Ultimate Russian Far East & The Kurils

Welcome to Otaru. Embark Scenic Eclipse and toast the start of your exploration of the Russian Far East with your captain and new friends. (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)

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)

The largest and southernmost island of the Kuril chain, Kunashiri island is formed by four active volcanoes. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cape Stolbchaty, with 50-million-year old basalt columns forming the dramatic cliff faces that protrude from the ocean. Explore fumarolic fields, steaming hot springs, and volcanic crater lakes. More than 200 brown bears roam the island, waiting for the salmon to overcrowd the rivers. (B/L/D)

See the beautiful contrast of white pumice cliffs carved by the winds against the Okhotsk Sea and black hexagonal pillars of volcanic magma, topped with green fields. On the slopes of Demon Mountain in the north of the island, you will witness one of the highest waterfalls in Russia, Ilya Muromets Waterfall. (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. (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. (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. (B/L/D)

Matua Island was transformed into a Japanese fortress during World War II, with underground canals, an airfield and navy docks. According to legends, there is an underground city yet to be discovered that was used for research during the war. Now uninhabited, the island has captivated Russian military historians who consider the island an open-air museum of war. (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. (B/L/D)

Thermal springs, waterfalls, and volcanoes. A pristine nature reserve mostly covered in a thick forest, Paramushir Island has a total of 23 volcanos and is filled the rocky peaks and craters. Aptly named "whale bay", Krasheninnikova Bay welcomes dozens of whales every year. (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. (B/L/D)

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

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)

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 last landing is Nikolskoe village, where Russia’s remaining Aleut community will passionately share their culture with you through lively performances. (B/L/D)

Your Discovery Yacht will cruise around the volcanic islands of Ariy Kamen, surrounded by thousands of kittiwakes, puffins and murres. (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.

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. 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)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

Cruise the Bering Sea. 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. Cross the International Date Line. (B/L/D)

Welcome to Alaska. Disembark this morning and farewell fellow adventurers as you board your included flight to AnchorageThe itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)