Russia's Sea of Okhotsk

Little known outside of Russia and seldom visited by westerners, Russia's Sea of Okhotsk dominates the Northwest Pacific. Bounded to the north and west by the Russian continent and the Kamchatka Peninsula to the east, with the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin Island guarding the southern border, it is almost landlocked. Its coasts were once home to a number of groups of indigenous people: the Nivkhi, Oroki, Even and Itelmen. Their name for this sea simply translates as something like the ‘Sea of Hunters' or ‘Hunters Sea', perhaps a clue to the abundance of wildlife found here.

This is a truly unique expedition in that it travels through a little known sea. It is a region with a history that up until recently has been suppressed and not spoken about, the magnitude of the tragedy of Stalin's Gulag system is only now becoming apparent. It is also an area with very significant and important wildlife values, both terrestrial and marine. There are still discoveries to be made and so for the inquisitive, adventurous and open-minded traveller, this is a ‘must do' expedition.

Note: Expeditioners on this voyage have the option to stay on board as we transfer the ship to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy at the completion of the voyage - an extra three nights free! These will be sea days, with a minimal expedition programme, and a chance to unwind in the library, bar and on the bridge. Those staying on board will disembark at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy on 27 June 2022.