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Expedition to the Shantar Islands

Destination: Shantar islands
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
Minimum age of the participant of this trip
13 Days
September
Highlights
  • Visit of the unique archipelago - Shantar islands
  • The real expedition far away from the civilisation
  • Aquaintance with the flora and fauna: brown bears, killer whales, seals, Steller's sea eagle
  • Navigation in the bays of the Okhotsk sea
  • Fishing on the Russian Far East
  • Pure nature far away from the urban life
Tour Overview

The Shantar islands are the unique place that might be considered as one of the wonders of Russia. Relatively few people have heard about this destination and even less visited it. This archipelago is destined for those who seek adventure and dare to test the forces in the ruthless waters of Okhotsk Sea.

We propose to you the real expedition to the islands that are distant form the civilization. There are only 4 men on the islands, they work at the weather station. However, the flora and fauna are really varied. You have possibility to see: thousands of birds, including the « landlord » of this territory – Steller's sea eagle, killer whale, whale, seal, bear, zibeline and others.

The nature and landscapes are really diverse: gentle banks, rocks, taiga, mountains, rivers and lakes – we will see everything that the nature allows to us.

Meet the nature. The pure nature that was waiting for you for millions of years…

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Aquaintance with Khabarovsk
    Khabarovsk
  • Day 2
    Day on the road
    Khabarovsk — Wrangel Bay
  • Day 3
    Wrangel bay
    Wrangel bay
  • Day 4
    Okhotsk sea
    Wrangel bay
  • Day 5
    Whale observation
    Wrangel bay
  • Day 6
    Bay and cape Ongochan
    Wrangel bay — Ongochan bay
  • Day 7
    Shantar islands
    Bay Ongochan — Shantar islands
  • Day 8
    North strait crossing
    Feklistov island
  • Day 9
    Feklistov island
    Feklistov island
  • Day 10
    Return way to the Wrangel bay
    Ongachan — Wrangel bay
  • Day 11
    Departure to Nikolaevsk-na-Amure
    Wrangel bay — Nikolaevsk-na-Amure
  • Day 12
    Return to Khabarovsk
    Nikolaesvk-na-Amure — Khabarovsk
  • Day 13
    End of the programme
    Khabarovsk
  • 08:00
    Arrival to Khabarovsk
    Transfer to the hotel. Rest. * The indicated time is approximate and can be changed according to the tim of your arrival and chosen flight.
  • 14:00
    Free time
    This day, suggestions for the Khabarovsk city-tour - by bus, walking or by helicopter. Khabarovsk is considered as the centre of the Russian Far East. The city has an economical and transport importance and besides it can be called one of the most beautiful cities of Russia. It's extended for 40 km along the Amur river - the Asian fourth river by the basin area. Among the main sites of the city are the Lenin's place, Khabarovsk bridge, Monument to count N.N. Muravyov-Amursky, Saviour's Transfiguration Cathedral,museum of history and ethnographic museum. In the evening, you can de a boat trip along the Amur river.
  • Overnight in the hotel
  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Departure to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur
    Be ready for an amazing journey on 3 different kinds of transport in one day: plane, 4x4 and boat. From Khabarovsk you go by plane to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. Flight takes about 1 h 35 min.
  • 11:00
    Departure to the coast of Okhotsk sea
    Then, we continue our journey by 4x4 transport. The main part of the road is gravel. As the Shantar islands is the remote territory, be ready for the long route for reaching them.
  • 14:00
    Continuation of the road
    Departure to Wrangel Bay by boat. About 4-6 hours depending on the weather.
  • 18:00
    Arrival to the Wrangel bay
    Installation of the camp. Rest.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in the tent of the bank
Photo of the day
Far East crab
Route
Khabarovsk — Wrangel Bay
Accommodation
Camping
  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Free time
    The Wrangel bay is a unique place of the Khabarovsk region. There is no tourist trails, this is a place of the wild nature. The bay is interesting by the fish abundance, the killer whales and seals. Also there are high and low water of many kilometres.
  • 13:00
    Lunch prepared on the fire
  • 15:00
    Walking along the coast
    You can go for a walk along the shore. For those who are tired, we propose to have a rest in the camping. It's said that the sunsets here are so colourful and the nature is so pure, that admiring this natural event people become happier and clearer.
  • 19:00
    Dinner prepared on fire
  • Overnight in the tent
Photo of the day
Route
Wrangel bay
Accommodation
Camping
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Whale observation
    The Okhotsk sea is the sea of the Pacific ocean that divided with it by the Kamchatka peninsula, Kuril islands and Hokkaido island. Like any northern seas, several species of whales can be found in the Sea of Okhotsk, including rare whales, as well as the largest mammals on the planet - blue whales. The bird world is diverse and numerous. On the islands of the Sea of Okhotsk, large colonies of gulls, cormorants, guillemots, geese and etc.
  • 13:00
    Lunch (picnic)
  • 15:00
    Time at leisure
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in the tent
Photo of the day
Expedition to Shantar islands
Route
Wrangel bay
Accommodation
Camping
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Whales observation
    SUP - Boards and rowing boats are at your disposal for swimming with whales.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Time at leisure
  • 19:00
    Dinner in the camp
  • Overnight in the tent
Photo of the day
Route
Wrangel bay
Accommodation
Camping
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Navigation to the Ongochan bay
    Today we will pass through the Shantar sea. The name Shantar sea is not so widely known as it was registered only in 2015. It's area is separated from the Okhotsk sea by the Shantar islands. Here the water is warmer and the sea currents are not so strong.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 16:00
    Arrival to the Ongochan bay
    The Ongochan bay and the cape of the same name have very flat coats. There are a lot of fishes that's why it's not rare to sea the bears' traces or to see them with your own eyes. It's possible that we will meet the fishers coming here from all Russia. There are a lot of little rivers full of fish. If you like fishing, it(s a very good place for you.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight at the base
Photo of the day
Route
Wrangel bay — Ongochan bay
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Ongachan base
House for 4-6 people
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Navigation to the Grand Shantar island
    During the navigation in the Shantar sea, that is shallow enough, we can sail through the ice floes that are drifted here from the Okhotsk sea by the streams. This is a day of our first meeting with the Shantar archipelago - marvellous islands. In fact, only a short time ago, the archipelago was a part of the mountain dry land. Now the tops of these mountains are separated from the land by the straits.
  • 13:00
    Lunch (picnic)
  • 15:00
    Exploration of the Grand Shantar island
    The island Grand Shantar reminds the square by its form with the length of 45 metres. The island is absolutely uninhabited. There are only 4 persons that works at the weather station. On the island there are a lot of deciduous and pine forest. The Big (Salt) Lake is located almost in the middle. This island is a birdwatcher's paradise. More than 200 species of birds live here. The coastal cliffs are a great place for bird colonies. Without a doubt, the most beautiful bird can be considered the Steller's sea eagle - the king of the Far East.
  • 18:00
    Return to the tourist base
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight at the tourist base
Photo of the day
Shantar
Route
Bay Ongochan — Shantar islands
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Ongachan base
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Departure to the Feklistov island
    Today we have one more sea passage. We will cross the North strait till the Feklistov island. the main part of the island is covered by the taiga forests, but the most interesting here is the coast. On the Est, there are almost black pinnacles and on the north the cliffs are white and remind the huge sponge.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 14:00
    Arrival on the island
    As the islands' shore is very rocky, there are a lot of bird spots. It is a place where you can feel yourself closed off from the outside. It's not a silence that boggles the mind but the noise of thousand of birds and surges.
  • 16:00
    Return to the base Ongachan
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight at the tourist base
Photo of the day
Jasper stacks
Route
Feklistov island
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Ongachan base
House for 4-6 people
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Visit of the Fekistov island
    After breakfast, departure by boat to Feklistova Island. We will go for a walk along the island. We have possibility to see the gem jade - multicoloured semi-precious stone. Follow the guide attentively and stay in a calling distance ! Despite this island is uninhabited, there are bears walking along the shore and looking for the fish.
  • 12:00
    Visit of the Arka (Arch) island
    Today, the Arka island is a natural monument. It is a solid multicoloured cliff 50 metres high. There is a crevice in the middle of the arch. During the low tide, in this crevice there is a isthmus. On the top of the island the sea eagles live.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight at the tourist base
Photo of the day
Brown bear, Shantar islands
Route
Feklistov island
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Ongachan base
House for 4-6 people
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Departure to the Wrangel bay
    Our journey comes to an end and we go to Wrangel Bay. On the way we will pass by Belichiy Island, South Island, Cape Seneca and the Lindholm Strait. Also, it is possible to meet killer whales and whales !
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 16:00
    Arrival to the Wrangel bay
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in tents
Photo of the day
Route
Ongachan — Wrangel bay
Accommodation
Camping
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Way back by boat
    The road takes about 4-6 hours by boat.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Arrival and transfer to the hotel
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
    After the expedition, the participants of the group can share their emotions and experience, photos and contacts.
  • Overnight in hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Wrangel bay — Nikolaevsk-na-Amure
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Departure to Khabarovsk by plane
  • 15:00
    Transfer to the hotel
    Arrival to Khabarovsk. Accommodation in the hotel and rest.
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Nikolaesvk-na-Amure — Khabarovsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Khabarovsk city Boutique Hotel
Twin standard room
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 12:00
    Сheck-out and transfer to the airport.
    Transfer to the hotel. End of the programmer.
Photo of the day
Route
Khabarovsk
Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
  • Letter of invitation
  • Russian-speaking guide services
  • Tent rental
  • Camping outfit rental
  • Meals according to the program
Price does not include
  • English-speaking guide
  • Medical insurance
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Airline tickets
  • Optional activities
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The price is indicated for the group of 10-12 persons. If the group's size is smaller, the price can be recalculated. The service of the English-speaking guide is 115 000 roubles. Bath every day at all bases. SUB - boards and rowing boats for swimming with whales are included. All camping equipment is furnished. As the road to the Nikolay bay is very long and mostly gravel, it's possible to feel fatigue and discomfort.

Reviews
4.33
4.33
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
4.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Jean-Louis
From 14 August 2018 to 27 August 2018
Destination: Shantar islands
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Magnifique voyage au bout du monde dans les Îles Shantar, après la traversée de laTaiga, compagnie russe agréable, destination insolite, Îles sauvages et inhabitées, splendides couchers de soleil, de nombreux animaux sauvages dont les orques sont les vedettes incontestées, une belle satisfaction dans ma vie de naturaliste-voyageur...
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this destination. Below all reviews.
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Pierrette
From 29 February 2024 to 8 March 2024
Destination: Lake Baikal
Custom tourBaïkal Hivernal Classique
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Ce voyage, compliqué en cette période géopolitique critique, a été bien organisé en coopération avec le bureau, selon mes préférences, mes besoins. Tout a été prévu avec minutie. Accueil très chaleureux individualisé. J'ai été réellement bluffée et hyper satisfaite de toutes les prestations. Le personnel, guide et chauffeurs, est très professionnel, très attentionné, bienveillant et d'une qualité
  Read more
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Liang
From 28 July 2023 to 7 August 2023
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
An excellent travel tour! The organization was top-notch, the tour leader was exceptional, and the customer service was outstanding, promptly addressing any inquiries.
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Владислав
From 23 July 2023 to 27 July 2023
Destination: Lake Baikal
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Замечательный тур! Очень понравилось всё, начиная от организационных моментов, заканчивая самим путешествием, замечательным гидом Егором, удивительно живописными местами, супер устойчивыми байдарками и разнообразной погодой.
4.50
4.50
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
2.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Kimberly
From 28 May 2023 to 1 June 2023
Destination: Caucasus
Custom tourMeeting Caucasus
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
This is my first time using Baikal tours for my travels in Russia. I would say I did not regret one single moment booking a tour in the Caucasus. The guides and tours were simply amazing! Although the tours were in Russian, it was a great practice for me to listen and speak in Russian. The tour guides were hospital in ensuring my trip was good and assisted me whenever I could not communicate well with
  Read more
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