Kunashir is the "black" island of the Kuril Ridge

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The Kuril Islands are one of the most inaccessible places in Russia, and Kunashir is a highlight on the map of the Kuril Islands.

You will have an excursion to the Golovnin volcano and a trip to the ecological trail, mud baths, a boat trip and dinners of fresh Kuril delicacies on the seashore.

After visiting this amazing island, you will love it forever!

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sightseeing tours

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Hiking

Take a trekking trip to the picturesque volcano, where you will see two lakes in the caldera: Boiling and Hot

The beauty of the coast

Take a walk along the shore and inspect the kekura Damn Finger and Damn Gate

Far Eastern delights

At lunch in a picturesque place, enjoy the taste of fresh Kuril delicacies

The greatness of volcanoes

Go on an excursion to the fumarole field of the active Mendeleev volcano and take a bath in the thermal stream

Memorable shots

You will be able to take impressive photos that will decorate your photo collection

Thermal springs

You can soak up the thermal mud lake and rinse with mineral water from the stream

Itinerary

Day 1 - Departure to Kunashir
08:00 Departure to the Korsakov seaport, group transfer.
Likely gathering places:
Megapalas Hotel;
Belka Hotel;
the site of the historical park "Russia is my history" (St. Hilarion Troitskiy, 4).
10:00 Check-in and boarding the ship.
12:00 Departure to Kunashir Island (t/x Admiral Nevelskoy or t/x Pavel Leonov). Travel time is ~ 21 hours.
Important information:
meals on the ship are paid additionally;
stock up on drinking water and snacks for the trip. Drinks can be purchased on the ship, but much more expensive;
payment by card on the ship is accepted, but it is better to always have cash with you.

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Day 2 - Arrival by sea to Kunashir Island. The fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano. A walk along the coast
09:00 Approach to Yuzhno-Kurilsk (Kunashir island). Disembarkation.
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel.
10:30 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
11:00 Departure for a tour of the fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano.
An active volcano in the southern part of Kunashir Island. It was named in honor of the outstanding Russian chemist D. I. Mendeleev in 1946. A complex stratovolcano with a central extrusive dome.
There are many fumaroles and hot springs on the slopes of the volcano, the surface of the slopes is covered with coniferous-deciduous forests with dense undergrowth of Kuril bamboo and cedar elfin. The status of a state monument of nature was assigned to it in 1983.
11:30 Arrival at the beginning of the trail. Exit to the fumarole field on foot.
12:30 Arrival at the fumarole field. Visual inspection.
A walk through the field. PHOTOSESSION.
13:30 Bathing in the thermal stream of the Mendeleev volcano.
15:00 Camping snack (tea brewed in nature, vegetable, meat, fish, bread, cookies, apple).
16:00 Return trip to the parking lot.
17:30 Departure to Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
18:00 Walk along the coast, sightseeing of the coast, kekura "Devil's finger" and "Devil's Gate".
19:00 Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel cafe.
Recommendations: on this route, it is advisable to have comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes, mosquito repellent, bathing accessories, towel, cotton gloves, in adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat and rubber boots.
Please note! In the area of the fumarole field, precautions must be taken, be sure to follow the instructions of the attendant – you can fall into the fumarole, get chemical burns.
The route is of medium difficulty. 17 km by road from Yuzhno-Kurilsk, 3 km one-way from the road to the fumarole field over rough terrain. The duration of the tour is 6-7 hours.

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Day 3 - The caldera of the Golovnin volcano. The Lake Is Boiling. The lake is hot
09:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
09:30 Departure for an excursion to the Caldera of the Golovnin volcano, Boiling Lake, Hot lake.
Golovnin Caldera (caldera is a cauldron–shaped depression with steep slopes and a flat bottom, formed as a result of the collapse of the top of the volcano).
The diameter of the caldera along the ridge is more than four kilometers. One can imagine the force of the explosion that occurred here during the eruption of the volcano.
Inside the caldera, at an altitude of 130 meters above sea level, there are two lakes: Boiling and Hot.
Jets of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide gases – solfatars, hot water emissions, thick steam and constantly changing water color create an impressive picture!
Another excursion for hiking enthusiasts (don't forget to take trekking poles)!
A lot of emotions are waiting for you: admiration for the views, surprise at new knowledge, pleasure from swimming in the warm mud of a boiling lake, cheerfulness from the coolness of a hot lake!
10:00 Stop at the observation deck overlooking the Golovninsky cliff.
10:30 Arrival at the beginning of the trail.
Exit to the caldera on foot.
During the crossing, stop at the observation deck overlooking the caldera and the Japanese coast across the strait!
Don't forget to turn off the mobile transmission on your smartphone – you may receive a substantial bill for using the mobile Internet in Japan.
13:00 Arrival at the cordon of the reserve.
Camping snack (tea from a thermos, vegetable, meat, fish cuts, bread, cookies, apple).
14:00 Exit to the lakes in the caldera.
Visual inspection. Ascent to the observation deck.
Passage along the "hot" trail of the Boiling Lake.
15:00 Reception of mud baths in the Boiling lake.
Swimming in the Hot lake.
16:00 Departure on the way back to the parking lot.
18:00 Departure to Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
19:00 Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel cafe.
Attention! In the area of the fumarole zone on the lake. When boiling, precautions must be taken, it is necessary to step in the wake of the accompanying person – you can fall into hot mud, get chemical burns. You can swim and take mud baths only in certain places.
Important information: from Yuzhno-Kurilsk to the reserve, we travel by car, then follow on foot to the caldera of the Golovnin volcano. The total duration of the walking trip is ~ 16 km (round trip).
Recommendations: on this route, it is advisable to have comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes, mosquito repellent, bathing accessories, a towel, in case of adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat and raincoats for shoes.

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Day 4 - Boat trip to Rogachev Island
09:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
10:00 Departure for a boat trip to Rogachev Island.
Transfer by car to the Pacific coast of the island, in the area of Cape Devil's Finger.
10:20 Transfer by boat across the Pacific Ocean to Rogachev Island (about 30 km).
The Pacific coast of Kunashir Island attracts with the opportunity to take a closer look at the very island that is familiar to everyone who has seen pictures of the Tyata volcano.
The north of the island is rarely visited due to the lack of a highway, but it is there, in the northern part of the island, that the Good Key tract and the Chaika hot spring are located.
Moving by boat along the coast, you will see the rugged shores of the island, alternating dark coniferous and light-green deciduous forests, and many waterfalls.
There is a high probability of seeing bears coming out into the open spaces of the coast in search of food, and marine life in the sea — dolphins, porpoises, killer whales, seals.
On the route you will meet a lot of interesting birds: ten species of seagulls, three species of cormorants, an axe (sea parrot), a puffin rhinoceros, a petrel, an albatross, etc.
13:00 On the way back, swimming in the hot springs "Chaika".
14:00 Lunch with seafood on the coast.
15:00 Departure on the way back.
16:00 Transfer to ground transport. Transfer to the hotel.
18:00 Dinner at the hotel cafe.
Recommendations: on this route, it is advisable to have bathing suits, bath slippers, a small backpack for carrying bathing accessories, sunscreen (UV filter), repellent, motion sickness pills, waterproof clothing and shoes.

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Day 5 - Stolbovskaya ecological trail, mud therapeutic thermal springs. Cape Columnar. Departure from Kunashir
09:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
10:00 Departure to the ecological trail and the Stolbovskiye mud therapeutic thermal springs.
10:30 Arrival at the beginning of the trail. Exit to the trail.
Along the trail you will descend to a tangle of streams of different temperatures. The water from the streams is mixed in a depression in the ground, here you can take a warm sodium chloride mineral bath.
Nearby, a larger recess is filled with hot mineral mud. The place is called Stolbovsky thermal springs.
It is necessary to soak up in the lake with thermal mud, rinse with the mineral water of the stream! All the fatigue of the past days will be removed by hand.
11:00 Approach to the thermal springs. Swimming.
12:00 Exit to Cape Columnar along the seashore.
Cape Columnar is a unique place where the natural paving stones of the "Red Square" are replaced by views of stone pencils weighing 40 tons and deep—sea fjords.
13:00 Approach to the clamp. The transition of the clamp on the rock.
Inspection of Cape Columnar: "Organ", "Turtle", "Paving stone". PHOTOSESSION.
15:00 Exit along the seashore to the lunch place.
16:00 Lunch of fresh Kuril delicacies by the sea.
Relaxing by the sea. Those who wish can swim.
17:30 Boarding the vehicle. Transfer to Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
18:00 Return to the hotel.
18:00 Dinner at the hotel cafe.
19:00 Transfer to the port.
19:30 Boarding the ship.
22:00 Departure from Kunashir Island (t/x Admiral Nevelskoy or t/x Pavel Leonov). Travel time is ~ 22 hours.
Recommendations: on this route, it is advisable to have comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes, rubber slippers for walking on a rocky bottom in water, mosquito repellent, bathing accessories, a towel, in adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat and rubber boots.
Please note! Driving by car to the exit point of the route, then walking 3 km along the path downhill. Next, go ashore, 30 minutes along the coastline, then press down the cliff or cross the cliff along the trail, first up the cliff, then down to Cape Columnar.
From Cape Columnar, walk along the seashore for about 40 minutes to a place of rest, lunch. Return by car to Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
Meals on the ship are paid additionally.
Stock up on drinking water and snacks for the trip. Drinks can be purchased on the ship, but much more expensive.
Payment by card on the ship is accepted, but the connection may "hang up", so always have cash with you.

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Day 6 - Arrival at the port of Korsakov (O.Sakhalin). Transfer to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
20:00 Arrival at the seaport of Korsakov.
20:30 Meeting of the group in the arrival area.
21:00 Transfer to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, group transfer.
22:00 Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Likely landing sites:
Megapalas Hotel;
Belka Hotel;
the site of the historical park "Russia is my history" (St. Hilarion Troitskiy, 4).
Completion of the program.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

Physical fitness and the absence of problems with the musculoskeletal system are important. The walking distance can be up to 20 km per day.

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights
Cabin on the boat

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation for 3 nights on Kunashir Island in standard rooms with amenities per block at the Iceberg Hotel (building 1) and 2 nights in a cabin on the Pavel Leonov or Admiral Nevelskoy motor ship.

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

For double occupancy	Surcharge for single occupancy	Child under 12 years old in double occupancy
85 478	4 800	83 478

The Iceberg Hotel is a complex of two buildings located side by side at a distance of 30 meters from each other at 5 Okeanskaya Street in Yuzhno-Kurilsk. This street is one of the central ones and is characterized by a good location, a calm atmosphere and a comfortable personal space.

The street runs along the high shore of the Pacific Ocean. The distance from the hotel building to the shore is about 50 meters.

In the surroundings you can find a museum of local lore, enjoy the picturesque views of the island's nature and visit many more interesting places.

Each guest is provided with a towel and slippers. Free Wi-Fi is also available on site.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 17 tourists

Minimum age

9 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

guided tours according to the program;
transfers according to the program;
accommodation on Kunashir Island: standard rooms with amenities per block at the Iceberg Hotel (building 1);
meals specified in the program (4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 camping snacks, 4 dinners);
transportation services on the routes;
accompanied by professional instructors on all routes;
registration of permits for staying in the border zone on Kunashir Island;
accident insurance, insurance coverage up to 100,000 rubles.

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
meals on the ship, drinking water;
tickets for the Pavel Leonov or Admiral Nevelskoy motor ship (ticket price for the 2024 motor ship. In case of an increase in the ticket price by the supplier, the difference is paid additionally):
- along the route of Sakhalin (Korsakov port) — Kunashir Island (a place in a four-person cabin with Class III amenities):
  - adult — 5700 rubles/person.;
  - child (2-12 years old) — 4,300 rubles/person.;
- on the route Kunashir Island (Yuzhno-Kurilsk port) — O. Sakhalin (Korsakov port) (a place in a four-person cabin with Class III amenities):
  - adult — 5700 rubles/person.;
  - child (2-12 years old) — 4,300 rubles/person.

It's important to know

Camping equipment:

clothes:
- a warm sweater;
- warm wool socks;
- windbreaker;
- windproof and waterproof jacket;
- raincoat;
- thermal underwear;
- t-shirts;
- shorts;
- bathing suit;
headdress, accessories:
- a panama hat or a cap;
- knitted hat;
- sunglasses;
- cotton gloves;
shoes:
- comfortable sneakers, worn, with a tenacious sole or trekking boots, waterproof sneakers;
- sandals for walking on water, slates;
- rubber slippers for walking on a rocky bottom in water;
- bath slippers;

On each route, you must have a change of clothes and shoes with you.

Additionally:

mosquito repellent;
towel;
raincoat and rubber boots (in adverse weather conditions);
a small backpack for carrying bathing accessories;
sunscreen;
motion sickness pills;

Documents:

passport, voucher;
medical insurance policy;
insurance policy;
birth certificate (if a child is flying with you).

Dates and Prices

$836

26 – 31 Jul, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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No need to pay now
$836

9 – 14 Aug, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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No need to pay now
$836

6 – 11 Sep, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews

AA
Alexey Alexandrovich Tolmachev

13 Nov, 2024

about provider

The experience was incredible: the vast Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk, rolling hills, volcanoes, mountain roads by jeep, miles of sea journeys, and new friends along the way. In Kurilsk, we were warmly welcomed and surrounded by kind, helpful people. A special thanks to Guram and Svetlana, Igor and Nikita. And many thanks to the 'Big Country' team, especially Dmitry. Explore the wonders of Russia...

13 Nov, 2024

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