Sea journey to the Russian Far East 2027

Day 1 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Boarding the Vessel

You will land at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the port for boarding. Omega will be waiting for you in Avacha Bay — the largest natural harbor in the world. You will settle into your cabin, meet the crew, and then head out into the Pacific Ocean.

Already on the first day, you will be able to admire the striking landscapes of the Russian Far East from the open decks. Off the port side, you will see Kamchatka’s volcanoes: Avachinsky, Koryaksky, and Kozelsky. And by the end of the day, a view of Zhupanovskaya Sopka — a majestic massif of four volcanoes — will open before you.

Day 2 Zhupanova River

Early in the morning, your vessel will anchor near the mouth of the Zhupanova River — one of the best fishing spots in all of Kamchatka.

You will head upriver in expedition Zodiacs. As you travel, keep an eye on the sky — you may spot the Steller’s sea eagle, one of the largest birds on the planet with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters. And somewhere nearby, a Kamchatka brown bear may be fishing along the riverbank.

Then you will try your luck at fishing. The main target is rainbow trout, which can weigh up to 6–8 kg. But the local waters are also home to pink salmon, coho, chum salmon, grayling, Chinook salmon, and char.

In the afternoon, you will return to the vessel and set course for the Commander Islands. The 20-hour sea crossing is an excellent opportunity to relax and listen to fascinating lectures on the archipelago’s nature and history from the expedition team. During this time, we also recommend spending some moments on the open decks — while crossing Kronotsky Gulf, you may spot gray whales and enjoy views of the region’s volcanoes, including Kronotskaya Sopka.

Day 3 At Sea

The voyage to the Commander Islands is the perfect moment to familiarize yourself with the vessel and prepare for the archipelago. On board, the guides will introduce you to the history and wildlife of the Commanders. And on the upper deck, you can enjoy endless ocean views and watch for marine wildlife.

Days 4–7 The Commander Islands

For the next four days, you will explore the mysterious world of the Commander Islands. This archipelago was discovered in 1741 when the expedition led by Commander Vitus Bering was cast ashore here — the islands were later named in his honor.

Your first stop is Nikolskoye village on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. This is the only inhabited place on the Commander Islands. At the local museum, you will see a unique exhibit — the skeleton of a Steller’s sea cow, a remarkable animal hunted to extinction in the 18th century.

You will explore Bering Island, the largest of the Commanders. During your visit, you will sense the spirit of early exploration as you stand at the gravesite of Vitus Bering and his crew. At Cape Severo-Zapadny, you will come across vast colonies of Steller sea lions, fur seals, and insular seals.

Don’t be surprised if you spot furry “two-headed” creatures floating by — up close, you'll see that these are female sea otters carrying their sleeping pups on their chests. The coastal waters of the island are also home to many cetaceans: orcas, minke whales, sperm whales, fin whales, and humpback whales.

Another highlight of Bering Island is Steller’s Arch — a natural formation that resembles a triumphal arch. Standing beside it, it’s hard to believe nature could create something so monumental.

One day will be devoted to Medny Island, whose dramatic scenery takes your breath away: sheer cliffs, countless waterfalls, and rugged mountain relief. During your walks, you will meet Commander Arctic foxes — an extremely rare subspecies found nowhere else and listed in the Red Book. They are not afraid of people and often approach visitors out of curiosity.

By expedition boats, you will reach the islands Toporkov and Kamen Ariy to see their famous bird colonies. Here you will find huge numbers of some of the Far East’s most beautiful seabirds — tufted and horned puffins, often called “sea parrots,” as well as striking red-faced cormorants.

Day 8 Olga Bay. Whale Watching

Today, you will enter Olga Bay and head out in expedition boats in search of ocean giants. You may witness the powerful spouts of gray whales and, with luck, breaching humpbacks. Brown bears are also often seen on the shore.

From the bay’s coastline, you will enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the volcanoes of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve. You can see six peaks at once, including Kronotsky — one of the most beautiful volcanoes in Kamchatka.

Day 9 Morzhovaya Bay

You will land in Morzhovaya Bay — the largest in Kronotsky Bay. There, you can walk the shore, explore a stranded ship, and watch Steller sea lions resting on the cliffs.

There’s also an opportunity to paddle along the bay on SUP boards or kayaks, and, if you wish, to try fishing from the deck.

Day 10 Return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Today, your vessel returns to the shores of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. You will disembark, where a transfer to the airport or your hotel will be waiting for you.