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Cruise the Ring of Fire

This breathtaking expedition offers you the opportunity to explore one of the most geologically active and biologically rich parts of the planet. The large number of live volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands has earned this region the reputation of the Pacific’s ‘Ring of Fire’.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is a land of stunning bays and snow-capped volcanoes whose alpine meadows and lowland forests support a great diversity of wildlife. The Kuril Island chain is made up of 32 islands that stretch between Russia and Japan across the Bering Sea. The Kurils are all formed by volcanoes that rise from the sea floor. The larger of the Kuril Islands are inhabited, and most people make their living from the sea, as they have for generations.

The seas washing these isolated coasts are among the most productive in the world. The area teems with birds and marine mammals. Huge bird colonies dot the cliffs and large seal rookeries are scattered along the coast.

The trip also takes in the Commander Islands. These remote islands are also rich in bird and sea mammal life and they are the final resting place of the famed Danish explorer Vitus Bering.

Cruise the Ring of Fire Itinerary:

Day 1:
You will have arrived in Petropavlovsk and had the opportunity to explore the city and perhaps take an excursion in the surrounding area. (If required we can book pre-cruise accommodation and excursions for you). In the afternoon you will board the Spirit of Enderby, while it is moored in the one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbours.

Day 2:
We cruise 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 3:
Today we land on the northern end of Onekotan Island, where we enjoy a walk to Black Lake. This lake lies in the 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.

Day 4:
Further south are Yankicho part the Ushishir group. They are the submerged remains of a large volcano, and they support birdlife that is nothing short of spectacular. A visitor has said “The sound is like a symphony, as if each bird contributes a different note – fulmar, puffin, auklet and murre.” We will land here and enjoy this amazing island. There is a pleasant walk and hot pools to soak in when you have had enough of the wildlife.
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.

Day 5:
Today we plan an expedition landing in Bukhta Krasheninnikova on Paramushir Island. This is large, mountainous volcanic island. Five of its 20 volcano’s are active. The island is known to have a good population of brown bear.

Day 6:
Early morning we enter Russkaya Fiord a spectacular feature within Avachinsky Bay. From this fiord we should get great views of the volcano Mutnovskaya Sopka. (2322 metres). There is also a superb chance to view wildlife.

Day 7:
One of the oldest nature reserves in Russia is Kronotsky, established in 1882 as a preserve for hunting sable. Totalling over 1 million square hectares it plays an important part in the conservation of the Kamchatka Peninsula’s diverse flora and fauna. There are over 763 vascular plant species, 232 bird species and 58 species of animals records. We hope to explore the area around the Chazma River on the northern end of the Reserve, and attempt to anchor in Kamenistaya Bay, a good area for Brown Bear.

Day 8 & 9:
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, red-legged kittiwakes, and red-faced cormorants. We may also spot harbour seals, Steller’s sea lions and northern fur seals.

Day 10:
Our excursion today is 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, hopefully the first of many we will see on this expedition.

Day 11:
This morning we disembark 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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