Island trip: Sakhalin — Kunashir — Shikotan — Iturup

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We invite you to see the most famous Kuril Islands!

You will visit four islands, swim in thermal springs, climb volcanoes and visit picturesque capes and coves.

You will find a boat trip between the islands, an airplane flight, the most interesting trekking routes and, of course, gastronomic delights — you will be able to enjoy the taste of the freshest seafood and Far Eastern delicacies.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Frozen lava flows

Take atmospheric photos on Cape Columnar on Kunashir and on the Yankito plateau on Iturup

Sea kayaking trip

We will go to Dolphin Bay, where you will take a relaxing walk surrounded by incredible landscapes

Jeep tour of Shikotan

You will visit the "Edge of the World", the filming locations of the film "Robinson Crusoe" and the lighthouse of Spanberg

Far Eastern delicacies

Enjoy the freshest seafood, caviar and fish soup with red fish

Relaxation in the thermal baths

Relax and recuperate in the relaxing hot baths

Fumarole fields

You will see the hot "breath" of two volcanoes — Mendeleev and Baransky

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sightseeing tour of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Lunch at a Japanese restaurant
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel, we leave our things.
Check-in at all hotels at 14:00, if necessary, early check-in is booked and paid in advance.
Welcome lunch at a Japanese restaurant.
Sightseeing bus tour of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital of the Sakhalin region. A modern, beautiful city with a history.
A visit to the viewport at the Mountain Air ski complex, which offers a magnificent view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, located in a valley surrounded by hills and ridges.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner (on your own).
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk has many authentic cozy restaurants with Japanese, Korean, Chinese and European cuisine.

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Day 2 - The bay Is Quiet. 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 about 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 governorship period, which were installed in front of Shinto temples.
An intermediate stop in the fishermen's village of the 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, herbal tea, Sakhalin sweets.
19:00 Return to the hotel.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 3 - Flight to Kunashir. A walk along the coast
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
Departure to Kunashir Island.
The flight schedule for the 2024 season will be released in March, after which the routes on flight days can be adjusted.
Arrival in Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, accommodation.
Let's go say hello to the Pacific Ocean! The endless Pacific Ocean with a serious character and the most powerful energy.
A short walk along the coast — kekur "Devil's finger", "Devil's Gate".
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 4 - The fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano. Thermal springs
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route of medium difficulty "Large fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano".
By car for 30 minutes, then trekking 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 in 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 rations).
Bathing in wild thermal springs.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the cafe — the freshest seafood.

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Day 5 - Golovnin volcano. Lakes are Boiling and Hot
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route of medium difficulty "Golovnin Volcano. 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 whole way is accompanied by beautiful fields of cedar elfin and Kuril bamboo, completely impassable for humans.
The volcano is a caldera about 4 km in diameter, surrounded by a ridge (with a maximum height of 541 m).
At the bottom of the caldera there are four small domes and two craters — lakes Boiling and Hot.
The parking time in the caldera is ~ 3 hours.
Lunch (dry rations).
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 it's a great pleasure to swim in the Hot lake.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the cafe — we are surprised!

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Day 6 - Cape Columnar. Stolbovsky sources. The White Monks Rocks. The Sea of Okhotsk
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route of medium difficulty "Cape Columnar" is 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 to the sea.
Physico-chemical processes have created such columnar structures in the form of 5-6-sided columns. But getting here, it is 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 on 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 — we continue to please!

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Day 7 - Golovninsky Cliff is the white cliffs of Kunashir Island. The Veslovsky Peninsula. Pacific ocean
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure by car to the Veslovsky peninsula, Golovnino settlement, the southernmost island.
Visit to the memorial sign at the site of the foundation of the Russian settlement on Kunashir Island in 1778.
Golovninsky Cliff is an extremely impressive natural object.
The giant outcrops of this unique relief form depict 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 an especially important role in this.
It is possible to drive to the cliff only at low tide. Otherwise, only a visit to the Veslovsky Peninsula, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, rest.
Lunch by the ocean.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner in a cafe — no dishes are repeated!

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Day 8 - Sea crossing to Shikotan
Room release.
Breakfast in the cafe.
10:00 Transfer to the port. Registration on the ship.
13:00 Departure of the ship to Shikotan Island.
Lunch on the boat in a cafe (on your own).
17:00 Arrival at Shikotan Island, Malokurilskoye settlement.
Meeting at the port, transfer to the hotel, accommodation, dinner.
Day 9 - Jeep tour of the most iconic places of Shikotan Island with local hiking
Breakfast at the hotel.
Jeep tour of the most iconic places of Shikotan island with local hiking.
Cape Edge of the World is long (protruding into the ocean at 800 m) and the flat surface of the cape breaks off into the ocean on three sides with 40-meter walls. And you realize that you are really at the edge of the world, both literally and figuratively. There are 7,000 km of the Pacific Ocean ahead…
Nameless Bay — in these places S. Govorukhin in 1972 shot the film "Robinson Crusoe" starring Leonid Kuravlev.
Cape Crab, the Spanberg Lighthouse (1943) is the last lighthouse built by the Japanese on the Kuril Islands from the remaining large lighthouse construction program that was not implemented due to the war.
The name of the lighthouse is given in honor of the brave traveler and navigator Martin Petrovich Shpanberg, who explored the Kuril Islands.
Lunch is hot on the coast – ukha.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Supper

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Day 10 - Dolphin Bay. Sea kayaking trip
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure by car to Dolphin Bay — the opposite part of the island from Malokurilskoye settlement.
Due to the fact that the bay cuts deeply into the land, the water here is calm and extremely comfortable for sea kayaking (a safe, inflatable, very comfortable vessel).
On Shikotan, there are incredibly beautiful coves with sandy beaches surrounded by steep cliffs and protruding capes, with multiple kekurs and arches.
A walk along one of them — Dolphin Bay — will give you great pleasure from the pristine splendor and endless Quiet.
Lunch on the coast.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Supper.
According to the weather, the route can be arranged on another day.
Day 11 - Jeep tour to Snezhkov Bay
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to the Dimitrov Peninsula, 1.5 hours on the way.
A walk through the area. The peninsula offers panoramic views of the entire Dimitrov Bay.
Then a walk of about 2 km to Snezhkov Bay.
Lunch.
Enjoy the unique views of a remote wild ocean island.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Supper.
Day 12 - Mount Shikotan. Aerodromnaya and Khromova bays. Departure by boat to Iturup
Breakfast at the hotel.
Room release.
Departure by car to the main mountain of the island — Shikotan (412 m), from the top of which a panorama of Shikotan Island and the neighboring islands of Kunashir and Iturup opens.
Lunch is on the route.
A visit to the observation deck in Aerodromnaya Bay and a walk on Cape Khromova.
19:00 Transfer to the port. Registration on the ship
22:00 Departure of the ship to Iturup.

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Day 13 - Arrival at Iturup. Fumarole field and thermal springs of Baransky volcano
08:00 Breakfast on the boat (on your own).
09:00 The ship's approach to Kurilsk. Meeting at the seaport.
Transfer to the hotel. We leave our things, because check-in is at 14:00.
Departure for the route, 20 km on the way.
An interesting educational excursion to the fumarole field (fumaroles, solfatars, mud boilers, steam griffins) — Sannikov Land.
We cook eggs in a geyser — this is our attraction.
There is also a delicious lunch and eggs with caviar.
Moving to the thermal complex is a stunningly beautiful paradise, an oasis among volcanoes and taiga.
In a natural Jacuzzi with a water temperature of 42 °C and under a hot waterfall, you are truly reborn.
Swimming.
Supper.
Transfer to the hotel.

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Day 14 - Boat trip. The Chirip Peninsula. White rocks. The Sea of Okhotsk
Breakfast in 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 banks, bird markets, deposits of seals and sea lions, Cape Chirip and Cape Spur.
Next, the transition 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 is very tasty!
White rocks 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.
On the way back, visit the thermal complex "Hot Waters".
Dinner at the cafe.
According to the weather, the route can be arranged on another day.

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Day 15 - Kasatka Bay. A rock massif in the Bay of Kasatka. Pacific ocean
Departure for the route, 60 km south to the Pacific coast.
An inspection of the "Devil's Rock", a visit to the grottoes.
Tunnels were cut through the rocks by the Japanese for military purposes.
It was from here, from Kasatka Bay, that the Japanese aircraft carrier squadron moved out in November 1941 to strike the American naval base Pearl Harbor.
Lunch is on the route.
Dinner with Iturup seafood delicacies on the coast with stunning sunset scenery and tea by the campfire.
Transfer to the hotel.

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Day 16 - The Yankito Plateau. Flight to Sakhalin
Room release.
Breakfast in 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 once-boiling lava.
Transfer to the airport.
Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

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Day 17 - Free day
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
Free day.
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, visit 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 recommend visiting:
Sakhalin Museum of Local Lore;
The 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;
Shops 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. And on the way to the airport, you can pick up orders.

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Day 18 - Departure
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Transfer to the airport.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Hotel

16 nights
Cabin on the boat

1 night

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, RUB.:

Hotels	Double occupancy	Surcharge for single occupancy
Gagarin 3* / Belka 3*	297 000	40 400
Mega Palace 4*	299 000	43 800

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

for a double suite at the Flagship hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island — 8,200 rubles/person/5 nights;
for a single room in the Iceberg 2 hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island — 8,200 rubles/person/5 nights;
for a double suite at the Iceberg 2 hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island — 8,200 rubles/person/5 nights.

Additional day of stay in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (if necessary), RUB.:

Hotels	Double Room	Single Room
Gagarin 3* / Belka 3*	7 200	5 800
Mega Palace 4*	8 300	7 200

Gagarin Hotel

This hotel is located in a quiet location in the park area of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, a 15-minute drive from Khomutovo Airport. The Gagarin Hotel offers a sauna with a mini-pool.

The rooms of the Gagarin Hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk are decorated using elements of Japanese and European styles. They are equipped with a work desk and a TV with over 100 satellite channels. Featuring a bath, the private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers.

A full buffet breakfast is served every morning at the hotel. The Gagarin restaurant specializes in European cuisine.

Guests can relax in the karaoke bar. A park named after him is located next to the hotel. Gagarina with a beautiful rock garden.

Free parking is available on site at the Gagarin Hotel. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can arrange a shuttle service for guests.

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Another option

Mega Palace hotel 4*

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.

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Another option

Belka Hotel

Built of wooden beams, this hotel is located in the business district, a 10-minute walk from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Main Station in the business center of the city. It offers free Wi-Fi and rooms with a flat-screen TV.

Rooms at Belka Hotel are decorated in Alpine style and feature wooden walls and air conditioning. The rooms have a minibar and a bathroom with bathrobes, slippers, a hairdryer and toiletries.

The Belka Hotel's restaurant serves Russian cuisine. Guests can order a buffet breakfast. There are restaurants and bars within walking distance of the hotel.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 25 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

18 days 17 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

airport — hotel — airport transfer;
accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 2-bed accommodation;
services of a tour guide;
meals according to the program;
transfer Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — airport — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
accommodation in Yuzhno-Kurilsk at the Flagship hotel (b/w), 2-bed accommodation;
3 meals a day on Kunashir;
accommodation in a hotel on Shikotan, 2-bed accommodation;
3 meals a day on Shikotan;
accommodation in the hotel "Tomori" in Kurilsk, 2-bed accommodation;
3 meals a day on Iturup;
boat and equipment rental;
kayak and equipment rental;
transportation services according to the program;
escort by instructors-guides on the routes;
entrance tickets to the thermal complexes "Sources of the Baransky volcano" and "Hot Waters";
a pass to the Kurilsky Nature Reserve;
border crossing to Kunashir Island, Shikotan Island and Iturup.

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
flight Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Yuzhno-Kurilsk / Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — 15,000 rubles.;
ticket for the ship Yuzhno-Kurilsk — Malokurilskoye settlement, 4-bed cabin — 2,500 rubles/person.;
ticket for the motor ship Malokurilskoye — Kurilsk, 4-bed cabin — 2,500 rubles/person.;
meals on the ship;
dinners in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
early check-in to hotels and late check-out from hotels;
surcharge for single occupancy;
additional payment for an increased level of comfort of living on Kunashir;
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

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$2,902

13 – 30 Jul, 2025 18 days 17 nights

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3 – 20 Aug, 2025 18 days 17 nights

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1 – 18 Sep, 2025 18 days 17 nights

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