Expedition to the Shantar Islands

Expedition to the Shantar Islands Itinerary

Day 1 Khabarovsk

Today you’ll arrive in Khabarovsk, an attractive city on the banks of the Amur River. The day is yours to spend as you wish. Visit the Far East Regional Museum and learn about the native people and the history of the region. Or visit the domed Cathedral of the Transfiguration, one of the largest churches in Russia. You can also see the city from the river, on a river cruise.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Khabarovsk
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Day on the road

Today is a full day of driving, as you follow the Amur River east towards the coast. You’ll stop for lunch in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Eastern Russia’s key industrial city. The journey continues all afternoon. You’ll camp overnight on the banks of the river.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Nikolay Bay

This morning you’ll arrive at Nikolay Bay on the east coast, directly south of the Shantar Islands. This is a wild, remote, beautiful spot. If you’re lucky, you might begin to see some of the wildlife this region is famous for, including rare seabirds and whales. In the evening, dinner will be cooked on the open fire. Don’t miss the sunset – something else this bay is known for.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Okhotsk’s Sea passage

Today you’ll sail through the Sea of Okhotsk, the first and most challenging section of your sea voyage. Now is the time to start looking out for whales, seals and birds. In the afternoon you’ll arrive at a cape where the boat can safely moor and the camp set up.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Cape Ongochan

This morning you’ll sail into the Shantar Sea – an easier journey than the one yesterday. You'll sail to Ongochan Cape, a remote promontory south of the islands. The sea here is calmer and teeming with fish such as salmon. It’s not unusual to see bear tracks or even bears themselves hunting for fish. Dinner will be cooked on the open fire.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Shantar Islands

Today you’ll finally reach the islands! If the sea is shallow, you may be sailing through the ice floes – gigantic pieces of floating ice. You’ll land on Grand Shantar Island sometime in the afternoon. The camp will be set up near the weather station - the only place on the islands that is inhabited all year round. This will be your base which you can return to in case of bad weather. Look out for beluga whales, striped ribbon seals and sea eagles which nest on this island.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 North Strait crossing

Today you’ll explore more of the archipelago, sailing from Grand Shantar to Feklistov Island, the second-largest of the islands. The rocks on this island contain many precious minerals such as quartz. The craggy nature of the island’s shoreline is a perfect place for seabirds to nest and there are several colonies here. Now that the group is alone with just thousands of birds for company, you’ll experience an amazing sense of remoteness.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Feklistov Island

Today you’ll explore Feklistov Island on foot and get up close to the rocks to see the unusual mineral deposits. This is a wild environment and you’ll need to keep a watchful eye out for bears that might be looking for fish on the shore! In the afternoon, you’ll visit tiny Arka Island, which is a 50-meter-high arch-shaped rock formation. If you're lucky you’ll be able to see the sea eagles nesting on the top.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Bird Island and Rainbow Island

Today begins with an exploration of Rainbow Cape, so-called because the rocks here contain deposits of Jasper, a type of quartz that has bands of colors like a rainbow. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Bird Island, which as you might expect, is home to several large sea bird colonies. Afterwards, you’ll sail back to Grand Shantar and spend the night in our camp there.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Cape Ongochan

It’s time to begin the return journey. On the way back, you’ll pass two more islands, Belichiy Island, otherwise known as Squirrel Island and Small Shantar Island. You’ll arrive at Cape Ongochan, set up camp and have dinner.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Return to Nikolay Bay

Today you’ll return to the mainland. After such a unique and memorable expedition, you’ll be keen to stay in touch with your traveling companions. Today is a great opportunity to recount experiences, swap contact details and take plenty of group photos!
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Return to Khabarovsk

It’s time to l make the long drive back to Khabarovsk. You’ll arrive at night, and check into the hotel, where you can enjoy sleeping in a proper bed for the first time in a while!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Khabarovsk
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 Tour ends

It’s time to say your farewells. The tour ends after breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast