Standard tour

Khabarovsk is the administrative capital of Khabarovsk Krai, the city with the population over 600 thousand people. The city was founded in 1858 on the abrupt river bank Amur — one of the largest rivers of the planet. Khabarovsk welcomes guests with ancient architecture of the center and wide prospectuses of city new buildings.

Из Хабаровска группа отправляется в увлекательное путешествие к далеким островам. Здесь еще раз проверяем снаряжение и список необходимых вещей.

Дорога к поселку Бриакан очень интересна, наш путь лежит на север Хабаровского края. В дороге на комфортабельном автобусе мы увидим большие и малые населенные пункты, пересечем множество рек и ручьев.

On the federal highway

Our way lies to the north, to the city of youth — Komsomolsk-on-Amur. About 400 kilometers on the good route will pass quickly. From a window overlooking a typical landscape of the Khabarovsk Territory, where the fields and hills alternate with maryami – swampy terrain in which wild plants of Far East – cranberries and dove are growing.

Time behind a talk flies to ways imperceptibly. In 4-5 hours of a travel we drive up to the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

At the moment Komsomolsk-on-Amur — the industrial center of the region. There are ship-building, metallurgical, oil processing plants. Here assemble the known medium-range Russian aircrafts the Sukhoi Superjet.

To the north, by the Nanaian villages

We drive Komsomolsk-on-Amur and on the gravel road we move towards Duca’s settlement of the Solar area. Our way passes on the autodoubler of BAM, the road of the parallel well-known railway line, by the Nanaian villages of Gorin, Kondon, the picturesque Lake Evoron where tasty crucians are found.

We leave Duca’s settlement behind shoulders and we go to the north, towards the settlement of Briakan of the area of Polina Osipenko. The area bears a name of the woman-pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Polina Denisovna Osipenko who made in 1938 non-stop flight along a route “Moscow — the Far East”, ended in the territory of this area. These are about 120 more kilometers of the gravel road.

Briakan — a final point of a land route

If we come to Briakan in the first half of day, then at once we go to the airfield where we are waited by equipped Mi-8. We overload personal belongings in the helicopter. Now our main ally — the Far East weather. The rhythm and the schedule of a travel will depend on it directly.

If we come to Briakan after a lunch, and also in case of non-flying weather along a route, we accommodate on spending the night in the special car equipped with berths. Local, for extraordinary comfort and a cosiness, for fun nicknamed its Hilton.

In the morning guides estimate weather conditions and if weather allows, the group takes off by helicopter to Shantar Islands. If metaconditions are adverse, then we remain in the settlement until weather becomes flight. Flight to the Shantar archipelago will take about 1,5 hours.

The helicopter carries us above clouds

It is difficult to talk in flight, noise of screws muffles voices. After a while, when the first emotions after take-off settled, we take a contemplate position at a window and simply we observe. Below the earth rushes, trees seem tiny, the mountain rivers and snow-covered tops of hills are visible. At such moment you understand, our country is how extensive.

In 1,5 hours of flight the helicopter lands in a bay Ongachan. On the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk the comfortable base for accommodation is located. From here, in the forthcoming days we by high-speed boats will explore Shantar Islands.

VIP tour

Our travel to the Shantarsky archipelago will begin in Khabarovsk — the administrative capital of Khabarovsk Krai. Khabarovsk — the city with the population over 600 thousand people. It is founded in 1858 on the abrupt river bank Amur — one of the largest rivers of the planet. Khabarovsk welcomes guests with ancient architecture of the center and wide prospectuses of city new buildings.

WE start

In Khabarovsk from local airfield the group goes to a fascinating travel to far islands. Here last time we check equipment and the list of necessary things. The road to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk is very interesting, our way will pass practically through all territory of Khabarovsk Krai.

The helicopter comes off the earth and promptly gathers the course. From a window Khabarovsk and its residential areas is visible. Very soon the landscape will change — around on how much there is enough look only the woods, fields and the rivers will stretch.

It is difficult to talk in flight, noise of screws muffles voices. Through some time when the first emotions settled, we take a contemplate position at a window and simply we observe. Below the earth rushes, trees seem tiny, the mountain rivers and snow-covered tops of hills are visible. At such moment you understand, Russia is how extensive.

Intermediate point

Intermediate landing in the settlement of Briakan is necessary for refueling of the helicopter. Even the rotary-wing aircraft doesn’t manage to reach Shantar directly. The archipelago is located at distance more than 800 kilometers from the made habitable southern districts of the region.

On the server of Khabarovsk Krai the monsoonal climate and frequent change of winds here not a rarity dominates. After the direction of wind overcast on the coast also promptly can change. Our main ally on the way to Shantar Islands — weather. The following stage of a travel will depend on it directly.

While there is a gas station specify a weather forecast on a route Briakan — Ongachan. Also we are guided by time of day. Safety above all.

If the departure on metaconditions or time of day is impossible, we accommodate on spending the night in the special car equipped with berths. Local for extraordinary comfort and a cosiness of the place for fun nicknamed its Hilton.

In the morning guides estimate weather conditions and if weather allows, the group takes off by helicopter to Shantar Islands. If metaconditions are adverse, then we remain in the settlement of Briakan until weather becomes flight.

Highly above the ground

Air in flight becomes much colder — we approach the coast of the northern Sea of Okhotsk. Under helicopter the Far East taiga rushes — fir-trees, pines, a cedar flash. Here seldom the leg of the person went.

There where we move – even less people. On Shantar Islands only 3 persons — employees of a local meteorological station constantly live. Much more often there it is possible to meet a bear or a seal

Wild land

We landed on the helipad near well-equipped base in a bay Ongachan. Salty sea air invigorates and refreshes. Noise of a surf, shouts of birds is heard.

On stationary base in a bay there is all necessary for comfortable accommodation — warm lodges, a bath. We are met as dear visitors. The cook cooked fresh fish soup and is ready to set the table.

Very soon we will go to explore Shantar Islands, gulfs and bays of the archipelago. Let’s see seals, killer whales, whales, a great number of sea birds and the bears walking on the coast.