Tour to Sakhalin and Iturup

After breakfast, we'll head to the airport for the Kuril Islands. We'll land on Iturup Island at Kurilsk Airport, one of the smallest cities in Russia, with a population of about 2,500. After checking into your hotel, you'll take a tour of Iturup's most famous natural landmark, the Yankito lava plateau. Volcanic lava, solidified after an ancient eruption, has taken on fantastic shapes. The bizarre lines of dark cliffs, lapped by ocean waves, the almost complete absence of vegetation, and the endless expanses—a truly wondrous sight, at once austere and enchanting.

Today you'll see the many wonders of Iturup: its extraordinary landscapes, unique scenery, and healing gifts of nature. After breakfast, we'll head to the White Rocks. En route, we'll stop at Olya Bay, where freshwater from the rocks is collected into the pristine pools of a salmon hatchery. We'll then reach the White Rocks: snow-white cliffs crowned with green grass invite endless contemplation and photographing. We'll also visit the Black Rocks, whose perfect, multifaceted shapes make them appear man-made, but were actually formed by the elements. After lunch on the coast, we'll head to the Vetrovyi Isthmus, Parusnaya Bay, and the Maiden's Tears Waterfall. The day will conclude at the "Hot Waters" thermal spring, where you can experience the healing power of the Kuril hot springs firsthand.

We continue exploring the wonders of Iturup. We'll head to Kasatka Bay, where fantastic landscapes intertwine with important historical landmarks. Numerous caves and grottoes, dark sand and smooth waters (this place is even called "Mirror Beach"), bird colonies, and a beached tugboat—the local scenery invites leisurely strolls in meditative silence. We'll return to Kurilsk for lunch, then head to the active Baransky Volcano. Its slopes are dotted with numerous mud and thermal springs. The unique Kipyashaya River, whose upper reaches reach temperatures close to boiling point, also originates here. Clouds of steam, the amazing colors of mineral deposits, and the sound of the water. After the walk, you can relax in the thermal springs located in the lower reaches of the river.

After breakfast, we'll head to Sakhalin's signature landmark, Cape Velikan. Along the way, we'll enjoy a variety of picturesque views: tranquil Lake Tunaycha and Lake Izmenchivoye surrounded by mountain slopes, a sand factory on the shore of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, and dense forests. We'll also stop to admire the Sakhalin landscape and the sea from a viewing platform at the top of a mountain pass. Our destination is Cape Ptichiy, from where we'll stroll along the shore to Cape Velikan. The "Fairy Forest," stone arches, mysterious grottoes, and hundreds of birds—the atmosphere here is absolutely magical. At Cape Velikan, where the crystal-clear cold waters crash against the ledges, carving them into amazing sculptures, you'll have plenty of opportunity to take photos. Then, we'll have a seafood lunch overlooking the sea and walk to a beautiful waterfall.

In the previous days of the tour, you've already sampled the seafood delicacies for which Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands are famous. But today will be a true culinary adventure. We'll head to Lake Busse, which is, without exaggeration, a paradise for seafood lovers. Along the way, we'll make several stops at picturesque locations for photos: the port town, Mount Sadness, and an observation deck from which you can spot seals. Upon arrival at the lake, you'll meet the chef and take a boat ride to oyster island. Then, settling into tents on the shore, you'll enjoy a hot lunch of the freshest seafood prepared by the chef and participate in an oyster-eating masterclass. In the evening, we'll return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.