The very often asked question is, if I can arrange winter travel to Russia’s Siberian village of Oymyakon, known mostly as the coldest inhabited place on Earth located in North-East Yakutia. I can do. To me, to arrange the overland trip to Oymyakon is the most easiest. We take a car with an experienced driver and go!
You might wish to join our groups to travel fom Yakutsk to Oymyakon (Yakutia, Siberia/Russia) and back in the winter 2012-2013.
Learn more about Russia’s Siberian road trip details and prices.
Oymyakon Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Yakutsk – Khandyga.
Crossing two rivers, Lena and Aldan. Leaving Yakutsk in the morning, at 9 am. Lunch on the way.
Stay for night in a guest house in Khandyga. Khandyga is the start of Stalin’s Road of Bones.
Day 2: Khandyga – Oymyakon.
Driving through mountain passes. Arrival in Oymyakon in the late night.
Staying for night in a private house. Three meals included.
Day 3: Day in Oymyakon.
Walking around the village.
Staying for night in a private house in Oyamyakon. Three meals included.
Day 4: Visit to Tomtor.
Ice cave, horse breeders’ farm, driving around.
Staying for night in a private house in Oyamyakon.
Day 5: Visit to Uchugei.
Visit to reindeer herders’ camp in the area of Uchugei.
Staying for night in a private house in Oyamyakon.
Day 6: Return to Yakutsk.
Directly from Oymyakon without stay in Khandyga.
One day driving. Leaving Oymyakon in the early morning. Arrival in Yakutsk at 11 pm or a little later.
Total two-way driving distance: approx. 2000 km.
Weather condition: between -45C and -60C.
OYMYAKON TRAVEL EXPENSES
Frankly, I do not understand, why travellers should overpay their journey from Yakutsk to Oymyakon. The major expenses are:
1. Car Rent (a Russian UAZ or Japanese van w/ an experienced driver, all related expenses included) = driver fee (5,000 rub/day/group) + fuel costs + warm garage parking for night (400 rub/night)
2. A English-speaking guide / fixer on the field (all related expenses included) = 36,000 rub/group (6000 rub./day)
3. Accommodation = 8,200 rub/person (including 1 night x 1000 rub./person w/o meal in Khandyga plus 4 nights x 1800 rub/person/day w/ 3-times meal in Oymyakon).
4. Visa support = 1,500 rub/person.
5. Travel arrangement expenses = 15,000 rub/group
6. Travel arrangment fee (16%) + tax (10%)
NOTES:
Fees for a guide is negotiable. Just keep in mind that there must be a good reason for a local to guide a group in the extreme cold weather conditions.
Guest house owners have fixed rates.
Why is the car rent so expensive? It is the only thing that deserve high rate. Two-way distance is around 2000 km. The average Oymyakon temperature in the deep winter is around -50C. Because of the cold, the car consumes a big amount of fuel. The car engine works all the day. If it will be switched off, it won’t be possible to make it work again. The cold, you know. Moreover, the car should be kept in the warm garage at night, that is also should be paid by a driver. Plus the winter mountain road is complicated and the driver must be experienced. I can count many reasons, why the car rent rate is reasonable, but I would prefer to make the short statement. A car is the thing travellers shouldn’t save money for. To be in safety in the extreme cold weather is worthy.
TOTAL OYMYAKON TRAVEL PRICE: Car rent + guide fee + accommodation + travel arrangement expenses + travel arrangement fee (16 %) + tax (10 %)
PRICE DOESN’T INCLUDE:
- expenses in Yakutsk (hotel, museum, etc)
- food on the road;
- museum entrance fees;
- visit to horse breeders (3000 rub/group);
- visit to reindeer herders winter camp (min. 5000 rub/group)
- 2-day reindeer sledding (25,000 rub/group of 1-2 people or 30,000 rub/group of 3-5 people)
- ice fishing (2000 rub/group)
- etc.
So, if you’ll have travel mates for the Yakutsk – Oymyakon overland trip, the final individual cost will be much, much lower. A minivan has 7 seats, though it’s better, if the max group size will be 4-5 people.
CURRENTLY WE GATHER GROUPS FOR THE LATE JANUARY, FEBRUARY, AND MARCH.
COLD OYMYAKON TRAVEL PHOTOS:
THE ROAD OF BONES (The Kolyma Highway) ON THE WAY TO OYMYAKON:
THE ROAD OF BONES (The Kolyma Highway).
On the way back from Oymyakon on the part Tomtor – Kyubyume – Teplyj Klyuch (Khandyga)
The above are a few sets of Oymyakon travel photographs only. You might have more!
OYMYAKON TRAVEL SLIDESHOW VIDEO:
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!
Related Posts:
- Yakutsk – Oymyakon – Magadan. The World’s Coldest Road Trip in Winter 2012-2013.
- Yakutsk – Oymyakon – Magadan. The World’s Coldest Road Trip in Winter 2013-2014.
- What is the standard tour to the Pole of Cold? Travel time, activities, accommodations, prices?
- DIY tips: How to arrange the travel to Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold, from Yakutsk?
- How much does it cost to travel from Yakutsk to Oymyakon, the world’s coldest inhabited place?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
A fascinating look at how you live and thrive in such cold temperatures. It makes me appreciate what we have here in England in the way of weather. I am surprised you can get on the WWW. Do you have a library, shops, social events? How do old people cope, do young ones get depressed with the dark and extreme cold? Do you get ill with coughs and flu? What are the postal deliveries like? Are there any Jehovah’s witnesses there?
i am waiting for a reply, please
{ 1 trackback }