Experiences you'll have
You will go to the farthest point of Eurasia. First you will come to Anadyr, the capital city of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. It has only fourteen thousand inhabitants; and yet it is the largest human settlement in Chukotka. During this trip, you will spend most of your time in the village of Lorino. It is considered to be the largest national village in Chukotka. Over 90% of its population are Chukchi.
Lorino village is sometimes referred to as the "whaling capital of Russia". Every year, some 60 whales are caught in this area. Marine motor boats will get you to the base of marine hunters; on the way, you will watch whales and ringed seals. Also you will have an opportunity to witness whale hunting.
This journey to Chukotka will let you:
Learn more about the discovery of Cape Dezhnev in our blog →
Note: border permit is required for this tour. Personal data should be submitted minimum 40 days before the date of arrival.
Itinerary
The journey begins in Anadyr, where you should travel to on your own. We are ready to assist with the tickets purchasing. If necessary, leave a comment in your application.
Note that to be in Anadyr by the start of the program, you have to depart from Moscow the day before. The flight operated by Utair airline departs from Moscow, Vnukovo airport, at around 7 pm on Sunday. Contact our manager for details.
Weather in Chukotka is extremely volatile. Aircraft is the only mode of inter-district transport here. Flight delays due to weather are nothing uncommon. You have every chance to "get stuck" in Anadyr or Lavrentiya. To reduce risks, it is recommended to buy tickets to Moscow after you come back from Lavrentiya. The organizers can help you book the tickets for the closest departure of the Moscow flight.
The itinerary can be changed due to weather conditions.
Day 1 Anadyr tour
You will arrive to Anadyr at around 12:30 pm. Your guide will meet you at the airport, and you will have a transfer across Anadyr Bay to the city of Anadyr (approximately 1,5 hour). Here you will stay at the hotel and have Russian dumplings for lunch.
After that, you will go for a walking tour of Anadyr. This northern town on the shore of the sea is the capital of Chukotka Autonomous District and the largest settlement in this area. You will walk along the city and see its main monuments.
In the evening, you will have dinner with red caviar and other local delicacies, as well as learn about the local traditions and take part in the ritual of "feeding the spirits".
Day 2 Flight to the village of Lavrentiya
After breakfast you will be transferred to Anadyr airport (1,5 hour). From here, you will depart with a local flight to the village of Lavrentiya. Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to the village of Lorino with off-road vehicles. Along the way you will be able to take photos of the blooming tundra.
Upon arrival to Lorino, you will stay in a private apartment and have a homemade dinner. In the evening an ethnographer will give a lecture concerning the history of whaling in Chukotka.
Day 3 A boat tour to the sea
This day, a boat tour to the sea is waiting for you. You will observe gray whales and learn the local traditions including whale hunting.
After lunch with seafood, you will have a walking tour of the village. In the evening after dinner you will listen to a story about the history of the development of Chukotka.
Day 4 An underground glacier and Lorino hot springs
Today you will visit an underground glacier. After that you will have a carving workshop. During tour to Lorino hot springs you will swim in the hot springs and have a picnic.
Then you will return to the village and meet with representatives of the Eskimo and Chukchi cultures. If desired, you can communicate with the members of the local folklore group. In the evening you will have dinner and rest in the apartment.
Day 5 A tour to the reindeer herders' camp
In the morning you will go to the tundra to the camp of reindeer herders (the route will take place on boats and all-terrain vehicles).
Upon arrival, you will meet with reindeer herders, present gifts to each other and go to the herd. Next you will participate in a master class of cooking venison.
At dinner you will be able to chat with reindeer herders, learn about their lifestyle and find out how the traditional exchange between reindeer herders and marine mammal hunters takes place. Also, if you wish, you can take part in a master class in lassoing. Then you will return to Lorino.
Day 6 Cape Dezhnev
Weather permitting, today you will have a boat trip to Uellen village. On route you will make a stop at Cape Dezhnev. This is the easternmost point of Eurasia. You will visit the Naukan village and see the monument dedicated to Semyon Dezhnev, an abandoned weather station and a lighthouse.
After that you will then return to Lorino and spend the night in a private apartment.
Day 7 Marine hunters' base
Today you will travel to the old Chukci settlement Akkani, where the base of marine mammal hunters is located. Here you will get acquainted with the traditional marine hunting of indigenous people of Chukotka. You can also walk around the village. For dinner, you will taste a walrus meat, local mushrooms and berries.
Then you will return to Lorino or spend the night in the village of Akkani.
Day 8 Acquaintance with the traditions of marine hunters
Today you will also get acquainted with the traditions and culture of the indigenous people of Chukotka. Also you will participate in a whaling competition with harpoon throwing, hunting for walrus, as well as rowing on special boats made of the skin of a walrus.
In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner with the traditional local cuisine.
Day 9 Fishing on Anadyr Bay
In the morning you will farewell with the marine mammal hunters, and then will move to Lavrentiya village. From here you will have a flight back to Anadyr.
In Anadyr you will go to the bank of Anadyr Bay to participate in the traditional local fishing for salmon. After picnic on the beach, you can buy caviar and other souvenirs.
In the evening you will stay at the hotel and have dinner.
Day 10 Museums of Anadyr
After having breakfast you will have a tourt to the Museum of Chukotka Heritage in Anadyr.
After lunch with home-made cooking you will visit a tailoring workshop. In the evening you will enjoy a folklore group performance (throat singing concert or traditional dancing). Then, you will have a homemade dinner.
Day 11 Departure to Moscow
After crossing Anadyr Bay with ferry you will have an excursion to the abandoned military base of Gudym with a picnic in the military style.
Then you will be taken to the airport. Flight to Moscow is at 3 pm. You will arrive to Moscow on the same day at around 3-4 pm.
Accommodation during the trip
The first and final two nights of the journey you will spend in "Anadyr" hotel (you will be accommodated in double/twin rooms). The rest of the tour you will stay at the private apartments in Lorino village (you will be accommodated in double/twin bedooms).
Common questions
An experienced guide will meet you at Anadyr Airport and guide you throughout the journey
The price of the tour includes three meals a day with local cuisine and seafood.
To participate in tour it is necessary to submit the following information not later than 40 days before start of the tour:
The issue of border permit is included in the tour.
Summer-average temperature is about +10-15°С. However, as the tour mostly consists of sea trips, the perceived temperature is going to be around +5°С.
You should bring warm clothes:
Other:
Domestic flights between settlements within the Chukotka Peninsula are carried out on small aircrafts and depend very much on the weather conditions. So, time for flight delays can range from several hours to several days.
If the flight is postponed to the next day, you will be offered accommodation in a private apartment in the village of Ugolnye Copi (Russian for "Coal Mines"), located near the airport. Accommodation and meals during these days of flight delays are paid by tourists on the spot.
Booking
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
accommodation as per itinerary
three meals per days
visa support
flights from Anadyr to Lavrentia village and back
borderline zone permit
transfers as per itinerary
English-speaking guide/activity instructor
concerts and sightseeing program as per itinerary
museum entrance fees
rental of boats and all-terrain vehicles
flights to/from Anadyr (starting at 60 000 RUB for a round-trip ticket)
visiting reindeer herders camp at day 5 (optional)
accommodation as per itinerary
three meals per days
visa support
flights from Anadyr to Lavrentia village and back
borderline zone permit
transfers as per itinerary
English-speaking guide/activity instructor
concerts and sightseeing program as per itinerary
museum entrance fees
rental of boats and all-terrain vehicles
flights to/from Anadyr (starting at 60 000 RUB for a round-trip ticket)
visiting reindeer herders camp at day 5 (optional)
Journey to Cape Dezhnev