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The Ring of Fire

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
June
Highlights
  • Animal observation
  • Possibility to go kayaking in the open ocean
  • Seeing rare animals and plants
  • Relaxation in hot thermal springs
  • Islands exploration
  • Pristine nature
Tour Overview

The name of the cruise speaks for itself. The temperature of this journey tends to be high. It сan be said that the expedition is on fire. You will navigate through the territory where the volcanoes are on every step (129 volcanoes officially counted in Kamchatka where a quarter of them are being active). They form an uninterrupted volcanic chain, which stretches along the eastern coast of the peninsula.Besides, during the trip you will see brown bears and a lot of different birds. And if luck is on the side of the tourists you will observe local marine animals: dolphins, porpoises, minke and different kinds of whales: the sperm whale, killer whale, beaked whale, sea whale, fin whale, humpback whale, the Japanese whale and etc.You will feel like a pioneer discovering this uninvestigated region. It’s unique nature and fauna will not leave indifferent even the most demanding and sophisticated travellers.

The cruise is held on board of the ship "Spirit of Enderby"

Technical description: year built - 1984, length - 71,6 m, width - 12,8 m, maximum speed - 12 knots (2 engines), cabins - 28, accommodation - 50 berths expedition.

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Arrival to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
  • Day 2
    Start of the navigation
    Bering Sea
  • Day 3
    Commander island
    Bering Sea — Commander islands
  • Day 4
    Everyday life of the region
    Commander island
  • Day 5
    Up to the Zhupanova river
    Zhupanova river
  • Day 6
    Mutnovsky volcano
    Russkaya bay
  • Day 7
    Atlasova island and Nemo volcano
    Russkaya Bay — Atlasova island
  • Day 8
    Bird-watching
    Ekarma Island
  • Day 9
    The most hard-to-get islands
    Yankicha island — Simushit island
  • Day 10
    Active volcanoes of the Kuril islands
    Kuril Islands
  • Day 11
    Thermal hot springs
    Iturup island
  • Day 12
    Black island
    Kunashir island
  • Day 13
    Return to Sakhalin
    Kunashir island — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
  • 10:00
    Transfer hotel/airport - port
  • 11:00
    Embarkation on boat
    Once on board you will be shown the cabins and given the time to unpack and explore the vessel. After we start sailing towards the Sea of Okhotsk there will be briefings and introductions to the ship from its crew and staff.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 15:00
    Departure
    In the afternoon, we are going on navigation by passing the natural beauty of Avacha Bay.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Navigation
    A day at sea as we cruise towards the Commander Islands. It is also a good time to be on deck as the birding is good with Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel and Red-legged Kittiwake amongst the likely sightings.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Entertainment program
    Enjoy several lectures and briefings as we prepare for the days ahead - about local animals and history of the region.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Bering Sea
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Visit of the islands
    These islands were discovered in 1741 by an expedition of the outstanding Russian navigator Captain Vitus Bering, named after him. The name of Bering is described the history of these places- the Bering Sea and the Bering Strait remind of the outstanding discoveries of 18th century expeditions. On Bering Island, we plan to visit North-Western Cape, where we will witness an impressive spectacle - a large colony of northern fur seals and sea lions. Here you can also find Arctic foxes, scurrying around among the thickets of wild flowers.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    In the afternoon we go for a walk on the Zodiac to the place known as Ariy Stone - very colorful looking birds will not leave indifferent even travelers who are not versed in ornithology.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Bering Sea — Commander islands
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Excursion to the Nikolskoye village
    We include a visit to the small settlement of Nikolskoye and the local museum. You also get acquinted with local people who tell us about life in this remote and rarely visited corner of the planet.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the cruise
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Commander island
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Navigation on the Zhupanova River
    We will spend several hours in the Zodiacs cruising on the scenic Zhupanova River. Today, the drivers of Zodiacs will need all their skill to enter this shallow Kamchatka river. If you go boating up the river, you can observe white-shouldered eagles and about 40 other interesting species of birds.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Return on board and departure
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Zhupanova river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Walking on the Russian bay beach
    In Russian bay you'll have a possibility to see a lot of birds. From the bay there is an admirable view on the Mutnovsky volcano (2322 meters).
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the cruise
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Russkaya bay
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Debarkation on the Atlasova island
    Very early in the morning we will pass through Second Kuril Strait which has one of the highest densities of Sea Otters in the Kuril Islands. Our landing on Atlasova Island is great for birders and non birders alike. There are the remains of a Gulag to explore and numerous species to see.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 15:00
    Visit of the Black lake
    This evening on Onekotan Island we can stretch our legs through an amazing field of wild flowers as we walk to Black Lake. We will see the Nemo volcano.
  • 18:00
    Return on board, continuation of the navigation
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Russkaya Bay — Atlasova island
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Visit of islands
    Our zodiac walks and disembarkings will be accompanied by rare birds that you can only meet in this region.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 15:00
    Toporkov island
    We will spend afternoonon on the island Toporkov, where the active volcano is located. Moreover, we can see rare animals. The main thing - do not scare them!
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Ekarma Island
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Yankicha island
    Our visit to Yankicha Island is likely to be one of the highlights of the voyage as the number of alcids which breed here is incredible, with spectacular concentrations of Crested and Whiskered Auklets.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Simushir Island
    We will enter a flooded caldera at the northern end of Simushir Island where once top secret Soviet submarine base lies abandoned. In the surrounding area you will be looking for the Siberian Rubythroat, Eurasian Nutcracker, Pine Grosbeak and Japanese Grey Bunting.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Yankicha island — Simushit island
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Chirpoy Island
    This morning depending on weather we will either Zodiac cruise or land on Chirpoy Island where there are some dramatic volcanic landscapes and headlands covered in breeding seabirds.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Visit of the Urup Island
    This afternoons landing on Urup Island is a chance to stretch you legs on an extended walk, beachcomb and look for Sea Otters or birds in the forest behind the beach.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Kuril Islands
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Bus excursion
    This morning we land at the small settlement of Kurilsk from where local buses/trucks will take us into the volcanic highlands to thermal hot pools where you can enjoy a soak or go birding. Possible species include Brown Dipper, Arctic Warbler, Japanese Robin, Pine Grosbeak and Japanese Grey Bunting.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the cruise
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Iturup island
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Excursion to the Kunashir island
    Kunashir Island means “black island”: dark coniferous forests, dark soils and the gloomy appearance of the Tyatya volcano, in addition to it, there are three active volcanoes on the island. It is the largest and southernmost island of the Great Ridge of the Kuril Islands. We plan a landing in the Kurilsky Reserve and will explore an extensive area of woodland, where there are some good walks and birding. This afternoon while we are at sea there is a chance for birding and an opportunity to recap and pack.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the navigation
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Kunashir island
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin Spirit of enderby
Triple standard cabin
  • 08:00
    Breakfast on board
  • 09:00
    Arrival to the port. Debarkation.
  • 10:00
    Transfer port - airport/hotel
    End of the programme.
Photo of the day
Route
Kunashir island — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Meals
  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
Price does not include
  • Medical insurance
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Kayak and equipment rental
  • Beverages
  • Airline tickets
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The price is given for the Main Deck Triple / for 1 person (one upper and 2 lower berths, simple comfort accommodation, toilet and shower outdoors. The cabin has one bunk (one upper and one lower) and one lower berth, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and wash basin). Port charges - 500 $. Kayaking - 1025 $ (the price of the 2018). To book the others categories, the following supplement is applied: + 1 300 $ for the Standard Twin Cabin with simple comfort accommodation, toilet and shower outdoors. The cabin has one bunk (one upper and one lower) and one lower berth, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and wash basin. + 2 000 $ for the Superior Cabin (bunks (an upper and lower berth), wardrobe, drawers, a desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows. + 2 600 $ for the Superior Plus Cabin (two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows. + 3 100 $ for the Mini Suite Cabin (a separate bedroom with a double bed and a single bed or a sofa in the lounge, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin). The Mini Suites have windows. + 4 000 $ for the Capitan Luxe Deck (a large lounge area, a separate bedroom with double bed, a single bed in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe, drawers). There is a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. There are large forward and side facing windows to allow great views.

Reviews
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this tour. Below reviews for destination:
4.67
4.67
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Andreas
From 9 August 2021 to 19 August 2021
Destination: Sakhalin
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
all the best, it was wonderfull
4.83
4.83
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
4.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Angelika
From 9 August 2021 to 19 August 2021
Destination: Sakhalin
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
It was a wonderful tour that was very well organized. A flight cancellation was rebooked immediately and everything was adjusted. It was a great experience if you like nature and want to get to know it. We recommend.
BaikalNature's reply
Thank you very much!
4.50
4.50
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
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
Jenna
From 21 January 2020 to 28 January 2020
Destination: Kamchatka
Custom tourExpedition to Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
The group had a fantastic time and we will definitely be returning to Kamchatka soon. Thank you so much for the excellent service.
4.00
4.00
Total score
4.00
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
4.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
4.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Martin
From 19 October 2018 to 24 October 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Custom tourAutumn Tour to Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Many Thanks to my " personal " very good and professional Tourguide Katerina Kuzmina.
4.67
4.67
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
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Laurence
From 7 August 2018 to 19 August 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Très beau voyages, des volcans, et des ours !!
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