Sakhalin + Iturup. Active tour without tents and backpacks

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A comfortable route to the Kuril Islands without backpacks and tents — we walk light, we live in hotels.

On Sakhalin, we will visit the most iconic and interesting sights — the abandoned Japanese Aniva lighthouse, Tikhaya Bay and Zhdanko Ridge.

We will go to Iturup by plane and take a bird's-eye view of Japan and the islands of the Kuril Archipelago. On the island, we are waiting for light radial walks on the Yankito plateau and the active Baransky volcano, a jeep ride on White and Black rocks, a boat trip around the Chirip Peninsula and, of course, hot springs!

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Yankito Plateau

Let's go for an atmospheric walk through the frozen lava

Aniva Japanese Lighthouse

We will see the main attraction of Sakhalin

Hot springs

What could be better after a busy day?

Boat trip on Iturup

We will take a trip around the Chirip Peninsula, admire the waterfalls and beautiful rocky ledges

Fresh delicious caviar and seafood

We will definitely taste local seafood delicacies

White Rocks

Let's visit the business card of Iturup — this place is beautiful in any weather!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
We arrive in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at any convenient time.
A free program, your body needs to adapt to the change of time zone and climate.
How can I spend this day? Get some rest and sleep. After all, we have a difficult 8-hour flight from Moscow. Or you can visit local attractions and take a walk around Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — a city with a rich history, there really is something to see here!
20:00 We are going to the hotel for a briefing.
Day 2 - Aniva Lighthouse Boat Tour
We have an early breakfast and go on a boat trip to the Aniva Lighthouse, the main attraction of Sakhalin.
We leave for the village of Novikovo to go by boat to the very south of the Tonino-Aniva Peninsula.
The lighthouse was installed by the Japanese in 1939 on the small Sivuchya rock, near the inaccessible rocky cape Aniva. The cold Sea of Okhotsk and the warm Aniva Bay are found here, so fogs and strong winds are not uncommon.
The height of the lighthouse is 31 meters, the tower has 9 floors. At the moment, the lighthouse is abandoned and does not work.
After visiting the lighthouse, we will set off on our way back and stop for a snack and rest in the area of the Marble Cape.
During sea crossings, we can meet sea lions, seagulls, seals, dolphins, whales and killer whales.
We return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at about 18:00.
Dinner at the cafe (extra charge).
In case of adverse weather, the tour can be replaced with another trip.
Day 3 - Flight to Iturup
Breakfast at the hotel, free time.
In the afternoon, you will have a flight to Iturup.
The exact flight schedule is usually known one month before the departure date.
The flight will take an hour and a half.
From the height there is a beautiful view of Japan, Kunashir and Shikotan.
We move from the airport to Kurilsk and check into a hotel, here we will spend 4 nights.
Dinner at the guest house.
Day 4 - Jeep trip to the White Cliffs and the Pacific Ocean
After breakfast, we load into jeeps and go to another part of the island to see the main attraction of Iturup — the White Cliffs.
On the way we stop at the Black Rocks and the graveyard of ships.
And finally, in front of us are White pumice rocks stretching for 6 kilometers. Pumice stone was formed during an underwater eruption of an ancient volcano.
Due to their fragile porous structure, the rocks are easily weathered and acquire an unusual appearance. Combined with black sand, they look particularly impressive.
We are going further to see the real Pacific Ocean.
We pass through the territory of the old Japanese airfield, old technical buildings have been preserved here.
In front of us is the Pacific Ocean, and then there is nothing for many, many kilometers to America itself.
Have a snack, rest and go on the way back.
Dinner at the guest house.
Day 5 - Boat trip around the Chirip Peninsula
After breakfast, we go on a boat trip around the Chirip Peninsula.
On the route, we will discover volcanoes Bogdan Khmelnitsky and Chirip.
We will see numerous bird markets, seal rookeries, and if we are lucky — dolphins, whales and killer whales!
There are picturesque landscapes of dark steep cliffs, waterfalls, lush vegetation around.
Under favorable weather conditions, we will disembark several times.
We will return to the guest house only for dinner, share our impressions and photos.
In case of adverse weather conditions, the sea excursion may not take place.
Day 6 - Baransky volcano fumarole field and hot springs
Today is a difficult day — a real hike. We are going to inspect the fumarole field of the Baransky volcano.
From the old geothermal power plant, we have to gain 300 m along the riverbed, which gradually turns into a trail. Along the way there is a thick bamboo forest, slippery stones and a duster.
After we have examined all the fumaroles, we will climb to the pass shoulder to enjoy the surrounding views.
We go down and go soak in the hot springs, where you can not only warm up, but also take fantastic photos.
Return to the city.
Dinner at the guest house and rest.
Day 7 - A walk on the Yankito Plateau. Flight to Sakhalin
After breakfast, we will go to get acquainted with another amazing attraction of Iturup — the Yankito Plateau.
Huge lava formations of bizarre shape froze with black paws along the ocean coast.
This miracle of nature appeared as a result of the activity of the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano, which we will be able to see.
We walk along the plateau, take pictures, relax.
We return to the hotel, pick up our things and leave for the airport.
Return to Sakhalin.
The exact flight schedule is usually known a month before the departure date, and the program can be adjusted.
We check into the hotel.
Dinner at the cafe (extra charge) and rest.
Day 8 - Tikhaya Bay and Zhdanko Ridge
We are going to the Zhdanko ridge in Tikhaya Bay — another significant attraction of Sakhalin.
Early in the morning we move from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to the foot of the ridge (2-3 hours on the way).
On the way, we stop at the village of Vzmorye — crab market, the endless Sea of Okhotsk, the remains of an ancient Japanese temple.
We will taste the fresh delicious crab and after a short pause we will move on.
Here we find ourselves in one of the most beautiful bays of the island — the Quiet One. The Zhdanko Ridge, a geological monument of nature, originates from here. It is formed by lava flows and has a length of 13 km.
Numerous rock ridges, edelweiss, cranberries, redberries and shiksha, and most importantly — stunning views.
The complete passage of the ridge is technically difficult and requires special training and the use of additional safety equipment from the participants. Therefore, we will not climb to the highest point of the ridge, but will reach the safest point on the route, relax, take pictures, enjoy the views and set off on our way back.
We'll have a snack in the Quiet Bay — it's really quiet, deserted and incredibly beautiful here.
Return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Dinner at the cafe (extra charge).
Day 9 - Flight home
Breakfast, check-out from the hotel at 12:00.
Saying goodbye to the Far East, flying home.
If desired, you can stay on Sakhalin for a few more days and see the sights that are not included in our program.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The campaign has been assigned 1 category out of 5 maximum ones. There will be no serious obstacles in the campaign that require special skills. Good physical training is required, hiking experience is not required. It is necessary to be prepared for difficult weather conditions.

Accommodation

Hotel

4 nights
Guest House

4 nights

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale

The tour includes accommodation:

4 nights in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk hotel (2-bed accommodation with breakfast);
4 nights in a guest house on Iturup (2-4-bed accommodation).

The cost of the tour is 138 000 rubles/person.

On Sakhalin, accommodation in a good hotel, double accommodation with room amenities.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 17 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

9 days 8 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

4 nights in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk hotel (2-bed accommodation with breakfast);
4 nights in a guest house on Iturup (2-4-bed accommodation);
nutrition:
- breakfasts, lunches/snacks and dinners on Iturup;
- breakfast on Sakhalin;
domestic flights Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
transfers according to the program on Sakhalin and Iturup;
jeep tour to the White Cliffs;
Aniva Lighthouse boat tour;
Iturup boat tour;
hot springs under the Baransky volcano;
registration of a collective pass to the border zone;
rental of group equipment (burners, boilers, etc.);
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
instructor services;
accident insurance.

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
transfer from/to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport;
lunches and dinners on Sakhalin (from 5000 rubles);
registration of an individual border pass for foreign citizens;
all expenses related to force majeure or emergencies.

It's important to know

It is very important to choose the appropriate equipment for each hike, because this is the key to your good mood and comfort on the route. The weather on the Kuril Islands is changeable and often unpredictable. There may be sweltering heat, or you can get into real bad weather — prolonged rains and strong winds.

The temperature difference between day and night is quite noticeable, so warm clothes must be in the right amount.

Personal equipment should weigh 10-15 kg, we have a hike without backpacks, but you will still need to lift them to load them into the car or carry them to the camp, so we advise you not to take a lot of extra things.