Sakhalin Island, Kurils, Kuril Islands, South Kurils, Far East, Vulcano Baransky, Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan, Sakhalin tour, Cape Giant, Cape Aniva, Iturup, Kasatka Bay, Mirror Beach

Embark on a journey to the edge of the world, where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk meet, where volcanoes coexist with forests, and where the landscapes resemble those of another planet.
During this 10-day expedition, we will explore two of the most impressive islands in the Kuril chain: Iturup and Kunashir. You will encounter frozen lava plateaus, snow-white cliffs, volcanic beaches, thermal springs, geysers, fumarole fields, and destinations that can only be reached by sea.

Join us as we listen to the sound of the ocean, walk in the footsteps of volcanoes, indulge in fresh seafood, relax in hot springs, and create a collection of experiences that will last a lifetime.

Mesopotamia - mainly modern-day Iraq is a trove of treasures of the ancient culture of the Arab world, like a mysterious child of early civilizations.
Nobody can be indifferent to these beautiful cities, majestic mountains and various archaeological sites which are absolutely considered to be the masterpieces of the ancient world.
Visiting the glorious Baghdad city, the Sassanian Ctesiphon, the ruins of Babylon, authentic markets, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, mosques and ziggurats - is incredible exiting expedition where you are able touch the cultural heritage and the great religions of humanity.
We meet Marsh Arabs with their fascinating stories about the Great Silk Road, discover traditional cuisine and take lots of amazing pictures during the boat and road trips.

SCHEDULE AND COST:
Dates:
  • 17 — 25 August
  • 25 August — 2 September
  • 2 — 10 September

Duration: 9 days / 8 nights

Cost per person: 265 000 RUB for any number of participants


TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO SAKHALIN and SOUTHERN KURIL ISLANDS

Day 0. ARRIVAL IN YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK

It is necessary to purchase a plane ticket from your city to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Sakhalin Island) on your own.
Important: you need to arrive a day before the start of the tour and spend the night in Sakhalin. This means that if the tour starts on August 17, you need to arrive on August 16. Choose any flight that suits you.
The time margin is necessary so that you can take a local flight on the first day of the tour according to the scheduled time. Due to the weather conditions in the region, the exact departure time will be known only the day before.
We will purchase the second ticket from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Iturup (and back from Kunashir to Sakhalin, respectively) for you (paid separately). We will do this centrally for the entire group as soon as they go on sale.

Meals included: no
Accommodation included: no


Day 1. ITURUP ISLAND — YANKITO PLATEAU

Welcome to Iturup Island! We will meet you at the airport and immediately take you to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk for a walk along the frozen lava plateau of Yankito. We will explore the bizarre rocks that were formed after the eruption of the Bogdan Khmelnitsky volcano. We will admire the waves crashing against the rocks. This place is sure to leave a lasting impression!
Afterward, we will check into Kamui Kotan, a comfortable hotel with a view of the already familiar Khmelnitsky volcano. For dinner, we will enjoy a tasting set from the chef at the hotel's restaurant. We will taste Far Eastern seafood accompanied by homemade liqueurs and sparkling wine.

Meals included: tasting set from the chef at Kamui Kotan restaurant in Iturup
Accommodation included: Kamui Kotan (2-bedded with a neighbor/neighbor in the same room or house)


Day 2. BLACK AND WHITE ROCKS — SAILING BAY — WATERFALL "MAIDEN'S TEARS"

Today, we will visit the iconic sites of the island, including the Black Rocks and the basalt columns, as well as the main gem, the White Rocks. To the locations, we drive along the snow-white edge of the sand along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Wind, seagulls, splashes and pure drive! On the White Rocks, we will make a short trek up the trail to admire the place from above and take spectacular photos.
We will drive to the Sail Bay, where we will walk to the waterfall "Maiden's Tears".
We will organize a picnic in a view location on the shore. We will eat our bowl with shrimp with a view of the volcanoes!
In the evening, we will have 2 hours of relaxation in the spa complex of the Kamui Kotan hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch-picnic
Accommodation included: Kamui Kotan (2-bedded with a neighbor/neighbor in one room or house)


Day 3. KASATKA BAY — MIRROR BEACH — JAPANESE TUNNELS

After breakfast, we get on the off-road vehicles and rush to the Pacific Ocean! Our goal is Kasatka Bay, one of the amazing natural places on the island. We drive along the beautiful road between the hills and volcanoes, stopping at the observation decks along the way, we will look at the former quarry.
In the bay, we will see the Mirror Beach and the abandoned tugboat Corund, the place where the ships started for Pearl Harbor! We will touch the history and the old Japanese tunnels, which are dug right in the rock, it is known as "Devil's Rock". The most daring can swim in the Pacific Ocean!
After lunch, optionally (for an additional fee), you can go out to sea on the Allure yacht. Go along the picturesque bays, admire the volcanoes and lava outlets, see some of the marine life (killer whales, sea lions, dolphins and whales). Make a landing at the fantastic location "Dragon's Eye" to see the stone arch from lava flows and volcanic rock in the shape of scales. It is possible to get here only from the sea. In the case of a sea trip, your lunch can be organized right on the yacht. Sounds perfect!

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Kamui Kutan (2-bedded with a neighbor in the same room or house)


Day 4. BARANSKY VOLCANO — BLUE EYES GEYSER — KIPYAUSHAYA RIVER FALLS — WATERFALLS WALL

After breakfast, we will go to the foot of the active Baransky volcano. Along the way, we will stop at observation decks and see an abandoned geothermal station.
We will have an unusual picnic at the sulfur river Kipyayushchaya. We will cook eggs in it and eat them beautifully with red caviar.
Then we will go to the Blue Eyes geyser. Towards the end of the walk, we will swim in the Kipyayushchaya River spring. We will enjoy thermal baths in the open air, surrounded by bamboo and steam.
We will return to the hotel and have lunch. After that, we will go to a unique place, the Waterfalls Wall. Here, water flows out of the middle of the cliff and descends to the seashore in numerous streams. This creates a wall covered with a thin layer of water, almost a hundred meters wide.

Meals included: breakfast, picnic with caviar and eggs at the Kipyayushchaya River on the Baransky volcano
Accommodation included: Kamui Kotan (2-bedded with a neighbor/neighbor in the same room or house)


Day 5. SEA VOYAGE TO KUNASHIR ISLAND

After breakfast, we will go to the Kuril Museum of Local Lore, where we will add to our impressions of the island with an interesting collection of artifacts.
Next, we will go to the port, where we will take a high-speed boat to the next Kuril island, Kunashir. The journey will take about 4-5 hours. Along the way, we will enjoy the views, and if we are lucky, we will see orcas, whales, and sea lions. On the way, we will have a snack with fish and meat snacks, fruits, and sparkling wine. As we approach Kunashir, we will see the Tyatya volcano, one of the most beautiful and difficult-to-reach volcanoes on the island.
Upon arrival, we will check into the Kunashir Resort and SPA hotel.
If desired, you can visit the hotel's spa complex with outdoor thermal pools (for an additional fee).

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Kunashir Resort and SPA. (2-bedded room with a neighbor/roommate in the same room or house)


Day 6. KUNASHIR ISLAND — SOUTH KURIL CAPE — GOLOVNIN BAY — CAPE COLUMNAR

Breakfast with red caviar and sparkling wine, and we set off to explore the island. We will see kekur, a single cliff protruding from the water a dozen meters from the shore. We will take a walk along the South Kuril Cape to the abandoned lighthouse that served the island for more than 60 years. Along the way, we will admire the Golovnin and Yuzhno-Kuril bays that separate the cape, as well as see the Tyat and Mendeleev volcanoes.
Next, the Okhotsk side of the island awaits us, where we will see Japan in full view. There are old military dugouts on the observation deck, and the view of the sea and Lake Lagunnoe is incredible.
Then we will go for a walk to Cape Columnar. There are only a few dozen similar places around the world, while there are only two large and well-preserved ones - Cape Columnar in Russia and the Road of the Giants in Northern Ireland.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Kunashir Resort and SPA. (2-bedded room with a neighbor/roommate in the same room or house)


Day 7. GOLONIN VOLCANO CALDERA — BIRD ISLAND

After breakfast, we head to the Golovin Volcano caldera — the southernmost volcano of the Kuril Islands. The journey will take about an hour by off-road vehicle (we will drive as close as possible along a dirt road to the starting point of the hiking trail), followed by a two-kilometre walk on flat terrain.
We will observe how the landscape changes as we approach the lakes. We will see Boiling Lake, located in the former crater of the volcano. It is heated by volcanic gases, and the water temperature in some areas reaches up to +80°C. Here, it is possible to witness bursts of hot water, as well as emissions of sulfur and hydrogen sulfide gases.
Nearby is Hot Lake, where guests can swim if they wish. The average water temperature here is around +15°C.
Afterwards, we will travel to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk and take a walk along the shoreline, where it is often possible to find the famous Japanese “kuchtyli” (traditional glass fishing floats). We will also see Gaynutdinov Bird Island. Here, we will enjoy a picnic with a view of Japan and taste local delicacies.

Meals included: breakfast, picnic with local delicacies overlooking Japan
Accommodation included: Kunashir Resort & SPA (double accommodation sharing a room or cabin with a roommate)


Day 8. MENDELEEV VOLCANO

After breakfast, we set off towards the active Mendeleev Volcano.
We will prepare for a scenic hike. Our route will take us along a beautiful trail through dense bamboo thickets, followed by a short ascent to the volcano’s fumarole fields.
Fumaroles are cracks or openings in the Earth’s crust through which hot gases and steam escape. We will see many of these natural vents. Simply magical!

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Kunashir Resort & SPA (double accommodation sharing a room or cabin with a roommate)


Day 9. KUNASHIR ISLAND — YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK

A final breakfast with caviar and sparkling wine. Group transfer to the airport and flight to Sakhalin.
The Kuril Islands will now remain forever in your heart!

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no


* Depending on the weather conditions, the tour operator has the right to change the order of excursions and visits during the trip without changing their composition.

** The program may be forced to change due to delays or cancellations of flights by the air carrier.
Cost includes:
•⁠ ⁠2-bed accommodation at Kamui Kotan hotels on Iturup and Kunashir Resort and SPA on Kunashir (with a neighbor/neighbor in the same room)
•⁠ ⁠Transfer from the airport on Iturup and to the airport on Kunashir to the recommended flights (modern comfortable minibus/jeeps)
•⁠ ⁠Transfers according to the program: jeeps on Iturup and Kunashir
•⁠ ⁠Boat transfer on the Yamal 37 route: Iturup - Kunashir. On board snacks and sparkling wine
•⁠ ⁠All excursions according to the program and entrance tickets to natural parks along the tour route
•⁠ ⁠Entrance to thermal springs according to the program
•⁠ ⁠Visit to the spa complex at the Kamui Kotan hotel (2 hours) with an interactive program "Dedication to the Ainu"
•⁠ ⁠Tasting set from the chef at the Kamui Kotan restaurant on Iturup (day 1)
•⁠ ⁠Picnic with eggs and caviar at the Boiling River on the Baransky volcano
•⁠ ⁠All breakfasts at the hotels, lunch-picnic on Iturup (day 2)
•⁠ ⁠Services of local guides along the entire route
•⁠ ⁠Issuance of permits (to visit the Kuril Islands (it is required to issue a border pass at the Russian FSB Department)


Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):

•⁠ ⁠Flight from your city to Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) and back
•⁠ ⁠Flights by domestic flights Sakhalin - Iturup (day 1) and Kunashir - Sakhalin (day 9)
•⁠ ⁠Service in the purchase of tickets Sakhalin - Iturup (day 1) and Kunashir - Sakhalin (day 9) 2000r per person
•⁠ ⁠Meals: all lunches and dinners not specified in the "included" section
•⁠ ⁠Optional exit to sea on Iturup on the yacht Allure - 180 000 rubles per group
• ⁠ Walk 4 hours with landing on the shore in the location "Eye of the Dragon" (from the yacht to the shore and back we go on a rubber boat with a motor). Additionally, it is possible to organize a hot lunch with seafood on the yacht (3000 r per person).


To take with:

• trekking boots and a spare pair of shoes. There will be no harsh trekking, so the main goal is not to get wet or slip.
• a waterproof jacket and trousers. The weather can change several times a day. Warm, windproof clothing, a hat/gloves (depending on the month of the trip)
• raincoats
• thermal underwear, lots of socks, including woolen socks
• a cap/bandana for sun protection, sunglasses, and SPF cream. The sun is very active here!
• summer clothing may also be useful
• repellents (mandatory! There may be white-legged biting midges near the Baransky volcano)
• a swimsuit and slippers for hot springs
• a small towel for hot springs
• a small backpack (enough for 8-10 hours of life: water, a sweater, etc.)
• a magnet for experimenting with volcanic sand (optional)
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
  • UNIQUENESS
    We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears.
  • ADVENTURISM
    Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again.
  • SAFETY
    In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features.
  • EXPERIENCE
    We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you.
WE ARE IN SOCIAL NETWORKS:

© OOO "МЗУНГУ ЭКСПЕДИШЕНС", 2009 - 2027. Все права защищены. © MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS LLC 2024 - 2027. All Rights Reserved © Team Travel LLC, 2009-2027. All Rights Reserved
kolbov@yandex.ru
Our Data Privacy policy