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Highlights of Russia’s Kuril Islands

THE PACIFIC RING OF FIRE

Stretching from the Kamchatka Peninsula south to Hokkaido, Japan, the Kuril Islands are a stunning necklace of volcanic islands forged by the Pacific Ring of Fire. Swept by politics and war, and wreathed in North Pacific mists, the wildlife emerges from the wonderland like no other.

1

Discovering volcanos

Over 160 volcanoes (40 active) form the 56 islands and many islets of the Kuril Islands archipelago. The perfect beauty of snow-capped Vulkan Alaid (the Kurils highest at 2,315 metres) on Atlasova, to the flooded caldera’s of Simushir and Yankicha giving access to mysterious destination

2

Mamma bears and cubs

Explore the megaherb forests of Iturup and Kunashir islands and there’s a chance you’ll encounter Kamchatka brown bears, Russia’s grizzlies. Some 10 per cent of the Kuril populations have silver tinted head and chest, an adaptation believed to give them an advantage when salmon fishing.

3

Otterly-charming

Between Atlasova and Onekotan is the Second Kuril Strait, home to the highest density of sea otters in the Kurils, not the only place you’ll see these curious sea critters. Whether cracking shellfish on their chests with a stone, or ferrying pups on their bellies, sea otters are captivating.

4

Dream on, James Bond

A world of intrigue, your expert Discovery Team steer Zodiacs through narrow openings of Broutana Bay, a sunken caldera on the north coast of Simushir. Explore the remains of a top-secret Soviet submarine base, home to thousands of people

5

Seabirds stack up

From Matua Island to the Chirpoy Islands, admire abundant and diverse birdlife.

Up to 14 species of auk including parakeet, whiskered and rhinoceros auklets; tufted and horned puffins and spectacled guillemots are just a few birds along the Kuril Island flyway.

6

Yankicha enchantment

Yankicha island is sacred to the indigenous Ainu people, with steep emerald walls surrounding a flooded caldera and inner isles accessible by Zodiac. Hike to stunning vistas and sightings of Arctic foxes, Middendorff’s grasshopper warblers and millions of seabirds returning to nests at sunset.

Yankicha island

7

Big whale watching

Deep ocean trenches around the Kurils create perfect conditions for whales, aptly named Krasheninnikova (Whale) Bay, off Paramuishir Island is a favoured feeding ground for orcas, grey whales and humpbacks, but for the greater whale species including, beaked, fin and sperm whales.

8

History on display

Delve into the region’s history, including Ainu culture on Shiashkotan, the remains of a Soviet gulag on Atlasova, Japan’s WWII bunkers on Urup and the legend of an underground city on Matua. A massive airfield and remnants of Japanese commander’s residence are still in place to see.

9

Some like it hot

A Russian welcome to the village of Kurilsk on Iturup, soak in hot springs, visit Ilya Muromets, at a 141 metres, one of Russia’s highest waterfalls, or delight in sea lions and fur seals playing amongst coastal kelp.

10

Forged by fire, swept by sea

Cruise by Zodiac the volcanic coasts of the Kuril Islands, with pumice cliffs, sea stacks, archways and the UNESCO World Heritage site, Cape Stolbchaty on Kunashir where you can walk stunning basalt columns that form tessellated terraces of hexagons.