The northernmost Kunashir Island opens our exploration of the Kuril archipelago. If weather conditions are favorable we’ll have some landings or zodiac cruises here, offering several exciting opportunities: we could spot the two-level Tyatya volcano; admire the stunning basaltic formation at Cape Stolbchaty; have a pleasant walk along Abies spruce covered beach, visit Ptichiy (Birds’) waterfall.

Our next goal is Iturup Island, the largest one of the Kuril chain. If weather is not contradicting our expedition plans too much, we’ll enter Lvinaya Past Caldera (Lion jaws). In the centre of the entrance to caldera there is a rock looking like a lying lion. The caldera is very attractive for whales and dolphins – their backs and fins appear above the sea from time to time. We sail north keeping close to shoreline not to miss breathtaking views:

- Ilia Muromets waterfall.

- Beaches where the wind and sea have turned soft white pumice rocks into intricate stone decorations.

 - Good viewing points of the cone of Atsonopuri volcano, which is perfect from any angle.

Urup Island also offers good possibilities. We’ll take our chances against probable weather surprises and, as a result, might land and explore one of the following areas:

– Cape Klyuchevoy. Translated from Russian, this name might sound like “Cape of Springs”; good walkers can reach the hydrogen sulphide thermal springs and take a wild Kuril bath.

– The unique Takotan lake is connected to the ocean by a small river and therefore is a popular salmon run.

We hope to have another possibility to observe wildlife during zodiac cruise around Brat Chirpoy Island: Steller’s Sea Lions, Pelagic Cormorants, Greater Scaups, Harlequin Ducks, Black and Stejneger’s Scoters. Here keep your eyes open for sperm whales and orcas.

Chirpoy Island with its smoking volcanoes offers hiking opportunities for dramatic landscapes lovers.

The entrance to the volcanic caldera on the north of Simushir Island is edged with picturesque volcanic cliffs. In Soviet times the caldera was a shelter for a submarine base. Our experienced Captain will do his best to come to an agreement with the weather and to anchor the ship near the island for us to take a zodiac cruise inside the caldera.
  A possible exploration of the southern capes of Ketoy Island reveals breeding sites of Steller’s Sea Lions and bird colonies.

Ushishir Islands consisting of two isles - Ryponkicha and Yankicha were favored by the Ainu, the mysterious native people of the Kurils.

Yankicha Island is a tough place for any kind of zodiac operations: winds around it blow strongly, their directions change often; sea currents around the isle are strong. But in case we get access to a flooding volcanic caldera – we’ll be enjoying a breathtaking panorama with smoking volcanoes and birds colonies on the slopes. Among the birds one can identify Whiskered Auklets, Crested Auklets, Tufted Puffins, Pigeon Guillemots.

We plan to start the day with a zodiac trip to Lovushki Islands. The name of the islands means “snares” – well… aren’t we the explorers to be afraid of dubious names? We hope to have sea calm enough to have a zodiac trip to Lovushki. Our walk might be accompanied by roar of Steller’s Sea Lions and Northern Fur Seals. Be ready with your camera – our zodiac drivers will do their best to get close enough to the animals.

 If there is not a fog at Matua Island we’ll observe the highest height of Sarycheva volcano, one of the Kurils most active volcanoes. Its smoking cone often erupts with lava. On the coastal cliffs of the island Red-faced and Pelagic Cormorants, Guillemots breed. If we have time and good weather to land on the island we might also see the remains of Japanese airfield, established here during World War II.

Srednego Islands are home to thousands of birds: Guillemots, Black-legged Kittiwakes and secretive Whiskered Auklets.

 We hope to have clear weather today to witness a dark smoking peak of the active Kurotake volcano (938 m high) on Shiashkotan Island. The Aka volcano reddish cone towers over the north-western coast of the island. Numerous seals and sea birds inhabit Shiashkotan.

 Ekarma Island is a solitary extinct volcano 1179 meters high. There are many birds and Sea Otter breeding grounds on the north-eastern cape of Ekarma, where we plan a zodiac trip.

 Among nesting birds of the island you can identify Nothern Fulmars, Red-faced and Pelagic Cormorants, Slaty-backed Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common and Bruennich’s Guillemots, Crested Auklets, Tufted and Horned Puffins.

Among possible activities for today there is a visit to Kharimkotan Island with 1213 meters high Kharimkotan volcano. Seals are frequent here. On the north-western Cape Sunazhma one can see the remains of an old ainu settlement.