A trip to the edge of the world: Sakhalin, Shikotan, Kunashir, Iturup

This exciting journey will open up the Pacific islands of Russia — Sakhalin, Iturup, Shikotan and Kunashir.

Wayward islands with a unique history, rich in diverse wildlife, coves, capes, volcanoes and hot springs. 

You will admire the Sea of Okhotsk from the deck, reach the caldera of Golovnin volcano, walk through abandoned Japanese tunnels, relax in the thermal complex "Baths" and see the mirrored beach of Kasatka Bay. 

An adventure in the Far East that will stay in your heart for a lifetime! 

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
from
$2,655
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
18 Days
17 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 1 – 18 August, 2025
    • 15 August – 1 September, 2025
    • 12 – 29 September, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    8 nights
  • Cabin on the boat
    2 nights
  • Guest House
    7 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
Up to 12 people
Minimum age
14 years old
Group meet at
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
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Tour highlights

Four Islands
Take a trip to the islands of Sakhalin, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Iturup
Fumarole field
Observe the fumaroles, from which volcanic gases come to the surface
Lakes are Boiling and Hot
You will see lakes formed after a giant explosion thousands of years ago
Lava field
Take a walk along the frozen volcanic lava of the Yankito Plateau
Dinner with oysters
Try fresh oysters on the shore of Lake Busse
Hot springs
Relax in the thermal baths

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. City sightseeing tour

    Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

    Meeting at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport.

    Transfer to the hotel. 

    Free time.

    Check-in at the hotel from 14:00 (early check-in on request, with an additional fee)

    15:00 Information meeting in the hotel lobby: all about the upcoming trip.

    16:00 Guided tour of the most beautiful and iconic places of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

    Transfer to the restaurant.

    18:30 Welcome seafood dinner at one of the most popular restaurants in the city.

    19:30 Transfer to the hotel.

    Free time.

    2 more photos
  • Day 2 - Departure to Shikotan Island. A day at sea
  • Day 3 - Arrival at Shikotan Island
  • Day 4 - Nameless Bay and Cape World's Edge
  • Day 5 - Dolphin Bay
  • Day 6 - Transfer to Kunashir Island
  • Day 7 - Golovninsky cliff and the Caldera of the Golovnina volcano. The Lake is Hot and Boiling
  • Day 8 - The fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano
  • Day 9 - Cape Columnar
  • Day 10 - Departure to Sakhalin Island. A day at sea
  • Day 11 - Arrival on Sakhalin Island
  • Day 12 - Departure to O. Iturup. Excursion to the Baransky volcano
  • Day 13 - Kasatka Bay. Thermal complex "Baths"
  • Day 14 - White rocks. Black rocks and black sand
  • Day 15 - Excursion to the Yankito lava plateau
  • Day 16 - Aniva Lighthouse. Gastrozhin on Lake Busse
  • Day 17 - The bay is Quiet
  • Day 18 - Departure
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity
Tour organizer's comments

The tour has planned quite long cross-country crossings.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    8 nights
  • Cabin on the boat
    2 nights
  • Guest House
    7 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels and in the cabin of the ship.

The cost of the tour:

  • double occupancy — 263,900 rubles/person.;
  • single occupancy — 331,490 rubles/person.
Mega Palace hotel 4* 5 nights

This hotel is located on the Far Eastern Sakhalin Island of Russia, at the foot of the Susunai Mountains. It offers an international restaurant, a spa and a nightclub. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city centre is a 15-minute drive away.

Mega Palace Hotel is a multi-storey building with modern rooms and apartments furnished with antique furniture. All rooms are equipped with cable TV, a safe and a minibar.

It offers a fitness center, a hot tub and a sauna. In the evenings, guests can visit the karaoke bar or a nightclub with a DJ.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning. The Marquis Restaurant serves Russian, European and Japanese cuisine. Serbian cuisine can be enjoyed at the Grill in the Sky restaurant. Asian cuisine restaurant "Asia" and Japanese restaurant Bambu are also available on site. Guests can relax at the Duke Karaoke Bar.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport is a 30-minute drive away. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Central Station can be reached in 20 minutes by car.

3 more photos
The ship 2 nights
Guest house "Kamelia" 3 nights
Kunashir Guest House 4 nights
The Zvezda Hotel 3 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 12 tourists
Minimum age
14 years old
Duration
18 days 17 nights
Group meets at
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

  • transfers according to the program;
  • 3 meals a day on the Kuril Islands (Shikotan, Kunashir and Iturup), except for the period of stay on the ship; 
  • excursion service on Sakhalin Island; 
  • escort by a guide on the Kuril Islands (Shikotan and Kunashir);
  • habitation:
    • Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — double/single accommodation in the Mega Palace 4-star hotel (TWIN or DOUBLE room);
    • Yuzhno-Kurilsk — double/single accommodation in the Kunashir Guest House (TWIN or DOUBLE room, room amenities);
    • Malokurilskoye — double/single accommodation in the Zvezda Hotel (TWIN or DOUBLE, room amenities);
    • Kurilsk — double/single accommodation in the guest house "Kamelia" (TWIN or DOUBLE room, room amenities);
  • accident insurance (coverage amount up to 2,000,000 rubles); 
  • a visit to the thermal springs on the island Iturup.

Paid extra

  • flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
  • a ticket for the ship on the route port Korsakov — port Malokurilskoye — port Yuzhno-Kurilsk — port Korsakov in a cabin of 3 categories (four—person accommodation, cabin amenities) - the cost is being specified
  • flight Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — the cost is being specified;
  • meals not included in the program.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • trekking shoes (preferably not wet) with good foot fixation;
  • sportswear is convenient for walking cross-country routes;
  • windbreaker;
  • change of clothes and shoes;
  • waterproof and windproof suit;
  • photo camera;
  • a remedy for mosquito and tick bites;
  • gloves;
  • swimsuit;
  • flip-flops;
  • trekking poles are optional.
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
What documents are required to obtain a pass to the Kuril Islands?
Do I need special permits for foreign citizens?
Are there any possible changes in the program?
Are there any age restrictions?
Can I book a visit to the thermal baths on Iturup the day before?
What do TWIN or DOUBLE numbers mean?
Why is one ticket for the ship indicated if there will be several movements?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • $2,655
    1 – 18 Aug, 2025 18 days 17 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $2,655
    15 Aug – 1 Sep, 2025 18 days 17 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $2,655
    12 – 29 Sep, 2025 18 days 17 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

  • E
    Elena
    1 Nov, 2024
    about provider
    This tour operator is great! I wish every tour company were just as awesome!
    1 Nov, 2024
    3 more photos