Pearl placer of the Kuril Islands: Kunashir — Iturup

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We invite you to travel to Iturup and Kunashir — two islands of the Kuril Ridge.

You will walk along the ecological trail, visit three volcanoes, take incredible pictures against the background of frozen lava, admire the White cliffs and picturesque coves.

And, of course, you will taste local delicacies and relax in the thermal springs.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

Relaxation in the thermal baths

Relax in several springs and recuperate in relaxing hot baths

Fumaroles of the Mendeleev volcano

Take a walk through the fumarole field of an active volcano

Cape Columnar

You will see fossilized basalt lava, which has divided into regular 5-6-sided columns

Golovnin Volcano Lakes

Take mud baths in the Boiling lake and swim in the Hot Lake

Jeep tour to the White Cliffs

Head along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk to the famous Iturup rocks

Tastes of the Far East

Get acquainted with Sakhalin cuisine and eat plenty of seafood

Itinerary

Day 1 - Departure by boat to Kunashir
12:30 Transfer from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to the seaport of Korsakov.
14:00 Check-in and boarding the ship.
16:00 Departure to Kunashir Island (t\x "Admiral Nevelskoy" or t/x "Pavel Leonov").
Travel time is ~22 hours.
Day 2 - Arrival on Kunashir. Stolbovskaya ecological trail. Mud healing thermal springs
14:00 Approach to Kunashir island. Disembarkation.
14:30 Transfer to the hotel. Placement.
15:00 Departure to the ecological trail and the Stolbovskiye mud therapeutic thermal springs.
15:30 Arrival at the parking lot. Exit to the trail.
The flora of the island is rich and includes species distributed from the subtropics to the northern latitudes.
Along the forest path there are thick hedges of white and stone birches, gray trunks of velvet trees, mountain ash, Sakhalin fir with whitish trunks. The Ayanskaya spruce glows with blue needles up the slope.
The gaze stops at the trunk with a red stripe drawn by a caring human hand. This is a warning: beware — magnolia!
Along the trail we 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!
16:30 Rest in the springs.
Camping snack (tea, vegetable, meat, fish, bread, cookies, apple).
17:30 Departure on the way back along the path to the motor transport.
18:30 Boarding the transport, departure to Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
19:00 Arrival in Kurilsk.
19:30 Dinner at the hotel cafe.
Important information: Driving to the exit point of the route, then walking 3 km along the path downhill.
Recommendations: on this route, it is advisable to have comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes, mosquito repellent, bathing accessories, a towel, in adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat and raincoats for shoes or rubber boots.

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Day 3 - The caldera of the Golovnin volcano. Lakes are Boiling and 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.
20:00 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 - The fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano
09:00 Breakfast in the cafe of the Iceberg hotel.
10:00 Departure for the tour: fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano.
An active volcano in the southern part of Kunashir Island. 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.
10:30 Arrival at the beginning of the trail. Exit to the fumarole field on foot.
Despite the difficulty in climbing the field, the path leading to it is very interesting:
We walk among the thickets of tall bamboo, taller than a man;
we climb steep, protracted ascents, as if on steps, walking along the roots of trees;
we cross the murmuring streams over a thrown log;
we will stop, and our guide will point out the insidious mustard gas (a very poisonous plant!), offer to admire the beauty and majesty of the Ayan fir tree;
let's go down into the ravine, and we will move from one side to the other, gradually rising to the goal of our excursion: a spacious field on which big and small fumaroles "breathe" in pairs here and there!
12:00 Arrival at the fumarole field.
Visual inspection. A walk through the field. PHOTOSESSION.
13:00 Bathing in the thermal stream of the Mendeleev volcano.
14:00 Camping snack (tea brewed in nature, vegetable, meat, fish, bread, cookies, apple).
15:00 Departure on the way back to the parking lot.
16:30 Departure to the coast.
17:00 Walk along the coast, sightseeing of the coast, kekura Devil's finger and Devil's Gate.
18:30 Return to the hotel.
19:00 Dinner at the hotel cafe.
Attention! 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.
Important information: The route is of medium difficulty: 17 km by road from Yuzhno-Kurilsk, 3 km from the road to the fumarole field over rough terrain, mostly climbing (one way). The duration of the tour is 6-7 hours.
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 raincoats for shoes or rubber boots.

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Day 5 - Excursion to Cape Columnar
09:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
10:00 Departure to Cape Columnar.
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.
The bizarre rocks in which you hear the sound of organ music are true thousand-year-old monuments.
After all, they were the first areas of the earth that appeared from the depths of the ocean, and were preserved almost in their original form until our era.
Dear ladies, do not forget to take your favorite dress with you and have an amazing photo shoot among the stunning views of Cape Columnar!
14:30 Lunch of fresh Kuril delicacies by the sea.
Relaxing by the sea. Those who wish can swim!
16:30 Boarding the vehicle. Transfer to Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
17:00 Arrival in Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
Dinner at the hotel.
Important information: Driving to the exit point of the route, then walking along the seashore for about 40 minutes to Cape Columnar in one direction.
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 raincoats for shoes or rubber boots.

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Day 6 - Departure by boat to Iturup
09:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
10:30 Check-in of rooms. Check out of the hotel.
10:40 Transfer to the port.
11:00 Boarding the ship
13:00 Departure to Iturup Island (t\x "Igor Farkhutdinov").
Travel time is ~20 hours.
Important information:
Meals on board 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 be suspended
Day 7 - Arrival at Iturup. The Museum of Local Lore. Jeep tour to Kasatka Bay. A mirrored beach. The Devil's Rock. Thermal springs "Baths"
09:00 Arrival at the island. Iturup. Disembarkation. Transfer to the cafe for breakfast.
10:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:45 Transfer to the Museum of Local Lore.
11:00 By tradition, we begin our acquaintance with the island at the Museum of local lore, where you are met by professionals who love their region and know the history of the island. Iturup people.
12:00 Departure towards the Pacific Ocean, to Kasatka Bay.
The first stop is at the observation deck near the Kuibyshevka River: inspection of the quarry, military equipment.
Next, let's stop at the "mirror" beach, which looks like an endless sea mirror.
A stranded fishing vessel, the most popular photo object among the guests of the island.
14:00 We will definitely drive to the Devil's rock.
At one time, the Japanese punched tunnels in it for through passage for military purposes, which have survived to the present day.
You will walk (somewhere you will crawl) through the places of hostilities, you will see the site of the former "hospital", the so-called laboratory where the Japanese worked on the development of bacteriological weapons.
In good weather, those who wish to swim in the Pacific Ocean.
15:30 Lunch on the shore of the Pacific Ocean (Iturup fish soup, tea, sliced fish, vegetables, cheese).
16:30 Rest on the shore.
17:30 Transfer to the thermal springs.
19:00 Visit to the thermal springs "Baths" (Rybaki village).
20:30 Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner in a cafe in the city.
Recommendations: To visit the thermal springs, take bathing accessories, rubber slippers, sheets (you can take them at the hotel reception). In case of adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat and rubber boots.

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Day 8 - Jeep tour along the coast. Sailing Bay. White rocks. Hot Water thermal springs
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for an excursion along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk to the beach with White cliffs.
The length of the rocks is about 28 km. They consist of porous volcanic glass and pumice, frozen as a result of a colossal eruption of a red-hot gas cloud.
The sand of the beach consists of white quartz and black titanium-magnetite sand. Due to the mixture of these two sands, an extremely beautiful gray-graphite sandy beach is formed.
13:00 The first bay of our tour —Sailing. In the depths of the bay, in a picturesque canyon, there is a waterfall "Maiden braids" with a height of 10 m.
14:00 Stop at the beach with White cliffs. A walk through the canyon. Departure to the Black Stones.
15:00 Lunch on the seashore near the Black stones (Iturup fish soup, tea, sliced fish, vegetables).
16:30 Boarding the ground transport. Departure to the thermal springs.
17:00 After a boat trip, you will enjoy a rest in the thermal springs "Hot Waters" (1 hour).
18:30 Return to the hotel.
Dinner (on your own).
Recommendations: on this route, along the way by boat by sea, there is a chance to get wet, do not forget to take a raincoat, you can wear ordinary shoes, high rubber boots (they will be given before going on a boat trip), a hat, gloves, bathing accessories, sheets (you can take them at the hotel reception).
Attention! In case of bad weather conditions and inability to go to sea, the boat trip will be replaced by an auto tour.

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Day 9 - Jeep tour to the foot of the Baransky volcano. Rest in the thermal springs
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure to Baransky volcano by car (duration 5 hours).
Baransky Volcano (height 1132 meters) is one of the most accessible active volcanoes on Iturup Island with hot lakes of unusual turquoise color, fumaroles, mineral streams and healing springs.
We will enjoy the beauty and relaxation in the thermal baths, taste eggs with caviar boiled directly in volcanic water.
10:30 Visit to the observation deck.
10:45 Visit to the mud kettle field.
We cook eggs in a thermal stream, taste them with caviar.
12:45 Departure to the complex with thermal springs.
13:00 Arrival at the thermal complex.
A walk along the ecological trail to the turquoise lakes. PHOTOSESSION.
14:00 Return to the thermal complex.
Camping snack (tea, coffee, sliced fish and cheese).
15:00 Swimming in thermal springs. Rest.
17:00 Transfer to Kurilsk.
18:00 Arrival in Kurilsk.
Dinner (on your own).
Attention! In the area of fumarole fields, precautions must be taken — you can fall into hot mud, in the area of mineral springs — get chemical burns. You can swim only in springs with a certain water temperature.
Recommendations: on this route, it is advisable to have bathing accessories, rubber slippers, sheets (you can take them at the hotel reception). The tour takes place by car.

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Day 10 - Jeep tour to the Yankito lava plateau. Flight to Sakhalin
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe. Delivery of rooms.
11:00 Departure for an excursion to the foot of the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano in Yankito, which is a plateau of frozen lava flows of bizarre shape.
Beautiful landscapes opening from any point of view. Bright, spectacular photos, unique impressions!
Dear ladies, feel like a fashion model, take your favorite dress with you and have an amazing photo shoot among the frozen lava flows!
13:30 Stop at the observation deck in the village. Whale.
Transfer to the airport.
Check-in for the flight.
Departure from Kurilsk.
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Recommendations: in case of adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat, raincoats for shoes or rubber boots.

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Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

Hiking trips of up to 16 km per day are possible on the tour

Accommodation

Guest House

3 nights
Hotel

4 nights
Cabin on the boat

2 nights

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels along the route.

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

For double occupancy	Additional payment for single accommodation on the island Iturup, Kunashir Island	Child under 12 years old in double or triple occupancy
153 019	13 500	150 019

An additional fee for a guaranteed room with amenities in the Kasatka guest house on Iturup Island is 4,500 rubles/room.

The Kasatka Guest House was opened in May 2022.

The number of rooms:

4 rooms, one bed or two separate beds with a bathroom and a washbasin in the room, two shower rooms for 4 rooms in the common hall;
2 rooms, the option of one bed or two separate beds is possible, with all the amenities in the room;
1 triple room, three separate rooms.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

guided tours according to the program;
transfers according to the program;
accommodation on the island Iturup standard rooms at the Kasatka Guest House;
accommodation on Kunashir Island in the Iceberg Hotel, building 1, standard rooms with amenities per block;
meals according to the program;
transportation services on the routes;
escort by guides to Kunashir Island, Iturup Island;;
entrance tickets to the springs;
registration of permits for staying in the border zone on the island Iturup, Kunashir Island;
accident insurance, insurance coverage up to 100,000 rubles.;
raincoat.

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
additional payment for single accommodation on the island Iturup, Kunashir Island — 13,500 rubles.;
additional payment for a guaranteed room with amenities in the Kasatka guest house on Iturup island — 4,500 rubles/room;
air ticket on the Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Kurilsk route:
- adult — 7,900 rubles.;
- a child 2-12 years old — 4,450 rubles.;
ticket for the ship "Pavel Leonov" or "Admiral Nevelskoy" on the route Sakhalin Island (port Korsakov) — Kunashir Island (port Yuzhno-Kurilsk), travel time ~ 22 hours (place in the cabin class III, 4-bed with amenities):
- adult — 5,080 rubles.;
- child 2-12 years old — 3,690 rubles.;
ticket for the motor ship "Igor Farkhutdinov" on the route Kunashir Island (Yuzhno-Kurilsk port) — O. Iturup (Kurilsk), travel time ~20 hours:
- a place in a cabin of 3 categories, 4-bed, facilities on deck:
  - adult — 2,650 rubles.;
  - child 2-12 years old — 1,930 rubles.;
- a place in the cabin of the 2nd category, 4-bed, cabin facilities:
  - adult — 3,350 rubles.;
  - a child 2-12 years old — 2,230 rubles.;
- a place in the cabin of the 1st category, 2-bed, cabin facilities:
  - adult — 4,050 rubles.;
  - a child 2-12 years old — 2,630 rubles.;
- a place in a luxury cabin, 2-bed, cabin amenities (2 rooms: living room + bedroom):
  - adult — 4,750 rubles.;
  - a child 2-12 years old — 2,975 rubles.;
meals on the ship, drinking water;
dinners on the island Iturup, indicated in the program marked "independently".

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.

A raincoat and raincoats for shoes will be issued before the start of the tour.

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

Documents:

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

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

$1,496

30 Sep – 9 Oct, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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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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