Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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The amazing and alluring Kunashir Island invites you to visit!

On the tour you will have a swim in thermal springs, a meeting with the Pacific Ocean, trekking to the fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano and a trip by boat.

Location

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

Lunch at the campfire

Try a hearty lunch from the campfire – delicious fish soup

Swimming in the Sea of Okhotsk

Swim in lagoons with crystal clear azure water

Mystical Cape

Visit one of the most amazing and unique places on Kunashir Island

Itinerary

Day 1 - Departure by boat to Kunashir
09:00 Transfer to Korsakov port.
Registration on the ship.
12:00 Departure of the ship to Kunashir.
The vessel leaves the port of Korsakov and follows the coastline of the Tonino-Aniva Peninsula for 4 hours.
You can see the Aniva Lighthouse from aboard the ship, and dolphins and killer whales are likely to be seen during the passage through the Sea of Okhotsk.
And, of course, incredible ocean sunrises and sunsets.
Lunch and dinner on the boat in a cafe (on your own).

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Day 2 - Arrival on Kunashir. Pacific coast, kekur "Damn finger"
Breakfast and lunch on the boat in a cafe (independently).
09:00 Ship's approach to Shikotan Island (there is no Shikotan in the check–in on 24.07-03.08).
The vessel is parked for 4 hours, but is allowed ashore only for 2 hours strictly if there is a border pass.
A walk through the village of Malokurilskoye and the surrounding area. You can also enjoy freshly brewed coffee in the cozy cafe.
18:00 Arrival of the vessel in Yuzhno-Kurilsk, Kunashir Island.
Meeting at the seaport, transfer to the hotel, accommodation.
Let's go say hello to the Pacific Ocean!
Boundless, Quiet, with a serious character and a powerful energy.
A short walk along the coast — kekur "Devil's finger", "Devil's Gate".
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 3 - The fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano. Thermal springs of the Mendeleev volcano
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the medium-difficulty route "Large fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano".
By car for 30 minutes, then trekking for 2-2.5 hours through bamboo with a constant climb, 3 km in one direction.
A path with stops for a short rest. Parking on the fumarole field ~ 2 hours.
Fumaroles and solfatars are among the largest, if not the largest, on all the Kuril Islands. Portals to the bowels of the earth.
From the erupting hum and high-temperature gases, it's even scary to imagine what's going on inside.
Lunch (dry ration).
Bathing in wild thermal springs.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 4 - Golovnin volcano. Lakes are Boiling and Hot
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route of medium difficulty "Volcano Golovnina. The Lakes are Boiling and Hot."
40 minutes by car, then trekking 2.5–3 hours along the path, 7 km in one direction.
The entire journey is accompanied by beautiful fields of cedar elderberry and Kuril bamboo, completely impassable to humans.
The volcano is a caldera about 4 km in diameter, surrounded by a ridge with a max. height 541 m.
There are four small domes and two crater lakes at the bottom of the caldera, Boiling and Hot.
The parking time in the caldera is ~3 hours.
Lunch (dry ration).
You can not swim in Boiling lake, there are hot springs, mud boilers and hot steam at the bottom of the lake and along the shores.
But swimming in the Hot lake is a great pleasure.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 5 - Cape Columnar. Stolbovsky sources. The White Monks Rocks. The Sea of Okhotsk
Room release.
Breakfast at the cafe.
Departure on the route of medium difficulty "Cape Columnar" is one of the most amazing and unique places on earth.
Residents of Kunashir say, "Whoever has not seen Cape Columnar has not seen Kunashir."
Millions of years ago, as a result of the eruption of the Mendeleev volcano, basalt lava flowed towards the sea.
Physico-chemical processes have created such columnar structures in the form of five-hexagonal columns.
But once you get here, it's impossible to accept that nature created it.
A mystical place with its own music.
The cape, open on three sides, is located on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk.
A difficult passage through small shelves / fragments of pillars.
Relaxing at the cape, swimming in the sea.
There are many sea urchins in the littoral lagoons.
Then 2 km along the shore to the parking lot, where a bonfire lunch will be organized — delicious fish soup.
The total mileage of the walking part of the route is 6 km.
Return to the village.
Transfer to the port.
Departure of the ship to Sakhalin.

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Day 6 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, completion of the program
Breakfast and lunch on the boat in a cafe (independently).
20:00 The ship's approach to the port of Korsakov.
Meeting at the port and transfer to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The tour includes trekking routes (up to 7 km in one direction).

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights
Cabin on the boat

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in Yuzhno-Kurilsk, in the Flagship hotel, 2-bed accommodation (b/w).

The surcharge for single occupancy is 4,500 rubles.

Additional payments on Kunashir are optional (increased comfort level of accommodation):

for a double suite at the Flagship hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island — 5,000 rubles/person/3 nights;
for a single room in the Iceberg 2 hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island — 6,600 rubles/person/3 nights;
for a double suite at the Iceberg 2 hotel (with amenities) on Kunashir Island — 6,600 rubles/person/3 nights.

The Flagship Hotel

The hotel occupies the second floor in a 2-storey building. There are 7 rooms in total.

Shower, sauna — separately on the floor. Breakfast is served in the cafe of the village, as there is no separate restaurant.

Number of rooms:

four 2-bed rooms (sink and toilet);
two single rooms (sink and toilet);
one 3-bed suite (2-room, two 1.5-double beds in one room and a pull—out sofa in the living room, all amenities in the room).

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Another option

The Iceberg-2 Hotel

A new hotel, built in 2014. All rooms have a full bathroom.

The single rooms have a view of the Sea of Okhotsk! In good weather, you can see the Tyatyu volcano.

Number of rooms:

2 suites (1 large bed and sofa);
4 single rooms (one 1.5-double bed).

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Tour conditions

Group

From 15 to 25 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

transfer Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Korsakov port — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
port charges;
bed linen on the ship;
accommodation in Yuzhno-Kurilsk, in the Flagship hotel, 2-bed accommodation (b/w);
meals on Kunashir 3 times a day;
transportation services according to the program;
escort by instructors/guides on the routes;
a pass to the Kurilsky Nature Reserve;
border crossing to Kunashir Island and Shikotan Island.

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
ticket for the Korsakov — Yuzhno-Kurilsk — Korsakov train (4-bed cabin) — 10,800 rubles/person.;
meals on the ship;
dinners in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
the surcharge for single occupancy is 4,500 rubles.;
additional payment for an increased level of comfort of living on Kunashir;
early check-in to hotels and late check-out from hotels;
medical insurance.

It's important to know

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).

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

$874

24 – 29 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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No need to pay now
$874

26 – 31 Jul 6 days 5 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now

The wonders of Kunashir Island