This chain of volcanic islands stretches over 800 miles from the southern tip of the Kamchatka peninsula to the north-easternmost point of Japan, where the archipelago is instead known as the Chishima Islands. As we travel southward, here are some of the places we hope to visit:
Shumshu Island
Watch sea otters at play in the waters surrounding our Zodiacs, and observe the activities of the many cormorants that reside in the harbor-side bird cliffs.
Atlasova Island
At a height of over 2,000 metres, Alaid is the highest volcano in the Kurils. Together with our expedition staff we land by Zodiac on the black lava beach of the island, from where we will begin our walk to see the remains of the Taketomi tufa cone.
Lovyshki Islands
The clusters of rocks that comprise this island group are home to huge populations of sea mammals and birds. At Skala Luvushkky we will go in search of northern fur seals and Steller sea lions and hope to get good views of the pigeon guillemots that often swim around the rocky outcrops of the islands.
Matua Island
Matua is home to one of the Kuril’s most active volcanoes, with more than 14 documented eruptions in the past 250 years. We will learn about the Japanese military base that was set up here during WWII and how the Japanese used to capture geothermal heat from the volcano to keep the runway, which normally freezes over during winter, permanently usable. Hikers will be rewarded with good views of the abandoned military positions and hopefully get a glimpse of the island’s population of Brown-headed thrush, Siberian Ruby throats and Alder thickets.
Yankitcka Island
Yankitcka is a fascinating place. It is actually a sinking volcanic caldera, accessible only by Zodiac and only during high tide. Once inside the magnificent lagoon, we can still see – in the fumarole fields and hot springs – traces of the tremendous forces that created the island long ago. The island is also home to thousands of crested auklets and (if we are lucky) we may also catch a glimpse of an Arctic fox or even the rare and elusive whiskered auklets during our nature walks.
Chirpoy Island
Huge numbers of fulmars, kittawakes, puffins, auklets and Steller sea lions are regularly seen in the area surrounding Chirpoy, and we will have the best opportunity to see them all by exploring with our Zodiacs.
Meals B,L,D