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

21 more

This exciting journey will take you to 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, walk to the caldera of Golovnin volcano, stroll through abandoned Japanese tunnels, relax in the thermal springs and see the mirrored beach of Kasatka Bay.

An adventure in the Far East that will stay in your heart for the rest of your life!

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sightseeing tours

Contact the tour coordinator

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

Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Four Islands

Take a trip to the islands of Sakhalin, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Iturup

Atmospheric 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

Mysterious lava field

Take a walk through the frozen volcanic lava on the Yankito Plateau

Impressive waterfall

Explore the Klokovsky Waterfall, which is one of the highest waterfalls on Sakhalin

Hot springs

Relax and recuperate in the thermal springs

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. City tour
Welcome to Sakhalin Island! The day you find new friends.
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Meeting at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport with a guide or company representative.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.
Check-in at the hotel from 14:00.
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.
On this day, early check-in is available upon request, with an additional charge.

2 more photos
Day 2 - Departure to Shikotan Island. A day at sea
A day dedicated to the harsh but attractive Sea of Okhotsk.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Packing and transfer to the port city of Korsakov.
10:00 Arrival, check-in.
12:00 Departure to Shikotan Island.
The total travel time is 21 hours.
What you can do in 21 hours before Shikotan:
Meet the beautiful sunrise and sunset in the sea;
get to know the band better;
Enjoy the fresh sea air;
see the landscapes of the coastline of the islands;
believe in luck and meet dolphin sea companions.
Day 3 - Arrival at Shikotan Island
Welcome to the Island of Silence.
A day dedicated to the first acquaintance with the Kuril Islands.
09:00 Arrival at Shikotan Island.
Transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast.
We leave our luggage at the hotel for storage (check-in from 14:00).
Departure to Dimitrov Bay.
Lunch on the route.
Return to the hotel.
Accommodation, rest.
Supper.
Free time.
Dimitrov Bay and the peninsula of the same name were named in honor of the outstanding figure of the Bulgarian labor movement and founder of the Bulgarian People's Republic Dimitrov Georgy Mikhailovich.
Japanese fishermen once lived in the area of Dimitrov Bay. Now this place is an exclusively natural attraction.
High rocky shores, ocean views, the aromas of meadow grass – this bay is ideal for photo walks and solitude with nature.

1 more photo
Day 4 - Nameless Bay and Cape World's Edge
A day dedicated to the vast expanses of a small island.
Breakfast.
Departure for an excursion to Bezymyannaya Bay and Cape Edge of the World.
Jeep tour to Cape Edge of the World along the forest road.
Walking tour of Cape Edge of the World.
A photo stop.
Transfer to Cape Crab, outdoor inspection of the lighthouse of Spangberg.
Lunch – lunch box.
Departure to Bezymyannaya Bay.
A photo stop.
A walk along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Nameless Bay – since the film was shot in 1972, it has been increasingly called Robinson Bay, but the name is unlikely to take root, because Nameless has already taken root. According to many eyewitnesses, this bay is the most beautiful natural place on the island.
Cape Edge of the World is high, undulating and long, like a rolled–out scarf. Take a short walk, and the Pacific Ocean opens in front of you. This is the furthest point from the capital of Russia, the distance to Moscow in a straight line is just over 7,100 km. That's it, Russia is over. Beyond that, beyond 8,000 km of water– there is only America.
Underfoot, at the bottom of a sheer 50-meter chasm, heavy waves beat against the rocks. A strong wind makes itself felt, almost tearing it from its place, energizing this place.

7 more photos
Day 5 - Excursion to Khromova Bay and departure to Kunashir Island
The day when the sea calls you on your way again.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Pick up and departure to Khromova Bay, visit the observation deck.
Departure to the port.
Check-in and departure to Kunashir Island (4 hours on the way).
Lunch on your own on the ship.
Arrival on Kunashir Island.
Transfer to the hotel.
Supper.
Free time.
Day 6 - Excursion to the Golovnin volcano caldera. Lakes are Hot and Boiling
A day dedicated to the power of nature: the sea and volcanoes.
Breakfast.
Departure before the start of the trekking route to the Golovnin volcano caldera.
Where cars can't handle it, we walk.
Trekking route to the caldera of Golovnin volcano (the distance from disembarkation from the transport to the destination is 7 km (round trip is 14 km).
Descent into the caldera.
Inspection of the lakes is Hot and Boiling.
A photo stop.
Lunch on the picnic route.
Return to the parking area of the transport.
Boarding a transport.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Free time.
Golovnin Volcano is a volcano named after the brave Russian traveler Vasily Golovnin, who explored the Kuril Islands in the early 19th century and made two trips around the world. A characteristic feature of Golovnin volcano is the absence of a clearly defined cone – once upon a time, thousands of years ago, there was a giant explosion comparable to the explosion of Tambor or Krakatoa.
There are two lakes in the caldera, one of them is named Goryachye, and the second, which is located directly in one of the craters– is Boiling Lake. There are large amounts of sulfur and sulfide compounds in lakes, and sulfide-sulfur foam floats on Boiling Water.

6 more photos
Day 7 - Cape Columnar and Mendeleev Volcano Fumarole Field Tour
A day dedicated to the contemplation of nature, cosmic landscapes and a natural monument of world significance.
Breakfast.
Transfer to the starting point of the route.
The route starts from the parking lot.
Departure on a route along a forest path through bamboo thickets.
The trekking route from the parking area to the fumarole fields is 3.5 km (7 km round trip). The route passes through bamboo about 1.5 – 2 meters high.
Arrival at the fumarole field.
Inspection of fumaroles.
Lunch – picnic on the route.
Return to the parking area of the transport.
Boarding a transport.
Transfer to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk.
A 3.5 km one-way trekking route along the coast to Cape Columnar (7 km round trip). Separately, we will suggest the best angles for memorable photos and selfies.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Free time.
Fumaroles are cracks from which volcanic gases come to the surface with loud exhaust. They contain sulfur, which crystallizes and decorates the outlets with yellow lace patterns. An extraordinary and spectacular sight, which is difficult to break away from!
Cape Columnar is one of the business cards of Kunashir Island and the entire Sakhalin Region.
The cape was formed as a result of the eruption of the Mendeleev volcano. The whole breed consists of hexagonal and pentahedral regular columns, which are striking in their shape. In some places, the height of the pillars reaches 50 meters.

7 more photos
Day 8 - Departure to Sakhalin Island. A day at sea
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the port. Check-in for the flight.
13:00 Departure of the ship.
We go to Sakhalin Island through Shikotan.
Let's remember how our journey began. Parking at the port of Malokurilskoye is 5 hours.
Lunch and dinner by yourself on the ship.
Overnight on the ship
Day 9 - Arrival on Sakhalin Island
The day when Sakhalin welcomes travelers.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner by yourself on the ship.
20:00 Arrival of the vessel at the port of Korsakov.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.
Day 10 - Excursion to Tikhaya Bay and Klokovsky waterfall
A day dedicated to silence and the sea.
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 Departure to Starodubskoe settlement.
Arrival in Starodubskoe settlement, stop at the Okhotsk coast, amber collection.
Departure to the seaside village.
Arrival in the village of Vzmorye.
Stop and inspect the torii gate of the former Shinto shrine.
Arrival at Tikhaya Bay.
Guided tour of the bay.
Hot lunch with seafood.
Departure to Klokovsky waterfall.
Ascent to the waterfall, inspection. Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
20:00 Arrival at the hotel.
Dinner on your own.
I. F. Kruzenshtern, the famous Russian navigator, called the bay Quiet for a reason. It is located in the east of Sakhalin, and from the west it is covered by the Zhdanko Ridge. This is a truly heavenly place. The attraction of this place can be called a free-standing rocky islet. It has a wide base and a flat top.
There is no approach to the island. However, it stands out very much and is noticeable even from a distance, which is why it has received such an eloquent name — Noticeable. Noisy seagulls have chosen this place, but apart from them, no one and nothing breaks the natural silence here.
Klokovsky Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls on Sakhalin, located in the picturesque surroundings of the Makarovsky district and is a sight that fascinates with its pristine beauty.
On the approach to the waterfall, you can hear the characteristic sound of falling water, which, falling from a height of 48 meters and crashing against the rocks, forms a myriad of sparkling splashes. There is a noticeable smell of hydrogen sulfide in the air near the waterfall, and white streaks are visible on the rocky slope along which the water flows — these are the outlets of mineral springs.
The waterfall consists of five ledges, two of which are the most pronounced. Because of this, the Klokovsky waterfall is considered two-stage.
The lush vegetation surrounding the waterfall creates an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Majestic trees entwined with emerald moss, like guardians, protect this natural wonder.
Visiting the Klokovsky Waterfall is an opportunity to touch the wild nature and once again feel its power and greatness.

5 more photos
Day 11 - Departure to O. Iturup. Baransky Volcano Tour
The day when you will feel real relaxation in the thermal springs.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Extract from the hotel.
Free time before departure.
Transfer to the airport.
Departure to Kurilsk (the time will be known after the publication of the summer schedule).
Excursion to the foot of the Baransky volcano: walks through the thickets of the Kuril bamboo, the Old geothermal thermal power plant, the Boiling Lake, the Blue Eye, the Island Snack (we can't say more details — surprise), a walk along the Boiling River.
Evening relaxation in the thermal baths.
Dinner at the cafe.
Arrival at the hotel, rest.
Please note! Depending on the published departure time, the program will be adjusted. Iturup without changing the composition of the declared objects of visits. Before departure to O. Iturup free time.
Baransky Volcano is an active volcano on the island of Iturup. The slopes of the volcano are full of mud, mineral springs and other thermal manifestations.
At the foot of the Baransky volcano is the "Starozavodskoe" fumarole field. The Oceanskaya geothermal station was built next to it. Now there is a road leading here that starts at the Kuril Fish Hatchery.
The geothermal power plant is just over a kilometer from one of the main attractions of these places — the Boiling River. The famous sources of the Boiling River Stream are the Cauldron and the Blue Lake.

5 more photos
Day 12 - Kasatka Bay Tour
A day dedicated to history and the Pacific Ocean.
Breakfast.
Jeep tour of the Pacific coast. Along the way we will show you the most beautiful views of the island.
The beached tugboat "Corundum".
The mirrored beach of Kasatka Bay.
Walking along the Pacific coast.
"Journey into the past" — walks through abandoned Japanese tunnels.
Hot lunch on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
There are new hot springs every day! This time, the Baths thermal complex is located on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Dinner at the cafe.
Arrival at the hotel, rest.
Please note! Depending on the weather conditions, lunch can be moved to a cafe.
Kasatka Bay: the bay is located on the Pacific coast of the largest island of the Kuril Ridge – on the island of Iturup.
On November 26, 1941, it was in the harbor on the Pacific coast of the island (Hitokappu Bay, now Kasatka Bay) that the Japanese aircraft carrier squadron and escort ships rendezvoused to strike Pearl Harbor. Here, for the first time, the ship's crews learned about the purpose of the campaign, which delighted them, and they spontaneously began firing uncontrollably at the island.
There was a naval base with an airfield on the seashore, where Japanese troops were based. This place is also interesting for the Devil's Rock, in which the Japanese dug a tunnel for a through passage through it. The tunnels have been preserved to this day, and during the tour you will be able to visit them and walk through the rock.

6 more photos
Day 13 - White Rocks, Black Rocks and Black Sand tour
A day dedicated to the legendary White Rocks.
Breakfast.
Jeep tour along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Jeep tour along the White Cliffs of Prostor Bay.
A walk through the Grand Canyon of White Rocks.
The coast, where all the sand is magnetic.
Hot lunch on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Relax in the thermal springs in the middle of the "Hot Waters" forest.
Dinner at the cafe.
Arrival at the hotel, rest.
Please note! Depending on the weather conditions, lunch can be moved to a cafe.
The white rocks are a stunning creation of the elements in nature. The mountains, stretching for 28 kilometers along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, consisting of soft pumice stone formed after a volcanic eruption, are striking in their beauty.
The emerald greenery that framed the resulting composition gives this place a special charm. The pumice stone has undergone severe erosion under the influence of storms in the Sea of Okhotsk, rains and numerous small rivers and streams, which eventually formed bizarre and amazing rock shapes.
The sand of the coastal strip is mixed: white quartz and black titanium-magnetite. Probably, its unusual dark gray color is formed from their connection.

7 more photos
Day 14 - Excursion to the Yankito lava plateau. Departure to Sakhalin
A day dedicated to the fire element.
Breakfast.
Extract from the hotel.
Jeep tour to the Yankito lava plateau.
A walk through the frozen lava.
A photo stop.
Departure to the airport, check-in for the flight.
Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (the time will be known after the publication of the summer schedule).
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.
Dinner on your own.
Please note! Depending on the published departure time, the program will be adjusted. Iturup without changing the composition of the declared objects of visits.
The Yankito lava Plateau is a frozen volcanic lava formed on the seashore as a result of a volcanic eruption. The bizarre shapes of the formed rocks add a special charm to this place.

5 more photos
Day 15 - Cape Giant and Cape Bird Tour
A day dedicated to the sea, the forest and the stone creations of nature.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Departure to Cape Bird and Cape Giant.
The road along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk and further along the forest road.
12:00 Arrival at the parking place.
12:00-13:30 Walking tour along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, sightseeing of Cape Bird.
13:30 Hot lunch with seafood.
15:00 Gathering.
Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
18:30 Arrival at the hotel.
Dinner on your own.
Cape Bird and Cape Giant are one of the main natural attractions of Sakhalin. A special feature of the site is the unique rock formations located along the coast and carved by natural forces.
These architectural structures of nature are located in picturesque coves, where on one side there is an endless sea, and on the other side there are mountains with dense taiga forest. Here you can fully feel the power and beauty of Sakhalin nature.

5 more photos
Day 16 - Completion of the program
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out from the hotel.
A visit to the fish market (possible only upon departure after 11:00).
Transfer to the airport.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The tour has planned quite long cross-country crossings.

Accommodation

Hotel

10 nights
Cabin on the boat

2 nights
Guest House

3 nights

Comfort

Upscale
Premium

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

The cost of the tour for 1 person:

double occupancy — 373,900 rubles.;
single room — 442,600 rubles.

The Mega Palace Hotel is located on the Far Eastern Russian 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. All rooms are equipped with beds, a large table where you can work or tidy up. There is a cable TV, a safe. The bathroom has all the necessary plumbing, towels, cosmetics.

There is a tea set and a mini-bar in the rooms. 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.

2 more photos

Tour conditions

Group

From 8 to 12 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Duration

16 days 15 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

transfers according to the program;
meals specified in the program
- three meals a day on the Kuril Islands (Shikotan, Kunashir and Iturup), except for the period of stay on the ship;
- on Sakhalin, welcome dinner, lunch during the tour, breakfast at the hotel;
Sakhalin Island tour service;
escort by a guide driver on the Kuril Islands (Shikotan, Kunashir and Iturup);
accommodation according to the program:
- Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – double/single room at the 4-star Mega Palace 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 facilities);
- Kurilsk – double/single accommodation in the guest house "Kamelia" (TWIN or DOUBLE room, room facilities);
Accident insurance (coverage up to 2,000,000 rubles);
registration of a border permit for the Kuril Islands;
a visit to the thermal springs on Iturup.

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
the ticket for the ship on the route port Korsakov — port Malokurilskoye — port Yuzhno-Kurilsk — port Korsakov in the cabin of the 3rd category (four—bed accommodation, cabin facilities) - the price is specified;
flight Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — the cost is being specified;
meals not included in the program.

It's important to know

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.

Dates and Prices

$5,098

15 – 30 Jul 16 days 15 nights

No seats left
$5,098

5 – 20 Aug 16 days 15 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

E
Elena

about provider

1 Nov, 2024

3 more photos

This tour operator is great! I wish every tour company were just as awesome!