8 days
Fixed dates
16 people
from 10 years old
Basic
Guest house or tourist center, Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Snowmobiling, Fishing, Excursion tours
Even if you've already been to Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, a winter trip is a truly unique experience! Frost-covered cliffs, picturesque bays covered in snowdrifts, mysterious legends and pages of history... You can also warm up in thermal springs surrounded by snow-covered landscapes, try ice fishing, and savor local delicacies.
On this tour, you'll visit the most interesting and beautiful places on two islands—Sakhalin and Iturup. On Iturup, the largest of the Kuril Islands, you'll hike across the Yankito lava plateau, snowmobile up Baransky Volcano, and see a boiling river. You'll also visit Kasatka Bay, where you'll learn about its amazing and sometimes macabre history and take fantastic photos against the backdrop of a beached tugboat covered in ice. Each day on Iturup will conclude with a visit to various thermal springs. Rising steam, snowy landscapes, and healing waters offer a wonderful opportunity to relax and rejuvenate!
In Sakhalin, you'll visit Tikhaya Bay, whose winter setting is perfect for a quiet stroll alone with your thoughts, listening to the soothing sound of the waves and gazing at the snow-capped peaks of the Zhdanko Ridge. You'll also have the opportunity to take atmospheric photos against the backdrop of the Torii Gate, a stunning legacy of the Japanese period. Reminders of Japan's past are literally everywhere here: you'll feel it on a tour of the region's capital, charming and eclectic Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. One day on Sakhalin, we'll organize an ice fishing trip that will captivate even those who've never held a fishing rod! Accompanied by experienced instructors, you'll have the chance to catch a large catch yourself, which we'll cook right there. Fried fresh smelt in the fresh air is the perfect lunch! Incidentally, you'll have plenty of opportunities to experience authentic Sakhalin cuisine—during the welcome dinner on your arrival day and afterwards, when you can visit local restaurants at your leisure. There's plenty of free time on the tour to enjoy the most exciting experiences, interspersed with relaxing moments of your choosing.
*Hotels may be replaced with equivalent ones depending on availability on the dates of your tour.
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.
The hotel is located in a park area, surrounded by trees and picturesque scenery, yet just 3 km from the city center! The stylish, modern rooms offer a tranquil atmosphere, tranquility, and abundant light. Most rooms offer stunning views of the forest and hills. The hotel restaurant offers European and Asian dining options. You can also relax in the spa and wellness area.
This mini-hotel offers a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. The rooms are small but very clean and cozy, equipped with everything you need, including showers, coffee/tea stations, hair dryers, irons, and a small work area. The hotel also has a café serving European and Asian cuisine. Guests especially appreciate the hearty and affordable breakfasts.
This newly renovated guesthouse offers a warm, homely atmosphere. Situated on the riverbank, just minutes from Kurilsk city center, it offers beautiful rooms, a self-service kitchen, and laundry and ironing facilities. Breakfast is available, and a snack vending machine is also available. The attentive staff will make your stay at Kamelia as pleasant as possible.
We'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Check-in is at 2:00 PM. Afterward, you'll have free time to rest and change. At 3:00 PM, we'll set off on a sightseeing tour of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, a cozy, low-rise city surrounded by rolling hills where Russian charm, Eastern exoticism, and traces of Japan's past blend beautifully. We'll visit the Local History Museum, housed in a traditional Japanese Teikan-style building. You'll also see the Nativity Cathedral, adorned with the world's largest outdoor mosaic, and the Victory Memorial Complex. Climb to the observation deck and admire the region's capital from above. In the evening, we'll head to a restaurant for a welcome dinner to enjoy authentic local cuisine, rich in seafood and featuring delicious Japanese and Korean dishes.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Iturup, the largest of the Kuril Islands. Snow-capped volcanoes and lava plateaus, ice and the rustling ocean waves, steam from thermal springs rising above the snowdrifts—winter Iturup will make you fall in love from the first moment you see it! After checking into a hotel in Kurilsk, we'll head to one of the island's most famous landmarks, the Yankito lava plateau. Formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, the plateau looks utterly surreal in winter—a combination of once-boiling lava and snow. After a walk across the plateau, we'll warm up in the "Hot Waters" thermal springs.
Today we'll visit the active Baransky Volcano. This volcano attracts tourists not only because of its accessibility but also because of its fantastic scenery: fumaroles (cracks and small craters) emitting hot steam, mud pots, and acidic lakes in piercingly bright hues... all surrounded by snow and frost! You'll also see the aptly named Kipyashaya River, whose temperature at its source approaches 100 degrees Celsius. We'll use snowmobiles to ascend the volcano—even more thrills and a little adrenaline! We'll finish the walk the same way we did the previous day—relaxing at the thermal springs at the foot of the volcano. These springs are considered the most Instagrammable of Iturup's many springs, so you'll not only relax your body and soul but also take dozens of atmospheric photos! We'll return to the hotel by 4:00 PM. Free time.
On day four, you'll discover not only natural attractions but also a immersion in the region's complex history. We'll visit Kasatka Bay. This secluded bay, with its bizarrely shaped cliffs, reveals cavernous openings—tunnels dug by the Japanese to penetrate the rock walls. During World War II, Kasatka Bay served as a meeting point for the carrier squadron and the ships departing to attack Pearl Harbor. Another important landmark in the bay is the tugboat Korund, which washed ashore in 2015. The ice-covered, gradually rusting hulk of the tug, surrounded by serene nature, and the bay's history, evoke many reflections. After lunch, we'll return to Kurilsk. In the afternoon, we'll make our traditional visit to the thermal springs. This time, we'll recuperate and warm up in the "Vannochki" thermal complex.
It's time to say goodbye to the Kuril Islands! After breakfast and before your flight, you'll have free time to stroll around Kurilsk, enjoy the tranquility and warmth of this small town, and maybe even meet the city's symbol—Kesha, a red Kurilian bobtail. At 2:00 PM, transfer to the airport, and at 4:00 PM, depart for Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the opportunity to explore local restaurants, sample the unique cuisine, shop for souvenirs, or simply wander the beautiful streets.
After breakfast, we'll head to Tikhaya Bay. Along the way, we'll stop at the Torii Gate, the symbolic entrance to a Shinto shrine, a relic of the Japanese period. Around 12:30 p.m., we'll reach the bay, where majestic cliffs adorned with fairytale icefalls meet the might of the cold sea. The bay's name is no coincidence—it's perfectly protected from piercing winds, making it always calm. We'll take a stroll around the bay, contemplating the harmony of the two elements and the snow-capped peaks of the Zhdanko Ridge. We'll also have lunch here with a magnificent view. We'll return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the evening.
Even if you're not a fishing enthusiast or have never held a fishing rod, you definitely shouldn't miss this opportunity! On the penultimate day of the tour, we'll go ice fishing and enjoy the freshest catch. The fishing spot depends on the weather and ice conditions—it could be a river, lake, or sea. We'll provide all the necessary equipment, and experienced guides will teach you all the intricacies of ice fishing and reveal a few secrets of Sakhalin fishermen. Afterward, we'll dine on freshly caught fish, grilled right on the ice. We promise it will be one of the most delicious meals of your life! We'll return to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the evening. After a full day spent outdoors, filled with crisp winter air and beautiful views, you'll sleep especially soundly!
Of course, we can't leave you without the opportunity to buy delicious Sakhalin treats for yourself and your loved ones. So, on the way to the airport, we'll stop at the fish market, where you can buy fish, seafood, red caviar, and other Sakhalin delicacies. All purchases will be carefully packed to ensure they arrive safe and sound! See you soon!
On Sakhalin, daytime temperatures in winter can drop to -18°C, with average temperatures hovering around -5°C to -7°C. Iturup is slightly warmer: -3°C to -4°C, with wind chills as low as -11°C. Strong winds are possible, and there is usually a lot of snow. We recommend checking the weather forecast for your tour dates shortly before departure.
We recommend bringing windproof, warm-retaining ski gear. Of course, you'll need winter boots, a hat, and mittens or gloves. You can ask your tour manager for a detailed list when booking your tour.
Don't forget your swimsuit—we'll be visiting the thermal springs. The rest of the list is standard: a personal first aid kit, photo or video equipment, money for extra expenses, and a good mood.
The tour price does not include roundtrip airfare from your city to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, nor does it include roundtrip airfare from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Kurilsk (14,400 rubles). Please note that dinners are not included, with the exception of a welcome dinner on the first day of the tour.
Of course! On our last day, on our way to the airport, we'll visit the fish market so you can take home some of the freshest, most delicious treats.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
