Another big portion of questions I received from the British company Firefly Film & Television Productions Ltd that is very interesting in making a documentary about the life in Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold.
Are there any hotels in Oymyakon?
There is one. But do not recommend staying in. Shaggy, cold, many beds in one room, outdoor toilet. Better to stay at someone’s places, in private houses. By the way, many residents practice to host tourists. A sort of bed & breakfast. UPDATE: the hotel was destroyed by fire last winter.
But there are guest houses – one in Oymyakon, a few in Tomtor (a neighbour village) and two in Kuydusun.
Are there any other businesses there?
Farming, Yakut hourses breeding, hunting, retails, housing and communal services, public administration, gardening. Locals may also work as guides for tourists.
Are their tours for tourists?
Like tour to the legendary Labynkyr Lake where it is believed the never-seen ancient animal lives in. Lake is located approx. 100 km far from Oymyakon.
Tourists like to watch Yakut hourses, visit the meteorology station and get the Pole of Cold Certificate, try icefishing, ride reindeer. Think that’s all. International visitors prefer also to research traditional way of life.
Is there a weather observatory there?
Yes, in Tomtor. This is 10-15 km far from Oyamyakon.
Are there scientists based in Oymyakon who might be able to help me with information?
About real scientists I am not sure. However, there will be some experts for sure. Oymyakon is the most visited destination in Yakutia, so locals knows what to say to travellers.
Has anyone profited and made their fortune out of the fact it is so cold?
Ordinarary residents tends to accept tourists in their houses, guide across the area, show whatever visitors want. Not real fortune, but additional revenue for sure. Because average month income is about 10000-15000 roubles (270-400 EUR)
How long have people been living in Oymyakon?
Have no idea. Sorry. It is better to ask locals. Think more than 3 centuries.
Has anyone got amazing ancestors that could tell quirky interesting stories about their family history?
Many. If locals asked, he might give a lot of interesting stories. Usually those who are there have many generations lived prior.
Are there any weird by-products of these cold conditions – is there a flurry of disease, weird things that happen or wildlife or ways of life that you would find nowhere else – purely because of the cold conditions?
Pneumonia took many kids’ lives. Wild brown bears attacks in spring. Ways of life in winter are totally unique.
How have people adapted their lives and homes because of the cold – could you tell me about the heating system for example?
Nowadays people try to switch to gas heating system with a boiler. However, many cannot afford such expensive system and still use stoves and firewoods.
Do you know of anyone who speaks English but comes from Oymyakon who I could talk to? It would be great to talk to talk someone who grew up there?
Don’t know anyone. But you may ask Mr. Vyacheslav Ipatiev, general AT yakutiatravel . com. He is very experience in arranging the pole of cold tours. He is got some contacts in Oymyakon.
Running a hotel must be very difficult in such cold condition – and I don’t fancy the outside toilet!
It must be. The administration pays much for electricity, heating, staff.
Do you know the name of the hotel? Or have contact details for the people who run it?
I think, the hotel doesn’t have any name. Just gostiniza as it is called in Russian. However, I will not recommend. Rooms cold, no hot water, only thin cold stream. Better at private places, you may see how people live, what they eat, what they are thinking about life, etc. No contact. That’s the only one. Rooms are available all the time. EDIT: Oh, sorry. Recalled the hotel was totally destroyed by fire last winter.
Do you know how do you get from Oymyakon to Tomtor for the weather observatory? Car? How long would it take?
By car only. 20-30 minutes. Very close.
Similar Posts:
- More about Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold
- Accommodations on the way to Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold?
- An interview about the life in Oymyakon, the coldest village on the Earth. Part I.
- How do the people of Yakutsk survive in extreme cold?
- Why do people live in Yakutia?
