Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Experiences you'll have
On this journey, you will visit Wrangel Bay, where you will live in a camp with marine biologists without moving between islands. The trip involves a flight to Nikolayevsk-on-Amur and a sea transfer by catamaran. All transfer stages are weather-dependent, and delays are highly likely. Additionally, some routes and excursions may be canceled in case of bad weather.
The weather in this area can change abruptly several times a day - be prepared for sudden temperature fluctuations. It is essential to approach the selection of personal gear with utmost attention (we have prepared a detailed list for you in the "Common questions" section).
You will stay at a camp on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk with the highest possible comfort for this location: accommodation in two-room tents, two bathhouses on the campsite, a dining area, and a drying room for clothes. You will be disconnected from the outside world for 6 days - there are no cellular towers on the Shantar Islands.
Bowhead whales, orcas, seals, bears, Steller's sea eagles, and puffins - on this expedition, you will have the chance to see rare animals and birds in their natural habitat.
It is important to remember that this is a trip into the wild, not a visit to a zoo or aquarium. We cannot 100% guarantee animal sightings, and we believe it is honest to emphasize this from the very beginning.
This tour is sold as a group departure.
The minimum number of participants for the price on the website is 11.
The tour includes a guide who speaks either English or Chinese, as well as member of RussiaDiscovery team.
We kindly ask you to take into account that due to fluctuations in the dollar-ruble exchange rate we reserve the right to revise the rates in the event of significant market fluctuations.
Itinerary
The journey begins in Khabarovsk, where you should get to on your own. You should be in town the day before the program starts and plan to fly back the day after the program ends. This way you can prepare for the long journey at the beginning and rest after the program.
We can help with ticket purchasing and choosing a hotel in Khabarovsk. If necessary, leave a comment in the application.
Note: this expedition is held in remote and hard-to-reach places with complete autonomy. The itinerary may change depending on the weather and the concentration of whales. Long delays on the route, cancelation of some excursions in bad weather, or earlier departure from the route are possible.
Day 1 Flight to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur and sea crossing to Wrangel Bay
In the morning you will go to Khabarovsk airport to meet the group (all participants are traveling from different hotels, so the transfer to the airport is paid extra).
After meeting the group you will depart from Khabarovsk to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur by plane (flight time is 1,5 hours).
At the airport of Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, you will be met by our guide, and by minibusses travel to Perovsky Cape, located on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk (travel time is 2,5-4 hours along a forest gravel road).
From Perovsky Cape, you will cross the sea to Wrangel Bay by a high-speed catamaran boat (travel time is from 6 to 10 hours, depending on weather conditions).
Reaching Wrangel Bay, you will be accommodated in a comfortable campsite on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk. The RussiaDiscovery team calls this place the Whale Bay, because of the highest probability of seeing bowhead whales here. In the evening, you will enjoy a festive dinner and will meet our team.
Note: the arrival time is contingent upon the airline schedule. In case the flight arrive late, accommodation for the night will be provided in Nikolayevsk-on-Amur. Please note that weather is unpredictable and conditions may differ from the forecast. The company cannot be held liable for weather or actual sea conditions, as these are beyond our control.
Days 2-7 Whale watching in Wrangel Bay
You will spend these days in Wrangel Bay. The main goal is to see and swim with bowhead whales on SUP boards. This species of cetacean lives only in the waters of the Northern Hemisphere, and its southernmost group is found in the Sea of Okhotsk. In the shallow waters of Wrangel Bay, whales sometimes come to socialize, molt, and also to hide from orcas.
On the first day, you will receive a safety briefing on SUP boarding techniques and whale watching (using this watercraft is completely safe for both whales and humans). After the briefing, the necessary equipment will be issued, and you can head out to sea. If the weather is good, you can be out on the water from early morning until evening. Important: going out to sea is prohibited in the presence of wind, fog, or storm conditions.
At the base on Cape Wrangel, you will be joined by marine biologists with years of experience studying cetaceans and other scientists. During evening lectures, they will tell you about the life and behavior of these marine giants, as well as introduce you to the biology, ornithology, and geology of the region.
If desired, it will also be possible to participate in whale counting and the collection of geological materials — this data will help scientists research the bowhead whale population in the Sea of Okhotsk. You can also set up or check camera traps with the experts — they help in observing wildlife. In Wrangel Bay, you can see wild animals such as orcas and seals, foxes, and chipmunks.
In addition to whale watching, you will go trekking in Wrangel Bay. You will walk along the coast, through the taiga, climb nearby cliffs, and admire the northern landscapes. You can also enjoy sea fishing, mussel gathering, and take part in culinary masterclasses. At the base, you will be provided with fishing gear — bottom fishing rods to catch three species of flounder, perch, navaga, cod, goby, and crab. The fishing trip is organized by boat, and the catch will be prepared at the "Whalebone Tavern."
Day 8 Sea crossing to Perovsky Cape and flight to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur
After early breakfast and packing, you will cross a sea to Perovsky Cape (travel time is 6-10 hours).
From Perovsky Cape you will go by minibuses to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur (travel time is 2,5-4 hours on a forest gravel road).
Arriving in the city, you will be accommodated in a hotel “Sever”, have a rest and dinner (paid extra).
Day 9 Return to Khabarovsk
Today you will return from Nikolaevsk-on-Amur to Khabarovsk by local airline plane (the flight time is 1,5 hours).
Arriving in Khabarovsk, you will say goodbye to the group and go to the hotel on your own to relax after a long and eventful expedition.
We would like to point out that the flight is directly dependent on weather conditions. In case of non-flying weather, delays or flight cancellations are possible. Please plan your return home with potential delays in mind. We recommend purchasing tickets home for the day after your return to Khabarovsk or later. This way you will reduce the risks of delays, can walk around Khabarovsk, and rest before a long flight home.
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
The expedition takes place far from civilization. The accommodation will be quite simple, but comfortable.
The campsite in Wrangel Bay (7 nights )
Accommodation in tents for 2 people. Camping tents with 2 rooms and a shared vestibule. The tents have a polyurethane and an inflatable mat.
On the territory: 2 baths (banyas), a dining room, shower cabins, a drying room for clothes and equipment, a laundry, a fire area, electricity, toilets with sanitary ware, ecological trails, showers, a clothes dryer.
The Sever Hotel in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur (1 night)
It is the only hotel in the town with a satisfactory, but not very high level of comfort. You will be accommodated in rooms for 2-4 people with a private bathroom.
Note: you should book your accommodation in Khabarovsk before the start and after the end of the expedition. We recommend hotels Sopka and Parus (high level of service), Verba, Khabarovsk City Boutique Hotel, Sapporo, Lazurit (standard accommodation), and Chaika (budget accommodation).
Common questions
Summer air temperature: from +30°C during the day to +5°C at night. Strong winds, rain, and fog are possible. In September, the average temperature ranges from +20°C during the day to 0°C at night.
The weather in the Shantar Islands can be extremely unstable: strong winds, fog, and rain are possible. Therefore, we ask you to pay attention to the equipment list below.
For sea trips:
For trekking and time in the camp:
For photography equipment:
Other:
The menu will include both simple dishes (porridge, sandwiches, soups, salads, second course, herbal and berry teas) and seafood (flounder, salmon, red caviar, crabs, depending on the catch).
During the long sea crossing from Perovsky Cape to Wrangel Bay and back, lunch boxes and hot tea will be provided on board.
Additionally, you need to pay extra for meals in Khabarovsk before and after the expedition, and for meals in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur.
From Khabarovsk to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur and back you will fly by Aurora or Khabarovsk Airlines. Tickets with luggage up to 23 kg and hand luggage up to 5 kg are included in the tour price. The flight time is 1,5 hours.
From Nikolaevsk-on-Amur to Perovsky Cape and back you will be transferred by buses or minibuses Toyota Hiace. This forest gravel road takes from 2,5 to 4 hours. The bus capacity is 24 people and the minibus is 12 people. We seat 7-8 people per car for your convenience. Luggage is placed on top and inside the car.
The sea crossing from Perovsky Cape to Wrangel Bay and back will be on a high-speed catamaran boat (travel time is 6-10 hours). The boat's capacity is 15 people. There are comfortable chairs on board. This boat was designed specifically for the harsh conditions of the region. The catamaran is high-speed, so the passengers do not get seasick.
Boat trips around the Shantar archipelago will take place on open-type catamaran boats. In this case, you should be prepared for strong wind, but such boats offer a 360-degree view for whale watching.
Note: we have been organizing trips to the Shantar Islands for more than 5 years and all this time trying to improve the route and logistics. Previously, on the road from Khabarovsk to Wrangel Bay, we used a car transfer, which took about a day and was very tiring for tourists. Now we replaced this part of the route with a flight to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. In addition, a covered boat will now be used for long crossings, rather than an open-type boat. Thanks to these improvements, the expedition will become more comfortable.
Insurance is not included in the tour price, so you should arrange it yourself (we recommend a helicopter evacuation option). Please note that insurance is mandatory for tourists over 65 years of age.
Stable mobile communication will only be available in Khabarovsk and Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. There will be no phone connection or Wi-Fi in Wrangel Bay. Please, let your family and friends know in advance so they do not worry.
For emergency communication, the guides will be provided with a satellite phone.
Booking
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
local airline tickets (Khabarovsk – Nikolayevsk-na-Amure - Khabarovsk)
transfer from Nikolayevsk-na-Amure to the cape Perovsky and back
accommodation in Nikolayevsk-na-Amure (1 night)
accommodation at camping in Wrangel Bay (7 nights)
three meals a day (except for breakfast on day 1 and 9, lunch and dinner on day 8 and 9)
daily hiking and sea excursions (if weather permits)
lectures of marine biologists, services of captain, drivers, foresters, RussiaDiscovery representative
rental of group equipment and gear, fishing tackle, boats, paddleboards and wetsuits
visiting a Russian banya (sauna)
airfare to Khabarovsk and back
accommodation in Khabarovsk before the start of the program and after its end, as well as in case of delays
airport transfer in Khabarovsk (taxi from 300 rubles one way)
meals in Khabarovsk and Nikolaevsk-na-Amure (including in case of delays)
travel insurance (including helicopter evacuation)
sleeping bag & insert rental (+5000 rubles per person for the whole trip, if needed)
overweight baggage
local airline tickets (Khabarovsk – Nikolayevsk-na-Amure - Khabarovsk)
transfer from Nikolayevsk-na-Amure to the cape Perovsky and back
accommodation in Nikolayevsk-na-Amure (1 night)
accommodation at camping in Wrangel Bay (7 nights)
three meals a day (except for breakfast on day 1 and 9, lunch and dinner on day 8 and 9)
daily hiking and sea excursions (if weather permits)
lectures of marine biologists, services of captain, drivers, foresters, RussiaDiscovery representative
rental of group equipment and gear, fishing tackle, boats, paddleboards and wetsuits
visiting a Russian banya (sauna)
airfare to Khabarovsk and back
accommodation in Khabarovsk before the start of the program and after its end, as well as in case of delays
airport transfer in Khabarovsk (taxi from 300 rubles one way)
meals in Khabarovsk and Nikolaevsk-na-Amure (including in case of delays)
travel insurance (including helicopter evacuation)
sleeping bag & insert rental (+5000 rubles per person for the whole trip, if needed)
overweight baggage
Archipelago of Discoveries: Wrangel Bay
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