Have questions? We're here.
Two Kamchatka brown bears enjoy the view

Siberia's Forgotten Coast: Kamchatka Coast

Example 14 Day Cruise aboard Spirit of Enderby
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Russia trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Join the crew of the Spirit of Enderby on this very special 14-day cruise along the Kamchatka Coast! Siberia’s eastern coastline is undoubtedly one of the most remote and least visited regions of the globe. It is home to several groups of indigenous people, including the Itelmen, Koryak, Even, and Chukchi. This is an amazing coastline dominated by the volcanoes of Kamchatka in the south, the fjords of what was formally the Koryak region, and the rich estuarine areas and tundra of Chukotka. It has one of the most diverse assemblages of wildlife and habitats of anywhere of a similar latitude on the globe, and virtually no people or visitors to disturb them. Join researchers in monitoring the populations and distributions of the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpipers, seabirds, and waders.
Kamchatka-Bukhta PetraA marvelous zodiac ride along the Kamchatka coastHorned Puffins along the Kamchatka coastObserving wildlife during a zodiac ride along the Kamchatka coastTwo Kamchatka brown bears enjoy the view
Highlights
  • Travel to one of the most remote and least visited regions of the globe
  • Assist in monitoring the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper
  • Enjoy unique hiking, birding, photography, & zodiac cruising opportunities
  • Explore coastline dominated by volcanoes, fjords, estuarine areas, & tundra
  • Learn about indigenous culture, regional history, & explorer Vitus Bering
  • Search for iconic wildlife and birdlife, including brown bears and walrus
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Embark in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy

Arrive into Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, the capital and administrative center of the Kamchatka Region, and transfer to the port to board the Spirit of Enderby.

Day 2: Zhupanova River

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the morning Zodiac cruising on the Zhupanova River. The main target here is the Steller’s sea eagle, and there are usually some occupied nests close to the river. Good numbers of largha seals are also often hauled out on sandbars in the river and you should see a good variety of waterfowl and waders. By late afternoon, the ship should be over deep water heading for the Commander Islands. New species to look for include Laysan albatross, mottled petrel, and the fork-tailed storm petrel. The Kamchatka Trench can also be excellent for cetaceans - previously blue whales have been seen on this crossing.

Day 3-4: Commander Islands

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The wildlife-rich Commander Islands were first discovered by the Commander Vitus Bering when his ship was wrecked here in 1741. Explore the islands through a combination of landings and Zodiac cruises. The first stop is the village of Nikolskoye, where there is an interesting museum. Zodiac cruising is often spectacular - hope to encounter red-faced cormorant, red-legged kittiwake, pigeon guillemot, horned puffin, as well as parakeet, crested and whiskered auklets, and sea otters. Plans also include a ship cruise along the southern coast of Bering Island, as this area is excellent for cetaceans with humpback, sperm, northern minke, orcas and Baird’s beaked whales all regularly encountered.

Day 5: Karaginskiy Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The proposed landing site is a patchwork of boggy tundra, ponds, and shingle spits where an interesting range of waders can be found including Pacific golden plover, red-necked stint, and red-necked phalarope. Also hope to see bluethroat and Pallas’ reed bunting.

Day 6: Verkhoturova Island | Govena Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Verkhoturova Island has some huge seabird colonies, and by following a short trail to the cliff top you should be able to enjoy some fantastic views of tufted puffins, Brunnich’s guillemots, pelagic cormorants, and black-legged kittiwakes. Both Steller’s, eider, and harlequin duck occur here too, and you may also see some Steller sea lions, as they are often hauled out on some offshore rocks. Later in the day, there may be either a Zodiac cruise or landing on the Govena Peninsula. Good numbers of brown bears can often be found here.

Day 7-9: Koryak | Chukotka Coast

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
During these days of the expedition we will travel along this largely unknown part of the coast. It comprises deep forested fiords where we should see brown bears, Red Fox and with luck, mountain sheep and Kamchatka Marmots. In the many lagoons and shallow bays there is a vast array of birdlife including Tundra Bean Goose, Steller’s Eider, Great Knot, Long-tailed Stint, Gyrfalcon, Siberian Accentor and Asian Rosy Finch. This area is also a stronghold of the Kittlitz’s Murrelet and we should see several during our journey. In our previous expeditions we have explored much of this coastline, documenting the distribution and abundance of many species. In 2011 we recorded a previously unknown breeding population of Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Working alongside researchers from BirdLife International and Birds Russia who will be travelling with us, we plan to revisit many of these areas to monitor changes and search for new breeding colonies. There will be unique opportunities for photography, for hiking and ‘birding’ in country where literally only a few ‘westerners’ have ever been and we know there is a rich diversity of species.

Day 10: Meinypil’gyno

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Meinypil’gyno, located on a 40 km long shingle spit, is the most important site in the world for breeding spoon-billed sandpiper. Here about ten pairs are monitored by members of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Recovery Taskforce. As guests of the Taskforce, if possible, you may be guided to one of their monitored nests. The area is extremely rich in other wildlife, so you may also find emperor goose, Pacific diver, white-billed diver, and sandhill crane. The lagoon entrance often has largha seal, gray and beluga whales, and a spectacular number of gulls.

Day 11: Preobrazheniya Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At Preobrazheniya Bay we look to Zodiac cruise its spectacular towering granite cliffs home to thousands of nesting birds including Black-legged Kittiwakes, Horned and Tufted Puffins, Common, Brünnich’s and Pigeon Guillemonts, Glaucous and Vega Gulls, Parakeet and Crested Auklets, Northern Fulmars, White Wagtails, Shorttailed Shearwaters and Redthroated Pipit. We will also be looking for Resident Killer Whales/ Orca, known to frequent the coastline.

Day 12: Yttygran Island & Bukhta Penkingney

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Yttygran Island is home to the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley, where whale bones stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometre. There are many meat pits used for storage and other remains of a busy whaling camp that united several aboriginal villages at a time. In one location, immense Bowhead Whale jawbones and ribs are placed together in a stunning arch formation. Gray and Humpback Whales are frequently seen around the island. This afternoon we plan to visit Bukhta Penkingney. This long fiord, cut into the coastline by glaciers, is a popular spot for whale watching. Exploring this scenic location we will be looking for wildlife including brown bear.

Day 13: Provideniya

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today there will be an opportunity to explore this fascinating former Soviet military port and administrative center. After clearing Russian Customs and Immigration in Provideniya we will set sail for Nome across the Bering Strait. One of the world’s most nutrient-rich stretches of water, each spring the Bering Strait is the scene of one of the planet’s largest wildlife migrations. Beluga, Bowhead and Gray Whales, walrus, Ringed Seals and numerous seabirds are all known to frequent the strait so there is plenty of opportunity for wildlife encounters. Join the expedition team for a recap and disembarkation briefing before enjoying a farewell dinner to celebrate our journey as we sail back across the International Date Line.

Day 13: Provideniya

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today there will be an opportunity to explore this fascinating former Soviet military port and administrative center. After clearing Russian Customs and Immigration in Provideniya we will set sail for Nome across the Bering Strait. One of the world’s most nutrient-rich stretches of water, each spring the Bering Strait is the scene of one of the planet’s largest wildlife migrations. Beluga, Bowhead and Gray Whales, walrus, Ringed Seals and numerous seabirds are all known to frequent the strait so there is plenty of opportunity for wildlife encounters. Join the expedition team for a recap and disembarkation briefing before enjoying a farewell dinner to celebrate our journey as we sail back across the International Date Line.

Day 14: Nome, Alaska | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast and clearing US Immigration and Customs formalities it will be time to say our farewells. There will be a complimentary transfer to take you to the airport or a designated central location. Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and/or opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed.

Day 14: Nome, Alaska | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast and clearing US Immigration and Customs formalities it will be time to say our farewells. There will be a complimentary transfer to take you to the airport or a designated central location. Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and/or opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed.

Ship/Hotel

Spirit of Enderby

Seating for all passengers in the Lecture Room
Heritage Suite
South Pacific fish

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,380
Main Deck Triple-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Main Deck Triple
One cabin located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, one upper bunk bed, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
Main Deck-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Main deck
Thirteen cabins located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
Superior Cabin-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Superior
Four cabins located on the Middle Deck,with one lower and one upper bunk, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Superior Plus Cabin-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Superior Plus
Eight cabins located on the Upper and Middle Decks,with two lower bunk beds, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space. and private bath facilities.
Mini Suite- Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Mini Suite
Two cabins located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single bed, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Heritage-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Heritage Suite
One cabin located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, forward- and side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single pull-out bed, desk and table area, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.

Notes

- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers aboard the Spirit of Enderby.
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
Included
  • 13 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
  • 13 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Pre- & Post- Cruise Transfers
  • Complimentary boot rental is available. However, due to the limited supply of boots available aboard the ship, it is recommended that you bring your own rubber boots for best fit and availability. Youth size boots are not available.
  • House beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • One night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (incl. dinner/breakfast)
  • All expedition shore excursions
  • Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
  • Complimentary Parka - available only for the duration of the voyage.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Required Visas if applicable
  • Laundry 
  • Mandatory medical evacuation insurance

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By