If you are longing for the Nature, fresh air, real experiences and vast white expanses of the North, this is a tour for you. You will learn the art of dog mushing in the area where dogs were a traditional transportation means, but this is not the only goal of Travel. This journey is a real adventure – sometimes in line with the legends of the indigenous peoples of the North, sometimes in the spirit of Jack London’s stories.
Jack London’s stories about Smoke Bellew and Kid, Malemute Kid, are like wine curing from sadness, balsam curing our nowadays already harsh hearts. They bring us back to our youth when we were living with ungrounded hopes and romantic optimism. They give the forces to change something in our established routine lives - something that can make our life if not totally different then at least definitely much more interesting…
Dog sledding (1 pax/sled; for beginners). Max group size 4 person if 1 pax/sled.
Special requirements: resistance to the cold, winter outfit for low temperatures.
Day 1 Arrive in Yakutsk in the morning. Make an acquaintance with your local guide and have a transfer to Chochur-Muran complex located in the picturesque surroundings of the lake Ytyk-Kyuel, next to the sharp-peaked Chochur-Muran mountain. Check-in at Ambarchik, breakfast.
As the arrival of the guests is the case that requires in Yakutia the implementation of Algys (a traditional ritual of blessing and purification with praying to the Upper Spirits, feeding the Fire and sprinkling with milk), it will be performed to welcome you and ask for luck during the dog sledding trip.
Introduction to the history of the Yakut husky, briefing on the dog harness and scheme of feeding during the trip.
Lunch in the restaurant of Chochur-Muran.
In the afternoon, meet the dogs and proceed to practical training in dog sledding: practice giving commands, setting the dogs in the team, dog mushing on the lake nearby. Get a feel of Yakutia through a visit of the Kingdom of Permafrost arranged in the glacier insides of the mountain located just next to Chochur-Muran complex, with an exhibition on Chyskhaan, the Lord of the Frost, and paleonthology.
Dinner in Chochur-Muran restaurant. Night in Ambarchik – an atmospheric wooden house (sleeping bags; shower, WC, 1 room for 2 persons and 1 room for 4 persons).
Day 2 After breakfast, undertake another session of dog sledding: harness the dogs and leave to explore the scenic surroundings. In the afternoon, leave for Ytyk-Kyuel lake, tie the dogs and feed them on your own.
Lunch and dinner in Chochur-Muran restaurant. Night in Ambarchik.
Accommodation in the hotel in Yakutsk and transfers to/from Yakutsk are available for a supplement.
Day 3
After breakfast, leave for a full-day test drive. Depart for the Lena river by car. Harness the dogs and mush the dog team along appr 30 km long section of the Lena river. The snowmobiles and/or a car will accompany us, so you will have an opportunity to rest in case of the fatigue or extreme temperature. Lunch as a field snack on the way: make a fire and enjoy the scolding hot tea with sandwiches.
Dinner in Chochur-Muran restaurant. Night in Ambarchik.
Day 4
Today, we are going out for the itinerary along the Lena river (appr 7 hrs). After breakfast, set out by dog teams from Yakutsk to Tekhtyur. Master your dog mushing skills. Lunch as a field snack, tea on the fire. By the evening, we will arrive in Tekhtyur. Meet the Yakut family who will host us for this night, have a rest and communicate with the locals.
Dinner and night in the homestay in Tekhtyur.
Day 5
After breakfast, continue the trip from Tekhtyur to Pokrovsk (7 hrs). Lunch as a field snack, tea on the fire.
Today the mushing will be easier, and you will have time to enjoy the landscape.By the evening, we will arrive in Pokrovsk. Take care of the dogs. Meet the Yakut family who will host us for this night, have a rest and communicate with the locals.
Dinner and night in the homestay in Pokrovsk.
Day 6
After breakfast, we are leaving by dogs for Elanka (7 hrs). Today, a number of activities and interesting sites to visit are on our way.
Try your luck in ice-angling, visit the local school museum, see the petrogliphs (ancient rock drawings). Lunch as a field snack, tea on the fire. Banya (Siberian steam sauna), dinner and night in Elanka.
Day 7
The destination of the day is the Lenskie Stolby (the Lena river Pillars). After breakfast, head by the dog teams. Walk around or climb the Lena Pillars. Lunch as a field snack, tea on the fire.
Dinner and night in the simple conditions in the national park Lena Pillars.
Day 8
Today we return to Yakutsk by car. Stop on the way in the most scenic places to take in the landscapes in Yakutia. Lunch as a field snack. Dinner in Chochur-Muran restaurant. Night in Ambarchik.
Accommodation in the hotel in Yakutsk and transfers to/from Yakutsk are available for a supplement.
Day 9
A day at Ytyk- Kyuel lake.
After breakfast, participate in dog racing: mush the dog team of 4, do the ski-joring and weight-pulling contests. Lunch in Chochur-Muran restaurant.In the afternoon, spend the time with dogs or have a leisurely afternoon. Get your well-deserved award of the certificate “Yakut husky musher”.
Dinner in Chochur-Muran restaurant. Night in Ambarchik.
Accommodation in the hotel in Yakutsk and transfers to/from Yakutsk are available for a supplement.
Day 10
Today we will explore Yakutsk city.
After a sightseeing city tour, visit to the Treasury of Yakutia (this land is famous for its reserves in gold and diamonds).In the Local Lore museum, one of the oldest and richest Siberian museums, we will find out more about the history of Yakutian land, ethnography, nature and exiles.
In the afternoon, there is time to fnd interesting souvenirs to bring home as a memory of your trip. It is great if you will be able to use the warmest reindeer fur mittens or hats or boots during your next trip to the Arctic!
Night in the hotel in Yakutsk.
Day 11
Early morning transfer to the airport and departure by morning flight to Moscow
