Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive Moscow
Upon arrival into Moscow International Airport, get transfer to the hotel. Depending on your flight arrival, you may have time at leisure.
Meal: nil
Stay: Hotel, Moscow
Day 02 Moscow – Yakutsk
Take an early flight to Yakutsk, the capital city of Siberia. After checking in to the hotel, there is time for a rest before a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit to the Mammoth Museum, the Peasant Market, the Atlasovs Manor ethno-complex, etc.
The region of Yakutia is a world of ancient secrets that attracts and calls upon travellers from different parts of the World. The main gem of the North is the beautiful city of Yakutsk. Every corner of the city reminds of its ancient history, which impresses even seasoned travellers. During the tour, visit the Mammoth Museum, where you travel to the distant past and get acquainted with the ancient inhabitants of the Northern lands. Visit the famous local fish market, the ice tunnel complex «Kingdom of Permafrost», the ethno-complex «Atlasovs Manor» with an excursion into the history of traditions and beliefs of the Yakutsk.
Meal: Breakfast*
Stay: Hotel, Yakutsk
*Depending on the flight departure time, breakfast may not be available. The hotel may not be able to organise a packed breakfast. In this case, breakfast will be on the your own expense.
Day 03 Yakutsk – Lena Pillars – Yakutsk
Transfer to Batamay Village. Cross the Lena River on a 15-minute snowmobile ride with a passenger sled. Arrive in Lena Pillars. Spend some time on your own exploring the National Park.
Lena Pillars are high cliffs of unusual shape that stretch along one of the banks of the Lena River. When you see them for the first time, you will be amazed at their harsh and majestic beauty. This natural wonder is located in the nature park of the same name in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Stunning cliffs from forty to a hundred metres high are becoming more mysterious and beautiful year on year due to the peculiarities of the local climate. You may ascend to the observation deck of the park if the trail is cleared of snow.
Return to Batamay Village and enjoy lunch in a warm house. Warm lunch boxes will be served.
Retire back to hotel in Yakutsk.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Hotel, Yakutsk
Day 04 Yakutsk – Khandyga
Today is spent to travel to Khandyga.
Cross over the ice of the Lena River from Yakutsk to Nizhny Bestyakh. Make a stop along the frozen river with a photo session on the ice. Thereafter, experience crossing the icy Aldan River in the dark.
Meal: Breakfast
Stay: Apartment, Khandyga
Day 05 Khandyga – Oymyakon
Transfer to Teply Klyuch settlement. Visit to the Museum of the History of the GULAG.
Construction of the village of Teply Klyuch was started in preparation for the construction of the Magadan highway. The village was a camp point. The Museum reflects the general history of repressions in the USSR, the history of Magadan Camps and famous prisoners, the camp history of the district, the construction and operation of the Kolyma (Magadan) Highway.
Continue to the village of Kyubyume through the mountain passes of the Verkhoyansk Ranges. Make stops along the route at Tomporuk Pass, Yellow and Black Clamps, Hare Loop.
Finally, arrive at Oymyakon, considered one of the coldest inhabited places in the world. The temperature can theoretically drop to -70 Degrees Celsius. According to official records, the temperature recorded averages at -67 degree Celsius.
Enjoy a late dinner with the host family.
Meal: Dinner
Stay: Guesthouse, Oymyakon
Day 06 Oymyakon
Start the day by checking an outdoor thermometer and savour a hearty breakfast prepared by the host family. Eat as much carbohydrates and protein as you would see meat, fish and potato dishes on the table. All those calories will be useful for your exciting cold experience in Oymyakon.
Visit to Stella «Pole of Cold». Indulge in a photo session with the fairytale character Chyskhaan, the Guardian of the Cold.
Walk around Oymyakon.
Upon return to the guesthouse, engage in funny outdoor experiments with the cold. For instance, see how quickly a wet t-shirt or your national flag becomes solid and frozen, try to hammer a nail with a frozen banana, crash frozen apples or cabbages, see which drinks would freeze quicker (spirits will win definitely), blow bubbles, blast the boiled water in the cold air, etc.
Go to the Indigirka River. Participate in traditional ice fishing with a local fisherman. Fishes to catch in the mountain river are graylings and other specifically-local types. All the catch may be cooked by the host in the evening, if there would be such a chance.
This evening, enjoy the evening of Yakut culture in the House of Archy. Take part in friendship circle dance, learn Russian folklore songs, and Jew’s-harp (Khomus) performance while sipping hot brewed tea.
NOTE: bring the food: fruits and vegetables from Yakutsk for the fun. Your guide will remind you and purchase for the food is at your own expense.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Guesthouse, Oymyakon
Day 07 Oymyakon – Tomtor – Khandyga
Early departure to Khandyga Village with a stop in Tomtor.
Enroute, visit a horse farm with Yakut horses.
The Yakut horse is an aboriginal horse breed common in Yakutia. The breed is the most frost-resistant, having an undercoat and a coat 8-15 centimetres long. Even in winter, it can feed on grass from under the snow, In Yakutia, horses live outdoors all year round (at temperatures up to +40 °C in summer and -60 °C in winter) and look for food on their own.
Arrive in Tomtor. Visit the ice tunnel complex «Chyskhaan Residence» and the ice-free Kuidusun River.
Continue the journey through mountain passes to Kyubyume. Make a stop at Even reindeer Herders’ winter camp hidden in the snowy forest. Enjoy tea, try traditional food, take a reindeer sleigh ride and feel like a real Siberian nomads.
Make stops along the way at bridges over River Agayakan and Suntar. Continue through mountain passes to Teply Klyuch.
Late arrival in Khandyga.
Meal : Breakfast
Stay: Apartment, Khandyga
Day 08 Khandyga – Yakutsk
Visit the Village of Walba with the master of sculptures from balbakh.
A local resident of the village of Walba in Yakutia has an unusual hobby – he makes sculptures from balbakh (cow dung). Every year, the master prepares sculptures that reach several metres in length and height. In the past years, he sculpted a Cobra, a pair of horses, a family of goats and monkeys, a Christmas tree, a tank, mammoths, three horses and much more. By tradition, there is always a symbol among the sculptures of the year.
Meal: nil
Stay: Hotel, Yakutsk
Day 09 Depart Yakutsk
Morning departure to Yakutsk Airport for your onward flight to Moscow. The tour concludes upon your arrival into Moscow Airport.
Meal: Breakfast*
*Depending on the flight departure time, breakfast may not be available. The hotel may not be able to organise a packed breakfast. In this case, breakfast will be on the your own expense.
Recommendation: consider a 2 or 3-night extension in the city of Moscow.