Ring of Fire

The distant and isolated Kuril Islands, a paradise of bird and marine wildlife, contain over 100 volcanos, 35 of which are still active. Begin your journey to Anchorage, cruise through the Bering Sea past the Aleutians to the Kamchatka Coast, through the Kuril Islands into Japan's northern islands of Hokkaido and Honshu, ending up in Kobe.

This is unparalleled exploration cruising along the Kamchatka coast, through the Kuril Islands, and into Japan’s northern islands of Hokkaido and Honshu. Enjoy dramatic scenery, and encounter the region’s ancient cultures and fascinating people whose lives are rarely touched by outsiders. Keep your binoculars handy for viewing unique wildlife and birds and adding to your lifelist. This itinerary offers opportunities to look for Asian Rosy-Finches, Peregrine Falcons, Slaty-backed Gulls, Common Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Tufted Puffins, Northern Fulmars, Steller’s Sea Eagles, and Harlequin Ducks.

Of special interest are the Red-faced Cormorant on Audubon’s Red Watch List and the Whiskered Auklet on Audubon’s Yellow Watch List.

The Kuril Islands are a chain of over 50 heavily-forested and volcanic islands – paradise for birdwatchers and twitchers. Once inhabited by the Ainu, who are thought to be descendants of migrating Mongolians, these islands are home to over 100 volcanoes, 35 of which are active. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime voyage through some of the most unusual terrain on earth. Conclude your journey in Kobe, where the ancient melds with the modern in a juxtaposition of unique contrasts.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008, HOME CITY TO ANCHORAGE
Upon arrival, transfer to the elegant Sheraton Anchorage Hotel overlooking Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Meet fellow travelers this evening at a welcome dinner.
D

Day 2 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, ANCHORAGE TO WHITTIER
After a hearty breakfast at the Sheraton and a morning tour of Anchorage, transfer to Whittier and set sail aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. BD

Day 3 - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, KODIAK
One of the largest fishing ports in the nation, Kodiak (Alaska's "Emerald Isle") is famous for its lush, green summer months as well as for its abundance of brown bears. Enjoy tours of the Baranov Museum, the Alutiiq Museum and the Fish Tech Center. BLD

Day 4 - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, SHUMAGIN ISLANDS
Abandoned in 1969, Unga Island is the largest of the Shumagin Islands. While humans are sparse, the island is home to rich vegetation and abundant wildlife, including Arctic fox, bald eagles, fur seals and tundra wildflowers. BLD

Day 5 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, DUTCH HARBOR
The "Crossroads of the Aleutian Islands," Unalaska has undergone sweeping change in its thousands of years of human history. Learn about the days of Russian fur traders at the Museum of the Aleutians and explore the Russian church. Dutch Harbor, Unalaska's port city, is the only place in North America besides Pearl Harbor bombed by Japanese zeros during WWII. Explore bunkers, barracks and artifacts at the World War II Memorial Park. BLD

Day 6 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, AT SEA
Bask in the amenities of the Spirit of Oceanus and enjoy a day at sea. Relax, watch for wildlife and listen to presentations by your team of onboard naturalists. BLD

Day 7 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, KISKA ISLAND
Kiska, occupied by Japanese forces for over a year during WWII, boasts one of the finest well-preserved harbors in the Aleutians. Now uninhabited, the island has been declared a National Historic Landmark and is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Keep any eye out for large colonies of protected seabirds and marine mammals that make Kiska their home. BLD

Day 8 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, ATTU ISLAND
Attu is the most remote of the Aleutian Islands and therefore one of the most rarely visited regions in the United States. Pristine and peaceful, this bird-watcher's paradise, is home to hundreds of species, including the Brambling, Tufted Duck and Siberian Rubythroat.
BLD

Day 9 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21/ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE/ BERING ISLAND
We lose a day as we cross the International Date Line. Pending permission from the Russian authorities, we'll anchor off of Bering Island, home to large populations of tufted puffins, Russian sea otters, Arctic Fox and northern fur seals. BLD

Day 10 - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, PETROPAVLOVSK
Perched high in the hills, Petropavlovsk was established in 1740 and remains one of the oldest settlements of the Russian Far East. With the Avacha and Koryak volcanos to the north and majestic Avacha Bay to the south, Petropavlovsk is surrounded by natural beauty. A city tour introduces you to this outpost of Russian culture, including one of the country's few surviving Lenin statues. BLD

Day 11 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, ATLASOVA
Atlasova's black-sand beaches and 7,675-foot volcano - the highest in the Kurils - give the island a dramatic, mysterious appeal. Explore an abandoned prison for Russian women as well as lakes, scrub and hills of volcanic ash on a nature walk. Keep an eye out for Asian rosy finches, peregrines and gulls. BLD

Day 12 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, SKALY LAVUSKI ISLANDS / YANKICHA ISLAND
Thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea lions and fur seals greet us in a cacophonous welcome to Skaly Lavushki's pristine wilderness. Explore Yankicha Island's soaring mountain peaks and caldera of bubbling vents and hot springs - a breeding center for whiskered auklets.
BLD

Day 13 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, BROUTANA BAY, SIMUSHIR
Simushir is a series of extinct volcanic edifices and partially submerged caldera. Broutana Bay was once used as a submarine base by the Soviet Navy. It was abandoned in 1994, but vehicles, equipment and other remains of the base are still easily visible.
BLD

Day 14 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, KUNASHIR ISLAND
Here we'll make a technical stop at Kunashir Island to get clearance to leave Russia. BLD

Day 15 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, KUSHIRO, JAPAN
Today we arrive in Japan for a visit to Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, home of Japan¹s sacred red-crowned cranes, the brown bear, Yezo deer and Sakhalin taimen, the most ancient species of salmon on Earth.
BLD

Day 16 - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, MATSUSHIMA
Matsushima's spectacular bay features 250 tiny islands, or shima, blanketed in pines, or matsu, hence its name. A dramatic monument to natural forces, Matsushima has earned recognition as one of Japan¹s Nihon Sankei (Three Great Sights). BLD

Day 17 - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, AT SEA
Cruise the scenic coast of Honshu, the largest of Japan's islands, as we make our way south. BLD

Day 18 - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, TOBA
Dating back to the 3rd century, Ise-jingu is Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine. From the port city of Toba we¹ll head inland to explore the shrine and its surrounding countryside of ancient forests of giant cryptomeria trees. BLD

Day 19 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, KOBE
Disembark in Kobe for a tour of Himeji (White Egret) Castle, Japan's most beautiful stronghold. Transfer to the Kobe Okura Hotel for an afternoon at leisure before a celebratory farewell dinner. BD

Day 20 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, KOBE / HOME
Transfer to the Osaka Airport for your flight home.
B

Call Toll Free: (888) 815-5428 or Inquire Today!

All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.