A comfortable guided tour to Iturup Island (no backpacks or tents)

Weeping Rocks – Olya Bay – Black Rocks – White Rocks – Maiden's Braids Waterfall – Maiden's Tears Waterfall – Parusnaya Bay – Hot Waters Thermal Complex

Let's start with the main event and head to the White Rocks, a place that has become Iturup's calling card. Our route won't be limited to the White Rocks; we'll see many other interesting things along the way. First, we'll visit the Weeping Rocks waterfalls – picturesque cliffs covered in green moss with numerous streams of water flowing down them. It's a very picturesque sight. An equally picturesque trail with a sea view leads to the waterfalls. We'll take it for about a forty-minute walk. After visiting the waterfalls, we'll stop at an observation deck overlooking Olya Bay and continue on our way. The famous White Rocks are preceded by the Black Rocks, a couple of kilometers of basalt outcrops shaped like sawn-off, multifaceted columns. The road to the Black and White Rocks runs along a picturesque, multi-kilometer beach. Part of the beach has white sand, while others have black titanium-magnetite sand, easily attracted to a magnet. The beach offers views of the active volcanoes Bohdan Khmelnytskyi and Chiryp, located on the other side of Prostor Bay. The White Rocks were formed approximately 20,000 years ago by an underwater volcanic eruption, and then, over millennia, were sculpted by winds, rains, and storms, acquiring their bizarre shapes. The rocks, composed of pumice tuff, stretch for about 25 kilometers, but the most picturesque section is approximately 7 kilometers. It is cut entirely by small canyons, picturesquely overgrown with bamboo. We will have ample time to stroll along the rocks and explore the picturesque canyons. After exploring the White Rocks, we'll continue our route to the Maiden's Braids Waterfall. This approximately 25-meter waterfall is remarkable because it cascades down a basalt terrace. We'll then visit another beautiful waterfall, Maiden's Tears, which consists of water from the Vysoky Stream falling 10 meters into a canyon overgrown with emerald greenery. The Vysoky Stream flows into the sea in picturesque Parusnaya Bay, where we'll have a picnic lunch on the shore. After a quick snack, we'll head back. On the way back, we'll stop at the "Hot Waters" thermal water well, located in the valley of the Mineralny Stream. The well consists of wooden baths, some housed in a small tent, and others located outdoors. The baths are filled from a well with therapeutic mineral water at a temperature of approximately 40 degrees Celsius, allowing for therapeutic and relaxing baths year-round, in any weather. After relaxing in the healing mineral water, we return to the hotel.

Kasatka Bay – Chertovka Rock – Vannochki Thermal Complex

Today we'll travel to the southeastern coast of Iturup, to the Pacific Ocean, and Kasatka Bay. Along the way, we'll stop at an observation deck with a picturesque view of the Kuibyshevka River valley and Kuibyshev Bay, and see the Kuril Fortified Region memorial with a small tank exhibit. Once on the shore of Kasatka Bay, we'll encounter the beached tugboat "Korund," a local landmark, and visit Mirror Beach. The beach's name derives from the fact that the thin layer of water remaining on the sand at low tide reflects the sky, effectively resembling a mirror. Kasatka Bay is interesting not only as a beautiful natural site but also from a historical perspective. It was from here, on November 25, 1941, that the Japanese squadron departed for Hawaii, intending to deliver a crushing blow to the American fleet based in Pearl Harbor on December 7. Chertovka Rock on Cape Tonnelny preserves numerous tunnels built by the Japanese, and we will definitely explore these fascinating structures. It is believed that one of the caves even housed a hospital for several dozen people, with access to the bay. We will have lunch right here in Kasatka Bay, and on the way back, we will relax at the Vannochki thermal spa, two kilometers from Kurilsk.

The Foot of Baransky Volcano - Okeanskaya Geothermal Power Plant - Boiling River

Today we'll head to the foot of Baransky Volcano, an active cone-shaped volcano standing 1,125 meters high. The volcano last erupted in 1951. Its slopes currently exhibit pronounced fumarolic and thermal activity. This activity enabled the Okeanskaya Geothermal Power Plant to operate here from 2007 to 2016. All that remains of the geothermal power plant are now picturesque ruins with chimneys, from which powerful streams of steam occasionally roar.

The main natural wonder of these parts is the Boiling River. Its name is no accident. The river practically boils, with temperatures reaching 95-98°C, and its banks, thanks to the mineral content, are colored in various shades of yellow, red, and orange. A traditional pastime for all tourists visiting the foot of Baransky Volcano is boiling eggs in the Boiling River and then eating them with red caviar and sparkling wine. Finding yourself in such a unique place, it's impossible not to support such a wonderful tradition!

Near the Boiling River, there's an outdoor swimming complex with natural and artificial pools of mineral water at varying temperatures. Of course, we'll swim in the warm, pleasant water with a view of the magnificent surrounding landscape.

On the way back, we'll stop for a bite to eat at a cafe.

Boat Trip Around the Chirip Peninsula - Dragon's Eye Rock

It's time to go on a boat trip. It's not for nothing that we're on an island! Today we'll take a boat tour around the Chirip Peninsula. We'll see the island's magnificent panorama with its bizarre cliffs, sea stacks, grottoes, waterfalls, and volcanic silhouettes. We'll also see pinniped rookeries and bird colonies. We'll also disembark at a place where, hidden among the rocks and lava flows, lies the "Dragon's Eye"—a unique stone arch, part of an ancient volcanic massif. Here we'll rest, have a snack, and, if desired, take a dip in the sea.

Yankito Lava Plateau - Kitovyi

We're heading to the Yankito Lava Plateau. Formed by the eruption of the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Volcano, it's a plateau of strangely shaped solidified lava flows cascading into the cold waters of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. The beautiful landscapes open up from any vantage point, making it difficult to stop taking photos, so we've set aside almost a whole day for this beautiful spot. We'll pack some food and have lunch right there, amid the magnificent scenery. If you wander a little off-site from the main area, you'll find small natural depressions in the rock that, after rain, turn into miniature mirror lakes reflecting the sky.

On the way back, we'll stop at the observation deck in the village of Kitovyi, which offers excellent views of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Volcano, as well as the village of Kitovyi itself, including its fish factory and seaport.

Flight to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

It's time to say goodbye to Iturup Island. We'll be transferred to the airport for our flight to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. We'll check into a hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

A spare day

A spare day in case of flight delay. The weather in the Kuril Islands is capricious, and local airlines are highly dependent on the weather, so a spare day in case of flight delays is essential. It's best to book flights home from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk every other day.

If you don't need a spare day, you can spend time in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: stroll around the city, visit a museum, ride the cable car at the Gorny Vozdukh ski resort, or take a day tour of the surrounding area with local guides (for an additional fee).

Вылет домой

Flight home from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Those who wish can continue exploring the Kuril Islands and join us on a hike around Shikotan Island.

In the second half of August, the weather on Iturup Island is generally quite warm: around 19-23°C during the day and 12-16°C at night. However, it can be changeable, with fog and rain possible, so be sure to pack a raincoat or waterproof jacket and pants. Wind protection is also useful; windproof jackets and pants are ideal. Pay special attention to footwear; it should be comfortable and waterproof (the trip involves walking in nature on sandy and rocky surfaces, including up and downhill sections). No matter how favorable the forecast, don't skimp on warm clothing: bring a warm jacket, hat, light gloves, and thermal underwear. For visiting the hot springs, you'll need swimwear (a swimsuit/swimming trunks, rubber slippers, and a towel). For outdoor lunches, you'll need a camping bowl, a cup, a spoon, a seat pad (foam or hoba) to sit on, and a thermos for drinking tea on the go. You might also need sunglasses, a cap (or bandana), and insect repellent. Bring a small 25-30 liter backpack to pack everything you need for the day.

The program includes visits to natural attractions, some of which require poor roads and some are completely off-road, as well as a boat trip. Therefore, please be prepared for route changes due to weather conditions or vehicle breakdowns.

A border zone pass is required to participate. Russian citizens must apply for the pass at least one month before the trip. Foreign citizens and citizens of CIS countries must apply two months before the trip. Therefore, please book your trip well in advance!

Important! During the summer and fall seasons, there is increased demand for tickets between Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that we will have the required number of tickets for our dates. We will do everything possible to provide participants with tickets, but we are still not immune to overbookings, where tickets are sold out within the first hour of sale or are completely booked to accommodate the needs of local residents of the Kuril Islands. Due to the aforementioned difficulties in purchasing tickets, in addition to the standard advance payment to reserve a seat in the group, you must be prepared to promptly and in advance pay the organizer a portion of the non-refundable cost for round-trip airfare between Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Iturup (approximately 22,000 rubles at 2026 prices, but the cost may increase).

Internal transportation in the Kuril Islands is highly dependent on weather conditions. We have built sufficient extra days into the program, but we are still not immune to delays and related program changes, as well as missed connecting flights.

1. If you are interested in this tour, leave a request through the registration form on this page or write to us at WhatsApp, Telegram or by email, we will contact you and answer all your questions.
2. To reserve a place, you must make an advance payment of 30% of the tour cost. The advance payment is made through the website (section Payment) and is refundable 45 days or more before the start of the tour and non-refundable, unfortunately, less than 45 days before the start, if the refund is related to your refusal to participate (for any reason). If the tour does not take place due to our fault, due to the group not being formed, or due to force majeure, the advance payment will be guaranteed to be returned to you in any case.
3. The final payment is made on the first day of the tour. You can pay using the QR code that the tour organizer will provide you, in cash, or through the website.