Robinsonade

The compact version of our two-island Kuril route. Where the ten-day version begins on Sakhalin with Aniva Lighthouse, this seven-day cuts straight to the islands: ferry from Korsakov on day one, three days on Shikotan, ferry on to Iturup, three days on Iturup, fly back. Same Cape End-of-the-World, same Bezymyannaya Bay, same Baransky and Belye Skaly — fewer days on the start and end.

Seven days break into two parts: Shikotan first, then Iturup, with a 17-hour overnight ferry between them.

Shikotan: three days. Day one — evening ferry departure from Korsakov port. Day two — arrival at Shikotan; the route starts at Krabozavodskoye village with a hike to Snezhkova Bay (14–15 km on hilly terrain). Day three — the main attraction: Cape End-of-the-World, the easternmost reachable point, and Bezymyannaya Bay, where the 1972 film The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was shot. About 24 km by transport, walking between bays.

Sea crossing. Day four — climb of Mount Shikotan with panoramic views over the island, then evening ferry from Malokurilskoye to Kurilsk on Iturup, about 17 hours.

Iturup: three days. Day five — arrival, coastal jeep tour to Belye Skaly and bathing in the Zharkie Vody thermal pools. Day six — Kasatka Bay with its mirror beach and Devil's Rock, then the Yankito lava plateau, ending at the Vannochki thermal pools. Day seven — local museum visit and a jeep to the foot of Baransky Volcano (turquoise lakes, fumarole fields, hot springs), then evening flight from Kurilsk to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Group of up to twelve, accommodation at Ostrovnoy Motel on Shikotan and Kasatka Guesthouse on Iturup, professional instructors, border zone permits processed for you. Ferry tickets, flight Kurilsk — Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, hotel in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on the way out, optional excursions — paid separately. Best season: mid-June to end of September.

Seven days — both islands, no Sakhalin diversion: hop on the boat in Korsakov, hop off at Iturup airport seven days later. Tighter pacing, less buffer, same defining points. The ten-day version gives more room to breathe; this one is for people who already know the Far East and want only the islands. Both versions can be quoted side by side — just ask.