies. The Pobeda complex has entered the top of the best military museums in Russia.
Stores with Korean and Japanese goods.
Souvenir shops and a fish market with a wide variety of fresh seafood and Sakhalin delicacies. You can't think of a better gift for your family and friends!
Day 14 - Flight home
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Transfer to the airport.
Departure.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The tour includes trekking of moderate difficulty to Mendeleev volcano for 2-2.5 hours through bamboo with a constant climb, 3 km in one direction, as well as trekking to Golovnin volcano for 2.5–3 hours along a path, 7 km in one direction. The total walking distance on Cape Columnar is 6 km.

Accommodation

Hotel

8 nights
Cabin on the boat

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels and in the cabin of the ship (2 nights).

The cost of the tour for 1 person:

for double occupancy – 259,000 rubles;
The surcharge for single occupancy throughout the tour is 36,700 rubles.

Additional payments on Kunashir are optional (increased comfort level of accommodation):

for a double suite at the Flagship hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island – 9,000 rubles/person/4 nights;
for a single room at the Iceberg 2 hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island – 9,000 rubles/person/4 nights;
for a double suite at the Iceberg 2 hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island – 9,000 rubles/person/4 nights.

Mega Palace Hotel

The Mega Palace Hotel is located on the Far Eastern island of Sakhalin, at the foot of the Susunai Mountains. The city center is 1.2 km away.

The multi-storey hotel offers modern rooms and apartments with antique-style furniture.

The Marquis Restaurant serves Russian, European and Japanese cuisine, while Serbian cuisine can be enjoyed at the Grill on the Sky Restaurant. There is also an Asian cuisine restaurant "Asia" and a Japanese BamBoo restaurant. Guests can relax at the Duke Karaoke Bar.

The spa facilities include a fitness center, hot tub and sauna. In the evening, guests have the opportunity to visit a karaoke bar or a nightclub with DJ performances.

Nearby you can also visit the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the park. Gagarina, the Northern Ring ecotrope. The distance to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport is 9.2 km, and to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Railway Station is 2.2 km.

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Another option

The cabin

Accommodation (2 nights) in the cabins of the motor ships "Igor Farkhutdinov" and "Admiral Nevelskoy".

Meals on the boat in the cafe on your own.

Another option

The Flagship Hotel

The hotel occupies the second floor in a 2-storey building. There are 7 rooms in total.

Shower, sauna – separate on the floor. Breakfast is served in the village cafe, as there is no separate restaurant.

Number of rooms:

four 2-bed rooms (sink and toilet);
two single rooms (sink and toilet);
one 3-bed suite (2-room, one room with two 1.5-double beds and a sofa bed in the living room, all amenities in the room).

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Tour conditions

Group

From 15 to 25 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

14 days 13 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Sakhalin region, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

airport – hotel – airport transfer;
accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, double occupancy;
tour guide services;
meals specified in the program (three meals a day in Kunashir and Iturup);
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – Korsakov Port/Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport transfer;
port charges;
bed linen on the ship;
accommodation on Kunashir in the Flagship Hotel (b/w, double occupancy);
accommodation on Iturup at the Zarechnaya Hotel (double occupancy);
boat and equipment rental;
transportation services according to the program;
accompanying instructors-guides on the routes;
entrance tickets to the thermal complex "Springs of Baransky volcano";
Kurilsky Nature Reserve pass;
border crossing to Kunashir Island, Iturup Island and Shikotan Island.

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
ticket for the Korsakov — Yuzhno-Kurilsk motor ship (four-person cabin) — ~ 8000 rubles/person.;
ticket for the ship Yuzhno-Kurilsk — Kurilsk (four-person cabin) — ~4000 RUB/person.;
Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk flight — ~13,000 rubles.;
meals on the ship and meals not included in the tour program;
dinners in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
early check-in and late check-out;
medical insurance.

It's important to know

lightweight headdress for sun protection;
trekking waterproof sneakers/boots (Gore-Tex), or treated with a water repellent + a replaceable pair of shoes;
comfortable sports sandals with a rigid fixation on the foot, in which it is convenient to walk on water and stones (necessary on the route Tikhaya Bay, for visiting thermal springs / baths on the islands of Kunashir and Iturup);
sports trousers are comfortable for trekking (2 pairs). It is also preferable to have waterproof trousers. It is especially convenient on the side zippers to quickly put on over sweatpants if necessary. They are light and do not take up space at all;
comfortable, lightweight, wind and moisture proof(!) jacket;
warm clothes: sweater, fleece jacket or similar warm clothes;
T-shirt with short or long sleeves with moisture-repellent properties for trekking;
lightweight cotton clothing: shorts/capris, T-shirts;
bathing suit;
socks are warm and thick;
a small travel towel (quick-drying);
a small backpack of 25-30 liters for one-day radial routes for water, photo/video equipment, swimsuit, towel, raincoat, etc. It is mandatory to have a waterproof backpack cover;
sunscreen and sunglasses;
a sunscreen adapted for you with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 units;
plastic water bottle for routes;
gloves;
telescopic poles for hiking (personal necessity);
photo/video equipment;
mosquito and tick repellents (personal necessity).

Dates and Prices

$2,938

12 – 25 Jun 14 days 13 nights

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3 islands: Sakhalin — Kunashir — Iturup. A 14-day tour