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.
Day 1: Embark on Sakhalin Island, Port of Korsakov
1 Dinner
This morning board a coach for transfer to the Port of Korsakov some 40 minutes south of the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk where you board the Spirit of Enderby. Once on board you are shown to your cabins and there is a chance to unpack and explore the vessel. There are briefings and introductions to the ship, staff, and crew after you sail.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
During the night the Spirit of Enderby enters Avacha Bay, which is one of the greatest natural harbors in the world. There is a complimentary transfer to the airport or to a central downtown hotel.
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.
$7,300
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners
12 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
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
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 | 131 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 131 reviews on
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The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
Jennifer Howard Schroeder
1 day ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week
Linda Cummings
2 days ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
2 days ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
2 days ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.