The stunningly beautiful, rugged 56-island chain of the Kuril Islands arc like stepping stones between the southern tip of Kamchatka and the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
The islands, which form part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', are actually the tips of a volcanic mountain range. Among the peaks protruding from the sea are 49 active volcanoes.
Of these, Mt Tyatya is considered to be the most picturesque. The islands are indeed stunningly beautiful, with circular azure-blue lagoons, steaming rivers and hot springs, boiling lakes
such as Lake Kupashi, the moonlike landscape of Mendelyev volcano, and some spectacular cliff formations, notably the Stolbchaty Cape.
The islands, which form part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', are actually the tips of a volcanic mountain range. Among the peaks protruding from the sea are 49 active volcanoes.
Of these, Mt Tyatya is considered to be the most picturesque. The islands are indeed stunningly beautiful, with circular azure-blue lagoons, steaming rivers and hot springs, boiling lakes
such as Lake Kupashi, the moonlike landscape of Mendelyev volcano, and some spectacular cliff formations, notably the Stolbchaty Cape.
Atlasov Volcano
An Island-volcano in the Kurils praised by the Japanese for its near perfect shape, similar to Mount Fuji |
Kurilsky Zapovednik
Impressively beautiful nature reserve, considered the best example of an unspoilt, pristine environment of the same flora and fauna native to Japan |
Seafood
Be sure to eat seafood in the Kurils, as the fishing in this part of the North Pacific is considered some of the best in the world |
Yuzhno-Kurilsk
It is the main town of the Kuril islands. It hosts one of the worlds most unique natural environments - complete with free roaming bears and wild horses |