Oymyakon is one of the most inclement inhabited places on Earth — a land of permafrost where thermometers register some of the lowest temperatures in the world. Here, both people and animals must adapt to extreme conditions. You will see special breeds of Yakut horses and cows, go dog sledding, taste traditional Evenki cuisine, and take part in a mysterious ethnic purification ritual.
On this journey, you will step into a completely different world during an ethno-expedition to one of the coldest places on Earth. You will visit the Pole of Cold — Oymyakon — where Russia and the world have recorded the lowest temperatures: −71.2 °C (−96.2 °F).
Reaching Oymyakon is an adventure in itself. You will travel by car for 8–10 hours a day and start early each morning, but the effort is worth it. Along the way, you will witness extraordinary landscapes, encounter unique wildlife, and experience cultural traditions that few travelers ever see.
At the Kingdom of Permafrost, meet Chyskhaan — the mythical Lord of the Cold
Climb the iconic Lena Pillars — a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site
Take part in the traditional Algys purification ritual and visit the ethnographic museum in the village of Tomtor
Stop by a farm that breeds unique Yakut horses, adapted to survive in extreme cold
Explore the Treasury of Yakutia, where you’ll see giant gold nuggets, precious gems, and the works of Yakut artisans
You will be met at Yakutsk Airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in and breakfast.
Your first stop will be the ethnographic complex Us Kut, where you’ll take part in the traditional purification ritual Algys — a prayer to the Supreme deities, accompanied by mystical fire-lighting and fire-feeding ceremonies.
Next, you’ll visit the Chochur-Muran ethnographic complex. Here you will meet the Yakutian Laika dogs and enjoy a dog sled ride on frozen Lake Ytyk-Kyuyel. Lunch will be served at the on-site restaurant.
In the afternoon, explore the underground ice gallery Kingdom of Permafrost — a tourist complex inside a mountain featuring the throne room of Chyskhaan, the Yakut Lord of Cold; the residence of Father Frost from Veliky Ustyug; the chamber of the Lord of the North; and the unique ice sculpture exhibition Planet Yakutia.
In the evening, you will come back to the hotel for dinner and rest.
After breakfast, you will set out for one of Yakutia’s most famous natural wonders — the Lena Pillars, a dramatic wall of jagged rock formations rising up to 220 meters high.
You will enjoy a light snack on the way before hiking up to the top of the pillars for breathtaking views.
After a warm lunch at a local café, you will return to Yakutsk for dinner and a relaxing evening.
After breakfast, you will visit the exhibition Treasury of Yakutia, which showcases large gold nuggets, sparkling diamonds, rare gemstones, and the work of Yakut artisans.
Then, you will begin your overland journey toward Oymyakon (950 km), traveling by minibus with an overnight stop in the village of Khandyga. Along the way, you will pass mountain passes, river valleys, and larch taiga, with plenty of photo stops at scenic points, monuments, and roadside steles. Your first major stop will be the winter crossing of the Lena River, which is about 10 km wide.
Lunch will be at a roadside café (extra charge). Upon arrival in Khandyga, you will check into a private guesthouse and have dinner at a café (extra charge).
Car route: 410 km — 8-10 hours.
Note: During the January holidays, the Treasury of Yakutia is closed, and the visit will be replaced with a tour of the local history museum.
After breakfast, continue along the Kolyma Highway, known as the “Road of Bones” — built by GULAG prisoners during Stalin’s regime. The route crosses the Verkhoyansk Range, where you’ll stop to admire panoramic mountain views and take photos.
Lunch will be along the way, and by evening we will arrive in Oymyakon. After dinner, you will settle into your guesthouse — today you have reached one of the most remote and extreme places on Earth.
Car route: 530 km — 12–14 hours
In the morning, you will visit a Yakut horse farm, where you will learn how these resilient breeds survive the extreme cold and meet local horse breeders. If you wish, you will be able to go horseback riding.
Next, you will travel to the official Pole of Cold, the site where the lowest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere was recorded: −71.2 °C (−96.2 °F). Afterwards, you will return to the guesthouse for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will explore the ice photo gallery and join the Yakut Carnival. At the Oymyakon administration building, you will watch a performance by a children’s ethnographic dance ensemble, and each expedition participant will receive a personal certificate commemorating their visit to the Pole of Cold. You will also taste herbal tea made from local Yakut plants.
In the evening, you will take part in the ‘Chips of Cold’ entertainment program, enjoy dinner, and relax in a sauna.
Car route: 30–40 km
On the New Year’s departure, this day will include a festive dinner.
After an early breakfast, you will set off for the village of Tomtor to visit the Ebe-Khay cave and its fascinating permafrost ice gallery.
You will then continue to Khandyga, with an optional stop at a reindeer herder’s camp (not included in the price). Here, you will meet the herders, learn about their nomadic lifestyle, and try reindeer sledding.
You will have lunch en route at a café (extra charge). Upon arrival in Khandyga, you will check into a private guesthouse, have dinner at a café (extra charge), and rest.
Car route: 530 km — 12–14 hours
After breakfast, you will return to Yakutsk and stop for lunch at a café on the way. You will arrive in the city around 4 p.m., check into your hotel, and have some time to rest.
Later, you will enjoy free time for a walk, souvenir shopping, or browsing Yakut jewelry stores. In the evening, you will gather for a farewell dinner at a national cuisine restaurant.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
In Yakutsk, you will stay in standard double rooms at the Alaas Hotel.
In the villages of Khandyga and Oymyakon, you will stay in private guesthouses (2–3 persons per room)
You will stay in double rooms designed in the style of a Yakut yurt. Each room includes either one double bed or two single beds, plus a bathroom, TV, safe, work area, and air conditioning. The property also offers a restaurant, mobile network coverage, and Wi-Fi.
You will stay in a private apartment-style guesthouse with single beds, a shower, and a toilet. Mobile coverage is available on the premises.
Accommodation is in shared rooms (2–3 people per room). A toilet and a traditional bathhouse are available on the premises.
Active tours. You don’t have to be a sportsman, but you need to be strong enough to ride a snowmobile or go hiking in the mountains.
The price depends on the group size and travel dates:
• Group of 4–14 people — 2,300 USD per person
• Group of 2–3 people — 3,574 USD per person
Your group will be accompanied by a professional guide-instructor and an experienced driver, ensuring maximum comfort and safety throughout the journey. The guide carries a satellite phone for emergency communication with rescue services, as well as a first-aid kit with essential medicines.
The tour includes three meals a day in Oymyakon, breakfasts throughout the route, two dinners in Khandyga, a festive New Year’s dinner, and snacks with hot drinks in the car. Additional expenses include lunches (except on Day 5) and dinners in Yakutsk restaurants (à la carte, from 2,000 RUB per person). Meals at roadside cafés en route to and from Oymyakon are also paid separately.
If you prefer vegetarian meals, please inform your manager when booking the tour.
Winters in Yakutia are extremely cold: in December temperatures range from –30 to –39 °C (–22 to –38 °F), in January from –28 to –40 °C (–18 to –40 °F), and in February from –23 to –35 °C (–9 to –31 °F). The weather is mostly cloudy. By March it becomes milder, with temperatures between –6 and –25 °C (21 to –13 °F), and by late March it gets noticeably warmer.
In Oymyakon, strong winds are rare, and the weather is usually sunny.
Considering the severe climate, the itinerary is designed so you won’t have to spend too much time outdoors. A vehicle will always be nearby where you can warm up and enjoy hot tea from a thermos. After climbing the Lena Pillars, you’ll be able to relax and have lunch in a warm café, and during ice fishing in Oymyakon, a heated tent will be set up.
This trip is suitable for children aged 14 and above.
The program price includes health insurance, covering both emergency evacuation to a medical facility and treatment expenses. Medical costs are covered up to 3,000 USD, while accident and evacuation coverage extends up to 5,000 USD.
All transfers are carried out in a comfortable Toyota Hiace minibus (11 seats). The vehicle, manufactured in 2013, undergoes a full technical inspection before each departure.
Mobile coverage is available only in towns and villages. In Yakutsk, you will have mobile internet and hotel Wi-Fi. In Teply Klyuch and Oymyakon, Beeline provides good mobile service, but there is no internet connection.
Documents & Medical Kit
Clothing & Gear
In Yakutsk, bank cards are accepted almost everywhere (except at local markets). On the way to Oymyakon, and in the village itself, only cash (Russian rubles) is accepted.
I would like to thank you for all your help to organize my trip!!!
The visit to Yakutia was one of my best trips ever, it was an awesome experience!!!
People, landscape, culture, food and the experience of extreme cold, “all of them were fabulous”
Our guide “Vasily” was very competent and friendly. My English translator “Nariana” had a very good English level and was very attend and helpful to me. The two car drivers were also very friendly and competent.
I will definitely recommend this trip to my family and friends!!!
I arrived only a few hours ago, to stay on the safe side I had a very long connection in Moscow and then Istanbul and finally Rome! Anyway, it has been an amazing trip, thank you for assisting me all the way!
Great experience, I didn't learn any russian but have made new russian friends!
Let's stay in touch, I also would like to visit Kamchacka in a near future!
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Expedition to the Pole of Cold 8 days
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