CHUKOTKA

Dates: April 18 – 26, 2024*

* The dates of the expedition can be shifted 1 week back or forward, depending on the spring schedule of ChukotAvia Airlines' domestic flights in Chukotka, as well as depending on the dates of the annual Nadezhda ("Hope") dog sled race (mushers and dogs participating in our expedition, must also participate in the "Hope" race).
The final dates of the expedition will be determined upon receipt of information on the flight schedule and the dates of the "Hope" race, in any case no later than in January 2024.

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights

Number of participants: 5 – 8

EXPEDITION FINISHED

Everything included except for:

• International flight to Anadyr and back,
• Medical insurance,
• Russian visa (if required). Estimated cost of the Moscow-Anadyr-Moscow flight: around 40,000 ruble

Single supplement: 50,000 rubles.


TRAVEL PROGRAM: PHOTO TOUR TO CHUKOTKA

Day 1. April 16, 2024 (Tuesday). ANADYR AIRPORT - GUDYM - UGOLNYE KOPI

Arrival in Anadyr at 12:25 pm on an Aeroflot flight from Moscow or another flight. Meeting at the airport with a guide and team leader - a scientist-ethnologist. Transfer to Ugolnye Kopy. Accommodation in an apartment or at the "Nord" hotel near the airport. Excursion to the abandoned military base in Gudym. A unique monument from the Cold War era - an underground storage facility for nuclear warheads and a command post. Gudym, built in the late 1950s, served as a nuclear weapons base during the Cold War, completely hidden underground. Picnic at the military base, with specially packaged army rations. Return to Ugolnye Kopy. Dinner and tasting of red fish, caviar, and other local delicacies.

*Recommended flight:
- direct from Moscow to Anadyr by Aeroflot, departure from Moscow on April 15 at 7:35 pm, arriving in Anadyr at 12:25 pm on April 16,
- or any other flight from Moscow or another city arriving in Anadyr no later than 3:00 pm on April 16.

Meals included: lunch, dinner
Accommodation: "Nord" hotel or apartment


Day 2. April 17, 2024 (Wednesday). ANADYR AIRPORT – LAURENTIUS – INCHOUN

Breakfast, transfer to the airport. Flight from Anadyr to Laurencia, to the easternmost part of the Chukotka Peninsula, representatives of the Chukotka-Eskimo community of marine mammal hunters meet at the airport. Lunch in the village of Laurencia. Overland transfer by off-road vehicle to the coast of the Arctic Ocean to the village of Inchoun (90 km, 3-4 hours), photographing the tundra along the way. Arrival, accommodation in the apartments of the kayurs, getting acquainted with the local residents. Dinner - home cooking, traditional food of coastal residents. Meeting with representatives of the Chukotka-Eskimo community of marine mammal hunters, discussion on intercultural interaction issues. Story about local rituals and traditions. Rithual of feeding the spirits.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: apartment


Day 3. April 18, 2024 (Thursday). INCHOUN

Breakfast and excursion around the village. Master class "kayur school" - acquaintance with dogs, learning the basic skills of managing a dog sled. Test drives. Each person manages their own dog sled, accompanied by an experienced kayur instructor. Weather permitting - a trip to the ice edge with marine mammal hunters and observation of traditional fishing (hunting for seals or fishing). Overnight stay in the apartment, preparation for the transition. Lecture by an ethnologist on the history of the Chukotka region's development.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: apartment


Day 4. April 19, 2024 (Friday). INCHOUN – UELEN

Dog sled transfer along the route from Inchoun to Uelen (about 30 km) along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. The group is accompanied by TREKOL off-road vehicles. Possible encounters with animals - polar bears, foxes, wolverines. Along the way - a picnic, hot tea. Arrival in Uelen. Accommodation in a hotel or boarding school. Dinner. Walk around the village, getting to know the locals.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: hotel or boarding school


Days 5. April 20, 2024 (Saturday). UELEN – CAPE DEZHNEV – UELEN

Breakfast and dog sled journey to the easternmost point of Eurasia - Cape Dezhnev (a round trip of about 30 km). The dog teams remain with the kayurs, and the group walks accompanied by a guide to the lighthouse and the monument to Semyon Dezhnev. Inspection of the archaeological monument - the ancient Eskimo settlement of Naukan. The descent to the cape and to the Naukan settlement takes about an hour, the ascent about 2 hours, with an elevation difference of 400 meters. In icy conditions, the slope may be slippery, making the descent impossible.

The Eskimos (Inuit) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples living in Arctic regions - Greenland, Canada, Chukotka, and Alaska. The Inuit language belongs to the Eskimo-Aleut language group. The Inuit are descendants of those anthropologists refer to as the Thule culture, which emerged from western Alaska around 1000 AD. They separated from the Aleut group about 4,000 years ago, and from the northeastern migrants from Siberia (probably speaking a language similar to that of the Chukchi) even earlier, and are considered the descendants of the third major migration from Siberia. They spread eastward across the Arctic.

Photography of landscapes. With good visibility, observation of the Diomede Islands: Ratmanova (Russia) and Kruzenshtern (USA), as well as the coast of Alaska. Return to Uelen by dog sleds. Optional evening sauna.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: hotel or boarding school in Uelen


Days 6. April 21, 2024 (Saturday). UELEN – INCHOUN

Breakfast and visit to the walrus hunting museum in Whelen. Return journey by dog sleds to the village of Inchoun (about 30 km). Picnic along the way. Dinner in Inchoun, accommodation in the kayurs' houses. Sharing impressions. Dinner discussion on the topic "Truth and Fiction in the film "The Chief of Chukotka". Weather permitting, Northern Lights hunting.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: apartment


Days 7. April 22, 2024 (Sunday). INCHOUN - LAURENTIA - LORINO

Breakfast and farewell to the kayurs and dogs. Transfer by TREKOL to the village of Laurencia (90 km). Lunch.

If the nomadic reindeer herders' camp is accessible along the way, a visit to the reindeer herding brigade is possible. Arrival at the camp, meeting with the reindeer herders, exchange of gifts, a trip to the herd. Lunch - reindeer herders' food, cooking class for reindeer meat dishes. Communication with the reindeer herders, stories by the fire about the harsh life in the tundra. Archery master class for those interested.
The Chukchi are an indigenous people inhabiting the Chukotka Peninsula, the shores of the Chukotka and Bering Seas, as well as the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Russia. They speak the Chukchi language. The Chukchi came from the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk. According to the latest human genome studies, the Chukchi are the closest relatives of the first Americans in Asia. The Chukchi were traditionally divided into coastal Chukchi, who built their homes on the coast and lived by hunting marine mammals, and the Chukchi reindeer herders, who roamed the tundra far from the sea, migrating with their reindeer herds. The Russian name "Chukchi" comes from the Chukchi word "Chauchu" ("rich in deer"), which the Chukchi reindeer herders also used to distinguish themselves from the coastal Chukchi, called "Ankallyt" ("people of the sea").

Excursion to the village of Lorino - the capital of the whale hunters. Accommodation in the apartments of the marine mammal hunters. Dinner. Lecture on the traditional exchange between reindeer herders and marine mammal hunters.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: apartment

Day 8. April 23, 2024 (Tuesday). LORINO

Breakfast. Excursion around the village. Visit to the bone carving workshop, souvenir shopping. Trip to the hot springs, bathing. Return to Lorino. Dinner. Lecture by an ethnologist on whale hunting, demonstration of artifacts.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: apartment

Day 9. April 24, 2024 (Wednesday). LORINO - LAURENTIA - ANADYR

Breakfast. Farewell to the marine mammal hunters and transfer to Laurentia village to the airport. Flight from Laurentia to Anadyr. Crossing the estuary to the city. Accommodation at the "Anadyr" hotel. Lunch. Sauna. Dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: "Anadyr" hotel

Day 10. April 25, 2024 (Thursday). ANADYR

Backup day in case of bad weather and flight rescheduling. City tour (monuments to Grinevetsky, Rytkheu, Revkom Chukotka, St. Nicholas). Visit to the "Heritage of Chukotka" Museum. Lunch. Farewell dinner, sharing impressions. Performance by a folklore group - throat singing or dancing.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: "Anadyr" hotel

Day 11. April 26, 2024 (Friday). ANADYR - RETURN FLIGHT

Breakfast. Free time, souvenir shopping. Transfer (estuary crossing) to the airport and flight from Anadyr to Moscow by Aeroflot at 3:25 pm or another flight.

*Recommended flight:
- direct from Anadyr to Moscow SU-6220 by Aeroflot, departure from Anadyr on April 26 at 3:25 pm, arriving in Moscow at 2:30 pm on April 26,
- or any other flight from Anadyr to Moscow or another city departing no earlier than 3:00 pm on April 26.

Meal: breakfast
Accommodation: no

* The operator reserves the right to change the order of execution of the program subject to keeping of all main activities.

** The program depends on the domestic flights schedule (subject to change) and availability of flying weather. Traveling into the tundra is also subject to weather conditions and may be restricted at any time due to safety concerns.

*** A member of an expedition to Chukotka must be motivated: respect the culture of the Chukchi and Inuit, be aware of the purpose of the trip and possible adjustments to plans depending on weather conditions, as well as on the decision of indigenous communities. The expedition member must be in good physical condition and able to adapt to an unfamiliar community and culture.

**** If certain visits and/or tours cannot be completed due to external conditions, they will be replaced where possible.



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS EXPEDITION:

While preparing for a trip to such a unique region as Chukotka, many questions arise, since such a trip is not easy to plan and conduct, firstly, due to the lack of tourist infrastructure there, and, secondly, due to difficult climatic conditions.

1. Transport
If you have already safely flown to the Anadyr airport, this does not mean that your trip is guaranteed to pass along the entire route. First of all, a ticket for a domestic flight must be purchased in advance, since in Chukotka there is a constant shortage of air tickets, and all tickets are usually sold out six months prior to the trip, as soon as they appear on sale. In addition, flights to the regions are often delayed, so we strongly recommend buying a return ticket back from Anadyr with at least one or two spare days after your return from the region, or with the possibility of changing the departure date.
Once at the airport, it is not easy to get into the city, although in winter, in general, traveling around Chukotka is much easier than in summer and autumn – you can travel overland. As part of this expedition, we will use various types of transport – from dog sleds to all-terrain vehicles. The main thing is to dress warmly and treat everything positively.

2. Accommodation
Upon arrival in Anadyr, we will accommodate for one night in private apartments or in the Hotel Nord. Why? The fact is that at the moment the Hotel Nord is the only one on this bank of sstuary, and is often used in emergency cases to accommodate people who got stuck due to the weather. For example, children returning from summer camps. Therefore, this hotel does not accept bookings. So that our travelers are not left without accommodation, we prefer to deal with private apartments. However, if there are available rooms at the hotel today upon request, we can accommodate you in the hotel as well.
Throughout the route, we will have to stop for the night in apartments and houses of local residents, and possibly in hostels where they are available. The hostels are very simple, but all the amenities are there.
In case of extreme cold overnight stay in the tundra, it is suggested to use a sleeping bag in a tent or yaranga. Our experienced local friends will take care of the accommodation for the night, they will do everything so that you do not feel cold.
Upon returning to Anadyr, we plan to check in at the Hotel Anadyr, basic standard double occupancy.

3. Meals
In the town of Ugolnye Kopi, in the city of Anadyr and in the village of Lorino, we provide for three meals a day. During long trips across the tundra, we often organize a picnic – hot tea and snacks. Upon returning to the base, we will already organize a full hot meal.
Since tourists come to Chukotka to learn about how the local people live, and the cuisine is one of the most interesting manifestations of culture, we try to give you the opportunity to test the "Chukotka exotic" as much as possible - dishes from the meat of marine animals, venison, fish and caviar. Of course, it is difficult for vegetarians and vegans to organize a full-fledged diet, since everything is brought to stores here during a short navigation period. Often there is shortage in vegetables and fruits, which are affectionately called the word "freshness" here.
Of course, we must know in advance about your diet restrictions. In any case, cereals and noodle are in abundance in summer. But some delights will have to be forgotten before returning home.

4. Equipment
Before the trip, people ask to send a list of recommended equipment, and when they receive it, they begin to argue: "Do we really need sleeping bags? do we really need this or that clothing or footwear?" The list contains RECOMMENDATIONS! It is up to you. But most visitors underestimate the severity of the local climate. One tip – do not neglect the recommendations, take warm clothes and shoes, additional sets of thermal underwear and woolen socks, a sleeping bag, a thermos.

5. Hygiene
In order to avoid embarrassing situations and in order to prevent infections that are currently roaming the planet, we recommend (this is only a recommendation and is up to you) that everyone brings along a traditional tourist dishwear and cutlery personal kit: cup - spoon - plate - knife. While visiting reindeer herders, this is especially useful - there are not enough dishwear for everyone in the nomadic yaranga, and forcing the hostess to wash after everyone is also not really nice. In addition, you will be of the safe side – it is safer and more reliable to use your personal cup or plate.

6. Respect for the residents
We urge everyone to treat the people we have come to carefully and with high respect. The culture of marine hunters and tundra reindeer herders is a rare phenomenon that requires protection. Therefore, we ask that you listen to the requests and demands of the community regarding various rules and taboos, including those related to photography and video filming, which are currently limited and strictly regulated. We ask you to treat this with tact and understanding and do not shoot bloody scenes of slaughtering animals, do not photograph dirt, devastation and drunk people - all this can catch your eye, but you do not need to make hype out of it or post it online.

7. Safety
The nature of Chukotka has still saved its authenticity. – On the one hand, it is absolutely beautiful, on the other - dangerous. Even on the territory of the village, you can face a predator, you should always remember this when you are in Chukotka. Always listen to what the locals say – where you can go and where should not.
We will give you a safety briefing in the tundra, but common sense and precaution are the basis of your safety.
Welcome to smashing Chukotka! We wish you to get a lot of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions!

Cost includes:

• domestic flights Anadyr - Lavrentiya - Anadyr
• transportation services as per the program (transfers, taxis, ferries, ATVs, snowmobiles)
• dog sleds (one sled per expedition participant) and accompanying Trekol vehicles throughout the route from Inchoun to Cape Dezhnev and back
• accommodation in hotels in Anadyr, based on double occupancy
• apartment accommodation in Lorino and Inchoun
• accommodation in a hotel or boarding school in Whelen
• three meals a day throughout the route
• processing of permits for entry into the border zone
• processing of permits for entry into the national park, entrance fee for the national park
• tickets to museums
• all activities and performances as per the program
• English-speaking and Russian-speaking local guide team leader - scientific ethnologist
• lectures by the ethnologist about Chukotka
• payment to guides, local guides, motorboat drivers, financial support to local communities
• photo and video shooting

Cost excludes (additionally paid):

• Flight to Anadyr and back
• Medical insurance
• Russian visa (if required)
• Alcoholic beverages and souvenirs
• Additional activities not included in the program
• Single accommodation in hotels

To take with:

• Warm windproof down jacket with windstopper
• Warm windproof hat (2 pieces) and pants (2 pairs), gloves with windstopper (at least two pairs)
• Warm boots, warm waterproof boots (at least 2 pairs of warm footwear)
• Sets of weather-appropriate clothing (wool socks, cotton socks, wool sweater)
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses (mandatory)
• Ski goggles (preferable)
• Balaclava or buff
• Thermos
• Headlamp
• Personal hygiene items (including wet wipes, towel, soap)
• Minimum stock of favorite foods and beverages (there will be no opportunity to buy them)
• Personal medication (including analgesics, antiseptics, antibiotics, antivirals, gastrointestinal medications, multivitamins, rehydration solutions, band-aids, any necessary personal medications)
• Sun and wind protection
• Photo and video equipment, spare batteries, tripod
• Gifts for the local population