Ultimate Russian Far East & The Kurils

Welcome to Nome, set at the tip of the Seward Peninsula and overlooking the Bering Sea. A world of wonder awaits as you step on board and raise your glass to toast the start of your luxurious cruise. (D)

Acquaint yourself with the exceptional range of facilities on board your ultra-luxurious Discovery Yacht. Choose a class in one of the fitness spaces or relax in one of the therapy lounges in the Spa Sanctuary. Tempt your palate from one of the exceptional dining venues or try a wine tasting. (B/L/D)

Cruise the Bering Sea and over the International Date Line on your way to Russia. Nestled against mountain peaks, Provideniya was built for military purposes that played a large part during WWII and is the gateway to the Chukotka Peninsula. (B/L/D)

The Chukotka and Kamchatka Coast is the definition of remote, and the most perfect region for a discovery voyage on board Scenic Eclipse. Few roads and scarce infrastructure, with abundant wildlife including brown bears, reindeer and Arctic foxes roaming freely. Due to the extraordinary nature of the region, the sailing and expedition schedule is flexible. Your experienced Captain and Discovery Leader will use their expertise to design this section of your voyage from day to day, making the most of the long daylight hours, weather and ice conditions to give you the best experience possible in this extraordinary part of the world.

Some of the possible landing sights that you may visit include Meinypil’gyno, one of the most important sites in the world for breeding Spoon-billed Sandpiper; Anastasia Bay, where we will be looking for walrus haulouts and birdlife, including the bluethroat and Siberian rubythroat; Tymlat Village for an authentic taste of the Koryak way of life. Prepare for a feast of the senses, as these wonderful, hardy folks display their unique culture through dance, games and delicious fresh food. Along the voyage we will be looking for marine wildlife, such as the Largha Seal, Gray and Beluga Whales, and wildlife hidden in the forested fjords, such a brown bears. Discovery: Enjoy discovery excursion on water in a Zodiac, kayak or paddle board, and on land through guided walks with your specialist Discovery Team. (B/L/D)

Spectacular sea cliffs, arches and stacks, shaped by harsh climate and tectonic forces, signal your arrival in the Commander Islands. At Commander Bay on Bering Island, you will pay tribute to explorer Vitus Bering and visit his grave and memorial. You will dock beneath towering emerald cliffs at Peregtegrebnaya Bay, preferred summer nesting site for red-legged and black-legged kittiwakes. Cape Monati, southernmost point of Bering Island, is a possible place to spot albatross and whales. Northern fur seals haul out at Severo Zapadnyi along with much larger, tawny-golden Stellar sea lions.

Your Discovery Yacht will cruise around the volcanic islands of Ariy Kamen, surrounded by thousands of kittiwakes, puffins and murres. Your last landing is Nikolskoe village, where Russia’s remaining Aleut community will passionately share their culture with you through lively performances. Discovery: Enjoy discovery excursions on water in a Zodiac, kayak or paddle board, and on land through guided walks with your specialist Discovery Team. (B/L/D)

Discovery: Careful Zodiac navigation by the expert Discovery Team members will take you to the mouth of this powerful river, past salmon fishing camps and as far upstream as we can go. Look for brown bears and Steller’s sea eagles as distant mountains beckon us. Back in the bay, look out for basking largha seals and fantastic views of the 3,000-metre Zhupanovskiy volcano. (B/L/D)

Welcome to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, enjoy a day at leisure. (B/L/D)

The northernmost island in the Kuril chain, Atlasova Island features black sand beaches, and wildflowers scattered across the green tundra. Keep your eyes out for frolicking otters and soaring Steller’s sea eagles, the largest eagle in the world. The archipelago’s highest volcano, the Vulkan Alaid, stands at 2,315 metres tall (7,600 feet), and is spoken about widely in local legends. The perfect shape of the mountain is said to have made the neighbouring ranges so jealous that they exiled it to the seas. Discovery: Join the Discovery Team on a birdwatching walk, or to admire this perfect volcano with our geologist. (B/L/D)

Home to Krenitsyn, an imposing 1220 metre (4,000 foot) volcano, Onekotan lush tundra rolls into the ocean, with streams and waterfalls tumbling down onto the beach. Use your included binoculars to spot the ezo red fox that inhabits this island. Discovery: Stretch your legs on a walk through an amazing field of wild flowers towards Black Lake, or enjoy a zodiac cruise to see the active volcano on the nearby Ekarma Islands. (B/L/D)

A perfect destination to see marine mammals and seabirds, the Lovushka Islands Discovery: Join the Discovery Team on a birdwatching walk, or cruise along the coast and admire the wildlife (B/L/D)

Raykoke Island is home to one of five major Steller sea lion rookeries on the Kuril Islands, and during summer, is home to one of the largest northern fulmar aggregations on the Kurils. Discovery: Explore with the Discovery Team on Zodiac, kayak, stand-up paddle board or hiking, and hear about the 2019 volcano eruption and its effects. (B/L/D)

The Yankicha Island is a standout feature of the Kuril Islands. The steep walled caldera is dotted with hot springs and fumaroles and abruptly bulges out of the ocean. Explore on foot, walking around the grassy slopes of the calderas, and listening to the tunes of the songbirds, the Arctic and Middendorf’s grasshopper warbler. Discovery: Join the Discovery Team on a walk or hike, keeping your eyes out for foxes, or enjoy a zodiac cruise along the coastline, admiring the incredible amount of alcids. Alternatively, if tides allow, kayak in the magnificent caldera. (B/L/D)

Translating to “Large Island” in the indigenous Ainu language, Simushir features a string of four extinct volcanoes surrounded by verdant slopes. Previously home to a secret Russian military base, enjoy the opportunity to wander around the abandoned barracks and other relics of the Cold War era. Discovery: Wander around the remains of an abandoned Soviet base which is slowly being reclaimed by nature. (B/L/D)

Emerald green volcanic landscapes emerge from the fog as you wander the beach of Urup island looking for Largha and Harbor Seals, as well as Pacific Sea Otters. Enjoy the soothing sounds of the birds from the forest for the White-tailed Eagle, Harlequin Duck and Gray-tailed Tattler. Discovery: Explore the birdlife of Urup Island with our Discovery Team, watching out for sea otters along the beach, or kayak along the twisted sea cliffs. (B/L/D)

Chirpoy Island is the name of twin volcanic islands surrounded by a number of small islets. With striking black lava cliffs providing the rugged charms of a volcanic island, this rare and dynamic landscape offers the opportunity to discover a region that has a stunning yet unique landscape. Discovery: Walk along the dramatic outline of Chirpoy Island, search for wildlife with the Discovery Team, or choose to marvel at the scenery from a kayak. (B/L/D)

This uninhabited island in the Caspian Sea is a nature reserve known for the magnitude of northern fur seals, with Tyuleniy meaning seal in Russian. Stand on the Observation Deck as you approach and listen to the roar. Enjoy the day exploring the island, and taking in all the action happening around you. Discovery: Observe the seals with our Discovery Team, both in Zodiacs and on shore. (B/L/D)

Relaxation beckons, and with so many choices on board you will be surprised how quickly time passes on board. Choose one of the daily activities, join an entertaining discussion in the theatre or relax in the Senses Spa as you continue sailing the Sea of Okhotsk. (B/L/D)

Located on the southern tip of Sakhalin Island with a tumultuous history , Korsakov is today a picture of tranquillity. Explore the fascinating town, with a medley of Russian and Japanese structures with modern buildings and museums. (B/L/D)

Welcome to Otaru. Disembark from Scenic Eclipse after breakfast as you farewell the crew and take away memories of a truly unforgettable cruise. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)