7 days
Fixed dates
16 people
from 10 years
Basic
Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Snowmobiling, Dog sledding, Fishing, Excursion tours
Exciting adventures await you in a snowy fairy tale and visits to the most interesting locations of Sakhalin. You will go on snowmobiles to the mountains to see a breathtaking panorama of snow-white peaks, and see 30-meter icefalls in Tikhaya Bay, take part in ice fishing, learn how to cook Korean dishes, try yourself as a musher and touch a rock that is 70 million years old.
This is a tour for those who want to spend time actively and get a lot of varied and unusual experiences.
There are no boring excursions in the program; every day brings new experiences and a kaleidoscope of emotions! We will take a snowmobile ride to Mount Bykova, which offers stunning views of the mountain ranges, Aniva Bay with the famous lighthouse and the Sea of Okhotsk - and all this in a magical winter setting! The adrenaline of this day will be balanced by a walk in the beautiful Tikhaya Bay, the atmosphere of which fully corresponds to its name, and the giant icefalls amaze with their grandeur. A combination of meditative anticipation and excitement awaits you on the day when we go ice fishing, and then prepare a lunch from a rich catch and enjoy it right on the ice. You will also ride through beautiful winter meadows and a fabulous pine forest on a dog sled as a passenger or musher - and, of course, cuddle with friendly and cheerful sled dogs! And during a short hike at a comfortable pace, you will touch a rock that is more than 70 million years old and feel all the mysticism and mystery of this unusual place. The journey will be filled with gastronomic discoveries, because Sakhalin cuisine combines Korean and Japanese dishes, an abundance of the freshest seafood with classic Russian and even Soviet cuisine. You will take part in a culinary master class, where you will prepare an exotic Korean dish yourself. Before flying home, you will visit the fish market, so you can take home some delicious treats: Asian sweets and sauces, crabs and fish, red caviar.
Luxurious hotel right on the main street of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Spacious, elegant rooms in a classic style, some with beautiful mountain views. Pacific Plaza has a restaurant, cafe and bar. You can try European and Asian cuisine, and hearty breakfasts are served as a buffet. Guests especially note the ideal cleanliness of the hotel and the excellent service staff.
The hotel has a very advantageous location - a couple of steps from Victory Square, at the very foot of Mount Bolshevik, along which ski slopes are laid and which you can climb by cable car to see the panorama of the city from above. The hotel rooms are decorated in a discreet classic style. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, sauna, karaoke and even its own water park.
The hotel is located opposite a picturesque park area, it has its own spa, sauna and several restaurants where you can enjoy Japanese, Asian, Serbian and international cuisine. Elegant, spacious rooms are decorated in light colors and have everything for a pleasant and comfortable stay. Rooms on the upper floors offer panoramic views of the hills surrounding Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
You arrive at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport, and we will devote the first day to a calm acquaintance with this amazing city. After checking into the hotel and a short rest, you will go on a sightseeing tour of the regional capital. A cozy low-rise city, surrounded by snow-capped hills and combining Russian and Japanese styles - the perfect backdrop for an exciting and relaxing walk. We will go to the Local History Museum, where we will learn more about the history of Sakhalin, see the largest outdoor mosaic in the world on the Church of the Nativity, go up to the observation deck and more.
Let's plunge into the snowy, soft and fabulous Sakhalin winter! On the second day we will go on snowmobiles to Mount Bykov. The 954 meter high peak is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, it offers a stunning panoramic view of the mountain ranges, Aniva Bay and the Sea of Okhotsk. Secondly, this is one of the richest places for snow in the vicinity of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: it is here, local residents are sure, that in the fall you can find the very first snow. We will find ourselves on the mountain in the middle of winter, whipping up snow-white clouds from under powerful snowmobiles, admiring frost-covered tree branches and huge fluffy snowdrifts. We will return to the city by lunch, the second half of the day is free time.
By the third day, you have already enjoyed the abundance of snow and even gotten a little used to the snow-white landscapes - it’s time to see even more winter wonders! We are going to Tikhaya Bay, which gives an atmosphere of calm and solitude in any season, and in winter is famous for its fantastic icefalls. The slopes of the bay are decorated with 30-meter-high icicles, forming incredible “curtains” on the stones. Also on this day you will see the Torii Gate - the symbolic entrance to the Shinto shrine, a legacy of the Japanese period in the life of the island. They will be a wonderful backdrop for unusual photos! And on the way we will stop at the crab market in a fishing village.
Sakhalin is not only amazing nature, but also a lot of delicious sea, lake and river delicacies. That's why today we're going ice fishing. A unique, fun and interesting experience even for those who have never held a fishing rod in their hands! We will catch smelt - the “queen of the Sakhalin Sea”. You will be accompanied by experienced instructors who will tell you about all the tricks and beliefs of local fishermen and help you get a rich catch. Here we will have lunch, presenting freshly caught aromatic fish right on the spot! A hot lunch in the fresh air, surrounded by snow and ice, is one of the most vivid impressions of winter Sakhalin.
After breakfast we go to meet the beautiful and friendly sled dogs. And, of course, it won’t be limited to just one acquaintance: you will have a great ride through snow-covered meadows and paths in a coniferous forest, trying on the role of a musher, that is, driving a dog sled. Not only warm, bright emotions and a little adrenaline await you, but also stories told by experienced mushers about how riding arose on Sakhalin and what significance it has for the region. At 16.00, having walked around and ridden around a lot, we set off back to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. We will be in the city by 18.00.
Sakhalin is full of myths and secrets. Many places here have a special, mystical atmosphere, and on the penultimate day of the tour you will see one of these places - the rock-remnant of the Frog. This rock is about 70 million years old! Once upon a time there were mountain ranges here, but they were destroyed by winds, erosion and time, and only one unusually shaped rock remained. The indigenous people, the Ainu, 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 will not be difficult even for unprepared travelers. Upon returning to the city, a culinary master class awaits you, where you will learn how to cook a Korean dish - Sakhalin cuisine has absorbed the traditions of many countries and peoples.
It's time to say goodbye to fabulous winter Sakhalin. But, of course, everyone wants to bring home gifts and gifts - and seafood delicacies would be the best idea! On the way to the airport we will make a stop at the fish market, where you can buy crabs, fish, and red caviar. Or maybe you'll be interested in Korean sauces or Japanese sweets? All purchases will be carefully packaged to ensure they arrive safe and sound. After the market - arrival at the airport. See you again!
Winter on Sakhalin is quite mild. Average temperatures in the winter months are about -5, -7. However, keep in mind that cold temperatures down to -15, -18 are also possible.
The program consists almost entirely of outdoor activities, so bring warm and comfortable clothing, as well as winter shoes that will allow you to walk a lot. The best choice is a ski suit that allows your body to breathe and keeps you warm at the same time. And, of course, don’t forget about warm socks, a hat, mittens or winter gloves. The manager will give you a detailed list of things.
The price does not include air travel to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back, as well as dinners. Consider expenses for souvenirs, gifts, and seafood delicacies that you will take with you as a souvenir of Sakhalin.
Yes! The walk to the “Frog” outlier will take place at a comfortable pace and does not involve any serious physical activity.
There will be - during the transfer to the airport on the last day we will make a stop at the fish market.
Ask questions to the tour coordinator
Tour from an official tour operator from the Rostourism register
