Travel

Maybe, it’s a little bit late at this point. Navigation on the Lena River, that usually lasts from early June till late September, is coming to the end. However, I think the following info will appear to be useful in the future.

I found out two alternative ways of traveling the Lena River on parts Ust-Kut – Lensk and Olekminsk – Yakutsk. Read more…

Received two almost similar requests from German and Indian travelers. The first one asked about the best way of getting to Yakutsk from Seoul (South Korea). Another was curious about the flying route from Almaty (Kazakhstan).

The same issue I had already had with another international guests who eventually arrived to Yakutsk through Novosibirsk. And you know what? I would say that Novosibirsk is currently the best hub (intermediate center) when you plan your trip to so far away region as Yakutia. Yeah, that’s true. Locals even prefer to fly to Moscow via this Siberian city, though there are direct flights. Read more…

As far as you remember, the Kolyma Highway the east part of which is well known as the Road of Bones splits after the settlement of Kyubyume (Kyubeme) into two directions. Further find some new short reports on these routes. Read more…

I have to say

“Clif, thank you very much for your writing and sharing the great report on the journey by the ship “Mechanic Koulibin” down the Lena River from Yakutsk to Tiksi. This is valuable information. I am glad I have friended with you!”

Clif Maberly arrived with his wife from Hong Kong, but they are Australians. I had been keeping contact with Clif before his coming. And you know what? That was him who asked me much about the waterway from Ust-Kut to Yakutsk and from Yakutsk to Tiski by the regular passenger boat.

So, enjoy his informative report written specially for AskYakutia.com. Read more…

Received a message regarding this route from a UK backpacker, who wishes to travel the Road of Bones by a taxi. Here is what he wrote:

Firstly congratulations on your site! This is a truly amazing resource for visitors to Yakutia. Here we can obtain information that would otherwise be impossible to find!

Thanks! : ))

My question is regarding the long distance taxi services in Yakutia. You have given list of eastward destinations, including to Ust-Nera. I am aware that it is not in Yakutia, but do you know if it is possible to continue onward to Magadan? If so, how would you go about this, and do you have any idea of the cost? It will be in January or February. Yes, basically I’m looking to travel the Road of Bones!

And here is my reply: Read more…

So… Two UK adventurous bikers of the Sibirsky Extreme travel motorcycle expedition have just ridden the Kolyma Highway. They had left Yakutsk on Thursday afternoon and arrived in Magadan on Sunday evening. 2100 km, 3.5 days, and 7 tyre changes! What did they say about the federal road?

The road was a little better than the Vilyuisky Trakt, but only a little better. There were still long gravelly sections, the odd sandy patch.

Read more…

I received this question a year ago from Walter, the leader of the Sibirsky Extreme motorcycle expedition. Remember, I wrote to him an answer (check the post Khandyga – Yakutsk – Mirny – Lensk) and something like “Yes, it is possible to ride it through in summer.” Right at the moment two UK bikers of the project are travelling across Yakutia. Btw, spend last three days with them in Yakutsk. Now Walter has its own answer. Very sufficient. He made the ride from Mirny to Yakutsk successfully.

Here is his description: “So what of the Vilyuisky Trakt? – you certainly don’t need to be a hero to ride it. Read more…

Received a big portion of questions from a UK-based TV documentary production company. A production executive wrote in his request:

I’m researching a history/travel series about women travellers, their journeys and achievements. One story I’ve been looking at is about [a Brit nurse] Kate Marsden who travelled on horse back to help the Lepers in the Sakha Republic [in 1890s]. The part of the journey I’d like to do is from Yakutsk to Vilyuisk. I can’t find out much information about this region today outside of Yakutsk and I hoped that you could… advise me on this trip, about the regions, what to see and do etc.

Read more…

Those, who is interested in travelling on the same route by bikes, might want to check the Sibirsky Extreme UK Bikers Expedition’s website Read more…

A Turkish traveller, who is planning to complete the around-the-world lonely trip “Istanbul2Instanbul”, is asking: “Everybody is talking about the danger to cross the Road of Bones alone, however, there are lots making lonely trips with thier motorbikes or cars. Do you think that it is dangerous to be alone on this road? If so, can it be a solution, for example, to go together with a truck which carries goods from Yakutsk to Magadan, if there is any?” Read more…