Sightseeing tour to Sakhalin and Iturup

Get ready for an exciting adventure to Sakhalin and Iturup! 

You will see majestic volcanoes and famous sights, enjoy thermal springs and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of mysterious places.

Be sure to try the local seafood dishes. Shrimp, crabs, scallops and salmon — all these delicacies will be fresh and cooked according to unique recipes passed down from generation to generation. 

But the most important wealth of these places is the people who will gladly take you into their arms and guide you along an amazing route.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
from
$1,821
$1,578
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
7 Days
6 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 13 – 19 July, 2025
    • 20 – 26 July, 2025
    • 27 July – 2 August, 2025
    • 3 – 9 August, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
  • Guest House
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Basic+
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 17 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 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Get to know the cozy Far Eastern city and the main attractions of the island capital
Mighty volcanoes
You will see the bizarre creation of the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano and feel the greatness of the Baransky volcano
Wellness holidays
You can relax body and soul in the thermal springs
Mesmerizing White Cliffs
Admire the fabulous views and take beautiful photos against the background of the famous rocks
Delicious delicacies
Try a variety of fresh seafood dishes
The mysterious lighthouse of Aniva
You will see a unique lighthouse and enjoy a boat trip with the opportunity to meet marine animals

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and sightseeing tour

    Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. 

    Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel, accommodation.

    Check-in at the hotel from 14:00 (early check-in is possible with an additional 50% / room / day).

    Sightseeing tour of the city (2 hours, starting approximately at 15:00, the exact time will be indicated two days before the tour).
     
    During the tour, you will learn how the city grew and developed during the period of Japanese rule (at that time, it was called Toyohara), you will see preserved Japanese buildings built in the same distant times, including one of the oldest buildings built in 1908 and the most striking buildings built in 1937. 
     
    Get acquainted with the most beautiful places of the modern, cozy city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and the main attractions of the island capital. Visit three squares – Lenin, Victory and Glory, as well as Chekhov Center Square.
     
    Welcome dinner in Sakhalin style. We will begin our journey with an introduction to Sakhalin cuisine.
     
    At dinner, you will taste the famous hemultan soup, salads from Sakhalin wild plants.
     
    We will discuss the details of the trip over dinner.
     
    Transfer to the hotel after dinner. Rest.
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  • Day 2 - Departure to O. Iturup
  • Day 3 - Boat trip around the Chirip Peninsula. The Eye of the Dragon. White rocks. Hot Water thermal springs
  • Day 4 - Jeep tour to Kasatka Bay. A mirrored beach. The Devil's Rock. Jeep tour to the Yankito lava plateau. Thermal springs "Baths"
  • Day 5 - The Museum of Local Lore. Jeep tour to the foot of the Baransky volcano. Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
  • Day 6 - Aniva Lighthouse and lunch with oysters in Busse Lagoon
  • Day 7 - The end of the program. Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
  • Guest House
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Basic+
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
  • Premium

The tour provides accommodation in hotels and guest houses:

  • in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — 3 nights in a hotel to choose from;
  • on the fr. Iturup — 3 nights in a standard room of the Kasatka Guest house or a similar accommodation facility.

Guaranteed reservation of a room with amenities at the Kasatka Guest House is possible. The cost is 4,500 rubles per room.

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

HotelsFor double occupancySurcharge for single occupancyChild under 12 years old in double occupancy
Mega Palace Hotel 4*162 68820 600159 688
SQUIRREL 3*156 81817 450153 818
Belka Hotel  or Mega Palace Hotel  3 nights
Belka Hotel 

A three-star hotel with an unusual name "Belka" is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. 

For the convenience of guests, there is parking, free internet access, a safe and laundry facilities. Those who want to relax after a busy day are invited to visit the sauna.

The hotel's room stock is represented by 46 categories, which vary in size and comfort level. Despite this, all rooms are equipped with comfortable furniture to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower.

Breakfast is served in the hotel's restaurant in the morning. Lunch and dinner can also be ordered or you can visit nearby cafes and restaurants.

In the immediate vicinity of the hotel there are such attractions as the Regional Museum of Local Lore, the Chekhov Theater Center and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ.

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Another option
Mega Palace Hotel 

This hotel is located on the Far Eastern island of Sakhalin, at the foot of the Susunai Mountains.

It offers a restaurant with a varied menu, a spa and a nightclub.

The center of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is just a 15-minute drive away.

The multi-storey Mega Palace Hotel offers its guests modern rooms and apartments with antique-style furniture.

Each room is equipped with cable TV, a safe and a minibar.

The hotel's spa area includes a fitness center, a hot tub and a sauna.

In the evening, guests can visit a karaoke bar or a nightclub with DJ performances.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning.

The Marquis Restaurant serves Russian, European and Japanese cuisine, while Serbian cuisine can be enjoyed at the Grill in the Sky restaurant. The hotel also has an Asian restaurant "Asia" and a Japanese restaurant BamBoo.

Guests can relax in the Duke Karaoke Bar.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Central Train Station is a 20-minute drive away.

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Kasatka Guest House 3 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 17 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
7 days 6 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 specified in the tour program (5 breakfasts + 1 breakfast with you, 3 lunches + 1 tasting, 1 camping snack, 2 dinners);
  • 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.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
  • air tickets on the route (air ticket price 2024. If the cost increases, the difference is paid additionally): Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Kurilsk / Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (surcharge when booking a tour):
    • adult — 15,800 rubles/person.;
    • children (2-12 years old) — 8,900 rubles/person.;
  • meals not included in the tour program and dinners on the island. Iturup, indicated in the program marked "independently";
  • guaranteed room with amenities in the guest house "Kasatka" — 4,500 rubles per room.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

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.

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).
What is necessary to obtain passes to the Kuril Islands?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Are there any possible changes?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • from
    $1,578
    13 – 19 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $1,578
    20 – 26 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $1,578
    27 Jul – 2 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $1,578
    3 – 9 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $1,578
    10 – 16 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

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
    2 more photos