Sakhalin is one of the largest islands in Russia. It is bathed by the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Japanese Sea. The island stretches for 948 km from North to South. Nearly two thirds of Sakhalin's area is mountainous. The Northern part of the island is a swampy plain covered with deciduous taiga. Mountains of the central and southern parts of the island are covered with forests of Ayan spruce, fir and birch. The undergrowth is of dwarf Siberian pine, and Kuril bamboo. The usual forest inhabitants are bear, marten, wolverine, sable, squirrel, Northern deer, musk deer and adder. It is separated from the Asian continent by a narrow strait of 6 km in width, leading early explorers to record it as a peninsula.

Highlights

◊ Volcano Tour

◊ Camping and Fishing at Lake Busa

◊ Hiking on top of The "Frog" Rock

◊ Rural picinic

◊ Boat trip

We recommend: 6 days, 5 nights

About the tour: Start with a tour of the Dirt Volcano. Located 20km NW from the city. After the bus ride you will walk about 6km with the guide through gigantic Sakhalin plants along the old unused railroad with is tunnels to the Dirt Volcano, which erupts dirt instead of lava sometimes as high as 100m. Picnic for lunch. Today you will drive to the Lake Busa for camping. All roads are bad in Sakhalin so be prepared for a rough drive. After driving, a 2,5hrs hike will bring you to the Lake. You will be able to fish there for prawns and mussels. Lunch-picnic. Boat trip on the lake. Night in tents. Return to Uzhno Sakhalinsk. Drive to the rock called the Frog (about 1hr). Hiking to the top will take about 15min. After viewing from the top the local sites, we go back and have a picnic. You might want to play volleyball.