info@baikalnature.com

Cruise Yakutsk -Tiksi - Yakutsk

Destination: Yakutia
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
Minimum age of the participant of this trip
14 Days
July - August
Highlights
  • Visit of Yakutsk (Yakutia's capital)
  • Discovering the Lena Pillars
  • Crossing the Artic Circle
  • Sailing up the Lena River all the way to its delta
  • Getting acquainted with the Yakuts and their culture
  • Conference on Yakutia and russian language course
Tour Overview

Dive deep into one of the northernmost regions of Siberia: Yakutia. You will gain an insight into this remote region as you sail down the greatest river in Russia: the Lena River.

As you travel aboard the Mikhail Svetlov cruise ship, the regions will unveil its hidden treasures.

Your tour will first take you to Yakutsk, the region’s capital. Then as the ship sails away you will get to see one of the most stunning phenomenons on the Lena River: the Lena Pillars. In the course of the cruise and the stops the River’s banks will constantly dazzle you. You will also get acquainted with Yakutia’s history and culture.

Aboard the ship you will cross the mythical Arctic Circle. You will keep sailing down the Lena River (and further north) all the way to its delta, where you will visit the village of Tiksi located on the shores of the Laptev Sea (a part of the Arctic Ocean).

The cruise is held on board of the ship "Mikhail Svetlov" (or "Demyan Bedniy" - the sister ship.

Technical description: year built - 1986 (1985), length - 90,3 m, width - 15 m, maximum speed - 21 km/h, cabins - 66, accommodation - 210 berths expedition.Welcome on board!

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Discovery of Yakutsk
    Yakutsk
  • Day 2
    Great rocks - Lena Pillars
    Yakutsk — Lena river
  • Day 3
    Buotama river
    Lena river
  • Day 4
    Continuation of the cruise
    Lena river
  • Day 5
    Acquaintance with culture of Yakutia
    Lena river
  • Day 6
    Everyday life of the village
    Lena river
  • Day 7
    The northernmost village of Yakutia
    Lena river
  • Day 8
    Free day
    Lena river
  • Day 9
    Fishermen village
    Lena river
  • Day 10
    Polar circle
    Lena river
  • Day 11
    Day on board
    Lena river
  • Day 12
    Farewell dinner near the fire
    Lena river
  • Day 13
    Open-air museum "Druzhba"
    Lena river
  • Day 14
    Farewall, Yakutia
    Lena river — Yakutsk
  • 10:00
    Arrival to Yakutsk
    *The indicated time is approximate and can be changed according to the chosen flight.
  • 11:00
    Transfer to the river port
  • 11:30
    Accommodation in cabins
    Rest and currency exchange
  • 14:00
    Yakoutsk city-tour Not included
    Visit of the Museum of Local Lore, souvenir and jewellery shops are optional and available for the extra pay.Yakutsk is the capital of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) with a population of almost 300 thousand people (28 % of the Republic's total population). It was established in 1632 by Petr Beketov, the Enisey Cossack. Yakutsk is located on the left bank of the river Lena in the Tuymaada valley. It is the biggest city located on permafrost zone. Its area covers 122 square km. Yakutsk is an administrative and cultural centre of the region (there are 7 theatres including Opera and ballet theatre, Northern circus). The industrial sector is very important, it supports the economic activity of the city. This excursion is optional. Extra charges.
  • 19:00
    Departure from Yakutsk to Lena Pillars by boat
  • 19:15
    Dinner on board
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
A Yakut Family in Traditionnal Dresses
Route
Yakutsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Lena Pillars national park
    Stay in the "Lena Pillars" national park where one can see steep rocks - in the form of 200 meters high pillars that are stretched for 40 km along the river. One can distinguish colonnades, arches, battlements in their shapes. You will enjoy a wonderful rest in this fairy "land".
  • 13:00
    Lunch during the excursion
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    After having a welcome ceremony with ritual dance and "Purifying with fire" ceremony you will be taken to rock massif (a trip for tough and strong people!). There is no way to express how you will feel up there. From the top of one of the "towers" you will get a magnificent view of the great river, endless taiga zone and rocks. Looking up at the sky in all its different shades of colours one really feel like he is a part of this untouched nature.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Yakutsk — Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Start of navigation
    This day you will go to the tributary of the Lena - Buotama. Buotama is a right tributary of the Lena with a length of 418 km. 40-30 thousand years ago this land was inhabited by hunters to mammoths and bisons. Lots of prehistoric settlements were discovered here. There are hundreds of years the river basin was rich in mnerai which was produced iron. Nowadays in the taiga it is possible to find primitive kilns of the time.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 14:00
    Excursion to the breeding center for bison
    In 2006 near the source of the river Buotama a breeding center for bison was founded to restore the population representatives of mammoths family. The animals were transported from Canada. The buffalo breeding center of 100 hectars is unique in Russia.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Free day on board
    In this area the Lena river enters the Central-Yakut lowland. Its valley widens up to 20-40 km, the flood plain is 7 to 15 km large. There are many lakes and swamps in the river plains. The river bed branches out at this point, the boat has to change its course. The depth of the river can reach 16 to 20 meters. On the way the boat meets one of the river's largest: the Aldan River. As the cruise keeps going one can see beautiful sights of the Verkhoyansk Mountains. The river extends and the banks are farther and farther, it is river's the widest valley and it has plenty of islands and canals. Deserted banks pass by for hundreds of kilometers in this limitless river environment.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Floor show on board
    The entertainment programme allow you to know more about history and culture of the region.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Departure to Zhigansk on ferry
    Zhigansk is the first settlement beyond the Polar circle. The Zhigansk fortified town was established in 1632 just like Yakutsk. The name "Zhigansk" comes from the Tungus language and means "an inhabitant of lower lands". The main activites here are hunting, fishing and cattle-breeding. Zhigansk is an administrative district center with over 3 thousand people. Our ship will anchor on the river due to insufficient water depth, and you will reach the bank on a small ferry.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Folklore concert of Evenkis
    You will be impressed by an amazing performance of local actors, throught their onprovies epic songs and traditional drums will sound like the blowing snow, the wind whistle or the whisper of leaves.
  • 18:00
    Return on board
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Visit of the Kussur village
    The tour will take you to Kussur, a small settlement in the North of the Arctic Circle. Men are engaged in reindeer breeding and hunting, women make beautiful traditional clothes decorated with fur and beads. Kusur will impress you with its simple village life typical of the Extreme North areas, you will appreciate the warm and sincere behaviour of the villagers. The look of the rural settlement will leave its mark as severe climate and strong winds have a strong influence on houses and streets. Local places here are known for their tragic history linked with the hard life of expatriates from the Baltic states and Central Yakutia.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    Walking tour to Dom cultury (recreation centre). Folklore concert, souvenirs. Free time.
  • 18:00
    Return on the board
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Departure to Tiksi
    You will be offered an excursion to the Tiksi settlement- the sea gates of Yakutia if the weather allows it. The name of Tiksi comes from the Yakut language, it means "meeting and mooring place". Tiksi appeared on the map in the middle of 1930s. The navigable period here is extremely short only 2,5 months. During 9-10 months the Laptev sea is frozen; the ice thickness is up to 1,5-2 meters or more. In winter there are polar nights: the sun seems to forget about this area. Darkness sets for several months. Sometimes one can see Polar lights in the dark sky of the night. In summer there is a period of white nights. The midnight Yakut sun shins for almost 24 hours a day. Tiksi was one of the most beautiful towns of Yakutia during the Soviet period. However nowadays it is going through significant economic difficulties.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 14:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    The welcome rite near the Tiksi stele, tasting of the national disches, concert in the centre of culture, visit of the Ust-Lensky reserve.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Free time
    This day you will pass on board. You can have a rest and admire the picturesque landscapes that will change one by one.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Floor show on board
    The entertainment programme allow you to know more about history and culture of the region.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Visit of Stepanovka village
    We will visit the house of the fisherman's house, we will get acquaintance with their way of living and will taste the dishes of the northern fish.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation fo the navigation
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Stop near the Polar circle
    The Polar circle is an imaginary line on the Earth and a parallel in the northern hemisphere with the latitude of 66’33’38’’. During the winter solstice (December 21-22) north of the Polar circle the sun does not rise at all and during the summer solstice period (June 21-22) the sun does not set. The Polar circle is constantly moving, its geographic location is not stable. In fact, it moves approximately 2 meters each day and almost 100 meters each year. The polar circle position can be easily determined any time with the help of modern technologies. During the tour our ship will cross the Polar circle in the area of Zhigansk district. On the initiative of Zhigansk citizens on the left bank of the Lena River you can see a symbolic sign that says "The Polar circle".
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Free time
    Walking along the reiverside, fishing
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Continuation of the cruise
    Leaving the endless water environment beyond the Northern Polar Circle we pass the estuaries of the rivers Viluy and Aldan. The water's stretch here is unbelievable. Between Zhigansk district and the Viluy River estuary there is a natural boundary called "40 islands". There are actually more than 40 islands and you will be dazzled by their fairy tale appearance.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Free time
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Green stop
    It is one of the most beautiful virgin places where you will enjoy the beauty of the picturesque landscape. You can have a walk on this wild bank, see the abundance of nature and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 17:00
    Fire of friendship
    In the evening as the cruise will be almost complete, a symbolic Fire of friendship will be lit and songs in different languages will be performed.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
    You will taste the hot dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Excursion to the museul off history and architecture
    Excursion to historic-architecture open-air museum "Druzhba" ("Friendship") located on the place of the primary foundation of the "Lensk fortified town" founded by Russian cossacks, the future city of Yakutsk. The Museum shows samples of ancient wooden architecture in traditional Russian and Yakut styles. The wooden home utensils, national Yakut clothes and monuments of Russian Orthodoxy are very interesting. Wonderful landscapes and interesting historical excursions make the museum visit both informative and pleasant.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Souvenir shop
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Single cabin
  • 07:30
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Transfer to the airport. End of the programme.
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river — Yakutsk
Detailed description
Departures
July, 10 2024
Start
-
July, 23 2024
End
Available: 4+
Status
4,713 $
Basic price per person
July, 26 2024
Start
-
August, 08 2024
End
Available: 4+
Status
4,713 $
Basic price per person
August, 14 2024
Start
-
August, 27 2024
End
Available: 4+
Status
4,713 $
Basic price per person
Price includes
  • English-speaking guide services
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
  • Letter of invitation
  • Meals according to the program
  • Administrative registration
Price does not include
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Airline tickets
  • Medical insurance
  • Optional activities
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The price is for one person and includes accommodation in a single cabin. It is also possible to accommodate in other types of cabins: luxury, junior suite, two-, three- and four-bed standard cabins. For pricing and availability of other cabin types, please contact us. * A copy of your tourist visa must be provided 40 days before the start of your cruise. * For visiting Tiksi all foreigners should get a special permission. This document is free of charge, but it should be prepared 90 days before the date of departure. Everyday lectures about Yakutia, the Russian language classes and movie demonstration are offered. Thematic entertaining program in the musical saloon will be available in the evening.

Reviews
4.83
4.83
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
4.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Frédérique
From 20 August 2015 to 2 September 2015
Destination: Yakutia
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Très beau voyage, très bien organisé qu'il s'agisse des transferts, des excursions qui exploitent toutes les possibilités sur place. Animations à bord peu intéressantes en revanche mais cela ne me dérange pas. Bel itinéraire intéressant du point de vue ethnologique, géologique et sociologique. Découverte complète de la Yakoutie sous un angle intéressant depuis la Léna. Je vous félicite et
  Read more
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Danilo et Barbara
From 5 August 2015 to 18 August 2015
Destination: Moscow, Yakutia
Custom tourDécouverte de Moscou
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Beaucoup apprécié travailler avec BaikalNature pour l'organisation de notre voyage en Yakoutie. Voyage déroulé parfaitement, super! Merci tout spécialement à Olga !
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this tour. Below reviews for destination:
4.67
4.67
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Francis
From 22 March 2018 to 19 July 2018
Destination: Yakutia
Custom tourDécouverte de l'Extrême Orient Russe
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Hôtels excellents, à l'exception de l'hôtel de Iakoutsk ORTO DOYDU. Personnel très bien mais hôtel en mauvais état général (chambre et espaces communs) et petit-déjeuner très médiocre. Transferts excellents, sauf trajet Tommot - Iakoutsk : véhicule inconfortable et en très mauvais état, et chauffeur fumeur peu amène. Les trois parties du voyage du voyage nous ont enchantés. Nous avons été ravis par
  Read more
BaikalNature's reply
Bonjour Francis, Merci beaucoup pour ces détails très important pour un voyage tellement grand! Ces commentaires nous aiderons à revoir la qualité des services proposés en Yakoutie.
4.33
4.33
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
4.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Eric
From 27 January 2018 to 3 February 2018
Destination: Yakutia
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Voyage original au coeur de l' hiver Sibérien hors des sentiers touristiques. Dommage qu' il y ai eu un manque d'informations et d 'explications de la part du guide. Les "aventuriers" choisissant ce voyage ont tous soif de découverte, d'une part, du pays et d'autre part de la culture russe, ce qui nous a sensiblement manqué. Néanmoins ce voyage est à recommander pour son authenticité. Eric
BaikalNature's reply
Merci beaucoup pour votre remarque. Nous le prendrons en compte pour nos futurs voyages !
4.00
4.00
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
3.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
4.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Serge
From 27 January 2018 to 3 February 2018
Destination: Yakutia
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
This guest did not leave a comment.
Sign up for our emails!
Why subscribe? First, our newsletters are captivating! We are one of the few tour operators specializing in Russian and Georgian nature, who invests a lot of resources into photo and video-shooting. That’s why even sitting in the office, you’ll feel like you are making your way among arctic ices, walking along taiga valleys, admiring volcanos or looking in the mirror of crystal Baikal waters. Second, there is lots of useful stuff in our letters. The information about outstanding places, new routes’ descriptions, stories from expeditions and trips. And don’t worry, we write in an easy and entertaining manner. And finally, we’re not pushy. You will get all this beauty not often than once a month or two. So you’re gonna miss us!