The chance of a lifetime to see Sakhalin Island, Kuril Islands. This part of Russia is full of treasures of nature. Fantastic landscapes, deep historical background and rare wildlife make these corners of Russia a real “Promised Land” for exploration.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrival at the airport of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Transfer to Kholmsk city, the starting point of our expedition (nearly 100 km bus ride). We embark our vessel in the port of Kholmsk and set sails in the evening.
Day 2:
Early in the morning we land onto Moneron to enjoy nature highlights of "Moneron Island" National Park: sea mammals' breeding grounds (Sea Lion, Larga); rare sea birds' nesting-sites unique rare plants, included into the Red Data Book of Russian Federation. A warm stream in coastal waters causes abundance of underwater wildlife and fantastic plants. Even not being a diver you'll be able to appreciate this underwater realm. The exclusive clarity of coastal waters (30 - 40 metres) allows us to observe fish, sea-urchins, shellfish and plants even from our vessel's decks. If the water is calm enough, our zodiac drivers will slow down, or even stop the engines for you to admire the underwater world.
Day 3:
Kunashir is the most southern island of the Kurils. The local nature reserve is rich with wildlife and unique natural sights. Spending a whole day on Kunashir offers many pleasant opportunities: observing Ptichiy (Birds') waterfall, Neskuchenskiye springs, the northernmost species of Wild Magnolia and a great number of rare birds (Japanese Crane, Blakistons Fish-Owl, two species of Sea Eagles, Mountain Hawk Eagle). Hardly ever you've seen before such a spectacular volcano as Tyatya. Actually it is two volcanoes, one inside the other, now forming one, two-level Tyatya volcano. We will watch more wonders of Nature at Stolbchaty Cape. It seems that Nature itself tried to adorn this place with fantastic formations: volcanic activity has turned nearby rocks into "stone organ". The surface of the cape is covered with stark and cracked lava, amazingly looking like a cobblestone pavement.
Day 4:
Iturup Island is the biggest one of the Kuril Chain. This wonderful island is worth an individual one-week trip. The marine wildlife around Iturup is presented with 20 species of whales (Grey Whale, South Whale, Humpback Whale, Finn Whale, Cachalot, Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Long-Finned Pilot Whale, Harbor Porpoise and a number of others). Nearly 200 species of birds are found here; 100 species nest on the island. Pinniped mammals (mainly Sea Lion and 2 species of a seal - Larga and Harbor Seal) live here. One unique species of Marten family - Sea Otter is a local resident. Among the rare birds we'll take a good possibility to spot Short-tailed Albatross, Streaked Shearwater, Mandarin Duck, Golden Eagle, Steller's Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Peregrine, Japanese Crane, Latham's Snipe, Blakiston's Fish-Owl.
We start to discover Lvinaya Past (lion jaws) Bay on the southern coast of Iturup early in the morning. The shape of this bay takes after a mouth of a roaring lion. In the centre of the bay entrance there is a rock looking like a lying lion. In case of good weather conditions our expedition vessel will enter the bay to lower down zodiacs for a ride or for a landing. Heading north we keep close to the shoreline in order not to miss wonderful views: dramatic Atsonopuri volcano, many beautiful waterfalls on the coasts, Zolotaya (Golden) Bay, White rocks and 140-meters high Ilia Muromets waterfall, one of the highest in Russia. In the evening we approach Medvezhia (Bear's) Caldera. We plan a landing here to discover this remarkable place with a mountain looking like a giant Bear's pad. Bears are also regular visitors here. Probably they are coming here to judge if this mountain really takes after their pads.
Day 5:
Urup Island is famous for some rare bird species (Spectacled Guillemot, Ancient and Marbled Murrelet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Tufted Puffin, Harlequin Duck, Pelagic and Japanese Cormorants, Slaty-backed Gull, Stellar's Sea Eagle). There are many seals along the coast of the island. Zodiacs will approach dry land quite a distance from their rookery. The landing might be a wet one! We hope to dry up during a hike toward the rookery to observe these animals in the wild. In the upper Taka River there are thermal springs. Enjoy rich flora of Urup: Cloudberry, Great Bilberry, Seaside Sandplant, Kamchatka Stonecrop, Arctic Daisy, thickets of Kuma-Zasa, Wild Rose and others. We go on exploring a spectacular birdlife of Broutona Island. This tiny spot of land is a home for the vast colony of Fulmars.
Day 6:
Simushir Island. While approaching the island a huge number of ducks, mainly Harlequins, will meet us. The breathtaking volcanic scenery and high biodiversity will not keep you indifferent. Here we have a good chance to see Sea Beaver. Conditions permit, we land onto Ketoy Island. Its southern capes boast numerous breeding sites of Sea Lion. Birds' cries will not let you pass numerous nesting places of Pelagic Cormorants. Our next stop is Ushishir Islands - Ryponkicha (Kita) Island and Minamisima (Yankicha) Island. These tiny isles are real paradise for a number of birds: Red-throated Pipit, Greenshank, Buff-bellied Pipit, and Rough-legged Buzzard. Ushishir Islands were favored by Ainu people, the ancient folk, who were the native inhabitants of the Kurils.
Day 7:
Our exploration day starts with landing onto Onekotan Island. Besides marveling at birds at Tsurigane rock, we will witness seals in their breeding habitat. The Rock Avos looking like sailing vessel will attract our views. This 35-meters high "sailing vessel" is a shelter for Sea Lions that live here in the vicinity of birds' colonies (Murres, Sea Gulls, and Cormorants). We will come up close to Avos to enjoy the view and to get spectacular photos. In the evening we will pass by Makanrushi Island with dramatic Makanrushi volcano. Coastal waters are frequented by Sea Lions.
Day 8:
Paramushir Island. The second largest island of Kuril Range, Paramushir is famous for rather a big number of bears and foxes. There are several small adjoining islands on the eastern side of Paramushir. Numerous bird flocks nest there and raise their noisy chicks. Birds' clinking helps the vessels sailing by to find their way to the islands in quiet and foggy weather. Another good landing site is Atlasova Island. The central height of the island is Alaid (Oyakoba) volcano, the highest one on Kuril Islands. Its eastern peak Khitam is 2 334 meters high and the western peak Nisiiva is 2 289 meters high.
Day 9:
A small island Utashud is another place where we watch birdlife on steep rocks. It is very likely that today you will not need our naturalists' assistance to identify some sea birds: Horned and Tufted Puffins, Guillemots and Pigeons. In the afternoon we visit Vestnik Bay. Exciting view of imposing rocks colored red by sunset is an appropriate final of our Kamchatka adventure.
Day 10:
While approaching the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky we watch beautiful landscapes of Avacha Bay. From the sea we observe volcanoes: Koryaksky, Avachinsky and Kozelsky. The residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky call them Domashnie (Home) volcanoes, as they watch this volcanic landscape every day from their home's windows. We anchor at the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Having disembarked, you will be able to take some optional excursions in the city and its suburbs or take your flight home - it will depend on your own after-trip schedule.
The price includes:
- Accommodations in all outside stateroom, each with private bathroom facilities, individual temperature control and large picture window
- Three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) per day in the ship's
restaurant with the same menu for all passengers irrespective of cabin category; meal service begins with dinner on day of embarkation and ends with breakfast on day of disembarkation
- Captain’s welcome Cocktail Reception
- Gala farewell Dinner aboard
- Full sightseeing programs in each of the ports of cal
- English-speaking guide assistance
- Lectures on Russian History and Culture
- Russian language and songs lessons
- Nightly entertainment and dancing
- Daily aerobics
- Tour of the ship’s bridge
- Our cruise director and professional staff
- Visa support letter (if you process your visa with us)
- Cruise documents.
The price does Not include:
- Airfare
- Baggage: excess baggage, forwarding of baggage.
- Medical insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Visas
- Visa support
- Gratuities: gratuities for Cruise director, ship’s crew members,
guides and drivers are not included and are at passenger’s discretion.
- Private transfers
- Miscellaneous: Items of a personnel nature such as laundry, bar
charges, beauty salon, telephone cable charges and medical services are not included.
Note:
- All the prices and schedules are subject to change. All taxes and
surcharges are additional.
- Please be informed that all pre/post cruise services (additional
arrival/departure transfers, hotel accommodation, additional excursions, etc.) can be also arranged by us.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Additional Fees:
Single supplement +80%
Fuel Surcharge $195.
All Itineraries are subject to change without notice.
Early Booking Special (deposit before December 15) -$150 per person will effect after the deposit is paid. If paid in full by 10/30/07: $250 per person discount will apply.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Boating and Sailing
Ecotourism
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