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The Far East amazes even those who have seen the whole world. Choose your cruise and pay for it in one click on the website.
We operate in three areas: the Arctic, the Kuril Islands, and the Far East. Our expedition cruises offer vibrant adventures, an enriching educational program, gastronomic experiences, and a professional expedition team.
Vasta Expeditions Opens Bookings for 2026 Adventures
In 2026, we’ll be landing on uninhabited islands, visiting remote nature reserves, taking boat trips to seal rookeries and towering bird cliffs, and encountering whales and seals in their natural habitat. Most importantly, we’ll be enjoying breathtaking landscapes in the company of curious, passionate travelers. Choose your 2026 adventure!
In June 2026, the Professor Khromov will sail through the Sea of Japan from Vladivostok to Sakhalin Island. Participants will land on remote islands and visit protected bays of Primorsky Krai, explore inaccessible nature reserves, cruise to seal rookeries and massive seabird colonies. Only 46 spots are available — book yours now.
Expedition Cruises in Primorye in 2026 with Vasta Expeditions
Expedition Cruises to the Kuril Islands in 2026 with Vasta Expeditions
In 2025, Professor Khromov and Akademik Shokalskiy will complete eleven expedition cruises along the Kuril archipelago. Participants will land on remote islands, hike to volcanic craters, explore caldera bays, and immerse themselves in surreal landscapes. You’ll encounter whales and orcas, observe sea lion rookeries and seabird cliffs, and even soak in remote thermal springs. Highlights include the legendary Krenitsyn Volcano on Onekotan and Crater Bay on Yankicha Island. Each voyage is limited to 44−46 guests. Choose your adventure.
Twice in late summer 2025, the "Professor Khromov" will set sail from Anadyr to circumnavigate Chukotka and reach the legendary Wrangel Island. This 14-day expedition includes landings on uninhabited islands, a visit to Cape Dezhnev (the easternmost point of Eurasia), exploration of ancient Eskimo sanctuaries, and authentic encounters with Chukchi communities. You’ll approach the International Date Line, observe whales and walruses in their natural environment, and relax in steaming thermal baths surrounded by pristine tundra. Limited to just 46 participants per voyage.
Expedition Cruises to Wrangel Island in 2025 with Vasta Expeditions
Expedition Cruises to the Commander Islands in 2026 with Vasta Expeditions
In 2025, Professor Khromov will sail two cruises between Kamchatka and Chukotka, visiting the Commander Islands — one from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Anadyr in July, the return in September. Guests will spend four days exploring the Commanders, visit remote fjords, and experience Russia’s windiest region. Expect close encounters with whales, seabird colonies, sea lions, and much more. Each cruise has just 46 spots. Choose your journey.
In summer and autumn 2026, Professor Khromov and Akademik Shokalskiy will operate cruises between Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Sakhalin. Passengers will land on remote volcanic islands, hike to craters, encounter marine wildlife, and approach cliffs and sea lion haul-outs by Zodiac. The Kuril route includes visits to Krenitsyn Volcano and Crater Bay, while the Kamchatka segment features Russkaya and Zhirovaya Bays. Each cruise carries just 44−46 guests. Choose yours.
Expedition Cruises to Southern Kamchatka and Northern Kuril Islands in 2026 with Vasta Expeditions
Expedition Cruises to the Shantar Islands in 2026 with Vasta Expeditions
In summer 2026, Vasta Expeditions will launch its first voyage across the Sea of Okhotsk. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Magadan, Akademik Shokalskiy will navigate through some of the most remote and untouched regions of Russia. The highlight: encounters with bowhead whales near the Shantar Islands and gray whales in Piltun Bay on northeastern Sakhalin. The route also includes wild island landings, treks on the scenic Koni Peninsula, a visit to the historic port of Okhotsk, and deep-sea fishing. This is your chance to explore an extraordinary wilderness in comfort.
We have prepared an engaging and informative program to complement your direct impressions of the Far East. You will always have access to a lounge with a maritime library, a bar, a cinema, and a sauna. The captain’s bridge is open to passengers at any time of the day.
We will land in remote bays and on wild islands by motorboats to immerse ourselves in the unknown. The grandeur of untouched nature. The surreal landscapes. The breath of volcanoes on uninhabited islands. Sceneries and life forms change as often as the weather. This journey will change you forever.
Every Day — а New Discovery
Arrival and departure times are local, considering time zone changes. The cruise route, landing locations, and activity schedules may change due to weather or other factors beyond the organizers' control.
Even More Adventures with Land Tours in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands
Most expedition cruises start or end in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Discover what you can explore if you have an extra day before or after your voyage.
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The Kuril Islands — 56 Islands of Pristine Beauty
Only four of these islands are permanently inhabited.
Due to their remoteness and 1,200 km span, a unique biosphere has developed and been preserved, boasting an unparalleled diversity of wildlife and plant species.
Tour Leader Mikhail Tigushkin — a Sailing Captain with Over 30 Years of Experience
Traveller
Mikhail has completed a circumnavigation and has repeatedly led Arctic and other expeditions. Aboard the wooden boat "Rusich" (a replica of an ancient Russian sail-and-row vessel), he participated in voyages dedicated to Afanasy Nikitin and Miklouho-Maclay, traveling from Samara to Oman and from Oman to Thailand. He is an expert on the Far East.
On this expedition cruise, Mikhail is supported by an experienced team of professional travelers. They ensure that your time on board and every landing are both exciting and safe.
Our Ships «M/V Professor Khromov» and «M/V Akademik Shokalskiy» — are research vessels with UL-class ice strengthening
Originally built in Finland, they were refitted to comfortably accommodate up to 46 passengers. Both vessels feature deluxe and semi-deluxe cabins, twin cabins with en-suite facilities, as well as double and triple cabins with shared bathrooms.\ Guests enjoy access to a spacious lounge and library, a lecture hall, a relaxation room, a bar, and a sauna.
Gourmet Restaurant — a Delightful Culinary Experience!
Our chef has worked in fine dining restaurants and has repeatedly catered for marine expeditions. He will ensure that the food is as diverse and delightful as the breathtaking views outside your window.
Special Guests on Board:
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Cruise No. 1:
Iliya VoskresenskyTravel Photographer & BloggerWith an audience of over 800,000 followers across platforms, Iliya travels the world with his wife and two young children. On his popular YouTube channel "elivosk" (almost 400K subscribers), he shares adventures, insights, and raw travel moments. His Instagram features stunning landscapes — mountains, forests, deserts — from across Russia, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Turkey, Spain, and beyond. In early 2023 he returned from Africa, visited North Korea in 2024, and is now joining us for his first Vasta expedition in June. -
Cruise No. 3
Dmitry ParikovChef & Culinary VisionaryBrand chef of Moscow’s “My Fish”, I Like Wine, I Like Grill, and more — and business partner of Vladimir Perelman. Dmitry is a silver medalist of the International Kremlin Culinary Cup and winner at Veuve Clicquot Champagne Maslenitsa 2021. His restaurants have been featured in GQ’s Top 25 in Russia and won multiple food festival awards. -
Cruise No. 3
Anton KonobievskyFilmmaker & ExplorerAnton is a videographer and adventurer from Primorsky Krai. He won the "Far East — Land of Adventure" contest, beating 200 contestants. Among his feats: a 500-km solo kayak expedition and a 23,000-km road trip across Russia, documenting it all on film. -
Cruise No. 8
Vadim MakhorovRenowned Blogger and ExplorerVadim is a photographer and co-founder of Ontheroofs, a project known for its breathtaking climbs to some of the world’s tallest structures. In recent years, however, he’s turned his lens to the natural world — focusing on mountain and volcano expeditions, global travel, and powerful visual storytelling. He has visited over 50 countries, published a photo book about exploring Russia, and created numerous viral videos from the planet’s most remote corners — ones you’ve likely already seen in your social feed. -
Cruise No. 8
Pavel MatveevPhotographer & BloggerPhotographer, entrepreneur, and traveler, Pavel has worked with the tourism ministries of Norway and Turkey, and created visuals for UNESCO. He’s the author of Inspiration Book volumes 1 & 2, ambassador for Sony Russia and Cokin France, and a seasoned Arctic explorer and sailor aboard the Kruzenshtern. -
Cruise No. 10
Vadim MakhorovBlogger & Urban ExplorerCo-founder of the viral project Ontheroofs, Vadim once scaled the world’s tallest buildings. He now focuses on nature photography, volcano climbing, and global travel. He’s explored over 50 countries, published a book on Russia, and created viral content from the world’s most remote places. -
Cruises No. 9, 10, 11
Sergey DolyaRenowned Traveler, Photographer & TV HostHaving visited 142 countries, Sergey completed a 70-day round-the-world road trip, climbed Kilimanjaro, and reached both the North and South Poles. With a master’s degree in physics, he specializes in natural phenomena in polar regions. His blog and photography have won numerous awards from National Geographic Traveler, My Planet, and The Golden Turtle wildlife photo contest. -
Cruise No. 10
Alexander MazurovPhotographer & StorytellerBased in St. Petersburg but constantly on the road, Alexander uses photography to capture the essence of nature. Currently working on a project about life in the Arctic, he shares stories of people and landscapes beyond the polar circle — revealing a side of the North rarely seen.
This is Interesting...
Курильские острова. Самые трудные и недоступные вулканы
Жизнь в Арктике! Белые медведи, китобои и вечные льды
Чукотка! Кладбище китов, птичьи базары
Край Света! Острова Шикотан, Кунашир и Сахалин
We love true adventures that give you the chance to feel like a real explorer. We want to share this joyful experience with people who are just as passionately curious as we are.
Vasta Expeditions' Specialty — Adventure Tourism
Our approach is creating a turnkey adventure. We charter the vessel ourselves for each expedition, and our tour leader is an expert who has personally completed a circumnavigation under sail.