Dates: April 20 – 25, 2027

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

Number of participants: 7 – 12 participants

Price per person:

• 212,000 rubles for 11–12 participants,
• 242,000 rubles for 9–10 participants,
• 264,000 rubles for 8 participants,
• 272,000 rubles for 7 participants

Early booking discount: 10% (valid for bookings made before November 20, 2026)

All-inclusive except for:
– Flights to and from Salekhard
– Russian visa (if required)
– Medical insurance

Estimated cost of flights Moscow – Salekhard – Moscow: approx. 34,000 RUB
Single room supplement in hotel: 10,000 RUB (single accommodation is not available in the chum tents)


TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO YAMAL AND PAPUA


Day 1. April 20, 2027. SALEKHARD — NOMADIC CAMP OF THE NENETS REINDEER HERDERS

Meeting at Salekhard Airport at 8:00 AM. Enjoy a morning coffee before setting off into the tundra of the Yamal Peninsula. Our destination is a nomadic camp located near Lake Landikyato and the Enzor Yakha River, close to the mouth of the Baydarata River. We will travel by Trekol all-terrain vehicle, with the journey taking approximately 8 to 11 hours, depending on weather and road conditions.

Lunch will be a boxed meal en route at a local trading post. Evening arrival at a traditional Nenets chum (tent), where we will be warmly welcomed by a Nenets family. Dinner inside the chum will include authentic national dishes. Overnight stay in the chum with the hosts.

Meals included: lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: chum (traditional Nenets dwelling)

*Recommended flight:
– Direct flight from Moscow to Salekhard with Yamal Airlines, departure at 3:15 AM, arrival at 8:00 AM
– Alternatively, arrive in Salekhard the day before (April 19); additional hotel night paid separately.


Day 2. April 21, 2027. TRADITIONAL ICE FISHING WITH THE NENETS

After breakfast, we will experience traditional ice fishing with the Nenets. We will set or check fishing nets by the lake. Reindeer herders always know where the “silver of the homeland” — the fish — congregate, and once a new camp is established nearby, the nets go into the water under up to a meter-thick ice layer. It’s hard work cutting through the ice, but the reward is fresh fish for the family.

Daily chores such as chopping wood and ice are part of the Nenets nomads’ routine. Lunch and dinner will feature national cuisine, and overnight will be spent in the chum with the Nenets families.

In the afternoon we will witness traditional hunting practices. The Nenets often hunt hares or ptarmigans using driving methods.
In the evening, we gather around the fire for folklore storytelling about Nenets culture and religion. Enjoy a folklore evening with yarabtsy and khynabtsy (traditional Nenets riddles and magic tricks).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: chum (traditional Nenets dwelling)


Day 3. April 22, 2027. VISITING THE REINDEER HERD OR WINTER CAMP MIGRATION ACROSS THE TUNDRA

After breakfast, we head to the main reindeer herd by snowmobiles or reindeer sleds. Immerse yourself in the world of Nenets nomadic reindeer herding — where every day revolves around the pace of the herd. The reindeer herd forms a natural alarm clock, their hoofbeats signaling the start of the day. Sleds are arranged in a semicircle (the “corral”) tied with ropes to guide and catch the reindeer for work. Men step over the rope to leave the corral, women go under it. We will participate in reindeer herding, sled riding, feeding the herd, and photo sessions.

Lunch and dinner with traditional dishes; overnight in the chum.

Subject to favorable weather conditions, we will witness the the migration *(kaslanie) . All chums are dismantled and loaded onto sleds with all equipment. The Nenets gather the herd, hitch reindeer to sleds, and move the camp several kilometers to a new location, where they set up the chums again. This seasonal migration is an essential part of Nenets life, covering hundreds of kilometers north and back each year. The whole process — dismantling, herding, caravan formation, travel, and setting up the new camp — takes the entire day, offering excellent photo opportunities.

Guests may travel by Trekol all-terrain vehicles or by specially prepared reindeer sleds (narts).

The migration (kaslanie) is included but depends on favorable weather conditions. The expedition team and Nenets herders will make every effort to complete the winter relocation.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: chum (traditional Nenets dwelling)


Day 4. April 23, 2027. TRADITIONAL NENETS GAMES AND PARTICIPATION IN EVERYDAY LIFE

After breakfast, we will learn about the life and routine of a modern chum hostess on Yamal. Women carry the vital responsibility of preparing the home for the family — tanning and smoking reindeer hides, sewing “nyuki” (chum coverings), and making warm traditional clothing from head to toe. The warmth and comfort of the malitsa (men’s jacket) and yagushka (women’s coat) are crucial for survival in temperatures down to minus 40°C.
Participate in master classes on hide tanning, sewing, bead weaving, making natural threads from reindeer sinews, tailoring and fitting traditional clothing, plus lectures and photo sessions.

Today we also explore traditional Nenets sports: wrestling, tug-of-war, throwing a “tynzyan” (lasso) at a “khorey” (sled steering handle), reindeer sled jumping, and more. Weather permitting, witness the highlight of Nenets games — reindeer sled racing!

Optional: ritual reindeer slaughter ceremony.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: chum (traditional Nenets dwelling)


Day 5. April 24, 2027. NOMADIC CAMP — SALEKHARD

After breakfast, time permitting, attend master classes on making chum poles (tree selection, trunk preparation, finishing), repairing cargo sleds, or throwing the tynzyan lasso onto the khorey sled handle (a special “steering wheel” for the reindeer team).
Around 10 AM, depart for Salekhard by Trekol or snowmobile (travel time approx. 8 to 11 hours, depending on weather and road conditions). Lunch en route at a local trading post. Arrival in Salekhard followed by dinner at the “Okhota” restaurant, featuring the best of Russian Northern cuisine.

Overnight at Arktika Hotel 3* in the city center or a similar hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Arktika Hotel 3* or similar


Day 6. April 25, 2027. SALEKHARD — RETURN FLIGHT

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to Salekhard Airport. Morning flight to Moscow departs at 9:10 AM, arriving in Moscow at 10:10 AM.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: none

*Recommended flight from Salekhard to Moscow:
— Direct flight with Yamal Airlines, departure 9:10 AM, arrival 10:10 AM on April 25.


* Participants must be motivated, respectful of Nenets culture, understand the purpose of the trip, and be prepared for possible adjustments due to weather. Adaptability to unfamiliar environments and cultures is essential.

** The order of activities on days 1–5 may change depending on weather or local customs.

TOUR TO YAMAL
Yamal peninsula, Russia

Best season: March – April, August – September, December


Scientific and cultural focus: an immersive exploration of the lifestyle of the "ideal nomads" — the Nenets. The expedition will explore their language, belief systems, daily practices, and their role in the contemporary Arctic.

Travel by TREKOL all-terrain vehicle deep into the Yamal Peninsula — up to 200 km into the permafrost zone, where winter temperatures can drop as low as -50 °C.

Participation in the Tundra Olympics — traditional Nenets competitions including reindeer sled races, tug-of-war, lasso throwing (tynzyan), and national wrestling.

Hands-on experience of everyday life: sleeping in traditional chums (tents), preparing meals with locals, and learning to drive reindeer sleds.

Full immersion into the nomadic lifestyle: taking part in kaslaniye — the seasonal migration involving the dismantling and setting up of chums, loading sleds, and moving herds across the tundra.

Observation of large-scale reindeer herding, with herds numbering up to 10,000 animals — including discussion of the sophisticated techniques used to manage them in extreme conditions.

Traditional winter ice fishing with local Nenets families.

A rare opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis — the Northern Lights — on the edge of the world, as the Nenets affectionately call their homeland, Yamal.