Sakhalin Kaleidoscope and Iturup Island

As part of this trip, you will visit two of the most famous islands of the Kuril Ridge — Sakhalin and Iturup, striking in their beauty and grandeur. 

You will walk through the frozen volcanic lava, see the "Devil's Rocks" with the remains of Japanese fortifications, relax in the thermal complex, try oysters and meet sea lions. 

And also enjoy delicious fresh seafood and bring home the warmest memories of the Far East.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
from
$1,693
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
10 Days
9 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 29 April – 8 May, 2025
    • 14 – 23 June, 2025
    • 25 June – 4 July, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    9 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
Up to 25 people
Minimum age
7 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

Amazing sea lions
You will sail by boat as close as possible to the rookery of the red Book sea lions
Delicious oysters
Stand on an oyster "jar", and then taste them
Thermal springs
Relax body and soul in a Jacuzzi with a water temperature of 42 ° and under the hot waterfall of the Baransky volcano
The most famous rocks of Iturup Island
You will see the White rocks, which are famous for their unusually snow-white color
Far Eastern delights
You will taste excellent Sakhalin fish soup with red fish, Far Eastern delicacies, caviar, herbal tea
Pacific Coast
Explore the bay of Kasatka and find an abandoned ship

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Sightseeing tour of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

    Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Meeting at the airport. 

    Transfer to the hotel, we leave our things.

    Please keep in mind that check-in at the hotel is at 14:00 (early check-in is booked and paid in advance if necessary).

    Welcome lunch at a Japanese restaurant.

    Sightseeing bus tour of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

    A visit to the viewport at the Mountain Air ski complex, which offers a magnificent view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, located in a valley surrounded by hills and ridges. 

    Return to the hotel. 

    Dinner (on your own).

    There are many authentic cozy restaurants in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and European cuisine.

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  • Day 2 - The bay Is Quiet. The Island Is Noticeable. The eastern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk
  • Day 3 - A unique encounter with sea lions. Nevelsk. The West coast of the island Sakhalin — Tatar Strait
  • Day 4 - Flight to Iturup. Fumarole field and thermal springs of Baransky volcano
  • Day 5 - White rocks. Black rocks. The Bay is open. The Sea of Okhotsk
  • Day 6 - Kasatka Bay. A rock massif in the Bay of Kasatka. Pacific ocean
  • Day 7 - The Yankito Plateau. Flight to Sakhalin
  • Day 8 - Free day
  • Day 9 - To visit the oysters. Lake-lagoon "Busse". Gastronomic tour
  • Day 10 - Transfer to the airport
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    9 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour includes accommodation in hotels. 

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

HotelsDouble occupancySurcharge for single occupancy
Gagarin 3* / Belka 3*166 00025 200
Mega Palace 4*168 00030 300

Extra day of stay in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (if necessary), RUB.:

HotelsDouble RoomSingle Room
Gagarin 3* / Belka 3*7 2005 800
Mega Palace 4*8 3007 200
Gagarin Hotel or Mega Palace Hotel or 6 nights
Gagarin Hotel

This hotel is located in a quiet location in the park area of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, a 15-minute drive from Khomutovo Airport. The Gagarin Hotel offers a sauna with a mini-pool.

The rooms of the Gagarin Hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk are decorated using elements of Japanese and European styles. They are equipped with a work desk and a TV with over 100 satellite channels. Featuring a bath, the private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers.

A full buffet breakfast is served every morning at the hotel. The Gagarin restaurant specializes in European cuisine.

Guests can relax in the karaoke bar. A park named after him is located next to the hotel. Gagarina with a beautiful rock garden.

Free parking is available on site at the Gagarin Hotel. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can arrange a shuttle service for guests.

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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 in 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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Another option
Belka Hotel

Built of wooden beams, this hotel is located in the business district, a 10-minute walk from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Main Station in the business center of the city. It offers free Wi-Fi and rooms with a flat-screen TV.

Rooms at the Belka Hotel are decorated in Alpine style and feature wooden walls and air conditioning. The rooms have a minibar and a bathroom with bathrobes, slippers, a hairdryer and toiletries.

The Belka Hotel's restaurant serves Russian cuisine. Guests can order a buffet breakfast. There are restaurants and bars within walking distance of the hotel.

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The hotel "Tomori" 3 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 25 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
10 days 9 nights
Group meets at
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

  • airport – hotel – airport transfer to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
  • airport – hotel – airport transfer in Kurilsk;
  • accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
  • meals on Sakhalin according to the program;
  • accommodation at the hotel "Tomori" on Iturup;
  • meals on Iturup 3 times a day;
  • transportation services according to the program;
  • services of a tour guide;
  • entrance tickets to the thermal complexes:
    • "Sources of the Baransky volcano";
    • "Hot waters";
  • registration of a border pass on the island Iturup.

Paid extra

  • flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
  • flight Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — 15,000 rubles/person.;
  • dinners in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
  • early check-in and late check-out;
  • surcharge for single accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
  • medical insurance.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • lightweight headdress for sun protection;
  • trekking waterproof sneakers/boots (Gore-Tex), or treated with a water repellent + a replaceable pair of shoes;
  • comfortable sports sandals with a rigid fixation on the foot, in which it is convenient to walk on water and stones (necessary on the route Tikhaya Bay, for visiting thermal springs / baths on the islands of Kunashir and Iturup);
  • sports trousers are comfortable for trekking (2 pairs). It is also preferable to have waterproof trousers. It is especially convenient on the side zippers to quickly put on over sweatpants if necessary. They are light and do not take up space at all;
  • comfortable, lightweight, wind and moisture proof(!) jacket;
  • warm clothes: sweater, fleece jacket or similar warm clothes;
  • T-shirt with short or long sleeves with moisture-repellent properties for trekking;
  • lightweight cotton clothing: shorts/capris, T-shirts;
  • bathing suit;
  • socks are warm and thick;
  • a small travel towel (quick-drying);
  • a small backpack of 25-30 liters for one-day radial routes for water, photo/video equipment, swimsuit, towel, raincoat, etc. It is mandatory to have a waterproof backpack cover;
  • sunscreen and sunglasses;
  • a sunscreen adapted for you with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 units;
  • plastic water bottle for routes;
  • gloves;
  • telescopic poles for hiking (personal necessity);
  • photo/video equipment;
  • mosquito and tick repellents (personal necessity).
Safety Memo
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What documents are required to obtain a pass to the Kuril Islands?
Are there any possible changes in the program?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • from
    $1,693
    29 Apr – 8 May, 2025 10 days 9 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $1,693
    14 – 23 Jun, 2025 10 days 9 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $1,693
    25 Jun – 4 Jul, 2025 10 days 9 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now