Sakhalin — Iturup | Big Country Travel

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This is a journey where everything is possible — to walk on volcanoes, swim in hot springs, breathe in the ocean and taste its gifts.

We will travel by land, water and air, stay in comfortable hotels and spend our free time as we like. You won't get bored!

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Wonders of the Far East

Discover volcanoes, boiling rivers and the Pacific Ocean

Boat trip

Take a boat ride and maybe meet the inhabitants of the wild nature.

The Old Lighthouse

You will see the atmospheric lighthouse of Aniva, which conquers with its mystery

Gastronomic delight

Try a variety of seafood and local traditional dishes such as fish soup, freshly boiled crab and pancakes with caviar.

Alien landscapes

Set off to explore the amazing beauty of the open spaces

Stone arches and kekurs

Explore the bizarre rock structures created by wind and sea waves.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. City tour
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel.
It is necessary to arrive on the island before 13:00. Group transfer on the day of the start of the tour only for flights 09:15 and 12:35.
Important! It is necessary to have WhatsApp at the beginning of the tour and provide an up-to-date phone number. All information is sent to the group chat.
Hotel accommodation starts at 14:00 (early check-in is possible for an additional fee).
After the accommodation, we go for lunch to one of the best Japanese seafood restaurants.
Immediately after lunch, we will introduce you to the cozy city. The guide will tell you about our region and its rich historical past.
At the end of the tour, transfer to the hotel or to the STK "Mountain Air" funicular station to meet the sunset on Mount Bolshevik (optional).
Free time.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 2 - The bay is Quiet
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
09:00 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk by bus.
Travel time with stops is approximately 3 hours, 143 km each way.
On the way, we will visit the Amber coast, where the sea throws up amber, Sakhalin has its own special type of amber — requenide.
Next, we'll stop by to see the Japanese Torii gates, which were installed in front of Shinto temples.
An intermediate stop in the village of Vzmorye, where you can buy freshly caught crabs (boiled).
Arrival at Tikhaya Bay.
A walk along the coast — lagoons, caves, gorges and, of course, the Bird Market on the island of "Noticeable".
Go up to the sea terraces, where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Bay's surroundings.
Lunch — traditional Korean Hemultang soup, freshly boiled crab, caviar, Far Eastern salads (Sakhalin wild plants), various snacks and Sakhalin tea with herbs and berries.
Rest.
In the evening, return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (approximate time of return at 19:00).
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 3 - Cape "Bird" and "Cape Giant". Departure by jeep
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
09:00 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in prepared jeeps.
The journey time is about 3 hours (100 km one way, difficult road) with stops at observation decks.
Walking along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk — magnificent stone arches, columns and kekurs created by wind and sea waves, grottoes and bird bazaars of amazing beauty.
Lunch — fish soup, snacks, Far Eastern salads and of course real Sakhalin tea.
Free time.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 4 - Departure to Kurilsk on Iturup
Please note that the sequence of excursions on Iturup Island may change places depending on the time of arrival / departure of the aircraft. Changing the sequence does not affect the execution of the program in any way.
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant, transfer to the airport.
Check-in and baggage check-out.
Departure to Kurilsk.
Arrival on the island Iturup (Kurilsk).
Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, accommodation.
After the placement, check out the route.
There are 20 km on the way with stops at observation decks.
Arrival at the foot of the Baransky volcano.
You can already feel the "hot breath of the earth" here.
In the thickets of the Kuril bamboo there are two small boiling lakes of turquoise "Blue eyes".
The sulfuric acid waters of these lakes burst out of the bowels of the earth and give rise to the Boiling River with boiling "boilers" and clouds of hot steam.
The thermal complex of the Baransky volcano on the Boiling River is a unique, stunningly beautiful place.
Natural stone bowls and baths with water temperatures from 42° to 70° and a hot waterfall are a real oasis among volcanoes and taiga.
Rest. Bathing (paid separately, optional).
Return to the city in the evening.
Dinner at the hotel cafe.

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Day 5 - "White Rocks", "Black Rocks", "Prostor" bay
Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route.
The "White Rocks" are white ridged ridges of bizarre shapes, cut by canyons.
The landscape is constantly changing due to the fact that the rock (volcanic glass and pumice) is soft and prone to weathering and erosion.
A wild deserted beach in white and black watercolor (white quartz and black titanium-magnetite sand), azure-colored water and volcanoes on the horizon.
"Black Rocks" is a basalt columnar structure of solidified volcanic lava.
Lunch on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Return to Kurilsk, visit the Hot Waters thermal complex (optional).
Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel cafe.

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Day 6 - Kasatka Bay
Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
Kasatka Bay, a rocky massif in Kasatka Bay, Pacific Ocean.
10:00 Departure to the route by car for about 60 km.
Inspection in the bay of the "Devil's Rock" with the remains of Japanese fortifications and an underground hospital.
Tunnels were cut through the rocks by the Japanese for military purposes.
It was from here, from Kasatka Bay, that the Japanese aircraft carrier squadron moved out in November 1941 to strike the American naval base Pearl Harbor.
You will see the old Burevestnik airport and, most impressively, the way that the residents of Iturup traveled to fly off the island.
Lunch on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Free time, rest.
Return to Kurilsk, visit the thermal bath complex (optional).
Dinner at the hotel cafe.

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Day 7 - Yankito lava plateau, departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Please note that the order of excursions on Iturup Island may vary depending on the time of arrival / departure of the aircraft. Changing the sequence does not affect the execution of the program in any way.
09:00 Drive to the Yankito plateau, Kuril Bay — frozen volcanic lava in the form of a pile of rocks on the shore.
Extraordinary landscapes and mysterious, exciting silhouettes in the fog.
Transfer to Kurilsk airport.
Check-in and baggage handling.
Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, transfer to the hotel.
Free time, dinner (on your own).

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Day 8 - Free day
Free day (reserve, in case of late arrival from Kurilsk).
In our free time, we suggest visiting the unique Pobeda Memorial and Museum complex (on Victory Square) on your own.
As well as the Sakhalin Museum of Local Lore, it is located in a building built in 1937 for the museum of the Karafuto Governorate in the forms of Japanese medieval architecture, built in the style of "Teikan—zukuri" - this is the only building in this style in Russia.
Cathedral of the Nativity, admire the Giant mosaics made of Jerusalem stones, and the mosaic painting of the Savior is the largest in the world.
The frescoes were made by the best Russian icon painters, and you can use them to study the entire history of Christianity.
Souvenir shops are also a must.
Lunch, as well as dinner on your own.

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Day 9 - The legendary Aniva Lighthouse
Breakfast — lunch box (due to early check-out).
06:00 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk travel time is about two hours (about 120 km One way).
08:00 Arrival in Novikovo village, safety briefing.
Boarding the boats, departure to the Aniva lighthouse (travel time about an hour).
Arrival at Aniva Lighthouse.
Please note that disembarkation at the lighthouse has been prohibited since 2024 due to its reconstruction.
Departure to Cape Marble, located 16 km north of Cape Aniva.
Arrival at Cape Marble — a walk along the shore.
Everyone can visit the White Stone, an interesting pile of white stones among black rocks.
The way back to the village of Novikovo, where you transfer to a car and drive to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 10 - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Room release.
Transfer to the airport only for flights departing at 11:15 and at 14:35. For other flights, you need to get to the airport on your own.
Check-in and baggage handling. Departure.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

9 nights

Comfort

Upscale
Premium

The tour provides accommodation in a hotel of your choice in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in a selected hotel and in a hotel in Kurilsk (Camellia).

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

Hotel/accommodation	Double room	Extra charge for a single room
"Commander" (without breakfast)	170 000	30 050
"Belka"	210 000	29 900
"Gagarin"	178 000	31 500
Mega Palace	210 000	38 000

The Belka Hotel

The Belka Hotel is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, in the business center of the city, but away from the noisy highways. Nearby there are government buildings, the Museum of local lore, the Chekhov Theater, shopping facilities and the park of culture and recreation. This location is suitable for both business trips and exploring the city.

The hotel offers 45 rooms of different categories: standard rooms with one bed, rooms with double and single beds, deluxe rooms and two-room family rooms.

All rooms have a TV, a minibar, a kettle, and a bathroom with a hairdryer and shower facilities. The rooms are decorated in a calm color scheme with an emphasis on the wooden texture of the interior.

A buffet breakfast is served at the hotel's restaurant: on weekdays from 06:00 to 10:00, on weekends and holidays from 07:00 to 11:00. The restaurant is closed the rest of the time.

Secure parking is also provided on site, and the hotel itself is equipped with security and video surveillance systems.

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Another option

The Gagarin Hotel

The Gagarin Hotel is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, in the city center, in a park area. The airport can be reached in about 15 minutes by car.

Single, double, family rooms, as well as Luxury and Apartment categories are offered for accommodation. All rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay: TV, mini-bar, tea area, telephone, Wi-Fi, bathrobes, slippers and a bathroom with hairdryer and toiletries.

The more spacious categories are suitable for family accommodation or longer stays.

The room rate includes breakfast, daily cleaning, change of towels, Wi-Fi and use of ironing facilities on the floor. The Gagarin Restaurant and 113 Bar are located on site, and a gym is also open for guests. Laundry, ironing and room service are also available.

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Another option

Mega Palace Hotel

The Mega Palace Hotel is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and is one of the largest urban hotels with a developed infrastructure.

The hotel offers more than a hundred rooms of different categories — from standard to apartments and presidential rooms. Many rooms offer views of the city, mountains and hills, and one of the hotel's features is a panoramic terrace on the top floor.

The categories "Standard", "Deluxe", "Residential Apartments", "Mega Apartments", "Residential family", "Royal Comfort", "Royal Apartments" and "Presidential Apartments" are available for accommodation.

The rooms vary in size and layout: there are both classic options for one or two guests, as well as more spacious apartments with a kitchen, living room, several bedrooms and work areas. All categories include Wi-Fi, climate control, TV, refrigerator, kettle, safe and daily housekeeping.

There are several restaurants and bars on site. The Grill on the Sky restaurant, the Asia restaurant, the BamBoo Japanese restaurant, the Baron lobby pastry shop, as well as the Duke nightclub and karaoke are available to guests.

Breakfast is served from 07:00 to 10:00, and room service is also available.

It offers a fitness center, sauna, spa treatments and additional relaxation areas. For residents, access to the fitness club is provided free of charge, as well as free admission to the Duke nightclub.

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Another option

The Commander Hotel

The Commander Hotel is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, in the business part of the city, about a 10-minute walk from the railway station and a 15-minute walk from Yuri Gagarin Park. The airport is about 10 km away.

This is a convenient urban accommodation option for a trip to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, with comfortable rooms and basic hotel infrastructure.

The hotel has 22 rooms of different categories: "Standard Single", "Standard Double", "Junior Suite", "Suite Single" and "Suite Double".

All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a TV, Wi-Fi, a safe, a refrigerator, a kettle, a minibar and a private bathroom with a hairdryer, bathrobe, slippers and toiletries. The higher-category rooms additionally feature a seating area, a kitchenette and, in some versions, a balcony.

For guests, there is a cafe-bar "On board" and an intelligence bar "Attic". 24-hour room service is available. Breakfast is available for a fee. The hotel also has an elevator, and some rooms are suitable for guests with reduced mobility.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 8 to 25 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

transfers according to the program;
accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in a selected hotel;
Sakhalin sightseeing program;
services of tour guides;
hotel accommodation in Kurilsk (Camellia);
visit to thermal springs (Baths, Hot Waters);
meals included in the program (9 breakfasts (if you choose to stay with breakfast), 6 lunches, 3 dinners);
transportation services on the routes;
accompanied by instructors and guides (on Sakhalin);
escort by guides (on Iturup);
registration of a border pass (the Kuril Islands are a border area).

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
early check-in at the hotel for arrivals on the morning flight;
flight Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Kurilsk (Iturup) — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (baggage is included, we purchase for you on our own, tickets are non—refundable) - 40,400 rubles (possible price change);
meals not listed in the program, as well as breakfast, if you choose to stay without breakfast;
thermal springs of the volcano "Baransky";
funicular tickets (STK "Mountain Air");
transfer on the last day for flights other than the recommended ones.

It's important to know

headdress;
comfortable sports sandals in which you can walk on water and rocks;
trekking shoes with fluted soles (water-repellent);
There are also replaceable dry shoes.;
towel;
sunscreen (SPF) of at least 30 units;
a small backpack for day trips (hands should be free!);
warm clothing (jacket, sweater, or similar warm clothing);
jacket (comfortable, lightweight, wind and moisture proof jacket);
bathing accessories;
mosquito and tick repellents;
gloves (rope rails are stretched at Aniva Lighthouse and Cape Giant, gloves are needed for ease of movement in these locations);
long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt;
water bottle;
individual first aid kit;
personal hygiene items.

Dates and Prices

$2,279

1 – 10 Jul 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

7 – 16 Jul 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

13 – 22 Jul 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

19 – 28 Jul 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

25 Jul – 3 Aug 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

28 Jul – 6 Aug 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

3 – 12 Aug 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

9 – 18 Aug 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

15 – 24 Aug 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

24 Aug – 2 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

30 Aug – 8 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

5 – 14 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

14 – 23 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

20 – 29 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

26 Sep – 5 Oct 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

5 – 14 Oct 10 days 9 nights

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$2,279

11 – 20 Oct 10 days 9 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

A
Andrey

about tour - Sakhalin — Iturup

29 Jan, 2025

A well-organized tour with the chance to experience the unique nature of Sakhalin and Iturup, topped off with unforgettable picnics by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk.
M
Maria

about tour - Sakhalin — Iturup

7 Dec, 2024

5 more photos

The tour was impeccably organized. Galina, our guide, demonstrated excellent knowledge of Sakhalin's history and provided clear, thoughtful answers to all our questions. The team went above and beyond, offering helpful tips on where to eat, which museums to visit, and where to shop for souvenirs, seafood, and imported goods. The dinners were exceptionally well-planned—always delicious, creative, and beautifully presented. On Iturup, we had a less experienced guide, but we were told this was due to the early season. Instead, we focused on enjoying the island's stunning natural beauty. Every excursion was flawlessly coordinated, with safe and comfortable transportation. As for accommodations, be aware of some specifics: at the Komandor Hotel, if you’re on the 5th floor, you may hear noise from the bar on the 6th floor late into the night. It’s best to request a different floor when checking in. Guests at the Gagarin Hotel have also reported noise issues. By contrast, the Belka Hotel is described as quiet and cozy, and the Palace Hotel lives up to its star rating. On Iturup, you’ll stay in a guesthouse where shower gel and shampoo aren’t provided, and you’ll be asked to remove your shoes at the entrance. While this might feel unfamiliar to some, it’s best to be prepared. If you won’t be hiking on Kunashir, you can leave trekking poles off your packing list. All in all, Sakhalin and the Kuriles are breathtakingly beautiful. Just bring a good attitude and enjoy! A big thanks to the team for showcasing this region in all its splendor.
AK
Andrei Konovalikov

about provider

7 Aug, 2025

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one downside was that the voucher with the contact details of the local host was only sent a few hours before the tour started, and that was after multiple requests. On my previous trip (the 2023 Baikal Tour), I received the voucher two days before the tour began.

Big Country Travel

Hello Andrei, Thank you for your feedback, we’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the trip overall! We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in sending the documents and will definitely address this issue. We hope that despite this, you’ll consider booking with us again for your next trip to Russia!

Sakhalin — Iturup

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

Reviews Leave a review

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