The Magic Iturup

9 more

We offer you to take part in a trip to Iturup Island, the most famous and popular place in the Kuril Islands. During one trip, you will see the island completely, visit its most remote corners and see all the main attractions of the island.

We will explore active volcanoes, swim in hot thermal springs, walk along the ebb tide and drive along the edge of the sea in off-road vehicles, walk through tunnels at a secret base and look at our reflection on the mirrored ocean shore.

The main attractions on a trip to Iturup are the White Cliffs, the Yankito Plateau, the Baransky volcano, Kasatka Bay, Sail Bay.

Location

Sakhalin region, Korsakov

from

US$ 903

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Let's take a walk through the lava field

We will see several types of frozen lava and pumice on the slopes of active volcanoes

Let's ride jeeps along the surf line

We will drive through the sand on prepared SUVs, catching the moments between the incoming waves

Soak up the hot thermal baths

At the foot of the volcanoes, we will swim in equipped and wild hot tubs, streams and even waterfalls

Let's look at ourselves in the mirror on the beach

We will drive along the mirrored beach and see our reflection in the incoming waves

Let's meet the dawn on the seashore

The most persistent will meet the dawn among the first on the planet

Let's climb the volcano

The bravest will have the opportunity to climb to the top of the volcano

Itinerary

Day 1 - The beginning of the journey
Our journey begins with the departure of the ferry from the main seaport of Sakhalin – Korsakov.
As a welcome gift, we will arrange a transfer from your hotel (in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk or Korsakov) or Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport to the building of the sea station.
A sea cruise to Iturup Island awaits us on the ferry. During the cruise, we will have a good chance to meet flocks of dolphins, killer whales and whales. We will pass by the Aniva Lighthouse, beautifully illuminated by the setting sun, and go out into the Sea of Okhotsk, where we will meet the sunset far from the shores.
Also, the ferry is a great opportunity to have a good rest and sleep before the next adventure on a new island. In good weather, the pitching is insignificant. We will tell you how to behave correctly on the ferry in order to minimize motion sickness and make the cruise comfortable.
If desired, you can spend this day on Sakhalin — we will arrange for you an individual excursion program with departure to Iturup Island by plane the next day.
Day 2 - Yankito Plateau
We will be met at the port by a team of guides, check into the hotel and go to see the Yankito lava plateau, located on the slope of the active volcano Bogdan Khmelnitsky. The confusing and chaotic piles of lava rocks formed after the eruption of the volcano, when hot lava flows collided with the cold water of the Sea of Okhotsk.
The plateau is very close to the city of Kurilsk and you can go there on foot, but we will drive by car.
Beautiful landscapes, views of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano will not leave you indifferent. The Yankito Plateau is especially beautiful in the setting sun. Those who wish can stay here longer.
Day 3 - White Rocks
Today we have a jeep tour through very difficult terrain, replete with obstacles. Let's look at the skill of our drivers.
The White Cliffs are one of the most famous sights of Iturup, but besides the White Cliffs themselves there are many more things to see in the surrounding area. If the weather does not mind, we will try to show the maximum. The peculiarity of this place is that travel is possible only at low tide and in relatively good weather, since we will have to ford two rivers in jeeps.
The white rocks consist of soft white pumice stone – the consequences of the eruption of the Baransky volcano. The soft pumice stone is gradually washed out and mixed with the black volcanic sand of the coast, forming bizarre patterns on the sand. The top of the white rocks is topped with green grass caps. The white cliffs stretch for 28 km along the shore of the Prostor Bay. On the way to the rocks, we will stop at the "Black Rocks" - a small rocky massif on the seashore of columnar formations of hexagonal shape.
Two waterfalls will be waiting for us in the Sail Bay – Maiden's Tears and Maiden's Braids (the second name is Tatiana). We will get very close to one, and we will look at the second, larger one from the shore.
We will see the cemetery of old Soviet military equipment.
Relaxing by the sea, free time.
In the evening, optional bathing in the thermal complex "Hot waters" in the village of Reidovo.
Day 4 - Baransky Volcano
Today we will spend the whole day on the most famous volcano of Iturup – Baransky volcano. On the way to the volcano, we will make a stop at the beautiful Goryachevodsky pass with picturesque views of the surrounding area.
A geothermal power plant has been built at the foot of the volcano. Off the road, among the bamboo thickets, there are two beautiful miniature turquoise lakes with very hot, scalding water. They are called "Blue Eyes", "Blue Eye" or "Emerald Eye". A Boiling river flows out of these lakes, the water in which cools down only after a few kilometers. If you walk further along the river, you can reach a high waterfall of scalding hot water.
In the area of the volcano, we will see small mud geysers and fumaroles. There are several bathing areas in the vicinity – both luxurious equipped multi-level terraces with places to relax and change clothes (bathing is optional), and wild baths in streams.
In one of the streams, boil eggs and taste them with red caviar, washed down with champagne.
If desired, it is possible to climb to the top of the volcano. Climbing to the top is difficult and requires good physical shape. We will be accompanied by rangers. We will walk along a barely visible narrow path with steep ledges and crumbling slopes. The trail is unequipped and very rarely used. From the top of the volcano there are magnificent views of Iturup.
Day 5 - Kasatka Bay
In the morning we leave for the other side of the island, to the coast of the Pacific Ocean, to the Bay of Kasatka. It was from here in 1941 that the Japanese aircraft carrier fleet headed for the Hawaiian Islands to attack Pearl Harbor. It is no coincidence that the Japanese chose this place to form a squadron, because this bay is well hidden from prying eyes. The Japanese called this bay Hitokappu. The Japanese stay here is reminiscent of a complex of underground tunnels cut in one of the most mysterious places on the Kuril Islands – Mount Chertovka. The rock is riddled with many galleries, many of which are still not fully explored. According to one version, one of the
The secret Japanese laboratories of Unit 731, notorious for its atrocities.

There are two roads leading here: a broken military road through the surrounding hills, and the second one right across the black volcanic sand of the bay. That's where we're going. Due to the thin layer of water remaining on the sand at low tide, the sky is perfectly reflected here, and therefore this place is called the Mirror Beach. On the beach, we will drive past a local landmark – a tugboat, half covered with sand.
Relaxing by the ocean, free time.
In the evening, optional bathing in the thermal complex "Hot waters" in the village of Reidovo or in the thermal complex "Baths" in Kurilsk.
Day 6 - Kurilsk
Today we have a free day for small excursions around the area.
We recommend meeting the dawn on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk and visiting the Weeping Rocks. There you can see a wall of dozens of small waterfalls flowing down from an almost sheer cliff.
Those who wish can see the city of Kurilsk. It is the only city on the Kuril Islands, the most remote from Moscow and one of the most sparsely populated. There is a local "zoo" not far from the city, where you can watch bears closely from a safe distance.
In the afternoon we have a departure for Sakhalin. In good weather, from the ferry we will have magnificent views of the Chirip and Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcanoes, as well as the village of Kitovoe, where the port is located. We will try to see the lava fields of Yankito from the water.
If you prefer to travel by air, you can take a plane that day. The next day we will be glad to offer you additional excursions around Sakhalin — Aniva Lighthouse, Busse Lake, Cape Giant or other excursions from our large travel catalog.
Day 7 - Cruise to Sakhalin
In the morning we meet the most beautiful sea dawn, and after lunch the Aniva Lighthouse will open again, but with a different lighting. On this cruise, we also advise you to look out for dolphins, killer whales and whales. They are frequent visitors to the Sea of Okhotsk.
Arrival at the port of Korsakov on Sakhalin. We will take you to your chosen hotels. If you wish, you can stay on the island and participate in one of our additional programs on Sakhalin and other Kuril Islands.

Difficulty

For any person

Tour organizer's comments

We travel between the islands by ferry, and a team with good off-road vehicles prepared for cross-country trips will be waiting for us on Iturup. The crossings between locations are small with frequent stops for sightseeing.

If you wish, you can fly to Iturup Island by plane. Discuss the specifics of the different options with a travel expert.

According to weather conditions, when changing the ferry schedule and taking into account the capabilities of the group, the route sequence can be changed or individual locations can be replaced with equivalent ones while maintaining the overall saturation of the route.

Accommodation

Guest House

4 nights
Cabin on the boat

2 nights

Comfort

Basic+

Ferries have standard four-person third-class cabins. Some ferries have first and second class cabins with more comfortable accommodation. The possibility of booking premium cabins is specified at the time of booking.

On Iturup, we will live in a cozy guest house near the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. The house has its own kitchen, several rooms, showers and several toilets. The guest house is booked entirely for our group. Upon request, we can also offer you accommodation in single rooms in the island's hotels.

The house has its own barbecue area where we will have delicious picnics.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 12 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Sakhalin region, Korsakov

Included in price

transportation services according to the route program;
accommodation in a guest house according to the standard version with double occupancy;
the main excursion program;
services of guides, drivers and escorts;
meals specified in the program;
visits to nature reserves, payment for participation in organized events, car passes to all attractions according to the main program of the route;
transfers to/from the airport and seaport (upon arrival by recommended flights);
registration of a border pass to the Kuril Islands (with timely submission of documents).

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
ferry tickets to Kurilsk and back (about 10,000 rubles);
accommodation on Sakhalin Island;
visiting paid thermal springs (from 1000 to 2000 rubles);
premium and single hotel accommodation;
meals not specified in the program;
payment for additional optional excursions;
early check-in and late check-out from the hotel;
tips for guides, service staff
personal expenses, souvenirs, additional services in hotels
alcoholic beverages (except those specified in the program);
medical insurance.

It's important to know

The weather on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands is very changeable, in a few minutes the sunny weather can change to rain and squally wind, and in half an hour the sun will be hot again. Weather forecasts can be inaccurate and misleading.

There are frequent cancellations and postponements of flights, so we use the most reliable way to travel between the islands – ferries with comfortable cabins. At the time of our trip, the probability of a delay or cancellation of the ferry is minimal, but if a delay does happen, we will offer you other adventures.

Some locations can only be accessed in good weather. We cannot guarantee you good weather throughout your trip, but we can guarantee that we will minimize possible inconveniences.