Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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The remote Sakhalin and Kuriles are located at the far east of Russia. These are rather hard to reach, but the journey there is worth all the difficulties. The Iturup Island is the largest of the numerous islands of the Kuril chain. It is rich in attractions and boasts many natural and historical monuments which are the best places to reload and harmonize.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

The lava field

Walk through the lava field of Yankito

Belye Skaly

Take a boat trip along the Okhotsk sea to rocks of great beauty

The Baransky Volcano

See a real active volcano

Thermal baths

Relax and enjoy the journey

Cuisine of Kamchatka

Enjoy local seafood dishes

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting of the group. Sightseeing tour around Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Transfer to the hotel.
2:00 p.m. Check-in at the hotel.
4:00 p.m. Tour through the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with a visit to the observation deck of the mountain air.
6:00 p.m. Transfer to the cafe. Welcome dinner with seafood, discussion of the tour program.
7:00 p.m. Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.

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Day 2 - Flight to Kurilsk. Excursion to the Baransky Volcano
8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
Flight check-in. Departure to Kurilsk.
Arrival at the Yasny airport of Kurilsk.
Transfer to the hotel, accommodation.
Departure to the Baransky volcano.
Bathing in thermal baths.
Return to Kurilsk.
Dinner at the cafe.
Arrival at the hotel.
Day 3 - Boat trip to Belye Skaly
8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 a.m. Departure to the boat trip to Belye Skaly. During the tour, tourists will travel along the Okhotsk coast of the Iturup Island. The route includes visiting Olya Bay, Chyornye Kamni, Belye Skaly, waterfalls in the Parusnaya Bay, inspection of rookeries of sea lions and seals (there may be no animals at the rookery), the Tornaya Bay, the Sopochnoye Lake.
Return to the hotel before 7:00 p.m.
Visit to the thermal water and recreation complex of Baths.
Dinner.
The tour duration depends on weather conditions.

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Day 4 - Excursion to the Kasatka Bay
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to the Kasatka Bay.
Mirror beach of Kasatka Bay.
The former Japanese tunnels.
Picnic (depending on weather conditions, lunch can be moved to a cafe).
Return to Kurilsk.
Visiting the thermal baths (visiting the thermal springs is paid on the spot).
Dinner at the cafe.
Arrival at the hotel.
Day 5 - Excursion to the lava field of Yankito. Flight to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
9:00 a.m. Breakfast at the hotel

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Departure to the excursion to the lava field of Yankito.

11:00 a.m. Return to the hotel. Check out.

12:00 a.m. Transfer to the airport. Flight check-in.

Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Dinner at your own cost.

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Day 6 - Free day
8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the hotel
Optional — an excursion to the Aniva lighthouse for an extra charge.
07:00. Departure to Novikovo.
A comfortable stop in the village Ozersky on the way.
09:00. Arrival in Novikovo. Snack, briefing, boarding boats and departure to Aniva lighthouse.
10:30. Arrival at the lighthouse.
Cape Marble, sightseeing, snack.
13:30. Departure to Novikovo.
14:30. Arrival in Novikovo, disembarkation, departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
16:30. Arrival at the hotel, free time.
Dinner on your own.
Excursion to the Aniva lighthouse is carried out as part of a combined group.
A sea excursion to the Aniva lighthouse is carried out on inflatable rubber boats.
Depending on weather conditions, the time of arrival and departure from the lighthouse may vary.

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Day 7 - Cape Bird and Cape Giant
Breakfast at the hotel.
9:00. Departure to Cape Bird and Cape Giant.
The road goes along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk and further along the forest road.
12:00. Arrival at the parking lot.
12:00–13:30. Hiking along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, visiting Cape Bird.
13:30. LPicnic.
15:00. Gathering.
Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
18:30. Arrival at the hotel.
Dinner on your own.
Day 8 - Return transfer
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to the fish market. Transfer to the airport.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

7 nights

Comfort

Midscale

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Double rooms at Santa Resort Hotel 4* / Mega Palace hotel 4* in Sakhalin Island.

Double rooms Kurilsk at Iturup Hotel in Iturup Island.

Supplement for single occupancy:

Sakhalin Island – RUB 19 800;
Iturup Island – RUB 9 500.

Santa Resort Hotel 4*

It is located in a valley surrounded by hills near the Mountain Air city park, recreation and ski resort. It is about the natural beauty fascinating in every season, fresh air and silence. The hotel offers a sauna with three Jacuzzi swimming pools, a gym, a restaurant, outdoor tennis courts, secure parking.

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Another option

Mega Palace hotel 4*

Surrounded by the Susunaiski Mountains, this hotel on the far eastern Russian Island of Sakhalin, this hotel offers international cuisine, a spa area, and nightclub. It is a 15-minute drive from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city centre.

Behind a multi-storey building, the Mega Palace offers modern rooms and apartments with antique-style furniture. All feature a cable TV, safe and minibar.

Spa facilities include a fitness centre, hot tub and sauna. In the evenings guests can entertain themselves at the karaoke bar, or visit the nightclub with live DJ.

A buffet breakfast is served each morning. The Marquis restaurant offers a mix of Russian, European and Japanese cuisine, while Serbian cuisine can be enjoyed at the Grill Na Nebe restaurant. There is also Aziya restaurant, offering Asian dishes and Japanese restaurant Bamboo. Guests can relax at the on-site Duke karaoke bar.

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

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Tour conditions

Group

From 8 to 12 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

transfers mentioned in the program;
meals mentioned in the program;
guided tours;
double rooms at Santa Resort Hotel 4* / Mega Palace Hotel 4*;
double rooms at the Iturup Hotel;
accident insurance for 1 million rubles;
visit to the thermal springs mentioned in the program.

Paid extra

flight to yuzhno-sakhalinsk and back;
flight from yuzhno-sakhalinsk to kurilsk and back to yuzhno-sakhalinsk – about RUB 12900 (price for 2021 г.);
surcharge for single occupancy in yuzhno-sakhalinsk and in kurilsk:
- Sakhalin Island – RUB 19 800;
- Iturup Island – RUB 9 500;
meals not included in the tour program;
thermal baths:
«Vannochki» – RUB 1000;
"Hot Waters" – RUB 1000.

It's important to know

Comfortable clothes and shoes for hiking, windproof suit, camera.

Dates and Prices

$2,091

20 – 27 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

26 Jun – 3 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

4 – 11 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

11 – 18 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

18 – 25 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

25 Jul – 1 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

22 – 29 Aug 8 days 7 nights

No seats left
$2,091

12 – 19 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

19 – 26 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

2 – 9 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

5 – 12 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

17 – 24 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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$2,091

20 – 27 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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Reviews

E
Elena

28 Nov, 2024

An incredible tour! Sakhalin and Iturup are breathtaking, almost like stepping onto another planet with completely different landscapes. The tour’s organization was excellent—everything was well-planned, seamless, and coordinated. The food prepared during the trip was absolutely delicious. A special mention goes to the guides and staff for their remarkable dedication to the tourists and their work overall. These are truly people who are passionate about what they do—individuals with kind hearts and genuine respect for all living things.

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ER
Elena Rachkova

about provider

31 Jan, 2025

The tour was exceptionally well-organized!! Absolutely flawless! The accommodations during the trip were also fantastic!!!
E
Elena

about provider

1 Nov, 2024

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

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Journey to Sakhalin and Iturup