Travel to the Kuril Islands: Shikotan, Iturup, Kunashir

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We invite you to hike along the three most beautiful islands of the Kuril Ridge — Kunashir, Shikotan and Iturup.

The Kuril Islands are a fire—breathing land, active volcanoes, fumarole fields and hot springs, countless coves with turquoise water, hills in green velvet caps and the endless Pacific Ocean!

Location

Sakhalin region, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Hiking tours

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

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Tour highlights

Capes and coves of Shikotan

Visit the filming locations of the movie "Robinson Crusoe" and find yourself at the Edge of the World

The White Cliffs of Iturup

Admire the splendor of the pumice rocks of volcanic origin

Volcanoes of Kunashir

Admire the fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano and the lakes of the Golovnin volcano

Thermal springs

Get the opportunity to relax and recuperate in the hot springs

Interesting routes

Walk among the bamboo thickets and admire the views

Cape Columnar

Head to the cliff on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk, consisting of 5-6-faceted columns of solidified lava

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
14:00 Check-in at the hotel.
Supper.
Overnight at the hotel.
Those arriving earlier can, if desired, go to the Aniva lighthouse on this day (to be paid separately, the cost is about 8000 rubles /person).
An old abandoned Japanese lighthouse stands on a cliff and looks very impressive. Nearby, you can observe fur seals on the rocks, and meet dolphins along the way.

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Day 2 - Sea crossing to O. Iturup
08:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Free time.
13:00 Transfer to Korsakov. Boarding the ship.
16:00 From here we will take a boat to Iturup Island.
Self-catering on the ship, just like on the train (or in a cafe on board).
We will spend the night in the cabins of the ship.
Day 3 - Arrival on the island Iturup. Baransky Volcano
We also spend the morning on the ship.
14:00 We arrive on the island of Iturup in the city of Kurilsk.
Check-in at the hotel. Purchase of products.
A trip to the Baransky volcano. We do not climb the volcano itself.
Take a walk along the hot stream.
Let's go up to the Blue Eye observation deck.
Let's see boiling streams and a boiling "frying pan" where you can cook eggs or condensed milk. And then we'll go swimming in the equipped hot springs.
Day 4 - Chirip Island, Tornaya Bay
Breakfast.
In good weather, a trip by sea to the island of Chirip.
A walk through the very picturesque coves.
Along the way, we explore the White Cliffs from the water.
We disembark at Tornoy Bay.
Fishing.
Walking tour to the cliffs, offering stunning views of Kekura and rocky islets.
Overnight in tents by the sea.

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Day 5 - Sailing bay and Hot beach, White cliffs
Breakfast.
Transfer to Konakov Bay.
On the way, stop at Parashnaya Bay.
Walk to the waterfall.
We continue to the ocean side of the island.
From Konakov Bay, hike to Goryachy Beach Bay (2 km).
There are hot water outlets on the beach. You can dig holes in the sand and swim in the spring, and then cool off in the ocean.
Lunch.
Return to Kurilsk.
On the way, stop at the White and Black Rocks.
Black rocks are lava outcrops of basalt volcanic rocks. White — pumice stones.
They are considered the hallmark of Iturup and stretch for several kilometers along the seashore, dazzlingly white with green caps of grassy vegetation above.
There is a turquoise sea at the foot.
A walk, an inspection, time for a photo.
Return to Kurilsk.
Overnight at the hotel.
Supper.

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Day 6 - Walk to the Yankito plateau and departure to Kunashir Island
Breakfast.
A walk along the Yankito Plateau — the lava fields of Yankito Bay are huge, bizarrely shaped giants that stand with black paws along the ocean coast.
Transfer to the port.
At 14:00 We will take a boat to Yuzhno-Kurilsk.

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Day 7 - Sea crossing to Kunashir Island, trip to the spa complex
A day on the ship.
17:00 Arrival on Kunashir Island.
Check-in at the hotel.
Walking along the seashore to the "Devil's Finger".
A trip to the spa complex with hot springs.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 8 - Route to Golovnin volcano caldera, Verkhne-doktorskie hot springs
Breakfast.
We are going to the Golovnin volcano caldera. The territory of the Kurilsky Nature Reserve.
Car drop-off is 42 km before the start of the route (about an hour).
The length of the route to Lake Boiling is 7.5 km. The estimated time of the hike is 5-7 hours.
The route is radial, light, with a small backpack, swimming in the lake is possible. Hot.
Lunch on the way is a dry ration.
A dirt road leads to the caldera, on which there are several large puddles, bypassed by bamboo.
After exploring the volcano, go down.
The road towards Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
There are stops along the way with views of the Golovninsky cliffs.
We disembark before reaching the city.
Walking tour to Verkhne-doktorskie hot springs (wild). There are practically no people there, right on a warm stream with waterfalls and small terraces.
Return to the city.
Dinner in the city.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 - Mendeleev Volcano, Cape Columnar
Breakfast.
Drop-off to the beginning of the trail to the Mendeleev volcano.
Walking tour to the fumarole field of the Mendeleev volcano. A path with bamboo thickets.
We descend and then follow the Stolbovskaya trail and cross Cape Stolbchatyi.
It will be necessary to overcome the clamps – very narrow rocky sections of the coast that are not passable on dry land at high tide or with high waves.
Columnar is a grandiose structure of basalt rocks-hexagons.
Lunch on the road, a snack, a dry ration.
The route can be complicated and simplified, depending on the well-being and desire of the participants.
We return to Yuzhno-Kurilsk by public transport.
Overnight at the hotel.
Supper.

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Day 10 - Arrival at Shikotan, Shikotan, Soldatskaya Bay
Breakfast.
Landing on a flatboat (a Japanese vessel used between the islands of Shikotan and Kunashir).
Arrival in Malokurilskoye. The journey by water takes about 4 hours.
Along the way, you can see dolphins and possibly whales.
Ascent to Mount Shikotan, the highest point of the island.
Camping lunch.
Transfer to Soldatskaya Bay.
Setting up a camp.
Overnight in tents in a bay by the ocean.
Supper.

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Day 11 - Capes and coves of Shikotan Island
Breakfast.
Walking tour to Cape Mayak and Cape Edge of the World.
The "Edge of the World" is one of the extreme points of Russia. The nearest land area is 5,400 km away.
Here we will find a breathtaking panorama of cliffs plunging down, powerful surf, mountains and the ocean.
We go to the lighthouse.
Return to the camp.
Lunch.
A walk to Bezymyannaya Bay, where Robinson Crusoe was filmed, and along the way we visit several neighboring bays.
Dinner at the camp after returning.
Fishing for those who wish.
Overnight in tents.

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Day 12 - Trekking to Snezhkov Bay and sea crossing to Sakhalin
Breakfast.
Gathering of the camp.
Transfer to Malokurilskoye.
A walk to Snezhkov Bay.
There are views of both sides of the island along the way.
If possible and the weather is good, replace the walk with a trip by sea to the islands of the Lesser Kuril Ridge.
22:00 Departure from Malokurilsky to Korsakov on Sakhalin by boat.

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Day 13 - Sea crossing to Sakhalin
A day on the ship.
Meals are served in a cafe on board, or on your own (as on a train).

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Day 14 - Arrival at the port of Korsakov
12:00 Arrival at the port of Korsakov.
Transfer to the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk hotel.
Day 15 - Completion of the program
Breakfast.
Check-out from the hotel.
For those who stay for another day, there is an opportunity to join a day trip to Zhdanko Ridge on this day (the cost is 4,500 rubles/person).

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The tour is simple, there are no restrictions, but you need to understand that you will have to walk at least 6 km per day over rough terrain.

Accommodation

Tent

8 nights
Cabin on the boat

4 nights
Hotel

4 nights
Guest House

1 night

Comfort

Basic
Basic+
Midscale

The tour provides accommodation:

hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – 2 nights;
hotel in Kurilsk – 2 nights;
a hostel-type hotel in Yuzhno–Kurilsk - 3 nights;
overnight stays in tents – 3 nights;
overnight in the cabins of motor ships during sea crossings between the islands – 4 nights.

The cost of the tour for 1 person is 175,000 rubles.

Accommodation in tents is provided on the route.

Equipment rental (tents, campfire and gas equipment) is also included in the price of the tour.

Tour conditions

Group

From 10 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

15 days 14 nights

Group meets at

Sakhalin region, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Included in price

accommodation specified in the tour program;
all transfers according to the program (transportation to/from the port in Korsakov, boat tickets, flatboat, land and water drops on all 3 islands);
meals included in the program (10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners);
insurance;
the guides' work;
fees for parks and nature reserves;
equipment rental (tents, campfire and gas equipment).

Paid extra

flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back;
airport transfer;
meals in cities (in cafes);
meals on the ship (you can take a set of groceries with you in advance at the store or buy hot food at the buffet);
additional trips:
- Aniva lighthouse – about 8000 rubles/person.;
- day trip to Zhdanko ridge – 4,500 rubles/person.;
entrance tickets to museums and hot springs.

It's important to know

Shoes: 2 pairs of shoes (comfortable athletic shoes for going out, slates + boots).

A backpack with everything you need:

backpack or waterproof bag;
waterproof bag for things;
sleeping bag;
foam;
a flashlight and batteries for it;
hygiene items;
matches;
The lighter is sealed.

Clothes:

light hat;
gloves;
warm lightweight jacket;
raincoat;
membrane jacket and trousers;
thermal underwear;
fleece jacket;
trekking socks.

Tableware: plate, mug, spoon, knife.

Dates and Prices

$1,985

10 – 24 Aug 15 days 14 nights

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8 Nov, 2024

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