The best of Yakutia in summer:
- encounter with an ancient Siberian tribe of reindeer breeders (Evens)
- life of the descendants of the first Russian settlers
- exploration of the wild nature in Yakutia's North
Day 1
Arrive in Yakutsk in the morning. Make an acquaintance with your local guide and have a transfer to the hotel. Check-in at Tygyn-Darkhan or a similar hotel. Take your time and spend this morning at leisure to accommodate the jet lag and get rid of fatigue after the flight.
Start this day full of cultural discoveries by a city sightseeing tour. You will see the old town with its churches, the Tower of Tygyn (the first wooden construction built by the cosack founder of Yakutsk) and visit the Treasure of Yakutia, the region world famous for its gold and diamonds.
Lunch. Visit some of the unusual museums of Yakutsk - the Mammoth Museum, the only one specialized in this field, to see the unique paleontological exhibits (fossils of mammoth, mammoth fauna); the Museum of Khomus to get acquainted with this traditional musical instrument of indigenous peoples of Siberia (khomus is also known under the name of vargan); the regional Museum of Local Lore where you will find out plenty of interesting facts about the history and ethnography of the area. .
Have a trip to Chochur-Muran complex located in the picturesque surroundings of the lake Ytyk-Kyuel next to a mountain. Get a true feel of Yakutia through visiting the Kingdom of Permafrost arranged in the glacier insides of Chochur-Muran mountain, with the Throne Hall of Chyskhaan - the Yakutian Lord of the Frost, and paleonthology exhibition. Dinner in the restaurant Chochur-Muran. Return to the city and overnight in hotel.
Day 2
After early breakfast, check out. Transfer to the airport and departure by local flight (AN-24) to a northern village Chokurdakh (3.5 hrs). Upon arrival – transfer to the hotel, check, lunch.
Spend the rest of the day walking around the village together with your guide. Visit its Local Lore museum.
Dinner and night in the hotel.
Day 3
After breakfast, check out. Departure by motor-boat along the Indigirka river to village Russkoe Ustye (120 km), where the pure descendants of the first Russian explorers and settlers in Siberia live. They have their own characteristic culture and language.
Take your time to enjoy the magnificent views of the northern nature. On the way, stop at the fishermen and hunters to get acquainted with their lifestyle and participate in a lively discussion.
In the afternoon, arrive at Russkoe Ustye. In this village, you will be hosted by the local families. Get comfortable at your hosts place. Lunch. Walk around the village to see the old wooden houses and get to know the history of the first settlers in this area. Visit the local museum. Dinner and night at homestay with the families.
Day 4
After breakfast, set out by motor boat to the fishing site. Experience the fishing the way local do it.
In later afternoon, return to the village in time for a performance of a band that will perform the traditional music and songs. In the evening, enjoy an excellent banya (traditional Russian steam sauna). Dinner and night at homestay with the families.
Day 5
After breakfast, get packed and ready for a new experience – we are heading for a nomad camp of the local ethnic tribe involved in deer-breeding – the Evens. While you are making your way in a motor-boat along the river, in the midst of the spectacular natural environment, your guide will tell you more about the ethnic group we are going to visit.
Evens will welcome you at their nomad camp. Introduce yourself and your family and have a closer acquaintance with your hosts at dinner. Night in simple conditions.
Day 6
Spend the whole day with Even reindeer breeders and get acquainted with their way of life and job nowadays, which is hardly different from what it was centuries ago. Learn about the Even traditions and culture, find out the peculiarities of reindeer breeding and herding in Yakutia, take part in the daily activities of your hosts.
Return by motor-boat to village Chokurdakh already late in the evening. Dinner and night in a comfortable hotel.
Day 7
After breakfast, check out and depart to Yakutsk by AN-24 airplane. Arrive in Yakutsk in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel. You will have time today to explore the city on your own and to buy the souvenirs for those who stayed back home and could not join you on this trip to Yakutia. Farewell dinner. Night in the hotel.
Day 8
Early breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport. Departure by the morning flight from Yakutsk to Moscow and further on to your home country.
