Sakhalin and the island of White Rocks

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Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the wild nature of the two most famous islands of the Kuril Ridge – Sakhalin and Iturup, the island of White Rocks.

You will go on a jeep tour to the foot of Baransky volcano, see a stranded fishing vessel in Kasatka Bay, take a boat ride along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk to the beach with White rocks, relax in thermal springs and try oysters in Busse lagoon.

You will remember this trip for the rest of your life!

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

White Rocks

Let's go along the Okhotsk coast and admire the white cliffs of Iturup Island

Jeep ride

We will reach the Yankito plateau and see the consequences of the eruption of the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano

Thermal baths

Let's relax and enjoy the waters of the thermal baths

Oyster tasting

We will collect oysters in the Busse lagoon and taste them immediately on the oyster island

Pacific ocean

Swim in the Pacific Ocean while visiting Kasatka Bay

Far Eastern delights

Boil the eggs in a fumarole field and taste with caviar

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Sightseeing tour
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel, accommodation.
Attention! Check-in at the hotel from 14:00 (early check-in is possible with an additional 50% / room / day).
Sightseeing tour of the city.
During the tour, we will tell you how the city grew and developed during the period of Japanese rule (then it was called Toyohara), you will see preserved Japanese buildings built in those distant times.
Get acquainted with the most striking places of modern Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and the main attractions of the island capital:
Lenin Square;
Pobeda Museum and Memorial Complex;
Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ;
Glory Square;
the observation deck of the STK "Mountain Air", which offers a magnificent view of the whole city (Attention! The ascent to the middle platform is carried out by motor transport).
In the Sakhalin Regional Museum of Local Lore, built in 1937 by a Japanese architect, you will get acquainted with the history of the discovery of Sakhalin and the periods of rule experienced by the island.
Welcome dinner in Sakhalin style.
We will begin our journey with an introduction to Sakhalin cuisine. At our dinner you will taste the famous hemultan soup, salads from Sakhalin wild plants (fern, burdock).
Over dinner, we will discuss the details of the trip and give you the necessary attribute for a trip to Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.
The weather on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands is changing very quickly, and to make your trip comfortable, we have prepared a raincoat for you. Your clothes will always stay dry, even in the most inclement weather.
Transfer to the hotel after dinner. Rest.

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Day 2 - Departure to O. Iturup
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
12:00 Room release.
16:00 Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
16:30 Check-in for the flight.
18:35 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
19:40 Arrival in Kurilsk. Meeting. Transfer to Kurilsk. Accommodation at the hotel.
20:00 Dinner at a cafe in the city.
Transfer to the hotel.
Day 3 - Jeep tour: Museum of Local Lore. Kasatka Bay. A mirrored beach. The Devil's Rock. Thermal springs "Baths"
09:00 Breakfast in the cafe of the Iturup hotel.
09:45 Transfer to the Museum of Local Lore.
10:00 By tradition, we begin our acquaintance with the island in the Museum of local lore, where you are met by professionals who love their region and know the history of the island. Iturup people.
11:00 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.
13:00 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.
14:30 Lunch on the shore of the Pacific Ocean (Iturup fish soup, tea, sliced fish, vegetables, cheese).
15:30 Rest on the shore.
16:30 Transfer to the thermal springs.
18:00 Visit to the thermal springs "Baths" (Rybaki village).
19:30 Return transfer to the hotel.
Dinner (on your own)
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 4 - Boat trip on motorboats along the coast. White rocks. Hot Water thermal springs
09:00 Breakfast in the cafe of the Iturup hotel.
10:00 Transfer to Olya Bay (village of Reidovo).
Boarding boats for a boat trip.
11:00 Boat trip 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. We are disembarking. In the depths of the bay, in a picturesque canyon, there is a waterfall "Maiden braids" with a height of 10 m.
Disembarkation in the area of a beautiful lake on Iturup – Sopochnoe Lake (disembarkation is impossible with a high wave! In this case, a boat trip along the coast). The individuality of the lake is in its horseshoe shape and incredibly beautiful landscapes, stunning in any weather.
14:00 Disembarkation on the beach with White cliffs. A walk through the canyon. Departure by boat to the Black Stones.
15:00 Lunch on the seashore near the Black stones (Iturup fish soup, campfire tea, sliced fish).
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 5 - Jeep tour to the foot of the Baransky volcano. Rest in the thermal springs
09:00 Breakfast in the restaurant of the Iturup hotel.
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 and 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, 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 6 - Jeep tour to the Yankito lava plateau. Departure from Kurilsk to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
09:00 Breakfast in the cafe of the Iturup hotel. Check-in 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 that open 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. Meeting. Transfer to the hotel. Placement. Free time.
Recommendations: in case of adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat, raincoats for shoes or rubber boots.
Day 7 - Aniva Lighthouse and lunch with oysters at Busse Lagoon
05:45 Car pickup at the hotel, departure to the place of the general gathering of the group at the Aniva lighthouse.
Important! The night before, order your breakfast with you at the hotel reception.
06:00 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Novikovo village.
08:30 Arrival in the village. Novikovo. Briefing, preparation for going to sea.
09:00 Departure to the sea from Novikovo village on PVC motorboats.
11:00 Arrival at Aniva Lighthouse.
12:00 Transfer to Cape Marble.
During sea crossings, we can meet sea lions, seals, dolphins and killer whales.
13:00 Arrival at Cape Marble. A walk, a photo shoot.
13:30 Departure to the village. Novikovo.
14:30 Arrival in the village. Novikovo. Preparation for departure to the village of Muravyovo (laguna Busse).
14:45 Transfer to Busse Lagoon.
15:15 – 18:00 Stay on the lagoon coast.
A master class on opening oysters. PHOTOSESSION.
Lunch of freshly caught seafood and wild oysters. There will be a lot of oysters!
You will have an exciting journey to a unique "restaurant" of seafood cuisine with tasting of wild oysters, completely unique in their taste qualities, which you can try only on Sakhalin.
On the menu: ½ glass of wine, fresh scallop, red caviar, sliced fish, wild oysters with lemon and branded oyster sauce; baked oysters with cheese and garlic; dish "Sakhalin childhood" (seasonal fish baked in burdock leaves); Sakhalin ear; fresh vegetables; fruit drink; tea/Coffee.
18:00 Transfer from Busse Lagoon to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
20:00 The end of the excursion to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Return to the hotel or to the gathering place.
If you have a food allergy, an allergy to sea products, BE SURE to warn the manager of the company or the accompanying group, in order to avoid unpleasant situations.
Attention! While on board a swimming vehicle, you must adhere to generally accepted norms of behavior, not create dangerous or threatening situations. A life jacket must be worn, if you are seasick, you must take a medication for motion sickness. During excursions, take care of cultural and historical monuments, as well as take care of nature.
A boat trip depends entirely on the mercy of the sea. In case of bad weather conditions and inability to go to sea, the boat trip will be canceled or replaced with an auto tour to Cape Evstafia.
Recommendations: on this route, it is advisable to have comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes, cotton gloves, rubber slippers for walking on sand and grass, mosquito repellent, bathing accessories, a towel, in adverse weather conditions, do not forget to take a raincoat, raincoats for shoes or rubber boots.
Aniva Lighthouse - on this route, on the way by boat by sea, do not forget to take a raincoat, hat, cotton gloves.
Lunch with oysters: take your favorite wine with you. Dry white wine, prosecco and brut go well with oysters.

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Day 8 - The end of the program. Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
07:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe (if provided in the accommodation).
Transfer to the airport with the opportunity to visit (by prior arrangement) the fish market.
Attention! Check-out time is until 12:00 (late check-out is possible with an additional 50%/room/day).
Attention! The tour operator reserves the right to change the order of excursions, depending on weather conditions and the set of a combined tour, while the volume and content of the tour remains unchanged!
In case of a combined time due to changes in the schedule of the ship and flights between Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands, excursions not included in the program are provided for an additional fee.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights
Guest House

4 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels and guest houses:

in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — 3 nights, in a hotel to choose from;
on the fr. Iturup — 4 nights, in the guest house "Kasatka" or a similar accommodation facility.

Guaranteed reservation of a room with amenities at the Kasatka Guest House is possible. The cost is 6,000 rubles per room.

For arrival on August 28 – September 04, there are air tickets, a tour with non-standard accommodation is possible.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, RUB.:

Hotels	For double occupancy	Surcharge for single occupancy	Child under 12 years old in double occupancy
SQUIRREL 3*	134 308	18 000	131 308
Mega Palace Hotel 4*	136 538	20 000	133 538

Belka Hotel

The first hotel in the Far East, made according to Finnish technology in a wooden style made of milled timber.

The three—storey building with a basement was built according to an individual project developed by Japanese architects, with maximum preservation of all the unique properties of wood - a healthy microclimate, special deep warmth, comfort, creating a favorable atmosphere and giving a sense of security and peace. Within the walls of the hotel there is an atmosphere of warm, taiga wood in its pristine beauty.

Hotel It was opened in 2003.

Renovated in 2019.

In all rooms: TV, Internet Wi-Fi, safe, air conditioning, refrigerator, mini-bar, bathrobe, slippers, personal hygiene products, hair dryer.

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Another option

Mega Palace Hotel

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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Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

guided tours according to the program;
transfers according to the program;
accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
accommodation on the island Iturup standard rooms in the Kasatka Guest house or similar;
meals according to the program;
transportation services on the routes;
accompanied by professional instructors on all routes;
entrance tickets to museums and springs;
registration of permits for staying in the border zone on the island Iturup;
accident insurance, insurance coverage up to 100,000 rubles.;
raincoat.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
flights on the route: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Kurilsk / Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk:
- adult — 14,800 rubles/person.;
- children (2-12 years old) — 7,900 rubles/person.;
dinners on the island Iturup, indicated in the program marked "independently";
guaranteed room with amenities in the guest house "Kasatka" — 6000 rubles per room.

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

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16 – 23 Jul, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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23 – 30 Jul, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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30 Jul – 6 Aug, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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6 – 13 Aug, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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13 – 20 Aug, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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20 – 27 Aug, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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27 Aug – 3 Sep, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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3 – 10 Sep, 2025 8 days 7 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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