Thanks to my writing about Yakutia for international readers, I have a unique opportunity to communicate with very interesting people. One of them is Rob Lilwall, a travel cyclist of London. Five years ago, he decided to embark on the journey of his life.
Bored of his work as a geography teacher in England, Rob eventually packed his panniers and took his bike for an adventure. He flew as far from England as possible. To Magadan. That was where he and his old school friend, Al Humphreys, hit the Road of Bones. It was the end of September and the beginning of a Siberian winter. At that point everything seemed perfect.
A month after he wrote Read more…
If you have been thinking about hunting in Yakutia in autumn, check out the pictures of what it can be. Read more…
That’s great news. Czech OFF SIBERIA adventure motorcyclists Tomáš Holman and Eva Krečová, who are traveling across Russia on one BMW bike, allowed me to post their travel photos taken on the Road of Bones this summer. They rode from Yakutsk to Magadan via the old route Kyubeme – Tomtor – Kadykchan (Magadan Oblast).
In a previous post 2009 August Road Report: the condition of the Kolyma Highway (the Road of Bones) in Oymyakonsky Ulus I gave information on the current road condition using some Tomas and Eva’s report. This time I am up to show pictures of how it looked like. Read more…
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…
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…
Another request arrived from the USA was very specific. About the ways of travelling from Yakutsk to Tiksi in September 2009. Read more…
Checked my mail archive and found out the answer to the question received from a globetrotter. He asked about the availability of flight from Magadan to Anadyr.
That inquiry regarded to Magadan Oblast! Not about Yakutia. But… I wasn’t surprised at all. I am writing much about the way to Magadan, so people thought, maybe, I knew anything related to the neighbor area. Well, I recommended him to get in touch with DVS Tour. Later he came back with the info. Here it is. 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…
