Dates of trip: April 14 – 21, 2026

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Number of participants: 5 – 10

Сost per person:
- 265,000 rubles for 9 - 10 participants,
- 279,000 rubles for 8 participants,
- 299,000 rubles for 7 participants,
- 329,000 rubles for 5-6 participants.

10% of early booking discount (until November 14, 2025)

Everything is included, except for:

• flight to Hatanga (Krasnoyarsk Krai) and back,
• medical insurance,
• russian visas (if required),
• lunches in Hatanga.

Estimated cost of round-trip airfare Moscow – Hatanga – Moscow (via Krasnoyarsk): 70000 – 85000 rubles (Tickets for Moscow – Krasnoyarsk – Moscow flights are usually purchased independently. Tickets for KrasAvia flights Krasnoyarsk – Hatanga – Krasnoyarsk can be obtained through our representative).

Single accommodation supplement: available for an additional cost and is only possible on request and only in Khatanga.


TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO TAYMYR

Day 0. April 13, 2026 (Monday). DEPARTURE TO KRASNOYARSK

Evening departure from Moscow (or another city) to Krasnoyarsk.

Meals included: not included
Accommodation included: none

Recommended flights from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk:

• Aeroflot flight on April 13 at 21:50, arriving in Krasnoyarsk at 06:50 on the morning of April 14,
• or Utair flight on April 13 at 21:25, arriving in Krasnoyarsk at 06:00 on the morning of April 14,
• or Pobeda flight on April 13 at 22:55, arriving in Krasnoyarsk at 07:10 on the morning of April 14,
• or any other flight from any city arriving in Krasnoyarsk no later than 9:00 AM on April 14.

Day 1. April 14, 2026 (Tuesday). ARRIVAL IN KHATANGA, TAYMYR PENINSULA

Arrival in Krasnoyarsk in the morning of April 14 no later than 9:00 AM. At 11:40 AM, transfer to a flight operated by KrasAvia or Sapsan airline (depending on available flights for this date) to Khatanga on the Taymyr Peninsula (3 hours in the air). The flight may be delayed.
Arrival on the Taymyr Peninsula, in Khatanga, a settlement in the Far North of the Krasnoyarsk Krai, located 600 km northeast of Norilsk. Khatanga is one of the northernmost settlements in Russia.
Check-in at the Khatanga Hotel.

Meals included: lunch
Accommodation included: Khatanga Hotel

* Recommended flight from Krasnoyarsk to Khatanga:
- KrasAvia or Sapsan airline, departure from Krasnoyarsk at 11:40 AM on April 14, arrival in Khatanga around 15:15 on April 14 (flight schedule will be available later. The schedule is subject to change!)


Day 2. April 15, 2026 (Wednesday). TRIP TO THE NGANASANS IN NOVAYA

Today we will travel to the settlement of Novaya, where the main population is the Nganasan people. We will meet with Aunt Dasha, a keeper of the fading Nganasan traditions.
The Nganasans are considered by some to be the most ancient of the northern peoples and the northernmost. They once inhabited the northern part of the Taymyr Peninsula, hunting wild reindeer. The Nganasans were among the last to take up reindeer herding.
Perhaps their limited experience did not allow them to survive the difficult times, and in the 1990s, having lost their reindeer, they were forced to relocate to modern settlements like Novaya. Today, fewer than 800 of them remain, and no more than two hundred still remember the language and traditions.
We will visit the Nganasans. Although they live in modern houses, the Nganasans are very distinctive. For instance, they remained faithful to their pagan beliefs until the very end and did not adopt Christianity. Other peoples of Taymyr previously did not consider the Nganasans as potential marriage partners because they believed they had "stitched faces" – the Nganasans used to tattoo their faces.
Even more interesting is their traditional clothing. Unlike other northern peoples, the Nganasans make clothing using only three contrasting colors: white, black, and red. Some believe this makes them resemble the loon, their totem animal, the most revered of all. The Nganasans also say that red symbolizes the sun, white symbolizes our world, and black symbolizes the afterlife. Nganasan footwear is unique in its own way. Unlike any other people, they make shoes without a toe cap, resembling a mammoth's foot! This again hints at the ancient origins of this people.
In the evening, return to Khatanga. Overnight at the Khatanga Hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Khatanga Hotel


Day 3. April 16, 2026 (Thursday). HELICOPTER FLIGHT TO NOVY POPIGAY, TRANSFER BY SNOWMOBILES TO A DOLGAN REINDEER HERDERS' CAMP

After breakfast at the hotel, a scheduled helicopter flight from Khatanga to Novy Popigay. Departure at 10:00 AM, flight time 1.5 hours.
We arrive at the settlement where our guides and snowmobile drivers are already waiting for us. Novy Popigay is located on the 72nd parallel, more than 600 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. From there, we head to the reindeer herders' camp, where we will be met by the Dolgans – traditional reindeer herders.
Arrival at the camp. Introductions, traditional dinner, and overnight in baloks.
The Dolgans are a Turkic people who primarily inhabit the Taymyr Peninsula in the Far North of Russia. The Dolgans are the youngest ethnic group in Russia. They were recognized as a distinct ethnicity only in the late 1950s.
Today, it is commonly believed that the Dolgans are essentially "Yakutized Tungus." However, the reality is significantly more complex. The Tungus (Evenks), who once inhabited the southern part of Taymyr and were engaged in reindeer herding, were influenced by Yakut culture and language in the 18th century. On the other hand, from the west, the now-endangered Samoyedic people, the Enets, contributed their own features to the culture of the Tungus belonging to the "Dolgan" ("Dulgan") clan. All this occurred alongside the cultural integration and influence of the Russian language from the settled peasants, descendants of the Cossacks.
Thus, the cultural identity of the Dolgans began to form in the mid-19th to early 20th century, although they called themselves "Sakha" until the 1950s.
Originally, the Dolgans were nomadic hunters and reindeer herders and used the chum, a traditional dwelling similar to that of their Nenets neighbors. However, everything changed significantly during the Soviet era. The Dolgans are known for their *baloks* – square dwellings covered with reindeer hides. Unlike other peoples of the Russian Far North, such as the Nenets, Khanty, or Chukchi, who need to dismantle and reassemble their dwellings (chums, yarangas) with every migration across the tundra, the Dolgans don't need to spend time on this because their homes stand directly on runners! In the first half of the 20th century, Dolgan reindeer herders invented the *balok*, and they replace the chum with the *balok* for the winter season. This innovation, which has now become a tradition, helps the Dolgans to migrate in the extremely low temperatures of the Far North, where winter temperatures often drop below minus 60 degrees Celsius.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation included: balok (traditional Dolgan dwelling)


Day 4. April 17, 2026 (Friday). IMMERSION INTO THE LIFE AND CULTURE OF DOLGAN REINDEER HERDERS

We spend a second day at the Dolgan reindeer herders' camp, participating in the daily life of the nomads. A trip to the herd, reindeer lassoing. A masterclass on throwing the maut (lasso). A ritual reindeer slaughter is possible. A masterclass on the traditional preparation of reindeer meat and stroganina (shaved frozen meat). Introduction to Northern cuisine.
Conversation with the herders by the hearth, stories about the tundra, culture, and religion. Most Dolgans practice ancient shamanistic beliefs, though some are Orthodox Christians.
For lunch and dinner – traditional nomadic food (raw "stroganina" meat, various types of whitefish, shurpa soup, etc.).
If during our stay the Dolgans decide to migrate ("argishit," as the Dolgans say), we will participate in the argish—the movement of the entire camp with the reindeer and all belongings to a new location in the tundra.
We will accompany the Dolgans on snowmobiles into the tundra for seasonal hunting (ptarmigan, hare). If fishing nets are still set in April, traditional ice fishing with the Dolgans is possible.
In the evenings, we will hunt for the Northern Lights.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation included: balok (traditional Dolgan dwelling)


Day 5. April 18, 2026 (Saturday). TRANSFER BY SNOWMOBILE TO STARY POPIGAY

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will travel by snowmobile to the abandoned village of Stary Popigay. Travel time: approximately 5 hours.
The village of Popigay, now abandoned, is located within the Popigai meteorite crater – the fourth largest impact crater on Earth! The crater has a diameter of about 100 kilometers and a depth of 200 meters. The Popigai impact structure represents the eroded remnants of an impact crater. The strike of a large bolide formed the 100-kilometer diameter crater approximately 35 million years ago during the Late Eocene epoch. According to some data, this event led to a significant reduction in life on the planet.
The Popigai crater has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, a site of special geological heritage. For decades, the Popigai impact structure has fascinated paleontologists and geologists, but the entire area was completely closed off due to the diamonds discovered there. However, a major research expedition in 1997 significantly advanced the understanding of the structure. It is assumed that the impactor was an asteroid. This assumption is based on ejecta layers studied in Italy. It is believed that the impactor had a diameter of several kilometers. The pressure from the impact instantly transformed graphite in the ground into diamonds within a 13 km radius of the impact point. These diamonds typically range from 0.5 to 2 mm in diameter, although a few exceptional specimens reach 10 mm.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch (lunchbox), and dinner
Accommodation included: in a chum (traditional tent) or a village house


Day 6. April 19, 2026 (Sunday). EXPLORING THE POPIGAI IMPACT CRATER AND THE ABANDONED VILLAGE

After breakfast, we continue exploring the village and the surroundings of Popigai.
Today, the nearest settlement to the crater is Novy Popigay (Sopochnoye), located 130 km from the crater's center. However, its former inhabitants once lived directly within the crater, which is home to a unique ecosystem.
With our guide, we will venture into the forest where Uncle Dzhoko will show us hare trails, an old (and quite remarkable) cemetery, and tell us about the search for mammoth tusks! If we take a walk along the river, we are sure to find a piece of a mammoth! Even today, on the Taymyr Peninsula, one can find tusks and bones of mammoths and other animals that once lived here. The permafrost continuously pushes mammoth skeletons and tusks to the surface year after year. Local adventurers regularly embark on expeditions in search of tusks. There is even a common phrase here: "to go to the tundra for tusks."
In the evening, we will meet the only resident of Popigai, the hermit Vasily, who, against all odds, continues to survive here alone in the wild (bears visit the camp! But not in April:).
"Mayor" Vasily will tell us about life in the crater, and Uncle Gosha will share stories about pagan rituals, the former shock-worker collective farm (*udarny kolkhoz*), and show us the most interesting houses in the village, including the former brick factory.
In the evening, we return by snowmobile to the village of Novy Popigay.


Day 7. April 20, 2026 (Monday). FLIGHT FROM NOVY POPIGAY TO KHATANGA. SIGHTSEEING IN KHATANGA

Return to Khatanga by scheduled helicopter. Departure at 11:45. Flight time: 1.5 hours.
Guided excursion: visit to one of Russia's northernmost Orthodox churches – the Epiphany Church, the river port and the site of the ice dam, the Khatanga Museum of Local Lore (Museum of Taymyr Nature Reserves), and, if accessible, the newly renovated Mammoth Museum, built in an old abandoned glacier near the river port, which houses thousands of mammoth tusks and bones, as well as remains of other animals that once inhabited this region.
Overnight in Khatanga at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Khatanga Hotel


Day 8. April 21, 2026 (Tuesday). FLIGHT FROM KHATANGA TO KRASNOYARSK

At 16:45, flight to Krasnoyarsk operated by KrasAvia (schedule is subject to change!). Arrival in Krasnoyarsk at 20:15. Evening flight to Moscow, or overnight in Krasnoyarsk and a direct morning flight to Moscow.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: not included

* Recommended flight from Khatanga to Krasnoyarsk:
- KrasAvia or Sapsan airline, departure from Khatanga on April 21 at 16:45, arrival in Krasnoyarsk at 20:15 on April 21 (flight schedule will be available later. Schedule is subject to change!)

* Recommended flight from Krasnoyarsk to Moscow (or another city):
- any time no earlier than 01:00 AM on April 22,
- alternatively, a direct flight from Krasnoyarsk to Moscow (or another city) can be taken on the morning of April 22 (hotel in Krasnoyarsk in this case is paid separately).


* The organizer reserves the right to change the order of the program while ensuring all activities are carried out. The program may also be adjusted based on actual weather/road conditions.

** Please note that flights to/from Khatanga do not operate daily. This may affect the duration of your stay in Khatanga. The program may be modified in case of schedule changes by airlines flying to Khatanga. The tour operator is not responsible for schedule changes by KrasAvia or Sapsan airlines, or changes in the ship schedule. In such cases, the program will be adapted to the current flight schedule while preserving all main activities where possible.

*** Participants of the Taymyr expedition must be motivated: respectfully treat the cultures of the Dolgans and Nganasans, be aware of the trip's objectives and potential plan adjustments due to weather conditions or decisions by the indigenous population. Access to the river or tundra is also weather-dependent and may be restricted at any time for safety reasons. Participants must be in good physical condition and able to adapt to an unfamiliar group and culture.

**** Please be aware that flights from Khatanga to Krasnoyarsk may be delayed or canceled due to weather conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase air tickets from Krasnoyarsk to Moscow with a refundable fare.

- Transfers to and from the airport, and to the village of Novaya by scheduled helicopter
- Transportation services according to the program in the tundra, including the use of the snowmobiles
- Accommodation in a 4-star hotel in the village of Khatanga (double occupancy).
- Accommodation in a camp with traditional structures for all participants.
- Three meals a day and drinking water in the camp with traditional Dolgan cuisine.
- Meals during the journey in the tundra in the form of packed lunches.
- Breakfasts in Khatanga.
- Participation in activities and immersion in the life of the Dolgan people in the camp.
- Visits to museums in Khatanga.
- Experienced Russian-speaking driver-guides in the tundra.
- Processing of permits for entry into the border zone, if necessary.
- Satellite communication for safety.
- Services of a Russian-speaking local guide in Khatanga.
- Services of a Russian- and English-speaking team leader throughout the entire route.


Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):

- Flight to Khatanga (Krasnoyarsk Krai) and back
- Medical insurance
- Russian visa (if required)
- Lunches and dinners in Hatanga (not specified in the program)
- Ritual slaughter of a reindeer.


To take with:

- Warm, windproof down jacket.
- Warm, windproof hat (2 pieces), trousers, gloves with windstopper (2 pairs required).
- Warm boots, warm waterproof boots (2 pairs of warm footwear required).
- Sets of clothing suitable for weather conditions (wool socks, cotton socks, wool sweater).
- Thermal underwear.
- Sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of minus 5 degrees (mornings in the dwelling may be around zero, but usually warmer).
- Self-inflating sleeping pad.
- Sunglasses (mandatory).
- Ski goggles (preferable).
- Balaclava or buff.
- Thermos.
- Headlamp.
- Personal hygiene items (including wet wipes, towel, soap).
- Minimal supply of favorite food and drinks (there will be nowhere to buy).
- Personal medications.
- Sun and wind protection.
- Photo and video equipment, spare batteries, tripod.