Russia (The Far East) - The Ring of Fire: Kamchatka & Kuril Islands (14 days)
The Ring of Fire displays the spectacular results of the forces that shape our world - tectonic plates and volcanism. Active volcanoes, sculpted basalt sea cliffs, archways, tunnels, and lush vegetation provide habitat for an astounding diversity of wildlife. We see large numbers of seabirds, sea lions, otters and whales. Soak in hot springs, hike through megaherb forests, visit Cold War listening posts, secret Soviet Navy bases and remains of Ainu villages.
"I was blown away by the diversity and abundance of the marine and bird life around Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. I recorded twleve species of alcids (auks) including two species of puffins as well as murres, murrelets, guillemots and the wonderfully ornamented auklets."
Aurora Expeditions' Naturalist, Alan Burger
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Petropavlovsk - Kamchataskiy airport, you will be
transferred to Akademik Shokalskiy in the evening for a late night
departure.
Days 2-3
We awake to lush valleys and snow-capped volcanoes of Kamchatka's east
coast. Brown bears feast on berries and salmon. Expect Steller sea lions,
countless breeding seabirds and seals, whales and otters.
Day 4
On Shumshu, a peaceful river snakes through grassy wetlands with remnant
orchids and wild roses. Soviet gulag remains on Atlasova share a volcanic
landscape with nesting cormorants.
Day 5
Of Paramushir's 23 volcanoes, five are active including Ebeko, which has
erupted in the past two years. We take a hike across Onekotan's autumnal
tundra and through bonsai pine forests to Black Lake, watching for red
foxes and remains of Ainu dwellings.
Day 6
Ekarma offers sanctuary to many birds, including puffins, auklets, fulmars
and cormorants. Sea otters swim just off the northeastern cape. Traces of
Ainu culture await on Shiashkotan.
Day 7
Northern fur seals, Steller sea lions, auklets and petrels enliven the
Lovushki Islands. Cruising Matua's northwest coast, we see lava flows from
Sarychev, which last erupted in 2009. Ashore are WWII remains of Japanese
airfield and bunkers.
Day 8
Fumaroles steam and seabirds nest on steep cliffs around Yankicha's
emerald green caldera. At dawn, thousands of whiskered auklets stream out
to sea. We explore the ghostly remains of a secret Soviet Navy base on
Simushir.
Day 9
We zodiac cruise in evocative mists that often engulf Chirpoy Island twin
volcanoes. A roar heralds the Steller sea lion colony on Brat Chirpoy
Island, while thousands of northern fulmars, albatross and crested auklets
float nearby.
Day 10
Urup offers 120 km of stunning volcanoes, lush vegetation, lakes and
rivers. Cruise the Twins, a geological wonderland of twisted basalt sea
cliffs, hike up to Japanese bunkers with spectacular views and tufted
puffin nests. On the west coast, we may Zodiac through basalt tunnels of
Petroskov Rocks.
Day 11-12
Iturup is Kuril's largest island, where harbour seals forage in Zolotoy
Bay. Przhevalskya Point's black lava sea cliffs host Japanese cormorants
and tufted puffins. We cruise inside Lion's Mouth Bay, caldera of an
ancient shield volcano. At Kurilsk, the locals welcome us with tours and
performances. Our final day offers landings depending on local conditions.
Along the way we watch for minke whales, harbour seals and pods of Dall's
porpoise. We may find a megaherb forest or hot springs to enjoy. In the
Kurils, there's always scope for surprise!
Day 13
Arrive early morning at Sakhalin's southern port, and disembark at the end
of our magical adventure before being transferred to your hotel or the
airport for your early morning departure.
Operated by Aurora Expeditions
Departures: September 2011
- Contact usfor more information, current costs and to make a booking on this small ship adventure