Adventures in the Kuril Islands: Sakhalin — Kunashir — Shikotan

The Kuril Islands are one of the most inaccessible places in Russia, lost in the Pacific Ocean.

You will discover truly fantastic landscapes: volcanoes and hot springs, monuments — traces of the Japanese, bays, mountains and lakes.

Be prepared for the abundance of seafood on the menu. Shrimp, crab, scallop and salmon are all fresh, cooked according to local recipes.

You will also be able to watch sunrises and sunsets from the deck of the ship, and, if you are lucky, you will meet dolphins.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
from
$2,082
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
14 Days
13 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 4 – 17 July, 2025
    • 25 July – 7 August, 2025
    • 8 – 21 August, 2025
    • 5 – 18 September, 2025
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)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Mysterious lakes
Admire the Hot and Boiling lakes in the caldera of the Golovnin volcano
Fumarole field
Take a walk through the fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano
Hot mineral springs
Take a dip in natural springs
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 the island of Shikotan and get acquainted with the cape of the Edge of the World
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.

    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.

    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 - Dolphin Bay
  • Day 6 - Transfer to Kunashir Island
  • Day 7 - Golovninsky cliff. The caldera of the Golovnin 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 - Aniva Lighthouse
  • 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 — 197,500 rubles/person.;
  • single occupancy — 249,410 rubles/person.
Mega Palace hotel 4* 4 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
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;
  • 3 meals a day on the Kuril Islands (Shikotan and Kunashir), 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);
    • Malokurilskoe — double/single accommodation in the Zvezda Hotel (TWIN or DOUBLE, room amenities);
  • accident insurance (coverage amount up to 2,000,000 rubles); 
  • registration of a border pass to the Kuril Islands.

Paid extra

  • flight ticket 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
  • 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;
  • 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

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • $2,082
    4 – 17 Jul, 2025 14 days 13 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $2,082
    25 Jul – 7 Aug, 2025 14 days 13 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $2,082
    8 – 21 Aug, 2025 14 days 13 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $2,082
    5 – 18 Sep, 2025 14 days 13 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now