How to visit the Nenets in Yamalia (Arctic Russia)

By Joan Torres Leave a comment Final up to date on January 20, 2025 Wanna journey to Nenets with In opposition to the Compass? Be part of a gaggle of like-minded vacationers in our subsequent scheduled tour in Nenets on: September 18th to twenty fourth, 2025 The Nenets are an ethnic group indigenous to Arctic Russia, a gaggle of nomads and reindeer herders residing within the excessive north of Siberia, in one of the crucial difficult environments on the earth. Regardless of residing in one of the crucial remoted locations on Earth, as we speak it’s potential to fulfill Nenets, whereas staying of their camps. That is the rawest and most genuine expertise you'll ever have. This information will clarify all the pieces that you must know to go to the Nenets in Russia’s excessive north. Keep in mind that now we have scheduled Nenets Expeditions on the next dates: April twelfth to 18th, 2025 – SOLD OUT September 18th to twenty fourth, 2025 – APPLY NOW November sixteenth to twenty second, 2025 – APPLY NOW For sensible info, test our Russia Travel Tips On this journey information to Yamal, you'll discover: Introduction to cohabiting with the Nenets Since 2014, I've been touring to a number of the remotest areas on the earth. From driving on prime of an iron ore practice throughout the Sahara to having the entire of Djenné all to myself in Mali, or reaching the Minaret of Jam by public transportation in Afghanistan; I've skilled infinite uncooked adventures, for which I think about myself very lucky. Nonetheless, the few days I spent cohabiting with the Nenets in far-north Russia was a complete different degree. Simply think about a gaggle of individuals residing in what is maybe the least identified and remotest area on the earth: Arctic Russia. This a part of Arctic Russia (Yamalia, north Siberia) isn't solely extraordinarily freezing, it’s additionally massively remoted, there aren’t any roads, and there’s completely nothing however infinite frozen tundra. Nonetheless, Nenets select to reside there out of a tent and with just a few hundred reindeer: that’s all they've. The Arctic tundra is the Nenets’ precise dwelling, the place they reside and hold shifting one year a 12 months beneath essentially the most excessive climate situations, surviving on reindeer blood, meat and little else. Residing along with the Nenets is an especially tough expertise, the reason is that their life is admittedly harsh however that’s exactly the purpose: to expertise what it’s wish to reside within the Arctic tundra of Siberia. Belief me, nothing can get as uncooked as this. A Nenet consuming blood from a lately killed reindeer Location: the place are the Nenets? Tundra Nenets reside within the northern a part of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, an autonomous area that types a part of Tyumen Oblast. It’s essential to understand that not all Nenets select to have a nomadic fashion. A few of them reside in cities and villages inside Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and have strange jobs. They work in banks, supermarkets and the general public sector. Nonetheless, hundreds of Nenets are nonetheless residing a 100% nomadic fashion, migrating throughout the tundra that borders the Kara Sea each 2-3 days, one year a 12 months. The huge Arctic tundra, the place Nenets reside You'll find the approximate location of Tundra Nenets within the map beneath. Find out how to get to Yamalia The primary transportation hub in Yamalia is a small metropolis named Salekhard, the executive middle of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Find out how to get to Salekhard by airplane There are every day 3-hour flights from Moscow to Salekhard with Yamal Airlines. You may also discover direct flights from Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Ekaterinburg. Please keep in mind that as a result of present sanctions, it’s not potential to guide flights utilizing a international financial institution card immediately from the airline’s web site. Use Aviasales as an alternative. For extra info, discuss with the transportation section of our journey information. Find out how to get to Yamalia by practice Salekhard doesn’t have a practice station however alternatively, you may take a practice to Labytnangui, a small city lower than 20km from Salekhard, situated simply throughout the Obi River by ferry. From Moscow, there are direct trains to Labytnangui, however understand that it’s a 48-hour practice journey, sort of cool for these with loads of time, however do plan accordingly. Test practice schedules on Tutu Travel. Find out how to get round Yamalia and attain the Nenets’ camps Nenets reside unfold throughout the huge tundra. What's extra, additionally they hold shifting all 12 months lengthy, plus you may solely make sure of the place they're for those who’re capable of get involved with them on a satellite tv for pc cellphone. Subsequently, it’s plainly apparent that there isn’t any public transportation to take you there. To make issues much more sophisticated, common 4WDs can’t drive throughout the tundra, solely TREKOLs, a Russian-manufactured automobile designed for that particular terrain. This makes touring to Yamal notably sophisticated and costly. Greatest time to go to Nenets Right here’s go to Tundra Nenets, season by season. Assembly Nenets in winter: December to mid-March From December to March, tundra nomads reside within the harshest of all situations. They reside in north Siberia, the place winter temperatures by no means exceed greater than -25ºC, dropping to -50ºC at evening. Can you continue to go to Nenets in winter? Sure, you may, they are going to be completely satisfied to accommodate you and also you gained’t be the primary traveler to remain of their tent, however you'll definitely undergo. An area Nenet in deep winter Assembly Nenets throughout ‘delicate’ winter: mid-March to Might and mid-October to November Through the shoulder season, the tundra is roofed in snow however temperatures hardly ever drop beneath -25ºC. If you wish to expertise white tundra landscapes with out struggling an excessive amount of, that is the very best season. Keep in mind that now we have 2 excursions on the next dates: April twelfth to 18th, 2025 – SOLD OUT November sixteenth to twenty second, 2025 – APPLY NOW Assembly Nenets in summer time: June to September Whereas summer time might sound an excellent season to go to the Arctic tundra as a consequence of increased temperatures, June to August is the worst time to journey in Yamalia, for two causes: The tundra is plagued with mosquitos The extent of the river is simply too excessive to cross it within the tundra autos Alternatively, September needs to be tremendous. Whereas the climate in September is not so good as in July and August, you don’t have issues with mosquitos, and the river degree is excellent. Keep in mind that now we have the next tour in September: A Nenet attempting to catch their reindeer Lodging when visiting the Nenets Nenets reside in a conventional tent known as chum, a pyramid-shaped tent fabricated from reindeer pores and skin with very fundamental facilities. That is what a pal seems to be like A chum must be fundamental as a result of they set them up and take them down each few days, all 12 months spherical. Friends are sufficiently big to accommodate as much as 10 folks, together with the household of Nenets, and also you’ll be sleeping with them and 4 different vacationers. That’s for lodging within the tundra. In Salekhard, Yamalia’s primary city, there are a number of accommodations, and we advocate a 3-star resort known as Hotel 89. Nenets organising a pal Yamalia Itinerary: issues to do when visiting the Nenets Right here’s our instructed itinerary for visiting the Nenets and the area. Keep in mind that that is the itinerary we comply with on all our Nenets expeditions. Our upcoming dates: April twelfth to 18th, 2025 – SOLD OUT September 18th to twenty fourth, 2025 – APPLY NOW November sixteenth to twenty second, 2025 – APPLY NOW Day 1 – Arrival in Salekhard and switch to Yamal Peninsula Flights from Moscow to Salekhard arrive at 8 am, which is the proper time to start out your journey into the tundra. Alternatively, there’s a second flight arriving at 4 pm, however you'll have to spend the evening in Salekhard. We advocate Lodge 89, generally additionally listed as Parallel Lodge. The journey from Salekhard to Nenets’ campsite takes 8 – 12 hours, relying on their current location. The campsite you'll arrive on day 1. Day 2, 3 and 4 – Residing with the Nenets Three full days is the period of time I like to recommend spending with the Nenets. It’s essential to keep in mind that cohabiting with Nenets is extra about observing their every day life, specializing in high-quality pictures, and serving to them with their every day chores, moderately than having a full day filled with actions. Nenet’s every day chores Nonetheless, you may nonetheless do loads of actions, which generally embody: Fishing: particularly ice-fishing throughout the colder months. Witnessing migration: This can be a full day occasion that means packing the sleds with all their stuff, and shifting to their subsequent location. Nenets making ready for migration Reindeer gathering: Nenets use their reindeer for a lot of various things, so they should collect all of them collectively virtually daily no imply feat, for which they want 3 to 4 hours no less than. Nenet gathering her reindeer Reindeer slaughtering: This isn’t for everybody but it surely’s definitely one thing to expertise. After killing the chosen reindeer, they drink its blood whereas nonetheless heat, and eat a number of the organs uncooked. The meat is consumed over the next days and/or weeks. As soon as they run out of meat, they begin over with the method. That is a part of the ritual: Nomad video games: Nenets play their very own video games/sports activities and, in case you are staying with them for lengthy sufficient, you're more likely to see an illustration. All their video games are associated to power and lasso expertise. Day 5 – Switch to Salekhard We advocate departing no later than 8 am, since there will probably be a protracted journey forward of you, a 12-hour drive. After virtually 5 days of no bathe, being again in Salekhard feels completely nice, and these are the eating places I like to recommend: Day 6 – Go to Salekhard Salekhard is a small city however there are fairly just a few fascinating issues to do, essentially the most fascinating being Yamal Nationwide Museum. Lately renovated, I used to be very impressed by the standard of that museum. They even function 2 small mammoths rescued from the permafrost, so you may nonetheless recognize their pores and skin. Salekhard additionally has its Lenin Sq., an area market promoting typical regional merchandise, and two memento outlets. The streets of Salekhard Day 7 – Departure The flight from Salekhard to Moscow departs at 9:30 am Extra sensible info for visiting the Nenets For all the knowledge associated to visas, cash, getting a SIM card, and many others., please test our travel guide to Russia Packing record It’s essential to convey appropriate gear and garments for the frozen tundra. That is our really helpful packing record for visiting the Nenets. Moist wipes Hand sanitizer Headlamp Energy financial institution and/or spare batteries Private toiletries Towel Thermo Inflatable tenting mattress Private medical package Sunscreen For April and November excursions, the temperature can simply drop to -25ºC, even -30º. The temperature inside your chum in the course of the evening – with out the fireplace on – will probably be round -10ºC. We advocate: Further heat jacket Windbreaker Sleeping bag (-10ºC) Further heat gloves Winter hat Thermal T-shirt and pants Thermal socks Further layers of heat garments (having a lot of layers is the very best safety in opposition to freezing temperatures) For the September tour, the temperature will drop to -8ºC max. You will have the identical kind of garments, however maybe not as many layers and a barely lighter sleeping bag (-5ºC). What’s the meals like? Reindeer meat, normally accompanied with soup, pasta or rice. Earlier than heading into the tundra, we advocate stopping on the grocery store to purchase additional snacks. What about vegetarians? Nenets can cook dinner plain rice and pasta however I like to recommend bringing your personal snacks, comparable to on the spot noodles, for instance. Web and connectivity There’s no connection within the tundra, you’ll be fully offline on your total keep. Can I cost my units after we’re within the tundra? The Nenets have a generator which they'll change on at evening. This can be utilized for emergencies, however I nonetheless advocate bringing an influence financial institution and spare batteries. Extra useful info to go to Russia 📢 In my Travel Resources Page you will discover the record of all of the websites and providers I take advantage of to guide accommodations, excursions, journey insurance coverage and extra. All guides and articles for touring in Russia vacation spot