Tour
Easy

Phototour: Kunashir and Shikotan islands

145,000 rub

The Kuril Islands include more than 50 large islands. Each of them is unique in its own way and conceals an exceptional peculiarity and distinctive feature within its territory. Despite a single region, a trip to individual islands will be different and will be something new for you.

A phototour to the islands of Kunashir and Shikotan is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the amazingly diverse and untouched nature of the southern islands of the Kuril archipelago. The Kuril Islands are a paradise for any romantic traveler. Inaccessibility, uninhabitedness, geographic isolation, active volcanoes, far from a "beach climate", scanty information - not only do not scare away, but also increase the desire to get to the foggy, fire-breathing islands. The Pacific Ocean and the purest rivers, lakes and waterfalls, mountains and forests, volcanoes and hot springs, plus a rich flora and fauna in its original form - that's what the Kuril Islands are!

Kunashir is the southernmost island in the large ridge of the Kuril Islands. Its location allows you to see the neighboring country - Japan with the naked eye across the strait. Among all the Kuriles, the island ranks third in terms of area. On its territory there are 4 active volcanoes, one of which can easily overshadow the famous Fuji with its beauty. Kunashir is the most densely populated island of the archipelago, but this will not affect the feeling of isolation and being on a desert island. Translated from the Ainu language, Kunashir means "black island". Thickets of dark coniferous forest served as the origin of the name. On this island you can see blazing sunsets, enjoy absolutely wild thermal springs, walk along the natural "pavement" of Cape Stolbchaty, touch your palm to the deepest lake of Kunashir and see some of the largest fumaroles in your life.

The Small Kuril Ridge is located 57 km from Kunashir. The largest island in this archipelago is Shikotan. One of the names of the island, which was given to him by Russian explorers, is Figurny. Apparently already at that time the sailors noticed all the beauty of the coastal line of the island. High cliffs, bays deeply protruding into the land, and sharp headlands, were as if specially carved figuratively. One of the main advantages of Shikotan is the complete absence of bears. Low-growing vegetation will add comfort when moving, and the seascape will give incredible panoramas. On the island you can find the very end of the world you are looking for. So they named one of the capes, the distance to the next land from which is more than 5000 kilometers.

Bezimyanaya bay
Tserkovnaya bay
Kray Sveta cape
Shikotan mnt
Wild hot springs
Caldera of Golovnin volcano
Cape Stolbchaty
Stolbovskaya nature trail
Pacific Ocean
Fumarole field of Mendeleev volcano

Itinerary

Day 1. Sakhalin island

Our guides meet you at the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport and help you to stay at the hotel.

Day 2. Sea passage on a motor ship

Departure from the hotel. Transfer to Korsakov. Boarding the ship. Departure of the motor ship from Korsakov at 12:00

Information

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Important

The main part of the tour will be held in a hiking format with overnight stays in tents. On Kunashir 4 nights in hotels. The tour format does not require any tedious backpacks. We will be able to drive up to all the main locations by transport! All walking radials are on light (with photo-backpacks). Difficult and very long radial exits are not planned.

In the presence of individual diseases, allergic reactions to food and other allergens, inform the tour organizers.

Guides on the route

Photo guide Andrei Grachev will conduct master classes in photography, incl. night landscapes. Also, assistance will be provided in the process of photography.

* Andrey Grachev is a professional landscape photographer with many years of experience in organizing expedition photo tours. Andrei is a member of the Russian Geographical Society and the Union of Wildlife Photographers, winner and prize-winner of many Russian and foreign photo contests.

The second guide - Sergey Vasilenko - travel organizer, founder of the "ADRENALIN-TOUR" company, traveler. For many years he has been traveling and organizing author's programs around Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands and other regions of Russia. A person who was born and raised on Sakhalin Island and knows the Kuriles "from the inside".

Equipment
  • Backpack 20-30 liters
  • Headlamp (with new batteries)
  • Sunglasses
  • Тourist seat
  • Water bottle / thermos
  • Trekking poles - 2 pairs
  • Trekking boots (sneakers)
  • Rubber slippers (for thermal springs and hotels)
  • Maskite protection
  • TowelSwimsuit \ swimming trunks
  • Toilet accessories (toothpaste, brush, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, wet wipes)
  • Anti-tick / mosquito repellent
  • Sun cream
  • Hygienic medical pomade plaster (roll, plates), sterile bandage, non-sterile bandage, pills for motion sickness.

PHOTO RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • On Kunashir and Shikotan, all focal lengths will be in full demand (from 14 to 300 mm in full frame equivalent). There is a chance of encountering wild animals, therefore it is recommended that you bring the entire set of available optics with you
  • Tripod
  • Cable or remote control
  • At least two spare batteries
Price included
  • All transportation costs on Sakhalin, Kunashir and Shikotan, including transfers to / from the airport in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
  • Overnights in hotels in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Kunashir
  • Three meals a day in a hiking format
  • Visiting natural sites, incl. located on the territory of reserves or national Parks
  • Registration of a pass to the border zone
  • Provision of a tent, a rug
  • Photo guide services and master classes
Price not included
  • Flight to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back
  • Tickets for the ship Sakhalin - Kunashir, Kunashir - Shikotan, Shikotan - Sakhalin (total cost is about 9,000 rubles)
  • Catering in public catering establishments, incl. on the ship
  • Alcohol, souvenirs
Accommodation

Food

According to the program, and believe me, our chef will be able to surprise even the most sophisticated guests

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Phototour: Kunashir and Shikotan islands
145,000 rub
Tour
12 days
Easy