Expedition to Yakutia and Oymyakon: «The Pole of Cold + Lena Pillars»
Tour activities
We invite you to visit Oymyakon – the «Pole of Cold» in the Northern Hemisphere. The minimum officially recorded temperature here was -69.6 °C, though unofficial reports suggest that in 1938, the temperature in Oymyakon dropped to -77.8 °C.
A trip to Oymyakon is fascinating not only because you will stand at the coldest point in the Northern Hemisphere. You will see for yourself that even in such harsh conditions, people are able to adapt and build a full-fledged life. Along the way, you will witness the daily routines and way of life of reindeer herders, and learn how people live in remote Yakut villages, where hunting and livestock breeding remain the main occupations.
You will be delighted by a performance from a local folklore ensemble, and you will take home a «Pole of Cold» certificate issued by the Oymyakon administration.
And for dessert – the «Cold Tricks» program, which will visually demonstrate what happens to everyday objects at extremely low temperatures. Everyone will have a chance to try hammering a nail with a banana and conduct other interesting experiments.
Discover the Kingdom of Permafrost!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
the coldest point in the Northern Hemisphere
ascent to the famous Lena Pillars – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
introduction to the daily life and traditions of the local people
«Treasury of Yakutia»
visit to ethnographic complexes
dog sledding
the chance to see grottoes and ancient rock paintings
the underground ice gallery «Kingdom of Permafrost»
meeting the Lord of Cold, Chyskhaan
long car journeys of 8–10 hours
visit to a horse farm and introduction to the unique Yakut horse breed
the chance to travel along the famous «Road of Bones», built by Gulag prisoners
the opportunity to conduct cold experiments
TOUR ITINERARY
Arrival in Yakutsk by morning flight, with airport pickup.
Transfer to the 3* hotel «Alaas» and check-in to twin rooms.
Breakfast.
12:00 Transfer to the «Us Kut» ethnographic complex to take part in the cleansing ritual Algys – a prayer addressed to the Upper Deities asking blessings for the guests – along with the ritual of lighting and feeding the sacred fire.
13:00 Transfer to the «Chochur-Muran» ethnographic complex.
You will get acquainted with the Yakut Laika dog breed and enjoy dog sledding on Lake Ytyk-Kyuyol.
Lunch at the complex's restaurant (at extra cost).
16:00 Visit to the underground ice gallery «Kingdom of Permafrost», a unique museum complex where you can meet the Lord of Cold, Chyskhaan, seated on his throne inside the mountain.
17:00 Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at a restaurant (at extra cost).
Accommodation in a hotel
Electricity available
Good mobile signal
Shower available
Breakfast.
09:00 Departure on the route Yakutsk – Lena Pillars (200 km, approx. 3.5 hours drive).
The Lena Pillars rise as sheer cliffs of bizarre shapes, towering up to 220 meters above the surrounding landscape.
Lunch at the tour base cafe (at extra cost).
From Yakutsk, the road leads south along the banks of the Lena River. Along the way you pass the small town of Pokrovsk and the former coachmen's villages of Bulgunnakhtakh, Elanka, and Tumul. Near Elanka stand the Elanka Pillars. Here you will have a chance to photograph grottoes and ancient rock paintings.
Opposite the abandoned village of Batamay, you leave the car and continue on a snowmobile trailer, travelling 3 kilometers along the river to the Lena Pillars through fields of ice hummocks.
Ascent to the pillars. Maximum time at the Lena Pillars – 2 hours. Temperature: -30°C to -45°C, with a strong wind on the river.
Lunch at the café at the Lena Pillars tour base (at extra cost).
Evening return to the hotel.
Dinner (at extra cost), rest.
Accommodation in a hotel
Electricity available
Good mobile signal
Shower available
Breakfast.
Check-out from the rooms.
10:00 Visit to the «Treasury of Yakutia»*, where the exhibitions unveil the hidden riches of the Republic of Sakha, revealing the mineral treasures locked beneath its frozen soil.
Departure towards Oymyakon.
The full journey from Yakutsk to Oymyakon by Toyota HiAce minibus takes 2 days (950 km).
11:00 Set off on the route Yakutsk – Khandyga settlement (420 km, 8–10 hours).
Lunch at a roadside café (at extra cost).
Cross the Lena River via an ice road (winter road), where the frozen surface stretches out like a vast white desert.
Stop on the opposite bank for those who wish to photograph the panorama of Yakutsk against the backdrop of ice hummocks, gleaming softly in the pale winter light.
Today you will see traditional Yakut villages, the snow-covered flat landscapes of Central Yakutia stretching endlessly to the horizon, and, of course, the famous Yakut horses, hardy and graceful against the frosty expanse.
Late in the evening, cross the Aldan River via an ice road.
Overnight stop in Khandyga settlement.
Accommodation in a private apartment-style guesthouse (2/3-person rooms).
Dinner at a café (at extra cost), rest.
Electricity available
Bad mobile signal
Shower available
Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
Departure on the route Khandyga – Oymyakon (530 km, 12–14 hours).
The road winds through the Verkhoyansk Mountain Range and follows the Kolyma Highway – the infamous «Road of Bones», built by Gulag prisoners.
Stops along the way (there will be several):
– Before entering the Verkhoyansk Mountains;
– The non-freezing Shaman Creek;
– Tomporuk Pass;
– Memorial cross for victims of the Gulag;
– Cherny Prizhim (you can see the old road);
– Zhelty Prizhim;
– Near the «Vostochnaya Khandyga» weather station, a panoramic view of the mountain valley;
– The only gas station on this segment in Kyubyume, café «Kuba»;
– Gas station in Tomtor.
Lunch at a roadside café (at extra cost).
Arrival in Oymyakon late in the evening.
Accommodation at a guesthouse (rooms for 2–3 people, outdoor village-style toilet (insulated), banya available).
Dinner, rest.
Electricity available
Bad mobile signal
No shower
Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
Visit to a horse farm, where you will get to know the horses' habitat and the daily life of horse breeders.
The Yakut horse is a unique breed, kept on free pasture year-round. They spend the entire winter outdoors in the pasture, foraging for food under the snow themselves.
Sightseeing in Oymyakon. Visit to the «Pole of Cold» monument, where the lowest temperature was recorded: -71.2°C.
Lunch at the guesthouse.
Cultural program performed by a children's ethnographic dance ensemble.
Presentation of «Pole of Cold» certificates by the Yakut guardian of cold, Chyskhaan.
«Cold Tricks» program – cold experiments in the yard.
Tasting tea made from Yakut herbs.
Dinner at the guesthouse.
Banya (Russian sauna).
Electricity available
Bad mobile signal
No shower
Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
08:00 Departure on the route Oymyakon – Tomtor – Khandyga (530 km, 12–14 hours).
The journey back to Khandyga reveals the winter scenery that lay hidden in darkness on the way to Oymyakon – now bathed in daylight, the snowy expanses and silent mountains open up in full beauty.
Visit to an ice tunnel – the residence of Chyskhaan.
Lunch at a roadside café (at extra cost).
You will visit to a reindeer herders' camp, where you can try reindeer sledding and learn about the daily life of reindeer herders (not included in the tour price).
Late evening arrival in Khandyga.
Accommodation in a private apartment-style guesthouse (2/3-person rooms).
Dinner at a café (at extra cost).
Electricity available
Bad mobile signal
Shower available
Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
08:00 Departure on the route Khandyga – Yakutsk (420 km, 8–10 hours).
Lunch at a roadside café (at extra cost).
16:00 Arrival in Yakutsk.
You will have the time to visit to jewelry and souvenir shops, where you can find traditional Yakut crafts and precious keepsakes.
Check-in to the 3* hotel «Alaas» (twin rooms).
Dinner at the restaurant of national and European cuisine «RekaOzeroLes» (at extra cost).
Accommodation in a hotel
Electricity available
Bad mobile signal
Shower available
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport.
Departure from Yakutsk.
*All times are approximate.
Good mobile signal
Tour conditions and price
What is included in the price
-
visa support - transfers according to the program
- Russian speaking guide services
- transport service during the tour: 3 jeeps on the route, excursions by bus and group transfers airport – hotel – airport
- accommodation in hotel 3* Alaas in Yakutsk (twin rooms with WC), accommodation in private hotels in Khandyga settlement and Oymyakon village (2/3-beds, facilities on the floor)
- excursions and activities according to the program
- entrance tickets to places of visit
- ice fishing on the Indigirka River
- meals according to the program
- satellite telephone communication IRRIDIUM (in emergency cases)
- accident insurance for the tour
What is not included
-
flight tickets to Yakutsk and back - English speaking guide service
- meals not included in the program (payd on spot)
- Reindeer sledding – from 3 000–5 000 rubles per person
- personal expenses
- alcohol drinks
- tips
Price clarification
How to get there
Aeroflot, S7 Airlines and Yakutia Airlines operate direct scheduled flights from Moscow to Yakutsk.
Important information
Meals
The tour price includes three meals a day in Oymyakon, breakfasts along the route, and snacks (light snacks during long drives: hot tea in a thermos, sandwiches with cheese, sausage, or fish, fruit, sweets), as well as hot drinks in the car.
Lunches and dinners at restaurants in Yakutsk (3 lunches and 3 dinners) are paid separately (guests order from the menu and pay on their own).
Meals at cafés on the road to Oymyakon and 2 dinners in Khandyga are also paid additionally.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please inform the manager when booking the tour.
Essential equipment list
felt boots (valenki) for rent during the tour (included in the price)
rental of warm clothing (trousers and jacket, suitable for temperatures down to -50°C)
F.A.Q.
It is possible to participate from the age of 14 years old (accompanied by adults).
Please take into account the long distances of the tour.
Parents are responsible for the safety and leisure of their children.
Mobile connection is available only in populated areas. In Yakutsk, mobile internet works, and Wi-Fi is available at the hotel.
In the settlements of Tyoply Klyuch and Oymyakon, the mobile connection of the «Beeline» operator works well, but there is no mobile internet.
In Yakutsk, frosts can range from -30°C to -40°C, while along the route temperatures can drop to extreme lows of up to -65°C.
In Oymyakon, strong winds are usually rare, and the weather is typically sunny.
Given the harsh weather conditions, the travel route is designed so that you do not stay outdoors for long periods. The car will always be nearby, where you can warm up and drink hot tea from a thermos.
After the ascent to the Lena Pillars, you will be able to warm up and have lunch in a heated café.
During ice fishing in Oymyakon, a tent with a stove will be set up nearby.
TOUR DATES
155 000 RUR /person
155 000 RUR /person
155 000 RUR /person
155 000 RUR /person
155 000 RUR /person
155 000 RUR /person
155 000 RUR /person
155 000 RUR /person
Reviews
Tour details
- Difficulty:
- a consultation required
- Group size:
- 2–14 pax
- Participation with children:
- from 14 years old
- Duration:
- 8 days
- Accommodation:
- House — 4 nights
- Hotel — 3 nights
Tour dates:
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Tour price for a group of 4–14 people – 155 000 rubles per person
Tour price for a group of 2–3 people – 250 000 rubles per person
Single supplement at the 3* hotel «Alaas» – 9 000 rubles per person (optional)
Rental of warm clothing (trousers and jacket, suitable for temperatures down to -50°C) – 3 000 rubles per person (optional)
English-speaking guide – 100 000 rubles per group (price is approximate and may vary)