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We call these
lands “non-pacific in the Pacific” and it is
absolutely true. It is not only because of the
abundance of active volcanoes on Kurils and
Kamchatka, making this area a part of the
Pacific Ring of Fire. Foggy and rainy, these
regions are protected extremely from easy
access. But the Russian Far East, Chukotka and
Wrangel Island are undoubtedly the places
worthy of exploration. The emotions and
memories you’ll bring from this trip will be
the best reward for all the challenges we may
encounter on our way.
Day 1: Your independent arrival at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport is followed by transfer to Kholmsk city (100km), the starting point of our expedition. We embark “Marina Tsvetaeva” and set sail in the evening. Day 2: The northernmost Kunashir Island opens our exploration of the Kuril archipelago. If weather conditions are favorable we’ll have some landings or zodiac cruises here, offering several exciting opportunities: we could spot the two-level Tyatya volcano; admire the stunning basaltic formation at Cape Stolbchaty; have a pleasant walk along Abies spruce covered beach, visit Ptichiy (Birds’) waterfall. Our next goal is Iturup Island, the largest one of the Kuril chain. If weather is not contradicting our expedition plans too much, we’ll enter Lvinaya Past Caldera (Lion jaws). In the centre of the entrance to caldera there is a rock looking like a lying lion. The caldera is very attractive for whales and dolphins – their backs and fins appear above the sea from time to time. We sail north keeping close to shoreline not to miss breathtaking views:
Day 3: Urup Island also offers good possibilities. We’ll take our chances against probable weather surprises and, as a result, might land and explore one of the following areas:
We hope to have another possibility to observe wildlife during zodiac cruise around Brat Chirpoy Island: Steller’s Sea Lions, Pelagic Cormorants, Greater Scaups, Harlequin Ducks, Black and Stejneger’s Scoters. Here keep your eyes open for sperm whales and orcas. Chirpoy Island with its smoking volcanoes offers hiking opportunities for dramatic landscapes lovers. Days 4 - 5: The entrance to the
volcanic caldera on the north of
Simushir Island is edged with
picturesque volcanic cliffs. In Soviet times
the caldera was a shelter for a submarine
base. Our experienced Captain will do his best
to come to an agreement with the weather and
to anchor the ship near the island for us to
take a zodiac cruise inside the caldera. Ushishir Islands consisting of two isles - Ryponkicha and Yankicha were favored by the Ainu, the mysterious native people of the Kurils. Yankicha Island is a tough place for any kind of zodiac operations: winds around it blow strongly, their directions change often; sea currents around the isle are strong. But in case we get access to a flooding volcanic caldera – we’ll be enjoying a breathtaking panorama with smoking volcanoes and birds colonies on the slopes. Among the birds one can identify Whiskered Auklets, Crested Auklets, Tufted Puffins, Pigeon Guillemots. Day 6 - 7: We plan to start the day with a zodiac trip to Lovushki Islands. The name of the islands means “snares” – well… aren’t we the explorers to be afraid of dubious names? We hope to have sea calm enough to have a zodiac trip to Lovushki. Our walk might be accompanied by roar of Steller’s Sea Lions and Northern Fur Seals. Be ready with your camera – our zodiac drivers will do their best to get close enough to the animals. If there is not a fog at Matua Island we’ll observe the highest height of Sarycheva volcano, one of the Kurils most active volcanoes. Its smoking cone often erupts with lava. On the coastal cliffs of the island Red-faced and Pelagic Cormorants, Guillemots breed. If we have time and good weather to land on the island we might also see the remains of Japanese airfield, established here during World War II. Srednego Islands are home to thousands of birds: Guillemots, Black-legged Kittiwakes and secretive Whiskered Auklets. We hope to have clear weather today to witness a dark smoking peak of the active Kurotake volcano (938 m high) on Shiashkotan Island. The Aka volcano reddish cone towers over the north-western coast of the island. Numerous seals and sea birds inhabit Shiashkotan. Ekarma Island is a solitary extinct volcano 1179 meters high. There are many birds and Sea Otter breeding grounds on the north-eastern cape of Ekarma, where we plan a zodiac trip. Among nesting birds of the island you can identify Nothern Fulmars, Red-faced and Pelagic Cormorants, Slaty-backed Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common and Bruennich’s Guillemots, Crested Auklets, Tufted and Horned Puffins. Among possible activities for today there is a visit to Kharimkotan Island with 1213 meters high Kharimkotan volcano. Seals are frequent here. On the north-western Cape Sunazhma one can see the remains of an old ainu settlement. Day 8: The second largest island of Kuril Range, Paramushir is a home for bears and foxes. There are also several small adjoining islands on the eastern side where birds nest and raise their noisy chicks. The highest one on the Kuril Range Alaid volcano (2,334 metres high) is as the final gift of this “Ring of Fire” area. We will observe its peaks on Atlasova Island. With this majestic view in our memories we leave the Kurils and sail northwards to Kamchatka Peninsula. Day 9: “Welcome to Kamchatka Region!” – birds of Utashud Isle probably cry, nesting on steep rocks. Sea Otters are frequent on the beach. Ptichi Islands means “Birds” Islands. If heavy fog does not hide everything – we’ll have a zodiac cruise here to observe sea birds on the rocks living in the vicinity of Sea Otters breeding grounds on the beach. Our expedition day might be continued with a visit to Vestnik Bay. Spectacular views of Mutnovskay Sopka volcano and birds on the rocks are the highlights we expect to watch during our zodiac cruise. Day 10: Many bird species are found near the shallow Zhupanova River, including Steller’s Sea Eagle. We hope to explore the river by zodiac, while hiking close to the banks is excellent for bird lovers and anyone seeking wonderful views. Day 11: On the way to the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky we pass the beautiful coastlines of Avacha Bay. As we near the port we will see the volcanoes which dominate the town - Koryaksky, Avachinsky and Kozelsky. The citizens of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky call them the Domashniy (Home) volcanoes, as they can be seen every day from the townsfolks’ windows. We anchor at the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. |
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