Sakhalin + Iturup, Pearl of the Kurils

Destination: Sakhalin

Geography of the trip

Difficulty

Comfort

11 Days

Highlights

All Sakhalin island in one tour

Visit of the pearl of the Kurils - Iturup Island

All types of Sakhalin landscapes: mountains, steeps, bays, islands and volcanoes

Acquaintance with culture and untouched nature in one tour

Visit a secret place not marked on many maps

Excursion to the most inaccessible and beautiful lighthouse in Russia

Discovery of one of the Itutup's symbol - White rocks

Famous landmarks of Russian and Japanese Culture

Tour Overview

Sakhalin is a region shrouded in secrecy, a place uniting oriental wisdom and mystifying Russian soul. This is exactly where our unique and unusual trip will take place.

During 11 days we will try to show you how immense and beautiful Sakhalin Island is with its abundant biodiversity. We will discover almost the whole territory of the island; see dozens of sights and fascinating landscapes. We will head for to the famous Aniva lighthouse, walk along the shores of the most beautiful bays of Sakhalin to discover all its diversity. Moreover we will be one of the firsts in Russia to meet the dawn as we will be on one of the easternmost subjects of the Russian Federation.

Sakhalin Island is also famous for its volcanoes and hot springs. During the tour we will have the opportunity to bath in those springs and see the volcanoes with our own eyes.

However, in spite of rich program on the Sakhalin Island, the pearl of our trip will be the Iturup Island that makes our voyage more exclusive. Being one of the largest in the Kuril chain of islands it has a remote and isolated location. So, we will have to take a plane in order to get there. But thanks to the same inconveniences in geographical availability, we will catch the opportunity to admire the pristine nature: volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers, lakes, hot springs and so on.

Day 1
Aquaintance with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Day 2
Along the east coast of Sakhalin
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Tikhaya bay
Day 3
Sakhalin's most famous lighthouse
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Day 4
Bizarre arches, caves and grottoes of Cape Giant
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Cape Giant
Day 5
Iturup -the pearl the Kurils islands
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — Iturup Island (Kurilsk)
Day 6
Baranskiy volcano
Iturup Island (Kurilsk)
Day 7
White rocks
Iturup Island (Kurilsk)
Day 8
Kasatka bay and Pacific ocean
Kurilsk
Day 9
Return from the Kuril Islands
Iturup Island (Kurilsk) — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Day 10
Reserve day
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Day 11
End of the programme
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

09:00
Arrival to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and meeting with your guide
*The indicated time is approximate and can be changed according to the chosen flight.
12:30
Lunch — Not included
14:00
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city-tour
Aquaintance with the administrative centreof the Sakhalin island. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a city of snowfall that surrounded by the mountains. In winter it's really cold and in summer very hot. The name of the city has been changed a lot of times. The south of the island was the territory of Japan during 40 years. Only in 1946, the city was named Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. During the excurison we will visit the viewing point "Mointain air".
17:00
Dinner in the cafe — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

08:00
Breakfast in the hotel
09:00
Departure to the Tikhaya bay
On the way, we will visit the old Japanese Torii gate, installed in front of Shinto shrines. Also, we will make a stop in the village of Vzmorye, where you can buy delicious crabs.
12:30
Discovery of Tikhay (Silent) bay
This place is not even marked on all maps of Sakhalin, so it is a real lonely corner of peace and silence... Tikhaya Bay is a unique natural corner, carefully sheltered from winds and typhoons, located in the Makarovsky district, 130 km from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The name of the bay was given by the great navigator Ivan Kruzenshtern. We will take a walk along the coast (1.5-2 km one way), and see the extraordinary beauty of the lagoon, grottoes and gorges. Here you can also observe Japanese cranes and find a seal rookery.
13:00
Lunch-picnic
14:00
Time at leisure
You can walk around the area or even swim in the sea!
15:00
Return way to the city
After a bright and interesting trip, we will return to the city.
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

06:00
Breakfast
In the hotel you can take the breakfast box.
07:00
Start of excursion to the Lighthouse Aniva
The way to the most inaccessible lighthouse in Russia lies through the town of Korsakov to the village of Novikovo. Then, by speedboat we will go to the Cape Aniva of the same name (2.5-3 hours on the way). The path goes along the Aniva Bay to the eastern and most beautiful cape of Sakhalin Island.
13:00
Lunch
Lunch boxes
14:00
Discovery of the lighthouse Aniva
It is one of the most inaccessible lighthouses in Russia, that lies in an area very difficult to navigate, so in 1930s Karafuto Prefecture authorities (Sakhalin was Japanese at the time) decided to build a lighthouse here. Building materials could only be delivered by ship. Nevertheless, in 1939 the lighthouse was build. In the XX century, the cape belonged to the territory of Japan and was considered a masterpiece of lighthouse construction. Having reached the boat by sea, if there is no storm, you will disembark and find yourself at the foot of the majestic 9-storey tower 31 meters high.
15:00
Continuation of the excursion
After the first stop, there will also be an opportunity to see Cape Marble and Cape White Stone. Return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the evening.
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight at the resort

08:00
Breakfast
09:00
Departure to the cape Giant
The natural monument "Cape Velikan" (Cape Giant) with an area of 43 hectares is located on the territory of the Korsakovsky district, on the southern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. The ridge starts from Cape Aniva and extends to Cape Tonin (Cape Svobodny); total length - 90 kilometers, width 20 kilometers, maximum height - 544 meters.
11:00
Exploration of the coastline
Cape Giant is considered to be one of the most beautiful coastlines on Sakhalin. The secret of this place's popularity lies with its unusual relief: along its sandy coast you will find stone monuments and arches in strange and unusual formations. Rocky cliffs, taiga and the harsh Sea of Okhotsk meet here. We will take a walk about 1,5-2 km one way.
13:00
Lunch-picnic
Lunch (lunch box) of local dishes, tea with Sakhalin herbs.
15:00
Return to the city
19:00
Dinner in the hotel — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

08:00
Breakfast
10:30
Flight to the Iturup island
Iturup is the largest island of the Kuril Archipelago. Some people claim that it is also the most beautiful with its volcanoes side by side with hot lakes, and bizarre white cliffs stand out against a background of emerald forests. You will just fell in love with this place! After our arrival, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and rest.
13:00
Lunch in the hotel's cafe — Not included
14:00
Visit of Yankito Plateu
The Yankito Plateau is another noteworthy place in Iturup. It is a frozen volcanic lava. Here, you can not only admire the black west coast, but also learn about the early man sites of the Early Neolithic era (6900-7100 BC) that were found here. Exploration of lava outcrops and descent to Drovyanaya bay.
16:00
Excursion and bathing in the springs
After lunch, sightseeing tour around the village. Then you can relax and enjoy bathing in the hot springs (payment for visiting thermal springs on site from 500-1000 rubles / person)
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast
11:00
Excursion to the volcano Baranskiy
The volcano was named after the famous Soviet geographer, founder of economic geography N.N. Baransky. Transfer to the foot of the Baransky volcano. Excursion to the fumarole field with exploration of the fumaroles. Descent along the stream to the Starozavodsky field. Discovery of mud volcanoes.
13:00
Lunch-picnic
14:00
Bathing in the hot springs — Not included
After lunch we will visit the sources of the Kipyaschaya river. Two boiling lakes (also named Blue Eyes) give rise to a beautiful sulfuric stream. Swimming in the Boiling Creek, in the recreation area called “Waterfall” (included in the cost of the tour). There are curative volcanic baths with different temperatures from 42 ° to 70 °, a jacuzzi and a hot waterfall.
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast in the cafe
10:00
Start of the 4x4 excursion
White cliffs with very bizarre shapes stretch along the Sea of Okhotsk. Their landscape is constantly changing due to the fact that the rock is soft and prone to weathering and water erosion. Due to severe erosion, unique rock formations of grey-white pumice formed bizarre canyons and crevices. The height of the rocks is from 17 to 114 m. Their white colour is in sharp contrast with the bright greenery and the dark grey sandy beach.
13:00
Lunch (picnic)
16:00
Return to Kurilsk
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast
11:00
Departure to Kasatka bay
Kasatka Bay formerly known by its Japanese name Hitokappu Bay, is a natural harbor at the central part of Iturup, Kuril Islands. Here we will visit the Mirror Beach and Devil's Rock with the remains of Japanese fortifications. Probably the only place on the island where you can easily get to the Pacific Ocean!
13:00
Lunch picnic
15:00
Visit of thermal springs — Not included
Not far from the Rybaki village, there are hot springs and a lovely recreation area "Baths", where you can swim in the pools with thermal water (payment for visiting thermal springs on site from 500-1000 rubles / person).
19:00
Dinner in the local cafe — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast
10:00
Transfer to the airport
The flight to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Transfer to the hotel, check-in.
17:00
Free time and rest
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast
11:00
Day at leisure in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
* Optional: city tour, visit of Busse lake or rock "Frog" (extra charge).
13:00
Lunch — Not included
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast
11:00
Transfer to the airport
End of the programme.

Detailed description

New departures available soon

Price includes

Russian-spaking guide
Accommodation as per itinerary
Excursions and visits as per itinerary
Bathing in springs
Airplane/ train tickets
Railway tickets
Letter of invitation
Meals according to the program
English-speaking guide services
Nature reserves and parks entrance permissions

Price does not include

Personal expenses and tips
Visa fees and travel insurance
Optional activities
Airline tickets

For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.

Note

The price is given for the group of 3 persons. If the the number of participants in the group is less, the price of the tour is following: For a group of 2 people - 261 800 rubles / person For a group of 4 people - 198 700 rubles / person For a group of 5 people - 181 900 rubles / person For a group of 3 people - 161 900 rubles / person The flights Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - Iturup and Iturup - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk are included. *** IMPORTANT: For all foreign citizens, it is necessary to apply for special permission to enter the territory of the border zone - the Kuril Islands. The documents should be filed one month before the departure.

Reviews

all the best, it was wonderfull

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!

No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this destination. Below all reviews.

В целом путешествие организовано хорошо. Но есть моменты негативные , которые нужно тоже отметить. На одной из ночевок было предоставлено жилье, уровня для бомжа просто. После возмущения группы, вопрос решился и нас разместили на приличной базе "Ареда" . Еще пожелание : в маршрут добавит Марсово поле , например . Для этого убрать остановки в начале маршрута .

BaikalNature's reply

Спасибо за ваш отзыв! Мы с командой всегда выбираем самых лучших поставщиков, но с проживанием в Чемале случилось так, что поставщик самовольно решил разместить группу в непригодном для туристов месте, без предупреждений. Мы очень надеемся, что быстрое решение о переселении группы, немного сгладило ваше впечатление! Естественно, сотрудничество с данной базо

Une dizaine de jours en Altaï c'est bien pour un aperçu général, mais ça donne très envie d'y retourner et de savourer les paysages, la nature, les rivières, rencontrer les gens sur place et leur vie très "nature".

Voyage bien organisé sans chi chi. ni dépenses luxueuses. excellente répartition du temps entre voyages et visites.

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