• Season
    April - May
  • Duration
    14 Days / 13 Nights
  • Guiding Ratio
    Max 1:6
  • Price
    NZD $12,490.00
About the Event
This is not merely an adventure; it is a journey to the edge of the world. Our expedition plunges into the volcanic heart of Russia's Kuril Islands, embarking on a sailing voyage through the wild, untamed —a 1,300-kilometer chain where fire meets ice. From summit ascents of active volcanoes to navigating the turbulent waters of the Sea of Okhotsk, this trip combines technical ski touring and maritime exploration into a singular, unforgettable odyssey. You will stand on crater rims overlooking boiling fumaroles, soak in natural hot springs beneath star-filled skies, and witness wildlife in one of the planet's last great wildernesses. This is expedition travel at its most raw and rewarding.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Arrival & Transfer
Arrive at Yelizovo Airport (PKC) and transfer to port to board the sailing vessel. After a safety briefing and settling into cabins, we depart from Avacha Bay.
Day 2-12
Day 2-12
Sailing the Northern Kurils
We navigate south-west from Kamchatka towards the Kuril Islands. This is expeditionary sailing—stops and timing are 100% at the Captain's discretion based on real-time weather patterns. Proposed highlights (weather permitting) include:

  • Bukhta Russkaya (Russian Bay): A stunning fjord-like inlet known for wildlife and waterfalls.
  • Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island): The northernmost Kuril town, overshadowed by active volcanoes.
  • Atlasov Island: Dominated by the perfectly symmetrical Oyakoba Volcano (2,339m)—the "Fuji of the Far East."
  • Onekotan Island: Famous for the double-caldera system of Tao-Rusyr and sunken Koltsevoye Lake.
  • Yankicha Island (Ushishir Islands): A flooded volcanic crater teeming with seabirds and arctic foxes; potential to enter the caldera by dinghy.
  • Bukhta Broutona (Brouton Bay): Scenic anchorage ideal for zodiac cruising and bird watching.
Day 13
Day 13
Arrival in Sakhalin
Disembarkation at Korsakov Port (southern Sakhalin). Transfer to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Overnight at a hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Day 14
Day 14
Departure
Transfer to Khomutovo Airport (UUS) for international departure.
What Makes This Trip Unique
The Kuril Islands: Few travelers have ever set foot on these islands. This is a genuine frontier, accessible only by expedition vessel, offering wildlife, geology, and isolation found nowhere else.

Expert-Led Exploration: Our guides and crew possess intimate knowledge of this challenging environment, ensuring safety while maximising opportunities for summit ascents, wildlife encounters, and cultural touchpoints.

Built-In Flexibility: The contingency day and the sailing captain's discretion reflect the reality of expedition travel in this region, prioritising safety and the best possible experience over rigid scheduling.
Meet Your Guide
Nikita Pechersky
IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide
Professional ski guide with 12 years of experience leading remote adventures across Antarctica, Siberia, the Kuril Islands, Caucasus, Himalayas, and Central Asia.
Inclusions and Details

This all-inclusive package covers all logistics: All ground transfers, twelve nights cabin accommodation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and on a sailing vessel, and all meals while on board. Expert guides provide the safety and local knowledge needed to unlock this final frontier, creating an adventure defined by untouched snow, profound solitude, and pure exploration

  • Accommodation
    12 nights aboard a sailing vessel and 1 night hotel in in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
  • Meals
    All meals at the destination
  • Transfers
    All ground transfers
  • Guides
    Professional guides including avalanche and safety training
Dates
Plan Your Russian Far East Adventure
Have questions or ready to book? Contact us today, and let our experts help you craft the ultimate adventure in the stunning Kuril Islands archipelago
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