14TSEx.The Pole of Cold Tour

PROGRAM

Day 1. Arrival at Yakutsk and transfer to hotel. Greeting dinner in a restaurant.

Day 2. Breakfast in a hotel. Crossing by 4WD minibus up to Tomtor. Night in Knadyga, lunch en route in a cafe. The first part of car route crosses frozen Lena River and its right tributary of Aldan (distance to Khandyga - 420 km, drive time 8-10 hr). Hotel accommodation in Knadyga (double rooms). Dinner in a cafe.

Day 3. Breakfast in a cafe, transfer from Khandyga up to Tomtor (500 km), the route goes through Verkhoyansk mountains, on Kolyma tract – “the road built on bones”, the unique road built by GULAG prisoners in the period of Stalin ruke. In the area of Vostochnaya meteorological station - stop for lunch. Arrival at Tomtor in the evening, Accomodation and dinner in a private hotel of residential type in Tomtor outskirts, in Kuidusun locality.

Day 4. Breakfast, excursion in Tomtor. Visit to a museum of ice monuments, winter residence of Chyskhan, GULAG museum. In the evening acquaintance with culture and tradition of northern peoples, concert of “Eym” children ethnographic dance ensemble. All meals in a hotel.

Day 5. Breakfast, visit to meteoreological station in Tomtor. Climbimg Ebe Chaia mountain. Lunch. Ice-fishing near Tomtor, perhaps in Kuidusun (a river near hotel) or Indigirka (15-20 km). Possibility of individual participation and learning skills of ice-fishing, fish processing and tasting “stroganina”. Fish variety depends on the season. Transfer to hotel and dinner.

Day 6. Breakfast. Transfer to Oimyakon. Excursion around the place, where the lowest temperature has been registered. Visit to Oimyakon mayor, getting certificate of Visit to the Cold Pole. Lunch in Oimyakon. Visit to horse breeding farm, display of unique Yakut horse, permanent living outdoors. Acquaintance with horse-breeder’s life, probably horse riding. In the evening transfer to Tomtor. Dinner in a hotel.

Day 7. Breakfast. Transfer to Khandyga. On the way — visit to Even village Yuchyugei. Acquaintance with village life, traditions and culture of Even reinbreeders, deer riding. Lunch with national kitchen. Transfer to Khandyga. Dinner. Accomodation at night in Khandyga.

Day 8. Breakfast. Transfer to Yakutsk. Lunch en route in cafe. Arrival at Yakutsk by the evening. Dinner. Hotel accommodation.

Day 9. Transfer to airport. Departure from Yakutsk.