Adventures in the Kuril Islands: Sakhalin — Kunashir — Shikotan

The Kuril Islands are one of the most remote and mysterious places in our country, lost in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Here you will find truly stunning landscapes: volcanoes and hot springs, places reminiscent of the former presence of the Japanese, coves, mountains and lakes.

In addition, on this tour you will be able to watch spectacular sunrises and sunsets from the deck of the ship, as well as taste delicious seafood dishes.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
from
$2,998
$2,522
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
14 Days
13 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 11 – 24 July
    • 25 July – 7 August
    • 8 – 21 August
    • 15 – 28 August
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    7 nights
  • Cabin on the boat
    2 nights
  • Guest House
    4 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
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

Mysterious lakes
Admire the Hot and Boiling lakes in the Golovnin volcano caldera
Space landscapes
Take a walk through the fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano, reminiscent of the Martian expanses
Breathtaking expanses
Take memorable photos at the top of Mount Shikotan and take part in a jeep tour to Dimitrov Bay.
The bay is Quiet
Enjoy the natural silence of the bay, where only noisy seagulls occasionally disturb the peace
At the edge of the world
Visit Shikotan Island and explore the mesmerizing beauty of Cape World's Edge
In search of a lighthouse
Take a boat trip to the famous Aniva Lighthouse

Itinerary

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

    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 (early check-in on request, with surcharge)

    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.

    1 more photo
  • 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 - Mount Shikotan and Dimitrov Bay
  • Day 6 - Transfer to Kunashir Island
  • Day 7 - Golovninsky cliff. Golovnin volcano. Lakes are 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 - Aniva Lighthouse. Gastroroujin on Lake Busse
  • Day 13 - The bay is Quiet
  • Day 14 - Departure
Difficulty
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Tour organizer's comments

It is assumed that a fairly serious physical load and endurance will be required, there are steep ascents and descents on the routes. For example, when climbing from the caldera of the Golovnin volcano, in addition to the load on the muscles, there is a load on the respiratory system, since the oxygen content in the caldera is slightly lower.

Accommodation

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

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

The cost of the tour:

  • double occupancy — 249,900 rubles/person.;
  • single occupancy — 296 700 RUB/person.
Mega Palace hotel 4* 4 nights

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

The hotel has all the conditions for a comfortable stay. It offers modern rooms and apartments decorated in a traditional style. 

Each room has comfortable furniture, including beds, a large table where you can work or tidy up. 

The rooms have a tea set and a mini-bar. 

The Marquis Restaurant serves Russian, European and Japanese cuisine. Serbian cuisine can be enjoyed at the Grill on the Sky restaurant. The hotel also has an Asian cuisine restaurant "Asia" and a Japanese BamBoo restaurant. 

For karaoke lovers, there is the Duke Karaoke Bar.

The spa area includes a fitness center, hot tub and sauna. In the evening, you can visit a karaoke bar or a nightclub with DJ performances. The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ and Gagarin Park, as well as the Northern Ring ecotrope, are located near the hotel. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport is 9.2 km away, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Railway Station is 2.2 km away.

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

Tour conditions

Group
up to 12 tourists
Minimum age
14 years old
Duration
14 days 13 nights
Group meets at
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

  • transfers according to the program;
  • meals included in the program (11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners);
  • sightseeing service on Sakhalin Island. Escort by a guide driver on the Kuril Islands (Shikotan and Kunashir);
  • habitation:
    • 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 at the Zvezda Hotel (TWIN or DOUBLE, room facilities);
  • accident insurance (coverage up to 2,000,000 rubles); 
  • registration of a border pass to the Kuril Islands.

Paid extra

  • flight ticket 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; 
  • meals that are not included in the program, or specified "independently".

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;
  • windproof suit;
  • photo camera;
  • a remedy for mosquito and tick bites;
  • gloves;
  • swimsuit;
  • flip-flops.
What documents are required to obtain a pass to the Kuril Islands?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Do I need special permits for foreign citizens?
Are there any age restrictions?
What do TWIN or DOUBLE numbers mean?
Are there any possible changes in the program?

Dates and Prices

  • $2,522
    11 – 24 Jul 14 days 13 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $2,522
    25 Jul – 7 Aug 14 days 13 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $2,522
    8 – 21 Aug 14 days 13 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $2,522
    15 – 28 Aug 14 days 13 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $2,522
    22 Aug – 4 Sep 14 days 13 nights
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    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