Nowhere is the Pacific Ring of Fire more dramatic than in Russia's Far East. Along one of the world's most active plate boundaries, the Pacific plate subducts under the North American plate, resulting in volcanic and geothermal activity that has built a unique and amazing landscape. Join this 13-day expedition to explore three distinct geographical regions along the Pacific Ring: the Kamchatka Peninsula; the Commander Islands (the western extremity of the Aleutian chain of islands), and; the Kuril Islands. Each has its own story and, in many cases, endemic plants and birds. Go in search of the people, plants, animals, and birds that make this part of the Pacific Ring of Fire so special.
Highlights
Explore the Kamchatka Peninsula, Commander Islands, and Kuril Islands
See one of the world's richest wildlife areas in species and abundance
Discover the cultural and Soviet history of the Ring of Fire
Experience unique volcanic landscapes and geothermal activity
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Transferred to the vessel and depart for the Commander Islands. You are welcome on the bridge as the ship sails from what some people consider the best natural harbor in the world. There is also some good birding as you leave the shoreline behind.
Spend the day at sea as you cruise towards the Commander Islands. Enjoy several lectures and briefings as you prepare for the days ahead. It is also a good time to be on deck as the birding is good with fork-tailed storm petrel and red-legged kittiwake amongst the likely sightings.
There are two main islands in the Commander group, Bering and Medny, and during your two days you have the opportunity to explore several sites that combine the best of the area's natural and cultural history. There is an excellent chance of finding rock sandpiper, Mongolian plover, pechora pipit, and grey-crowned rosy-finch, as well as the endemic subspecies of arctic fox. Zodiac cruising can be extremely rewarding here with several species of auklets as well as the red-legged kittiwake. The area is also extremely rich in marine mammals. Potential species include sperm, humpback, northern minke, and Baird’s beaked whales, as well as orcas, Steller sea lions, northern fur seals, and sea otters. Plan for a visit to the small settlement of Nikolskoye and the local museum, and if weather permits, Commander Bay, where Vitus Bering was shipwrecked and is buried.
Spend several hours in the Zodiacs cruising on the scenic Zhupanova River, where you should get great looks at Steller’s sea eagles, as the birds often perch in the trees adjacent to the river. Other highlights may include Pacific diver, far eastern curlew, glaucous-winged gull, Aleutian tern, and yellow-breasted bunting. There is also a major salmon fishery on the river which you can visit.
In this deep fjord on the Kamchatka Peninsula, look for the critically endangered Kittlitz’s murrelet as well as long-billed murrelet. Plan for a short excursion at the head of the fjord where there is a chance of seeing brown bears. At the entrance to the fjord where you can Zodiac cruise, there are almost always orcas and Steller sea lions.
This morning on Onekotan Island you can stretch your legs through an amazing field of wild flowers as you walk to Black Lake. The landing on Atlasova Island is great for birders and non birders alike. There are the remains of a Gulag to explore and numerous species to see. Later today pass through Second Kuril Strait which has one of the highest densities of sea otters in the Kuril Islands.
This morning at Toporkovy Island in the shadow of the active Matua Island volcano you can expect to find harlequin ducks, red-faced cormorants, tufted puffins and Brunnich’s guillemots. Ashore you can encounter grey-tailed tattler, Middendorff’s grasshopper warbler and black-faced bunting.
Today your ship enters a flooded caldera at the northern end of Simushir Island where a once top secret Soviet submarine base lies abandoned. In the surrounding area look for the Siberian rubythroat, Eurasian nutcracker, pine grosbeak, and Japanese grey bunting. Your visit to Yankicha Island is likely to be one of the highlights of the voyage as the number of alcids which breed here is incredible, with spectacular concentrations of crested and whiskered auklets.
This morning explore Urup Island, a chance to stretch your legs on an extended walk, beachcomb, and look for sea otters or birds in the forest behind the beach. This afternoon depending on weather you can either Zodiac cruise or land on Chirpoy Island where there are some dramatic volcanic landscapes and headlands covered in breeding seabirds.
This morning you land at the small settlement of Kurilsk, from where local buses/trucks take you into the volcanic highlands to thermal hot pools where you can enjoy a soak or go birding. Possible species include Kamchatka leaf-warbler, Japanese robin, Siberian accentor, pine grosbeak and Japanese bush-warbler.
Kunashir is the largest island in the Kuril chain. Plan for a landing in the Kurilsky Reserve where you can explore an extensive area of woodland. Here you find some good walks and birding. Species you could encounter include Latham’s snipe, oriental turtle-dove, oriental cuckoo, Japanese bush-warbler, eastern crowned warbler, Narcissus and brown flycatchers, Siberian stonechat, and long-tailed rosefinch.
Day 13: Disembark | Port of Korsakov
1 Breakfast
Arrive at the Port of Korskov on Sakhalin Island. There will be transport to a central hotel and the airport in the town of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,800
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Main Deck
Two lower berths, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
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Superior
One bunk (one upper and one lower berth), writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
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Superior Plus
Two lower berths, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
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Mini Suite
Separate bedroom with a double bed and a sofa in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Mini Suites have windows.
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Heritage Suite
Large lounge area, separate bedroom with double bed and a sofa in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Large forward and side facing windows allow great views.
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Main Deck Triple
One bunk (one upper abd ibe lower berth) and one additional lower berth, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
Notes
- 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.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 166 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 166 reviews on
3 hours ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
3 hours ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
1 day ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
2 days ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner
Fiona Lonsdale
3 days ago
I spoke with at least a half dozen other travel companies, looking for a Galapagos cruise that fit our schedule and budget. Some companies could manage one or the other, but Erin was the only one who could do both. She found us the perfect cruise, at a fantastic price! And she has been quick and patient with responses to my many questions. So far, Adventure Life has been a fantastic company to work with!