Heritage Expeditions

Birding the Kuril Islands Itinerary:

Day 1:
You will have arrived in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and had the opportunity to explore the city. This afternoon you will be transferred to the Port of Korsakov to embark the ‘Spirit of Enderby’.

Day 2:
An afternoon visit ashore at Kurilsky Zapvednik (Reserve) on Kunashir Island. Over one third of this island is held in nature reserves. The southern part of Kunashir has a particularly high biodiversity. Many species of plants common on the island are rare and endangered elsewhere. Rare birds include the red-crowned crane, Blakistons fishing owl, two sea eagles and a mountain hawk eagle.

Day 3:
At Iturup Island with morning zodiac landings with excursions to forest areas.. Iturup Island, along with Kunashir, Shikotan and Haboniai Islands, has been administered by Russia since 1945 but Japan still claims them. An afternoon expedition by ‘bus” to Rubetskiy volcano and an opportunity to visit a higher altitude habitat.

Day 4:
A morning at sea watching for seabirds which should include common murres, spectacled
guillemots, ancient and marbled murrelets, rhinoceros auklets, tufted puffins, harlequin ducks,
common mergansers, pelagics and Japanese cormorants, slaty backed gulls, northern fulmars and Steller’s sea eagles. Offshore we should be able to spot Dall’s porpoises, sea otters and harbour seals, including the Kuril Island subspecies. We plan an afternoon naiad cruise at Chirpoy Island where dramatic headlands rise out of the ocean covered in kittiwakes, guillemots and puffins clamouring to complete their breeding season. Sheltered coves give opportunities to explore.

Day 5:
At the northern end of Simushir Island there is a huge caldera which gives easy access to slopes of Karlomyy Volcano. The abandoned submarine base here is a haunting reminder of the Cold War and how many people were involved. Nature is reclaiming this island with birches and numerous botanical treasures. In the afternoon we visit Yankicho which must be considered alongside the great seabird islands of the world, outside the caldera towering cliffs are obscured by the birds clinging to narrow ledges. Inside the caldera is home to uncountable masses of Crested, Whiskered and Parakeet Auklets. Arctic foxes patrol and the sulfurous geothermal activity completes an other worldly experience.

Day 6:
Today we visit Matua Island. There are military remains on Matua Island dating from the World War II when the Japanese occupied it. On shore ruby throats are common. Other birds sighted here include the narcissus flycatcher, rough legged buzzard, and harlequin ducks. Around the island is a great deal of seabird and marine mammal activity. Tufted puffins are the most abundant along with the all-black pigeon guillemots. Other seabirds include common murres, crested and whiskered auklets, northern fulmars and black legged kittiwakes.

Day 7:
This afternoon we land on the northern end of Onekotan Island, where we enjoy an easy two km walk to Black Lake. This lake lies in the lee of Volcano Nemo. Beautiful wildflowers carpet the meadows surrounding the lake. Among the birds here it is possible to see the red throated pipit, greenshank, buff bellied pipit and rough legged buzzard. This afternoon an expedition landing on the southern tip of Paramushir island in Vasilyeva Bay.

Day 8:
We continue north along the Kamchatka Peninsula to Vestnik Bay and Utashud Island. The island is small and steep but tufted puffins, horned puffins, pigeon and Brunnich’s guillemots nest there. The surrounding scenery of snow covered volcanic peaks provides a wonderful backdrop for a zodiac cruise.

Day 9:
We spend the morning in the Zhupanova River region on the Kamchatka Peninsula. We negotiate this shallow meandering river with our naiads. There are superb opportunities for birding and nature walks. We are likely to spot up to 40 species of birds, including such special Siberian species as the yellow billed loon, yellow-breasted bunting, greenshank, Far-Eastern curlew and common terns. In the mature birch forest along the river there is a good chance of spotting a Steller’s sea eagle.

Day 10 & 11:
The Commander Islands group is steeped in history and the only place where the extinct Steller’s sea cow was ever recorded. These islands are named after legendary explorer Commander Vitus Bering, who first observed that Asia and the Americas are separate continents. A simple tombstone marks his grave on Bering Island. We will visit the small museum in the village of Nikolskoye, where we will be introduced to the culture of the local people. The Commander Islands are home to a huge number of birds, including horned and tufted puffins, crested and parakeet auklets, thick billed murres, redlegged kittiwakes, and red-faced cormorants. We may also spot harbour seals, Steller’s sea lions and northern fur seals.

Day 12:
At sea as we cruise towards Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy.

Day 13:
We arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy where you will be transferred to your accommodation, transfers to the airport can be arranged

This itinerary is an outline. Circumstances may be encountered during our voyage which will make it necessary or desirable to deviate from this itinerary. These circumstances include poor weather conditions and opportunities for making unplanned zodiac excursions. Your Expedition Leader will provide more information at the start of the voyage and keep you fully informed during the voyage.

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Spirit of Enderby ©

Our vessel, the 'Spirit of Enderby' is perfect for Expedition Travel. The real focus and emphasis of every expedition is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. It carries just 48 passengers in very comfortable accommodation (refurbished in New Zealand Nov '04). The cuisine is excellent and is prepared by top NZ and Australian chefs. Our Expeditions are accompanied by some of the most experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that we visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Capitan and crew. The 'Spirit of Enderby' measures 72 metres in length and is fully ice-strengthened. Powered by two 1,560 horse power diesel engines. It is capable of speeds of up to 12 knots. What makes this Expedition Vessel absolutely unique is the equipment we carry including: a) our fleet of RIB’s, (rigid inflatable boats) sometimes referred to as zodiacs. These extremely safe and stable craft will land you at some of the most amazing places. b) Our specially designed and built Hovercraft (2) give us unprecedented over ice capability in Antarctica allowing us to land in places that are inaccessible to other ships.

Technical description:

• Classification: Russian register KM ice class 
• Year built: 1984
• Accommodation:  48 berths expedition  
• Shipyard: Finland
• Main engines: power 2x1560 bhp (2x 1147 Kw) 
• Register: Russia
• Maximum speed: 12 knots (2 engines),
• Cruising speed: 10 knots(one engine) 
• Bunker capacity: 320 tons

Deck and Cabin plan:

Rollover a room for more information

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  Upper Deck
  Middle Deck
  Lower Deck

• Heritage Suite
• Mini Suite
• Superior Plus
• Superior

• Main Deck
• Main Deck Triple
• Bar/Lounge
• Dining Room

Spirit of Enderby

Fully ice-strengthened for Expedition Travel our vessel carries just 48 passengers in very comfortable accommodation. Onboard are some of the most experienced naturalists and guides who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas we visit.

Heritage Suite

Large lounge area, separate bedroom with double bed, single bed in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe, drawers, and fridge. There is a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Large forward and side facing windows with great views.

Mini Suite

A small bedroom with a 3/4 bed and a single bed in the lounge, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower. toilet and washbasin. This suite has windows.

Superior Plus

Cabins have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.

Superior

Cabins have one bunk (an upper and lower – two), wardrobe, drawers, a desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.

Main Deck

Cabins have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a desk, washbasin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.

Main Deck Triple

Main deck triple cabin: This cabin has one bunk (one upper and one lower) and one lower berth, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and washbasin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.

Bar Lounge

Equipped for the use of laptops, video and digital cameras, opening hours are variable depending on the activities of the day. We have a well stocked library you are welcome to use at any time, and a range of beverages available.

Dining Room

Our chefs will delight you with international cuisine, prepared with the freshest products available prepared according to your special dietary needs (as per information specified on your booking form). Kosher, Halal and Vegan meals are not available.

Dining Room

Our chefs will delight you with international cuisine, prepared with the freshest products available prepared according to your special dietary needs (as per information specified on your booking form). Kosher, Halal and Vegan meals are not available.

Life onboard ‘Spirit of Enderby’

The ‘Spirit of Enderby’ was designed and built as a Research Vessel and still undertakes some research work when not involved with work through Heritage Expeditions.  Ship amenities and services include:

Bar: ‘Globe’ It is situated on the Middle deck aft (400 level cabins). We have a range of beverages available (beers, wines, soft drinks and spirits). Opening hours are variable, depending on the activities of the day onboard (e.g. lectures, landings). Opening hours are indicated on daily programmes.

Dining Room: ‘Ice Culture’
Our Australian and New Zealand chefs will delight you with international cuisine, prepared with the freshest products available. Our chefs onboard can prepare food according to your special dietary needs (providing this information in advance of departure date, specified on the booking form). We regret to inform that Kosher, Halal and Vegan meals are NOT available onboard.