Three islands: Sakhalin — Kunashir — Shikotan

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An unforgettable trip to the three islands of the Far East!

You will sail to the Sea of Okhotsk on a motor ship, visit picturesque coves, see a volcano and the endless Pacific Ocean, walk along interesting routes and relax in thermal springs.

Location

Russia, Sakhalin region, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Interesting tastes

Admire the lagoons, grottos, gorges and taste the Far East.

Incredible views

Take a walk along the seashore and admire the beauty of stone arches, columns and cupolas.

The Breath of the Earth

Head to the fumarole field, the surface of which looks more like a Martian landscape.

Amazing Cape Columnar

Explore the unique geological formation created by the fossilization of basalt lava

Boat trip

Take a trip across the Sea of Okhotsk to the Kuril Islands

A vacation to suit your taste

On your free day, you will have the opportunity to visit the Pobeda Museum Complex, the Sakhalin Museum of Local Lore and the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Getting to know the city
Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel.
After the accommodation, you will have lunch at one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city, with seafood dishes for lunch. Oriental delicacies.
Immediately after lunch, we will introduce you to our cozy city. The guide will tell you about our region and its rich historical past.
At the end of the tour, transfer to the hotel or to the STK "Mountain Air" funicular station to meet the sunset on Mount Bolshevik (optional).
Free time.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 2 - Tikhaya Bay
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk by bus. Travel time with stops is approximately 3 hours (143 km one way).
On the way, we will visit the coast in the village of Starodubskoe, where the sea throws pieces of amber ashore. Next, we'll stop by to see the Japanese Torii gates, which were installed in front of Shinto temples.
Stop at the seaside village, where you can buy freshly caught crabs (boiled).
Arrival at Tikhaya Bay.
A walk along the coast — lagoons, caves, gorges, bird markets, the island of "Noticeable".
Weathering rocks and bizarrely shaped lava boulders create an alien landscape.
Lunch — traditional Korean hemultang soup, freshly boiled crab, caviar, oriental salads (made from local wild plants), Sakhalin tea with herbs and berries.
In the evening, return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (approximate time of return is 19:00).
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 3 - Cape "Bird" and Cape "Giant"
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
09:00 Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk by off-road vehicles. Travel time is approximately 3 hours (100 km one way, difficult road) with stops at observation decks.
Walking along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk — magnificent stone arches, columns and kekurs created by wind and sea waves, grottos and bird bazaars of Cape "Bird".
Climb up to the sea terraces, which offer incredible views of the Sea of Okhotsk and see Cape Giant protruding into the sea with a green cone.
Lunch is a traditional Sakhalin table.
Rich ear, traditional Russian snacks with a Sakhalin accent.
Fragrant tea made from island herbs and berries.
Free time.
Departure to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at 15:30.
The approximate time of return to the hotel is 19:00.
Dinner (on your own).

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Day 4 - Departure to Kunashir
09:00 Transfer to Korsakov seaport.
10:00 Registration on the ship.
12:00 Departure of the ship to the Southern Kuril Islands.
The ship is heading to Kunashir Island with a stop at Shikotan Island.
Lunch, as well as dinner on the ship (independently).
Flocks of dolphins accompany the ship all the way to the islands. Sometimes you can see killer whales and even whales.
Important! Please note that tickets for the ship are issued according to a quota (a block system of guaranteed seats). The tour operator does not select seats or assign passengers to cabins. If you are traveling with a company, the carrier does not guarantee accommodation in one cabin.
Day 5 - Arrival on Kunashir. Pervukhin Bay
Breakfast on the boat on your own.
10:00 Arrival of the ship at the port.
Check-in at the hotel (upon release and cleaning of rooms).
12:00 Visit to the local history Museum.
After the tour, departure to one of the most picturesque bays of the island – Pervukhina Bay. Many travelers call it a piece of Ireland on Kunashir. Hills covered with lush greenery, crystal clear water and a pebble beach.
There is another attraction in this place – the Dog's Head Mountain. It is a large kekur, covered with perennial grasses, which has not yet separated from the island, and resembles the head of a spaniel in shape.
During the time of Japanese rule, there was a Japanese temple on the mountain. Right now, a trail built by the military leads up the mountain. Go up to the top. It offers incredible views of the bay surroundings.
Lunch on the shore.
After lunch, visit the Devil's Finger and Devil's Gate Kekura, as well as the old lighthouse on the South Kuril Cape.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the hotel cafe.

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Day 6 - The fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano. Cascade of waterfalls of the Sour stream
08:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
09:00 Departure for the route "The Great fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano".
By public transport up to 17 km, then a trekking route of about 3 km in one direction.
The route passes through a protected area. The nature of these places is unique. Centuries-old trees with trunks up to 2 meters in diameter, thickets of Kuril bamboo, the purest mountain streams.
Approach to the fumarole field. Here you can feel the hot "breath" of the earth. Its surface looks more like a Martian landscape.
Small and large smoking fumaroles, cedar elderberry and a view of the Hokkaido Mountains.
Parking is 2 hours.
Lunch (lunch box).
Optional bathing in wild hot springs.
Return to the 17th kilometer. Then drive to the cascade of small waterfalls of the Sour stream.
The stream descends down the slopes of the Mendeleev volcano, forming small cascades. The water in the stream is at a pleasant temperature. If desired, you can swim.
Return to Yuzhno-Kurilsk in the evening.
Dinner at the hotel cafe.

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Day 7 - Golovninsky cliff and Golovnina volcano caldera
In the south of Kunashir Island is the caldera of Golovnin volcano, the southernmost volcano of the Kuril Ridge. This is an active volcano, the last eruption of which occurred already in historical times — around 1848. After a powerful eruption, the volcano exploded, forming a huge caldera, which eventually filled with water and formed two incredible lakes.
08:00 Breakfast in the hotel cafe.
09:00 Departure for the route to the Veslovsky Peninsula.
The first stop is at the observation deck, which offers a fascinating panoramic view.
Then a trip to Golovninsky cliff. Amazing sheer cliffs, black volcanic sand and hundreds of shells.
Departure to the hiking route of medium difficulty "Volcano Golovnina. Boiling and Hot lakes", 2.5–3 hours walk along a dirt road, 7 km in one direction.
The entire journey is accompanied by beautiful cedar elderberry fields.
The parking time in the caldera is about 2 hours.
Lunch (lunch box).
The volcano is a caldera about 4 km in diameter, surrounded by a ridge (541 m). There are four small domes and two crater lakes at the bottom of the caldera, Boiling and Hot.
The Golovnin volcano caldera is unique in its volcanic activity. A jet of superheated steam and boiling water can suddenly strike from the bottom of a Boiling Lake — an incredible sight! One of the solfatarny fields of Goryachy Lake once spewed out a stream of liquid sulfur, which poured into the lake and froze there with a bizarre tongue.
Bathing in hot springs.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 8 - Cape Columnar
Cape Columnar on Kunashir is one of the most amazing and unique places on earth. It is a unique geological formation that arose as a result of the petrification of basalt lava.
Having poured out of the mouth of the Mendeleev volcano more than 6 million years ago, lava got into the water column and, under the influence of certain temperatures, divided into absolutely regular five-hexagonal columns, and then rose from the ocean to the surface.
Residents of Kunashir say: "Those who have not seen Cape Columnar have not seen Kunashir."
09:00 Breakfast at the cafe.
10:00 Departure for the route.
Exit to the coast.
Inspection of rocks of volcanic origin.
The cape, open on three sides, is located on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Beautiful "aquariums" and lagoons with crystal clear azure water. Majestic "organs" made of solidified lava.
Lunch on the route (lunch box, tea).
Swimming is possible in good weather.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the hotel cafe.

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Day 9 - Departure to Shikotan
Breakfast.
Transfer to the port of Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
Check-in and boarding the ship.
Departure to Shikotan Island at 14:00. The journey takes 4 hours.
At 18:00, the ship approaches the island.
Transfer to the hotel.
Check-in.
Supper.
Free time.
Day 10 - The cape is the Edge of the World. Nameless Bay
This is the most southeastern place in Russia, which many travelers dream of visiting. This is a different world, unlike either the mainland or the nearby Sakhalin.
Shikotan lies in the Pacific Ocean just a few dozen kilometers from Japan and, interestingly, is located east of it (the sun rises earlier here). And there are no volcanoes, poisonous snakes and bears.
Breakfast at the hotel.
At 10:00 departure to cape "Edge of the world". When you get here, the meaning of the name immediately becomes clear. From above, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean, and you can't help but think that you are really on the edge of the earth! This is the farthest point in Russia from the capital – a distance of 7,400 km in a straight line.
A walk to Cape Crab, where the lighthouse of Shpanberg is located.
Then transfer to Bezymyannaya Bay. According to many eyewitnesses, this bay is the most beautiful natural place on the island due to the scattering of islands located inside the bay.
Lunch – lunch boxes.
Free time to relax.
In warm weather, you can sunbathe and swim in the Pacific Ocean. The water temperature is 13-16 degrees.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Rest.
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 11 - Aivazovsky Bay (Church)
Breakfast at the hotel.
At 10:00 departure for the route: Tserkovnaya Bay, Notoro and Tomari mountains.
Tserkovnaya Bay impresses with its islands and coves. It is also interesting for its history and nearby sites: the larch forest, the site of a former Japanese settlement, the Notoro and Tomari mountains.
The route is on foot, about 8 km in one direction through the protected area. Along the way, there are thickets of giant burdock, spiraea and creeping junipers, as well as giant trees of bizarre shapes.
Arrival at the bay.
A walk along the beach. Optional swimming in the ocean.
Lunch (lunch box).
Free time, rest.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at the cafe.

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Day 12 - Dolphin Bay. Departure to Sakhalin
Breakfast at the hotel.
Room release.
Departure to the route.
The Dolphin Bay is located in the southwest of the island, which juts into the shore for almost three kilometers. The bay was named after the ship Dolphin, which was used in 1912 to explore the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Tatar Strait and Nagayev Bay.
Spectacular views open from the height of the flat hills. A real forest-steppe landscape with open bamboo expanses and mounds of conifers and stone birch. Rich wetlands are a stopping place for bird flocks. Whooper swans can be found here in wintering grounds, and Japanese cranes in spring and summer. It is an ideal place for fishing.
The journey to the bay takes about 3 hours.
A walk along the coast.
Rest. Swimming in the ocean (optional).
Lunch (lunch box).
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Supper.
Transfer to Malokurilskoye seaport.
Registration for the ship.
Departure to Sakhalin.
Day 13 - Arrival to Sakhalin
20:00 arrival at the Korsakov seaport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Day 14 - Busse Lake
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
We are going to the Southeastern coast.
Busse is an inner bay (lake) on Sakhalin Island, located off the northeastern shore of Aniva Bay in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Giant oysters, scallops, sea urchins, trepang, crabs, trumpeter, a huge number of fish live in this unique lagoon lake.
Arrival at the camp. We put on our gear. Then we will take a rowing catamaran to the oyster can in the center of the lake.
Gathering of fresh seafood, followed by lunch.
Fresh and baked oysters, scallops, fried and smoked fish. All the flavors of Sakhalin on one table.
Return to the hotel in the evening. Dinner (on your own).

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Day 15 - Free day
Breakfast at the hotel.
In your free time, we suggest visiting the unique Pobeda Museum complex on your own, as well as the Sakhalin Museum of Local Lore, located in a building built in 1937 for the museum of the Karafuto Governorate in the forms of Japanese medieval architecture, built in the Teikan—Zukuri style - this is the only building in this style in Russia.
Cathedral of the Nativity — admire the giant mosaics made of Jerusalem stones, and the mosaic painting of the Savior is the largest in the world. The frescoes were made by the best Russian icon painters, and you can use them to study the entire history of Christianity.
Also on this day, you can visit Japanese and Korean goods stores and fish markets to buy delicious souvenirs at home.
Lunch and dinner (on your own).
Day 16 - Completion of the program
Breakfast at the hotel.
Room release.
Transfer to the airport.
Check-in and baggage handling.
Departure.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The tour includes hiking and routes of moderate difficulty.

Accommodation

Hotel

9 nights
Cabin on the boat

2 nights
or

Guest House, Hotel

4 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in a selected hotel, as well as in hotels on Kunashir Island and Shikotan Island, in the cabins of the ship.

The cost of the tour for double occupancy depends on the selected hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk:

Gagarin Hotel – 335,600 rubles. The surcharge for single occupancy on the tour is 43,650 rubles.
The Commander Hotel (without breakfast) – 321,600. The surcharge for single occupancy on the tour is 41,400 rubles.
Mega Palace Hotel – 361,260 rubles. The surcharge for single occupancy on the tour is 56,700 rubles.

The surcharge for accommodation at the Ostrovnoy Hotel (Shikotan Island, Malokurilskoye settlement) is 18,000 rubles per room for the entire period of stay (optional).

The Gagarin Hotel

The Gagarin Hotel is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, in the city center, in a park area. The airport can be reached in about 15 minutes by car.

Single, double, family rooms, as well as Luxury and Apartment categories are offered for accommodation. All rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay: TV, mini-bar, tea area, telephone, Wi-Fi, bathrobes, slippers and a bathroom with hairdryer and toiletries.

The more spacious categories are suitable for family accommodation or longer stays.

The room rate includes breakfast, daily cleaning, change of towels, Wi-Fi and use of ironing facilities on the floor. The Gagarin Restaurant and 113 Bar are located on site, and a gym is also open for guests. Laundry, ironing and room service are also available.

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Another option

The Commander Hotel

The Commander Hotel is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, in the business part of the city, about a 10-minute walk from the railway station and a 15-minute walk from Yuri Gagarin Park. The airport is about 10 km away.

This is a convenient urban accommodation option for a trip to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, with comfortable rooms and basic hotel infrastructure.

The hotel has 22 rooms of different categories: "Standard Single", "Standard Double", "Junior Suite", "Suite Single" and "Suite Double".

All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a TV, Wi-Fi, a safe, a refrigerator, a kettle, a minibar and a private bathroom with a hairdryer, bathrobe, slippers and toiletries. The higher-category rooms additionally feature a seating area, a kitchenette and, in some versions, a balcony.

For guests, there is a cafe-bar "On board" and an intelligence bar "Attic". 24-hour room service is available. Breakfast is available for a fee. The hotel also has an elevator, and some rooms are suitable for guests with reduced mobility.

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Another option

Mega Palace Hotel

The Mega Palace Hotel is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and is one of the largest urban hotels with a developed infrastructure.

The hotel offers more than a hundred rooms of different categories — from standard to apartments and presidential rooms. Many rooms offer views of the city, mountains and hills, and one of the hotel's features is a panoramic terrace on the top floor.

The categories "Standard", "Deluxe", "Residential Apartments", "Mega Apartments", "Residential family", "Royal Comfort", "Royal Apartments" and "Presidential Apartments" are available for accommodation.

The rooms vary in size and layout: there are both classic options for one or two guests, as well as more spacious apartments with a kitchen, living room, several bedrooms and work areas. All categories include Wi-Fi, climate control, TV, refrigerator, kettle, safe and daily housekeeping.

There are several restaurants and bars on site. The Grill on the Sky restaurant, the Asia restaurant, the BamBoo Japanese restaurant, the Baron lobby pastry shop, as well as the Duke nightclub and karaoke are available to guests.

Breakfast is served from 07:00 to 10:00, and room service is also available.

It offers a fitness center, sauna, spa treatments and additional relaxation areas. For residents, access to the fitness club is provided free of charge, as well as free admission to the Duke nightclub.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 8 to 25 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

16 days 15 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Sakhalin region, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

transfers according to the program;
accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in a selected hotel;
Sakhalin sightseeing program;
services of tour guides;
hotel accommodation in Yuzhno-Kurilsk;
accommodation in a Malokurilsk hotel;
meals specified in the program;
transportation services on the routes;
accompanied by instructors and guides;
registration of a border pass (the Kuril Islands are a border area).

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
meals not included in the tour program;
a boat ticket on the route port Korsakov — Kunashir — Shikotan — port Korsakov (a place in a 4-seater cabin, purchased for you on your own) — 22,300 rubles. The cost may change (in case of a price change, the difference is paid additionally);
meals on the ship;
transfers for flights other than the recommended ones.

It's important to know

headdress;
sports sandals;
comfortable sports sandals in which you can walk on water and rocks;
trekking shoes with fluted soles, as well as replaceable dry shoes;
trekking poles;
towel;
sunscreen (SPF) of at least 30 units;
a small backpack for day trips (hands should be free!);
comfortable wind- and moisture-proof jacket;
bathing accessories;
mosquito and tick repellents;
gloves;
long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt;
individual first aid kit;
personal hygiene items.

Dates and Prices

$4,310

11 – 26 Jul 16 days 15 nights

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$4,310

15 – 30 Aug 16 days 15 nights

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$4,310

5 – 20 Sep 16 days 15 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

AK
Andrei Konovalikov

about provider

7 Aug, 2025

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one downside was that the voucher with the contact details of the local host was only sent a few hours before the tour started, and that was after multiple requests. On my previous trip (the 2023 Baikal Tour), I received the voucher two days before the tour began.

Big Country Travel

Hello Andrei, Thank you for your feedback, we’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the trip overall! We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in sending the documents and will definitely address this issue. We hope that despite this, you’ll consider booking with us again for your next trip to Russia!
Y
Yuri

about provider

7 Aug, 2025

The tour operator met all the terms of the agreement, which is already a great sign. I’d give it a solid four stars, maybe even a 4+. The guides were very professional, and the tour was well-organized overall. Everything went smoothly without any major issues. I’d definitely recommend this tour operator to friends and acquaintances.

Big Country Travel

Hello Yuri, thank you very much for your feedback! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the trip overall. We’d be delighted to welcome you on one of our other tours around Russia!
P
Pavel

about provider

30 Jan, 2025

Thank you for a captivating trip to Kunashir! I got exactly what I was hoping for: stunning views, hiking, and swimming in the sea, lake, river, and thermal springs. The weather treated us to a full range of experiences, from pleasant sunshine to a storm on the way back. A huge thank you to our guide, Mikhail, for his care, patience, attentiveness, and the great atmosphere he created throughout our stay on Kunashir.