All the magic of the Far East is in our trip to the islands of Sakhalin and Iturup. Volcanoes, hot springs, lava flows and, of course, an abundance of seafood, straight from the Sea of Okhotsk!

We will make two ascents to the volcanoes — Baransky and Bogdan Khmelnitsky. We will see landscapes of frozen lava fields and snow-white pumice rocks.

We will visit the famous Aniva Lighthouse, Tikhaya Bay and the most famous capes of Sakhalin Island — Bird and Giant. And also: we will go out to the open Sea of Okhotsk on a motor ship and spend the night in real cabins.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
from
$1,344
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
15 Days
14 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 9 – 23 August, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
  • Cabin on the boat
    2 nights
  • Tent
    7 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
  • Basic+
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Group
Up to 17 people
Minimum age
16 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

Far Eastern delicacies
Let's enjoy the tastes of freshly caught seafood
Climbing volcanoes
We will conquer the volcanoes of Iturup Island — Baransky volcano and Bogdan Khmelnitsky
White Rocks
Let's admire the beauty of the snow-white rocks carved from pumice stone by the sea
Two islands
We will visit the largest island of Russia — Sakhalin, and the amazing Iturup
Unity with nature
We will spend all nights on the active part of the route in tents
Hot springs
Take a dip in the most instagrammable thermal springs — Baransky volcano

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Free time in the city

    Meeting place and time of the group: at 19:00 at the guest house / hostel.

    Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at any convenient time.

    Check-in at the hotel/hostel.

    Today is a free day. We recommend that you let your body adjust to a new time zone. 

    How can I spend this day? Relax and get some sleep, or you can visit local attractions and take a walk around the city. 

    Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a city with a rich history, many Japanese—style buildings and incredible nature. 

    We recommend visiting the Mountain Air resort — be sure to take the cable car to the observation deck, from here you can see the whole city and the endless Susunai Valley, surrounded by hills and ridges.

    19:00 General meeting at the hostel /hotel, meeting with the guide, briefing.

    Meals: on your own.

  • Day 2 - The eastern coast of Sakhalin. Torii Gate, Seaside village, trekking along the coast of Tikhaya Bay
  • Day 3 - Aniva Lighthouse, a trip to the island. Iturup on the ship
  • Day 4 - Arrival on the island Iturup. Yankito Lava Plateau
  • Day 5 - Trekking across Lake Buda to the foot of the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano
  • Day 6 - Climbing the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano
  • Day 7 - Return to Lake Buda
  • Day 8 - Arrival at the foot of the Baransky volcano. Thermal springs
  • Day 9 - Climbing to the top of the Baransky volcano. Fumarole fields
  • Day 10 - White Rocks
  • Day 11 - Return by boat to the village. Whale
  • Day 12 - Arrival in Korsakov. Transfer to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
  • Day 13 - Exploring the capes of the Bird and the Giant
  • Day 14 - Free day in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
  • Day 15 - Flight home
Difficulty
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Tour organizer's comments

We rate the difficulty at 7 out of 10.

The tour is suitable for all lovers of outdoor activities in good physical shape, who do not have serious health problems. 

The weight of the backpack with which we will move is about 15-20 kg.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    5 nights
  • Cabin on the boat
    2 nights
  • Tent
    7 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
  • Basic+

The tour includes accommodation:

  • in the hostel/hotel — 5 nights (2 at the beginning of the tour and 3 at the end);
  • on the ship — 2 nights (3 and 10 nights);
  • in tents — the rest of the nights.
Hostel/hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 5 nights
Cabin on the ship 2 nights
Tent camp 7 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 17 tourists
Minimum age
16 years old
Duration
15 days 14 nights
Group meets at
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

  • all crossings on Sakhalin;
  • all crossings on Iturup;
  • transfer to Korsakov port and back;
  • port charges;
  • tickets for the Korsakov—Iturup—Korsakov motor ship;
  • boat transfer from Yankito Plateau to Lake Buda;
  • boat transfer from Lake Buda to Kurilsk;
  • 5 nights in a hostel/hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
  • nutrition:
    • snack lunches on Sakhalin Island during sightseeing trips;
    • three meals a day on the active part of the route on the island. Iturup;
    • seafood dinner on White Rocks;
  • registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
  • registration of a pass to the border zone;
  • visit to the hot springs under the Baransky volcano;
  • instructor support;
  • group equipment (tents, burners, boilers, gas, bear repellents, etc.);
  • means of communication and navigation;
  • group first aid kit;
  • advice on ticket purchase, insurance (on request);
  • a signature buff.

Paid extra

  • flights to Sakhalin and back;
  • meals not included in the program:
    •  breakfasts and dinners on the days of sightseeing trips on Sakhalin;
    • lunch on free days on Sakhalin;
    • meals on the ship;
  • excursions not included in the program;
  • insurance;
  • tips (reward for guides on a voluntary basis).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Equipment:

  • backpack (70-90 l.);
  • assault backpack for radiators (20-35 liters);
  • sleeping bag (comfort temperature 0/+5°C);
  • foam (travel mat);
  • trekking poles;
  • hoba (tourist seat);
  • a cape on a backpack from the rain.

Clothes:

  • trekking boots;
  • storm jacket and trousers (windproof, better waterproof and windproof);
  • A good raincoat;
  • thin down jacket (insulated jacket);
  • panama hat, fleece hat, cotton gloves;
  • insulated jacket (fleece);
  • trekking socks (2-3 pairs, synthetic);
  • T-shirts (1-2 pcs.);
  • lightweight running pants;
  • undercarriage pants (leggings, leggings, thermal underwear);
  • underwear;
  • sports sandals or slates;
  • warm trousers for the evening (fleece or polartek);
  • thermal underwear (top);
  • flashlights (gaiters);
  • thermal socks are warm;
  • long sleeve shirt/synthetic long sleeve T-shirt;
  • swimming suit (swimsuit, swimming trunks) + light towel.

Personal items:

  • plate, spoon, mug (not ceramic), knife, matches in hermetically sealed;
  • personal first—aid kit, in case of chronic diseases, (a public first-aid kit with a standard set of medicines will be provided by the instructor) + elastic bandage, sterile bandage - 2 pcs., hydrogen peroxide, wide tissue-based roll patch, motion sickness pills;
  • personal hygiene products (toothpaste, brush, soap, lipstick, toilet paper, accessories for girls, etc.);
  • thermos flask (0.5–1 l.);
  • sunglasses;
  • headlamp flashlight + spare batteries;
  • The whistle;
  • sunscreen + hygienic lipstick;
  • mosquito and tick repellents;
  • whistle (to indicate presence on the spot, in order to avoid bear attacks);
  • phone + charger.

Documents:

  • passport;
  • money.

Additional:

  • camera (video camera);
  • dress (for girls for photos);
  • shorts;
  • powerbank;
  • thread and needle;
  • a rope of 5 m with a diameter of 5 mm (for drying clothes, repairs).
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Do I need cash with me?
How is the food organized?
Are there any possible changes in the program?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • $1,344
    9 – 23 Aug, 2025 15 days 14 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

    L
    Larisa
    6 May, 2022
    about provider
    Comfortable accommodation, convenient transfer, delicious food, attentive attitude.
    6 May, 2022
    N
    Natalia
    10 Jan, 2022
    about provider
    We are very satisfied with the host party. The organization of the tour is at the highest level, before the trip we answered all the questions that helped to prepare properly, the tour program is diverse and very interesting. And all the everyday nuances of living and eating without any complaints!
    10 Jan, 2022
    ZT
    Zueva Tatiana
    10 Jan, 2022
    about provider
    The organization of the tour at the highest level!
    10 Jan, 2022