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Reindeer herders of Yakutia

Destination: Yakutia
This tour is not available and is archived.
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
10 Days
Highlights
  • Visit of the Mammoth museum and of the complex Kingdom of Permafrost
  • Travel by The Kolyma Highway which is also known as the "Road of Bones"
  • Reindeer sledding through the Oymyakon valleys, forest, and mountains
  • Discovery of reindeer herders' life
  • Overnight in a tent in snow-covered taiga
Tour Overview

Willing to live a unique experience in winter fairy-tale, to see charming snow-covered nature of Yakutia and to be in seclusion from all civilization and entire immersion in nature? We propose you our tour adventure through the cold Siberian weather "Reindeer herders of Yakutia"!

During this trip you will make a travel by the Kolyma Highway which is also known as the "Road of Bones", you will see Black and Yellow Prizhim (part of the highway that horrified drivers some years ago), you will cross the Lena and Aldan rivers on the ice road. You will have a chance to know the real herders' life: learning to use a lasso for catching reindeer, preparing reindeers for journey, travelling on reindeer sled. You will apreciate staying with the locals themselves and the hospitality of extraordinarily welcoming people .

In Yakutsk you will make a city tour: The Mammoth museum and the complex ''Kingdom of Permafrost'' (ice tunnel with the head of the real mammoth and ice sculptures) and, of course, you will taste local food in the restaurant of ethno complex Chochur Muran.

ATTENTION: The tour requires good physical and mental preparation.

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Arrival in Yakutsk
  • Day 2
    Departure to Khandyga village
  • Day 3
    Raindeer herders' camp
  • Day 4
    Starting the expedition
  • Day 5
    Return to the reindeer herders' camp
  • Day 6
    Everyday life of the reindeer herders
  • Day 7
    Return to the Khandyga village
  • Day 8
    Khandyga - Yakutsk
  • Day 9
    Aquaintance of Yakutsk
  • Day 10
    End of the programme
  • 09:30
    Transfer aeroport - hotel
    *The arrival time is estimated and can be changed according to the chosen flight.
  • 10:30
    Check-in and rest
  • 12:00
    Yakutsk city-tour
    Meeting with your guide at 12:00. City tour of Yakutsk by car. You will have a possibility to buy all necessary equipment for your trip.
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 16:00
    Free time
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
  • 08:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 09:00
    Departure
    We will go to Khandyga. We will cross the Lena River on the ice road. We will stop on the opposite bank of the Lena River for the group photo and to overlook the river landscape with Yakutsk in background.
  • 13:00
    Lunch in the cafe en route Not included
    You will taste the homemade cuisine (extra charges, to pay on site)
  • 14:00
    Continuation of road
    We will see many traditional Sakha villages such as Churapcha and Ytyk-Kuel and will make a lot of stops for photo shoots. After lunch crossing the Aldan River and stop on its bank.
  • 18:00
    Dinner
  • 19:00
    Arrival and installation in a little hotel
  • Overnight in the hotel
Note

10 h transfer  (432km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast Not included
  • 10:00
    Transfer to the reindeer herder's camp
    Driving the famous Kolyma Highway. The Kolyma Highway is also known as the Road of Bones, as the skeletons of the forced laborers who died during its construction were used in much of its foundations. We'll stop at the memorial with the big Cross on the rock dedicated to the victims of the Gulag system.
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
    In the road cafe, to pay on site (not included).
  • 14:00
    Continuation of the road
  • 19:00
    Dinner in the camp
  • 19:00
    Arrival and check-in
    We will live in the camp base - little wooden houses with stove heating (twin or triple room).
  • Overnight in the homestay
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Preparation for the departure
    In the morning, herders prepare reindeer sled for the day’s journey. You can take part in the preparation of reindeer's sled. During the crossing you will form a caravan in the group of three participants with a guide.
  • 12:00
    Lunch in camp
  • 13:00
    Start of the reindeer sledding
    Our road passes through the Oymyakon valleys, forest, and mountains.
  • 18:00
    Arrival and installation of the camp
  • 19:00
    Dinner
    After this long day, the hot dinner prepared on fire will wait for you!
  • Overnight in tents
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Free time
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Way on reindeer sled
    We will change the road for making the itinerary more interesting and varied.
  • 19:00
    Dinner in the camp
  • Overnight in the homestay
  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the camp
  • 11:00
    Acquaintance with the life of the camp
    Some might try learning to use a lasso for catching reindeer. Some might prepare fire woods and ice cubes for drinking. There are any unusual activities for urban visitors.
  • 13:00
    Lunch in the camp
  • 15:00
    Free time
    You might ride on a snowmobile to hunt around.
  • 19:00
    Dinner in the camp
  • Overnight in the homestay
  • 08:00
    Breakfast in the camp
  • 09:00
    Departure to Khandyga
  • 13:00
    Lunch
    In the road cafe (not included, to pay on site)
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the road
  • 19:00
    Dinner
    In the road cafe (not included, to pay on site)
  • 20:00
    Arrival and installation in the hotel
  • Overnight in the hotel
  • 09:00
    Breakfast Not included
  • 10:00
    Departure to Yakutsk
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • 19:00
    Arrival and check-in in the hotel
  • Overnight in the hotel
  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Yakutsk city-tour
    Meeting with your guide in the hotel. Visit of the Treasury of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), the Mammoth museum. Transfer to the ethno complex Chochur Muran.
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
    In the restaurant (not included, to pay on site)
  • 14:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    Visit of the complex Chochur Muran. Excursion to the complex ''Kingdom of Permafrost'' (ice tunnel with the head of the real mammoth and ice sculptures). Return to the hotel.
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Check-out. End of the programme.
Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • English-speaking guide
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Meals
  • Medical insurance
  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
  • Tent rental
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Letter of invitation
  • Guide during free days
Price does not include
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Sleeping bag rental
  • Airline tickets
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

Guaranteed departure for a group of 4 persons. The price includes breakfast on Day 2, 4-7, 9,10; lunch Day 4-6 and dinner on Day 3-6. Single supplement 3500 RUB / pers. (days 1, 8, 9) We can switch the category of rooms or accommodation according to your request (days 1, 8, 9). Please contact us before your departure.

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