Cruise routes with visits to Russian protected areas will become even more diverse

The press service of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation reported that the number and variety of cruise routes will increase in the upcoming tourist season. Specialists of specially protected natural areas have already developed new express cruises in Chukotka and nine-day programs in the Northern Kuriles.

In 2023, more than 54 thousand cruise participants visited protected areas of federal significance. Both river and sea trips were available for tourists, during which it was possible to see natural attractions that were inaccessible during "overland" tours.

New forms of tourism are now being developed to meet demand. In the coming season, the number of cruise flights to the Far Eastern regions will increase: Kamchatka, Chukotka and the Sakhalin region. If there were 10 of them last year, 13 are planned this year. Depending on the route, tourists are invited to visit the Kuril and Koryak nature reserves, the reserve "Small Kuriles", the national parks "Beringia", "Commander Islands" and "Wrangel Island".

"For the first time, the Far Eastern Marine Reserve in Primorye will be included in the cruise routes. Most of it is a marine area. A nature museum is operating on land, and a botanical garden of rare plants of the islands of Peter the Great Bay is being created. Cruises with visits to these places are planned in June and October," the message says.

The new location will appear on the cruise routes with a visit to the Kuril Reserve. Tourists will be offered a walking tour to the largest freshwater reservoir on Kunashir Island, Lake Peschanoe.

The Beringia National Park in Chukotka will host two cruise tours in 2024. Tourists will visit two ecological trails, Cape Dezhnev, Kolyuchin Island, hot springs in the valley of the Klyuchevaya River, bird markets on the island of Itygran. Experts admit that lucky travelers will be able to see large groups of red book humpback and gray whales, sea lions, walruses and seals.

The nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory will make six cruise voyages this season with a call at the territory of the Russian Arctic National Park. During the cruise, tourists are dropped off at Franz Josef Land. This route is in demand due to its uniqueness and comfortable accommodation conditions on the icebreaker. The duration of the routes is from 12 to 30 days.