info@baikalnature.com

Cruise across the deepest canyon of Siberia

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
9 Days
Highlights
  • Cruise on the Lena - the greatest Siberian river
  • Sailing through the Lena Schyoki
  • Getting acquainted with the Yakuts and their culture
  • Conference on Yakutia and russian language class
  • Acuqaintace with the nature of the permafrost region
Tour Overview

Welcome on board!

This tour gives you the opportunity to explore one of the most mysterious regions of Siberia: Yakutia.

Aboard the cruise ship you will sail up the third greatest river in Russia: the Lena River.

You will begin your tour with a visit of Yakutia's capital: Yakutsk. Then, as soon as the ship gets going you can admire the beautiful landscapes and distinctive features that the banks have in store, including the Lena Pillars and the impressive Lena Schyoki Canyon.

This cruise will also allow you to meet the Yakuts, whose history and daily life is intimately linked to the Lena River.

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.

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Start of the navigation and open-air museum
    Yakutsk — Lena river
  • Day 2
    Great rocks - Lena Pillars
    Lena river
  • Day 3
    Naviagation near the Dapparai
    Lena river
  • Day 4
    Visit of exile place
    Lena river
  • Day 5
    Acquaintance with people of Yakutia
    Lena river
  • Day 6
    Vitim village
    Lena river
  • Day 7
    Lena Schyoki canyon
    Lena river
  • Day 8
    Discovery of Lensk
    Lena river
  • Day 9
    Discovery of the Mirnyi city
    Lena river
  • 09:00
    Arrival to Yakutsk
    *The indicated time is approximate and can be changed according to the chosen flight.
  • 11:00
    Transfer to the river port
  • 12:00
    Accommodation in the cabins and the start of the navigation
    Rest. Start of the navigation. This day we will go to the Sottintsy village where the open-air museum.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 14:00
    Excursion to the museum of 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.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Yakutsk — Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    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
  • 14:00
    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
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Navigation to the Dapparai river
    You will spend this day on board. Navigation from the Buotama river till the Dapparai river mouth.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Free time
    On board you have a possibility to watch films about Yakutia and attend lectures about culture and history of the regios.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on boarf
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Visit of Ancient Olyokminsk
    You can enjoy the untouched nature and greatness of the Lena territory in the area of the Olekma River estuary. The first settlement of Olyokminsk - yasak winter houses - was established in the Olekma River estuary in 1635. Olyokminsk was also the place where the Decembrists were sent in exile. Old believers also settled there as they were looking to escape the reforms.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    Agriculture including crop farming was widely developed here due to mild climate. In Olyokminsk are located the woodworking industry and plaster mine. Just a little bit further lies the Chara River which is known for its deposits of rare semi-precious purple stone.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Station near the Dapparai village
    On the riverside you will be welcomed by the folklore concert and local rites.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Walking along the shore
    Our station is situated on the Lena River’s right bank. It’s not far away from Dapparai river mouth. Dapparai is a nice place for fishing. If the height of water is normal you will go to the sand and stony riverbank or deserted wood trails. Also you will enjoy an autumn beauty of taiga nature.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Obernight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Stop near the Vitim village
    Vitim is a right tributary of the Lena river. It is formed by junction of Vitimkan and Cheena, one of the wildest and oldest rivers of South Siberia. Great expert of the area academician V.A. Obruchev wrote that Vitim was more original, magnificent and impressive than the slow Lena. The full length of the river is 1978 km. The Vitim River is technically complicated, with various set of natural obstacles. Navigation is made difficult by the important rush of water caused by autumn rain. At the river mouth is you can find the village of Vitim, which totals 6 000 inhabitants. Within the framework of mega-project and the growth of the Talakan oil deposit, a city is to be built right there in the near future.
  • 13:00
    Lunch on board
  • 14:00
    Walking excursion
    We will visit the local school where the local history museum is situated.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Visit of Lena Schyoki canyon
    The Lena Schyoki are located 269 km far from Kirensk downstream and 172 km from the Vitim estuary upstream. It is narrow canyon made of three copper-like red cliff formations that rise 200m above the river. These fancy cliffs covered by forests are one of the most beautiful and renowned places in the Lena River area.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 14:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    According to description of I.A. Goncharov in his book "Fregate Pallas": "These are huge magnificent rocks that I hardly saw on sea shores. They are wild and scary, and one just wants to pass them and get it over with". The river sheers from the first "cheek", comes to the second located right opposite the first one and then goes to the third, the biggest rock formation. The walls of the flexuous canyon reflect the sound of the ship 24 times. On the left bank there is a rock called "Drunk bull". This area is the narrowest on the Lena river (only 200 meters) and the most dangerous one.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Lensk city-tour
    Lensk is a large river port which mainly serves the import-export traffic for the diamond extraction company ALROSA. It was built in 1963 in the Mukhtuya village area which was founded in XIX century as a post station on Prilensk road. Nowadays it is a modern town with a developed industry and cultural center. Lensk has a really tragic history linked with floods that swept away the town several times. But as a Phoenix bird the town was reborn again and again. In 2001 the town suffered its worst natural disaster. Since then a new block was built (with ALROSA's money) to replace the damaged wooden houses.
  • 13:00
    Lunch during the excursion
  • 15:00
    Continuation of the excursion
    Walking along the river quay
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight on board
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Accommodation
Accommodation in the twin cabin, Mikhail Svetlov
Twin cabin
  • 08:00
    Bus tour to Mirnyi city (to pay on site) Not included
    Departure early in the morning. Breakfast (lunch-box). City-tour in Mirnyi, visit of the quarry "Mir", of the museum of kimberlites, excursion to centre of diamonds triage. *If you go for this excursion, the lunch will be proposed in the city. *The excursion costs 6000 RUB (the price can be changed a little).
  • 09:00
    Breakfast on board
  • 10:00
    Transfer to the town
    End of the programme.
  • Overnight on board Not included
Photo of the day
Route
Lena river
Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • English-speaking guide services
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Meals
  • Medical insurance
  • 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
Price does not include
  • Administrative registration
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Airline tickets
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The price is for one person and includes accommodation in a twin cabin. The price is fixed in euros. Single supplement - 500 euros. After the cruise, we can help you with the booking of the supplement services: - accommodation in the hotel "Zarnotsa" of the Mirny town ; - flight Mirny - Yakutsk or Mirny - Moscow. Don't hesitate to contact us for all details. 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
3.67
3.67
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
3.00
Quality of transport / transfers
3.00
Quality of meals
3.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Stephen
From 19 June 2013 to 30 June 2013
Destination: Yakutia
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Very good cruise. The ship is clean and well organised. The crew and staff are pleasant and helpful. The entertainments and informative talks and films were good. Excursions along the way were interesting and well organised. Overall a very pleasant and relaxing holiday.
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.
4.17
4.17
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
4.00
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!
beau voyage; l'organisation est bonne dans son ensemble et le programme est bien respecté; une remarque au niveau du guide: il devrait donner au groupe plus d'explications sur l'histoire de la yakoutie, les coutumes du peuples yakoutes et la vie d'aujourd'hui; sinon le point très positif est que le guide parlait très bien le Français..... en conclusion, continuez donc à organiser des beaux voyages
  Read more
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