Kamchatka - Kuril Islands - Sakhalin

We arrive at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky airport. After a short excursion around the city we embark our vessel in the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In the evening we leave the port for our Kamchatka adventure.

Small Utashud Isle is rich in wildlife, particularly birds, which nest on the steep rocks, and Sea-Otters on the beach. In the afternoon we visit Vestnik Bay. The shores are covered by Engelman's birch. The archeological digs and ancient native Kamchadal objects are equally interesting.

The central height of Atlasova Island is Alaid (Oyakoba) volcano, the highest one on Kuril Islands. Its eastern peak Khitam is 2 334 meters high and the western peak Nisiiva is 2 289 meters high.
Paramushir Island. The second largest island of Kuril Range, Paramushir is famous for its bears and foxes. There are also several small adjoining islands, on the eastern side, where birds nest and raise their noisy chicks.

Early in the morning we pass Makanrushi Island where the coastal waters are home to sea lions, and revel in the view of the dramatic Makanrushi volcano.
We head further north and watch Avos Rock famous for looking like a 35-metre high sailing vessel which is a shelter for sea lions breeding close to the bird colonies. In the evening we plan a landing on Onekotan Island- another wildlife paradise for birds nesting at Tsurigane rock, and seal breeding sites.

Ushishir Islands - Ryponkicha (Kita) Island and Minamisima (Yankicha) Island. These tiny isles are real paradise for bird lovers, with Red-throated Pipit, Greenshank, Buff-bellied Pipit, and Rough-legged Buzzard. The Ushishir Islands were favored by the Ainu, the native people of the Kurils. The numerous thermal pools used to be the site of religious ceremonies, and feature in many of the legends of the Ainu. On Yankicha Island we will try to reach the volcano caldera, which forms Kraternaya Bay. There are Auklet colonies on the nearby rocks.
If conditions permit, we will explore the southern capes of Ketoy Island, where there are numerous breeding sites of Steller's Sea Lions and Pelagic Cormorants.
Simushir Island. While approaching the island a huge number of ducks, mainly Harlequins, will meet us. The breathtaking volcanic scenery and wildlife make the island a real treat. We may even see Sea Otters.

We go on exploring a spectacular birdlife of Broutona Island. This tiny spot of land is a home for the vast colony of Fulmars. Urup Island is famous for rare bird species and the seals along the coast. There are thermal springs in the upper Taka River. You will also be surprised by the rich flora which includes Cloudberry, Great Bilberry, Seaside Sandplant, Kamchatka Stonecrop, Arctic Daisy, thickets of Kuma-Zasa, Wild Rose and others.

Iturup Island is the biggest one of the Kuril chain. The local marine wildlife includes 20 species of whales, together with Largha and Harbour seals, and Steller's Sea Lions. Nearly 200 species of birds are found here. 100 species nesting on the island. Among the sites we plan to visit are:
- the 140-metre Ilia Muromets waterfall, one of the highest in Russia, which falls not far from the shore.
- beaches where the wind and sea have turned soft white pumice rocks into intricate stone decorations.
- good viewing points of the cone of Atsonopuri volcano, which is perfect from any angle.

Kunashir Island is the most southern island of the Kuril Chain. The island's Nature Reserve is rich in wildlife and unique natural scenery, our day offering several exciting opportunities: we could spot the two-level Tyatya volcano; admire the stunning basaltic formation at Cape Stolbchaty; visit Ptichiy (Birds') waterfall or the Neskuchenskiye springs; search out the northernmost species of wild Magnolia; or watch for some of the large number of rare birds - Japanese Crane, Blakiston's Fish-Owl, Steller's Sea Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle and others.

Landing on Moneron Island. The island is a National Park, set up to protect sea mammals' breeding grounds, rare sea birds' nesting-sites and plants included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. The typical Moneron landscape is a unique combination of volcanic mountains, Alpine meadows and rocky canyons. Meadows with gigantic plants (3-3.5 metres high) cover about a third of the island.
A warm stream in the coastal waters produces an abundance of underwater life and fantastic plants. Even if you are not a diver you'll be able to appreciate this marvellous underwater realm because of the exceptional clarity of the water. It is possible to see to depths of 30 - 40 metres allowing observation of fish, sea-urchins, shellfish and plants even from the vessel's deck. If the water is calm enough, our zodiac-drivers will slow down, or even stop the engines to allow you to admire the beauties of the underwater world.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. In the morning we disembark the vessel and start our journey home.

- Group transfers between the airport and the ship;
- Luggage transfer between the airport and the ship;
- Voyage aboard the vessel "Marina Tsvetaeva" as indicated in the itinerary;
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiacs (as included in planned group excursions);
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and the service of an experienced guide;
- Four meals a day;
- Pre-departure materials and expedition log;
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

- All airfares;
- Passport and visa expenses (if required);
- Government arrival and departure taxes (if required);
- Meals and hotel accommodation ashore;
- Luggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended);
- Excess luggage charges;
- Telecommunication services; laundry, bar charges aboard the vessel;
- Standard tips at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personal aboard (at your discretion);
- Any optional excursions.

Length: 89.98 m
Beam: 17.20 m
Draft: 5.25 m
Tonnage: 4575 GRT
Cruising speed: 12 knots
Crew: 40
Passengers: 86 (up to 115)
Flag: Russian Federation

A deposit of 20% of the cabin rate is required to confirm a reservation with final payment due 60 days prior to departure. All prices and payments are in EURO and no other currencies can be accepted.

All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellations received 60 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of EUR 500 per person. Please note that within the 60 days limit all deposits and tariffs are forfeited.

For these and other reasons mentioned below, you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance. Prices quoted are based on group participation, and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate, including any helicopter flying time (if applicable and which at the discretion of the captain and expedition leader may or may not be utilized). It is understood that refunds cannot be made to the passengers who do not complete the tour for any reason whatsoever. The Cruise Operator reserves the right to cancel any departure due to insufficient reservations up to eight weeks before the date of departure (Passenger may be offered alternative cruise dates.) The Cruise Operator also reserves the right to cancel any departure up until the date of that departure due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond the control of the Cruise Operator that prevent the operation of the tour. The Cruise Operator or its agents are not responsible for costs or penalties related to air transport or other services that are cancelled.

The Cruise Operator is not liable for failure to provide the services or accommodations offered to the extent that such services or accommodations cannot be provided due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond its control.

The itinerary described is subject to change at the discretion of the expedition leader or of the Cruise Operator. This is an expedition to a remote and scarcely populated part of the world, and we expressly reserve the right to change the itinerary, the date or place of departure due to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond our control without consulting the participants. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the interests of all passengers aboard and with regard to the safety of the vessel. Participants have no right to any refund or other considerations in the event of these inevitable itinerary changes. Nothing in this brochure is meant to signify the use of any specific design or model of helicopter or of inflatable boat.

If a passenger misses any scheduled sailing of the vessel from any port or place, including any stopover, the Cruise Operator shall not be liable for any costs, expenses or damages incurred by the passenger as a result of his/her action and no refund of fare shall be granted.

Passengers who participate in cruise agree that any photographs, that include their person, may be used by the Cruise Operator and its associates for promotional purposes. Passengers may not charge for their appearance in any photographs.