Multi-adventure cruise around the Kuril Islands 2027

Day 1 Flight from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Kurilsk, Iturup Island. Boarding the vessel

You will take a flight to Iturup (included in the price) and transfer to the port to board your vessel. Along the way, you will see one of the most famous landmarks of the Russian Far East — Cape Aniva, with its historic Japanese lighthouse perched on the rocky headland.

Day 2 Kunashir Island

This is the southernmost island of the Greater Kuril Chain. It is home to three active volcanoes: Golovnin, Mendeleev, and Rurui.

You will start with a trek into the caldera of Golovnin Volcano (14 km round trip). The trail runs through the protected area of the Kuril Nature Reserve, following a dirt road through forests, Kurile bamboo and Siberian dwarf pine thickets. You will descend into a deep crater bowl with two volcanic lakes — Kipyashcheye (“Boiling”) and Goryacheye (“Hot”) — and you will be able to take a dip in one of them. Those who climb to a higher lookout point will be rewarded with a mesmerizing panorama of lakes shimmering in every shade of turquoise.

Afterward, you will visit one of the Kurils’ natural treasures — the unique Cape Stolbchaty. It is composed of multi-faceted basalt “columns” formed by the slow extrusion of viscous lava cooling under the influence of the sea.

Days 3-4 Iturup Island

Over these two days, you will explore some of Iturup’s most iconic sites, including Lvinaya Past Bay (“Lion’s Maw”), an excellent spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, and foil riding.

You will also visit the Medvezhy Peninsula, home to Ilya Muromets Waterfall — one of Russia’s tallest (141 m). Its full beauty can only be appreciated from the ocean side. In the bay below, you will try fishing for giant halibut.

Day 5 Urup and Chirpoy Islands

On Urup Island, you will explore scenic waterfalls, grottoes, and sea caves that adorn the rugged coastline.

This is where the active Berga Volcano (1,040 m) rises. You will see Lake Tokotan, Cape Glybisty, and the Pivnaya Kruzhka rock arch (“Beer Mug”). In Novokurilskaya Bay, you will fish for char and red salmon, while in Abramova Bay the target will be halibut.

Your vessel will then head to Chirpoy Island. During Zodiac excursions, you will see Steller sea lion haulouts and thousands of seabirds.

Day 6 Simushir Island. Zavaritsky Volcano

Today, you will set out on a trek to Zavaritsky Volcano. From its summit, you will enjoy breathtaking views — including the collapsed and flooded caldera of the volcano, as well as the majestic Prevo and Milna volcanoes. If the weather is clear, you may even catch a glimpse of part of the Greater Kuril Ridge.

Day 7 Yankicha Island

By Zodiac boats, you will enter a flooded volcanic caldera: Crater Bay, one of the most beautiful places in the Kuril Islands.

On the island, you can bathe in natural hot springs and encounter the rare Commander Arctic foxes. These curious animals are not afraid of people — they often approach travelers and beg for treats.

Day 8 Onekotan Island. Krenitsyn Volcano

Weather permitting, you will hike up to the Ring Ridge, which offers a breathtaking view of Krenitsyn Volcano (1,324 m). Krenitsyn is a “volcano within a volcano”: its cone stands in the center of Koltsevoe Lake (Ring Lake), which itself fills the circular caldera of the ancient, collapsed Tao-Rusyr Volcano.

This route is suitable for physically fit travelers: you will cover 15 km with an elevation gain of 600 m. Along the way, you will take in dramatic views — including Nemo Peak on the far side of Onekotan and the picturesque Mussel Bay.

Day 9 Paramushir Island. Ascent of Ebeko

This day is dedicated to climbing Ebeko (1,156 m), an active volcano with fumarolic fields and frequent eruptions. It’s a challenging trek: the ascent takes 4–4.5 hours one way (8 km), and the descent — about 3–3.5 hours.

But your effort will be fully rewarded upon reaching the summit: from above, you will enjoy extraordinary views of the southern group of Paramushir volcanoes — Tatarynov, Chikurachki, Fuss, and Alaid. You may even witness an eruption with your own eyes.

Day 10 Atlasov Island and the Bird Islands

Your first stop today is Atlasov Island, the northernmost island of the Greater Kuril Chain. This is home to active Alaid Volcano (2,339 m), the highest point in the entire Kuril Archipelago. The island hosts foxes, fur seals, harbor seals, and sea otters. Thick seabird colonies of guillemots, gulls, and puffins nest here, and sometimes you may spot cormorants as well.

During your landing, you will hike to Alaid’s side crater, Taketomi (a 1 km walk with 126 m elevation gain). From here you will have an excellent view of Alaid — often compared to Mount Fuji for its graceful shape.

Your vessel will then continue toward the Bird Islands. On Zodiac excursions, you will observe thousands of seabirds and watch playful Steller sea lions and sea otters floating on their backs — sometimes even carrying sleeping pups on their bellies.

Day 11 Arrival in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Your vessel will pass through Avacha Bay — one of the largest bays in the world — and arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Once you disembark, your transfer to the airport or your hotel will be waiting for you.