Travel dates: July 15 – 24, 2027

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights

Group size: 10 participants

Price: 1 070 000 RUB per person (based on double occupancy. Single supplement available upon request).

Early booking discount - 5% available until February 15, 2027. Club members receive a 7% discount.

All-inclusive, except for:
  Flights to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and return from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
  Travel medical insurance
  Russian visa (if required)


TRAVEL PROGRAM:
KURIL ISLANDS EXPEDITION TOUR
Day 1. July 15, 2027. ITURUP ISLAND: KURILSK AND THERMAL SPRINGS

Our journey begins in the port of Kurilsk — the main town of the largest island in the Kuril chain. Iturup stretches for 200 km between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk and impresses with its contrasts: from narrow seven-kilometre-wide isthmuses to vast 27-kilometre expanses.
Kurilsk is the smallest of the island “capitals”, but the only true town in the Southern Kurils. Its unique status is a legacy of its Japanese past, when the settlement of Syana was the centre of the entire Chishima Province. Today, it is the Russian city farthest from Moscow, but its rich fishing grounds and breathtaking landscapes more than make up for its remoteness. Arrival at the seaport, boarding the OMEGA vessel and safety briefing. Departure towards Urup Island.

Meals: lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 2. July 16, 2027. URUP ISLAND AND THE COAST OF ITURUP: VOLCANOES, WATERFALLS AND RICH MARINE LIFE

Our route takes us to Urup — an island with a rugged character and generous natural treasures. Here rises the active Berg Volcano (1,040 m), while its slopes are adorned with Taka Waterfall, cascading over basalt terraces, Lake Tokotan with its mirror-like surface, and Cape Glybisty — a realm of coastal cliffs and crashing waves.
We will encounter remarkable natural landmarks — the Twin Islands, two twin rocks rising from the sea; the “Beer Mug” Arch, a bizarre formation created by volcanic activity; and Novokurilskaya Bay with its famous “Head” Rock, where we will fish for kundzha, char and red fish. Sea fishing for halibut in the area of Abramova Bay.
We will then head along the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Iturup, where we will see:

• A visit to “Ilya Muromets” Waterfall (141 m) — one of the highest waterfalls in Russia
• A motorboat excursion along the western coast
• A visit to the famous “White Cliffs” — magnificent coastal cliffs.

Additional activity:
Fishing in Medvezhya Bay, where the waters are particularly rich in marine life.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 3. July 17, 2027. SIMUSHIR ISLAND: AN ABANDONED MILITARY BASE AMONG VOLCANOES

Once a thriving military garrison, Simushir is now an uninhabited island with unique natural landscapes. This remarkable island is essentially made up of six volcanoes forming four mountain ranges, three of which are active: Prevo Volcano (1,360 m), Zavaritsky Volcano (625 m) and Goryashchaya Sopka (873 m).
The coastal waters of Simushir are exceptionally rich in valuable commercial species such as Commander squid and walleye pollock, which are monitored here. Among other marine species, sea urchins are particularly notable, reaching impressive sizes in these waters. Steller sea lion and larga seal colonies are found on the coastal rocks near Vodo­padny Anchorage.
Expedition opportunities:

1. Climb Zavaritsky Volcano
2. Visit Turquoise Lake
3. Explore Broughton Bay
4. Harvest sea urchins near the “Elephant” natural arch

We then head towards the Black Brothers Islands. The group consists of two large islands, Chirpoy and Brat-Chirpoev, as well as the surrounding rocks and Morskaya Vydra Island. The islands are completely uninhabited and are separated by the Snow (Bystry) Strait, 2.7 km wide.
Chirpoy Island is home to two active volcanoes: Black Volcano (624 m) and Snow Volcano (395 m).
The rocks surrounding the island are home to Steller sea lion colonies and numerous seabird colonies.
Brat-Chirpoev Island is separated by Bystry Strait from the nearby Chirpoy Island, the other major island of the Black Brothers group.
The island is a chain of volcanic cones, with pronounced signs of recent volcanic activity. It consists of basaltic and igneous rocks, and its highest point is Mount Brat-Chirpoev, rising to 749 metres.
After exploring these remarkable islands, the expedition heads towards Urup Island, the final destination of our journey through the Northern Kurils.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 4. July 18, 2027. USHISHIR ISLANDS AND KRATERNAYA BAY: A LOST WORLD OF VOLCANOES AND THERMAL WONDERS

The Ushishir Islands, consisting of two main islands — Ryponkicha and Yankicha — form a remarkable nature reserve covering just 5 km². These lands preserve the memory of their ancient inhabitants, the Ainu, who left the islands at the end of the 19th century. Today, they have been replaced by the true inhabitants of the wild: numerous colonies of seabirds nest on the cliffs, nimble Arctic foxes roam the rocky slopes, and seals bask on the coastal rocks.
The islands are particularly valuable for their unique geothermal phenomena, including active fumaroles releasing clouds of steam, hot springs with healing waters, and miniature geysers.
The main attraction is rightfully Kraternaya Bay — one of the most picturesque places in the entire archipelago. Here, the following activities await us:

• A sea excursion by motorboat or kayak,
• Exploring the bay on SUP boards,
• An opportunity to observe the underwater world through crystal-clear water.

The landscapes of the islands combine dense stands of Siberian dwarf pine, ocean meadows covered with colourful wildflowers, and volcanic landscapes with solidified lava flows.
After exploring this remarkable corner of nature, the expedition sets course for Simushir Island.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 5. July 19, 2027. SHIASHKOTAN ISLAND: ISLAND OF STELLER SEA LIONS

Located in the northern part of the Greater Kuril Chain, Shiashkotan is a remarkable corner of untouched wilderness. Its landscapes are shaped by numerous mountain rivers and streams with crystal-clear water, picturesque waterfalls cascading over rocky ledges, and even snow patches that remain in shaded ravines throughout the summer.
The island’s name comes from the Ainu language — “Sias Kotan” means “Island of Steller Sea Lions”. Some of the indigenous population perished after the 1872 eruption, while others moved to Kamchatka after the Kuril Islands were transferred to Japan in 1875.
Today, an extreme canyoning adventure in the crater of Mount Kuntomintar awaits us, including an exploration of active fumarole fields and a trek to the Lovushki Cliffs — a realm of marine mammals, with excursions by motorboat or kayak and observation of colonies of Steller sea lions, seals and northern sea lions.
The expedition route then continues to the volcanic Ushishir Islands — Ryponkicha and Yankicha — where new natural discoveries await us.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 6. July 20, 2027. ONEKOTAN ISLAND: THE VOLCANIC HEART OF THE KURIL CHAIN

The name of this remarkable island has its roots in the Ainu language: “Onne Kotan” means “old (or large) settlement” — once referring to just one of the local settlements. Today, Onekotan, covering 425 km², is a unique natural reserve where fire and water have created extraordinary landscapes.
The island is home to two active volcanoes hidden within the giant calderas of their ancient predecessors:

• Krenitsyn (1,324 m) — located within the Tao-Rusyr Caldera in the south, it is known as “the largest volcano within a volcano” on the planet. It is surrounded by Ring Lake — the deepest freshwater lake among the Russian islands (a recorded depth of 369 m, although it is believed to be even deeper). The caldera walls rise 500 m above the water, while its diameter exceeds 7 km.
• Nemo (1,019 m) — rises in the northern part of the island and is equally picturesque, but more accessible to explorers.

Onekotan is almost entirely covered by Siberian dwarf pine and alder-dwarf pine woodland, reaching 2–4 m in height. In summer and autumn, the slopes are covered with berries — crowberries, blueberries and cloudberries. Foxes and numerous rodents inhabit the island, while seals and Steller sea lions can be found along the coast.
Active adventures:

• Sea fishing in Nemo Bay
• An expedition to Black Lake in search of the rare black imperial trout
• A picnic by the lake and dinner in Nemo Bay beneath the sunset illuminating the volcanic slopes.

Additional option:

• Hiking to Krenitsyn Volcano (moderate difficulty, 8 km, 2–3 hours ascent and 1–2 hours descent). The reward for the effort is a panorama of Ring Lake that will remain in your memory forever.

After exploring Onekotan, we head towards Shiashkotan Island and the mysterious Lovushki Cliffs.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 7. July 21, 2027. PARAMUSHIR ISLAND: WHERE HISTORY MEETS WILDERNESS

One of the largest islands in the Kuril Chain, Paramushir differs from its uninhabited neighbours — it is an inhabited island with a rich history. The original inhabitants of these lands were the Ainu; later, during the Japanese period, a powerful military garrison was established here to defend the island against attacks from the sea. Today, the remnants of the past — abandoned airfields, pillboxes and coastal fortifications — stand as silent witnesses to its turbulent history.
Modern-day Paramushir remains a strategically important location: in the south of the island, near Cape Vasilyev, there is a border post, air defence and naval reconnaissance units, as well as a lighthouse.
But Paramushir’s greatest treasure is Krasheninnikov Bay, a true gem of the island. From here, breathtaking views open up onto the volcanic giants of Tatarinov, Karpinsky, Chikurachki, Fuss and Lomonosov volcanoes. Whales and orcas can often be spotted feeding in the coastal waters, while the Krasheninnikov River offers an opportunity to try your luck at fishing.
After exploring Paramushir, the expedition continues with a crossing to Onekotan Island.
Additional opportunities:

• Canyoning along the Yuryeva River, leading to the Upper Yuryeva Hot Springs, with a chance to bathe in natural hot pools
• An excursion to a Steller sea lion colony on Antsiferov Island, where these marine giants can be observed in their natural habitat.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 8. July 22, 2027. ATLASOV ISLAND AND ALAID VOLCANO: THE NORTHERN JEWEL OF THE KURIL ISLANDS

Rising above the ocean, Atlasov Island is famous for its giant — the active Alaid Volcano (2,339 m), the highest point in the Kuril Islands. This majestic cone, like a guardian, welcomes travellers at the edge of the world.
The island is teeming with life: foxes roam its slopes, fur seals and seals play along the shores, while rare sea otters can be spotted in the coastal waters. The cliffs echo with the calls of thousands of seabirds — guillemots, gulls, puffins and cormorants — creating an unforgettable atmosphere of wild nature.
But this place also has a darker side to its history. In the 1950s, when around a hundred people lived here, the island was home to a women’s high-security penal colony belonging to the Gulag system. Prisoners worked at a fish-processing plant and fur farm, where foxes were bred for the fur industry.
Today, the island attracts researchers and adventure seekers. The expedition programme includes:

• Climbing Taketomi, a young volcano (just 90 years old!) — the youngest volcano in Russia;
• Trekking to the picturesque Olympiysky Breakthrough (just one hour’s walk from Taketomi);
• A sea excursion by motorboat with a landing at Cape Rovnoye;
• Climbing secondary volcanic cones.

After exploring these remarkable places, we continue towards Paramushir Island.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 9. July 23, 2027. SHUMSHU ISLAND: THE LAST FRONT OF THE WAR AND A REALM OF WILDLIFE

This small island preserves dramatic chapters of August 1945, when the final battles of World War II were fought here. Walking across the silent battlefields, we will see a remarkably well-preserved system of Japanese fortifications: pillboxes and bunkers connected by underground passages, anti-tank trenches and overgrown but still clearly visible trenches.
We will visit the sites of fierce fighting where, on August 23, 1945, Lieutenant General Fusaki Tsutsumi signed the act of surrender. Shumshu became a key staging ground for the Kuril Landing Operation, and its capture determined the liberation of the entire archipelago by September 1, 1945.
Crossing to the Bird Islands.
Just a few miles from Shumshu lies a remarkable nature reserve, where a true kingdom of birds awaits us! Thousands of seabirds nest on the cliffs, while fur seals and seals bask on the shore. Sea otters — rare and playful marine mammals — frolic in the coastal waters.
Using expedition boats, we will approach the seabird colonies at a safe distance, arrange a shore landing to observe the animals, and take unique photographs of the wildlife.
After immersing ourselves in this remarkable world, we will set course for majestic Atlasov Island, where we will encounter the highest volcano in the Kuril Chain.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: cabins aboard the vessel


Day 10. July 24, 2027. ARRIVAL IN PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY

Arrival in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Transfer to Yelizovo Airport (located 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky) for your flight home.
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: none


Arrival and departure times are local, considering time zone changes. The cruise itinerary, landing sites, and activities may change due to weather or other conditions beyond the organizers' control.
Please do not purchase tickets without coordinating with us.