Sakhalin and Iturup with comfort

At the very edge of our homeland there are islands that have always attracted travelers. Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands are still considered terra incognita for most Russians. Thanks to volcanic activity and a very mild climate, a trip to these places will leave a lasting impression.

We invite you to a comfortable journey without backpacks and tents at the end of the world. The trip will take place in the most beautiful and memorable places of Sakhalin and Iturup. Every day will be different from the previous one. For ten days we will see the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, climb the Aniva lighthouse, swim in hot springs, walk along the White Rocks, try local delicacies. We will be accompanied everywhere by local drivers and guides who love and appreciate their land.

What awaits you:

• 10 days of experience at the end of the world.
• All the most interesting locations of Sakhalin and Iturup in one trip.
• A trip to the White Rocks and the waterfall on the Wind Isthmus.
• Sea excursion to the abandoned lighthouse Aniva.
• Swimming in the hot springs of the Baransky volcano.
• Excursion to Orca Bay.
• Gastronomy tour to Lake Busse.
• Trips to the bays and capes of Sakhalin Island.
• Interesting excursions and short transitions.
• Tasting local seafood.

Detailed description of the expedition

• Number of participants up to 15 people.
• Between the islands we will travel in a comfortable modern Bombardier aircraft.
• The team will always be accompanied by experienced instructors who ensure safety on the route.
• On the islands we will move in prepared SUVs or minibuses.
• During the trip, we will always spend the night in hotels.
• During the excursions we will be with local guides and drivers who know their land well.
• We will visit the most impressive bays and capes of Sakhalin Island.
• A sea tour to Aniva Lighthouse takes a little over an hour one way on a motorboat.
• During the excursion to the White Rocks of Iturup Island, we will visit the corners where most tourists do not reach.
• On the excursion to Lake Busse, the chef will prepare us fresh local seafood.

Day 1

Beginning of adventure

Meeting of participants at the airport of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. After we meet, we will move to the city and stay in a hotel. Today we will take a walk through the historical part of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with a visit to the local history museum built by Japanese architects. After lunch, we will climb on a chair lift to the observation deck of the mountain air ski complex, which offers views of the whole city. In the evening we will have dinner in a Japanese restaurant, where we will discuss our trip.

Day 2

Aniwa lighthouse

Today we're going to Aniva Lighthouse. Built in 1939 by Japanese engineers, the lighthouse attracts travelers from all over the world. It is located on detached rocks in the southern part of Sakhalin Island and can only be reached by water. We'll move to the posh. Novikovo, where we will sit on motor boats. The way to the lighthouse goes along the bays and capes of the southern part of Sakhalin Island and in good weather takes two hours. The lighthouse has long been abandoned, so you can freely land and climb to the very top. On the way back we will stop for lunch in Marmara Bay. In the evening we will return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Day 3

Quiet Bay

Today we are waiting for an excursion to Tikhaya Bay. After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a comfortable bus to the north of the island. After leaving the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, we will stop on the shore of the Pacific Ocean to collect pieces of amber that eject waves of tide. Not far from the pos. We will visit the miraculously preserved Japanese toria - the sacred gate to the Shinto temple. Pacific Bay is located on the Pacific Ocean on the east coast of the island. We will climb to the observation deck, which offers views of both the mountains hanging over the sea and the bay itself. We'll have lunch overlooking the Pacific. In the evening we will return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Day 4

Kurilsk, Iturup Island

Today we will fly to the mysterious South Kuril Islands. After breakfast transfer to the airport of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. On a small modern Bombardier aircraft, we will fly to the island of Iturup - the largest in the entire archipelago of the Southern Kurils. Here is the most remote city from the capital of Russia – Kurilsk with a population of only 1500 people. The airport is located in the center of the island, from where we will cross to the city. After checking into the hotel, we will explore the city. We will have lunch at the local cafe and walk along the city promenade. Come back to the hotel tonight.

Day 5

White rocks

After breakfast we will go on an excursion to the business card of Iturup – White Rocks. This is a bizarre form of formation of pumice and volcanic glass, formed after a catastrophic eruption of a volcano located on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk. We will go further than most tourist groups on the island – to the Wind Isthmus, which overlooks the Falls of Girl Tears. On the way back, we will go swimming in hot springs. Near the city, we turn to the Yankito lava plateau - a section of frozen lava from the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano closest to the city. We'll be back in town tonight.

Day 6

Orca Bay

In the morning we will go to the southern part of the island to Orca Bay. From this place on November 26, 1941, the Japanese fleet went to Pearl Harbor Bay. The trip along the coast will take all day. We will walk along the cliffs and grottoes of the bay, look at the abandoned ship on the shore. On the way back, we swim in the hot springs of Vannochka, located right on the beach. We'll be back in town tonight.

Day 7

Baranski volcano

Today we will go to the Baransky volcano, famous for its hot springs. On the slope of the volcano once functioned Ocean GeoTPP, which supplied the city of Kurilsk with electricity. At the moment, only rusty remains remain. We will walk along the Serna River, where hot springs originate, admire the boiling Blue Eye Lake and see fumarole activity. Nearby there are comfortable fonts, where we buy in hot springs. After lunch in the city, if there is time, we will visit the local museum, where guides will tell about the history and nature of the island. Transfer to the airport and flight to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. In the evening we stay in the hotel and relax after the flight.

Day 8

Cape Giant

We continue to get acquainted with Sakhalin. Cape Giant is considered one of the most impressive places on the coast of Sakhalin. Throughout our journey along the coast, we will constantly encounter grottoes, caves, arches and pillars of rock origin. Many of them had colonies of birds. The tour to Cape Giant will take all day. In the evening we will return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

4 km crossing.

Day 9

Lake Busse

Today we are waiting for a gastronomic tour. After breakfast we will head to the south of the island. Lake Busse is a natural monument of regional importance. Giant oysters, scallops, sea urchins, trepang, crabs, trumpeter and many other species of marine life live here, in this unique place in every sense. All this variety of seafood you can collect with your own hands. Lake Busse is especially famous for its giant oysters. Hot lunch on the shore of the lake from local seafood. In the evening we will return to the hotel of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Day 10

Departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Before flying home, we will visit the local market, where we will tell you which fish and caviar is best to take with you. Airport transfer.

• escort of the instructor from arrival in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
• transfers airport - hotel - airport (in case of arrival and departure with the main group)
• accommodation in hotels on Sakhalin and Iturup
• tours
• hotel
• sightseeing
• health insurance
• kit
• Permits to visit border areas (copies of passports required)
• permits to visit natural parks