7 days
Fixed dates
16 people
from 10 years old
Basic
Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Snowmobiling, Dog Sledding, Fishing, Sightseeing Tours
Thrilling adventures await you in a snowy fairytale, visiting Sakhalin's most fascinating locations. You'll ride snowmobiles into the mountains to see breathtaking panoramas of snow-white peaks, explore 30-meter icefalls in Tikhaya Bay, try ice fishing, learn how to cook Korean dishes, try your hand at being a musher, and touch a 70-million-year-old rock.
This tour is for those looking for an active time and a variety of unique experiences. There are no boring excursions; each day offers a new experience and a kaleidoscope of emotions! We'll take a snowmobile ride to Mount Bykova, offering breathtaking views of the mountain ranges, Aniva Bay with its famous lighthouse, and the Sea of Okhotsk—all in a magical winter setting! The adrenaline rush of the day will be balanced by a walk in the beautiful Tikhaya Bay, whose atmosphere truly lives up to its name, and whose gigantic icefalls will amaze you with their grandeur. A combination of meditative anticipation and excitement awaits you on our ice fishing trip, followed by a lunch prepared from our bountiful catch and enjoyed right on the ice. You'll also ride through beautiful winter meadows and a fairytale pine forest on a dog sled, whether as a passenger or a musher—and, of course, you'll cuddle with friendly and cheerful sled dogs! During a short hike at a comfortable pace, you'll touch a rock that's over 70 million years old and experience the mystique and mystery of this extraordinary place.
The journey will be filled with culinary discoveries, as Sakhalin cuisine combines Korean and Japanese dishes, an abundance of fresh seafood, with classic Russian and even Soviet cuisine. You'll take part in a culinary masterclass where you'll prepare an exotic Korean dish yourself. Before your flight home, you'll visit a fish market, so you can take home delicious treats: Asian sweets and sauces, crabs and fish, and red caviar.
A luxurious hotel right on Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk's main street. Spacious, elegant rooms in a classic style, some with stunning mountain views. Pacific Plaza features a restaurant, café, and bar. You can sample European and Asian cuisine, and hearty buffet breakfasts are served. Guests especially praise the hotel's impeccable cleanliness and the excellent service.
The hotel boasts a prime location—just steps from Victory Square, at the very foot of Bolshevik Mountain, home to ski slopes and a cable car ride offering panoramic views of the city. The hotel rooms are decorated in a discreet, classic style. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, sauna/karaoke, and even its own water park.
Situated opposite a picturesque park, the hotel boasts an on-site spa, sauna, and several restaurants serving Japanese, Asian, Serbian, and international cuisine. The elegant, spacious rooms are decorated in bright tones and offer everything you need for a pleasant and comfortable stay. Upper-floor rooms offer panoramic views of the hills surrounding Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
You'll arrive at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport, and we'll spend the first day quietly exploring this amazing city. After checking into your hotel and taking a short rest, you'll embark on a sightseeing tour of the region's capital. This cozy, low-rise city, surrounded by snow-capped hills and blending Russian and Japanese styles, is the perfect backdrop for a fascinating and relaxing stroll. We'll visit the Local History Museum, where we'll learn more about Sakhalin's history, see the largest outdoor mosaic in the world on the Church of the Nativity, climb to the observation deck, and more.
Let's dive into the snowy, soft, and magical Sakhalin winter! On the second day, we'll head to Mount Bykov by snowmobile. This 954-meter summit is captivating for two reasons. First, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountain ranges, Aniva Bay, and the Sea of Okhotsk. Second, it's one of the snowiest spots near Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: locals swear by it, this is where you'll find the very first snow of autumn. We'll find ourselves on the mountain in the depths of winter, kicking up white clouds from beneath our powerful snowmobiles, admiring the frost-covered tree branches and huge, fluffy snowdrifts. We'll return to the city for lunch, and the afternoon is free.
By the third day, you've already enjoyed the abundance of snow and even gotten a little used to the white landscapes—it's time to experience even more winter wonders! We'll head to Tikhaya Bay, which offers an atmosphere of tranquility and solitude in any season, and in winter is famous for its fantastic icefalls. The bay's slopes are adorned with 30-meter-high icicles, forming incredible "curtains" on the rocks. Also on this day, you'll see the Torii Gate—the symbolic entrance to a Shinto shrine, a legacy of the island's Japanese period. It makes a wonderful backdrop for unique photos! Along the way, we'll stop at a crab market in a fishing village.
Sakhalin boasts not only stunning natural beauty but also a plethora of delicious seafood, lake, and river delicacies. So today we're heading out ice fishing. It's a unique, fun, and exciting experience, even for those who've never held a fishing rod before! We'll be fishing for smelt—the "queen of the Sakhalin Sea." Experienced guides will accompany you, sharing the tricks and superstitions of local fishermen and helping you secure a bountiful catch. We'll also have lunch here, gifting you freshly caught, aromatic fish right there on the spot! A hot lunch in the fresh air, surrounded by snow and ice, is one of the most memorable experiences of winter in Sakhalin.
After breakfast, we'll meet some beautiful and friendly sled dogs. And, of course, the experience won't end there: you'll ride at breakneck speed through snow-covered meadows and pine forest trails, taking on the role of a sled dog sled driver. Expect not only warm, vibrant emotions and a little adrenaline, but also stories told by experienced mushers about how sled dog racing originated on Sakhalin and its importance to the region. At 4:00 PM, having had a good time walking and riding, we'll head back to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. We'll arrive in the city by 6:00 PM.
Sakhalin is full of myths and mysteries. Many places here have a special, mystical atmosphere, and on the penultimate day of the tour, you'll see one such place—the Frog Rock. This rock is approximately 70 million years old! Mountain ranges once towered here, but they were eroded by wind, erosion, and time, leaving only a single, uniquely shaped rock. The indigenous Ainu people performed rituals here, and some of the legends surrounding the rock are surprisingly poetic. The path to the rock is also picturesque, and the hike is not difficult even for unprepared travelers. Upon returning to the city, you'll enjoy a culinary master class where you'll learn how to prepare a Korean dish—Sakhalin cuisine has absorbed the traditions of many countries and peoples.
It's time to say goodbye to the magical winter of Sakhalin. But, of course, everyone wants to bring home some treats and gifts—and seafood is the perfect idea! On the way to the airport, we'll stop at the fish market, where you can buy crabs, fish, and red caviar. Or perhaps you'd like some Korean sauces or Japanese sweets? All purchases will be carefully packaged to ensure they arrive safe and sound. After the market, we'll arrive at the airport. See you again!
Winter on Sakhalin is quite mild. Average temperatures during the winter months are around -5 to -7°C. However, keep in mind that temperatures as low as -15 to -18°C are also possible.
The program consists almost entirely of outdoor activities, so please bring warm and comfortable clothing and winter boots that will allow you to walk comfortably. A ski suit is the best choice, as it allows your body to breathe and provides warmth. And, of course, don't forget warm socks, a hat, and mittens or winter gloves. The manager will provide you with a detailed packing list.
The price does not include roundtrip airfare to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk or dinners. Please allow for souvenirs, gifts, and seafood delicacies to take home as a memento of Sakhalin.
Yes! The walk to the Frog Remnant will be at a comfortable pace and does not involve any serious physical exertion.
It will be - during the transfer to the airport on the last day we will make a stop at the fish market.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
