CHUKOTKA, RUSSIA
Expedition to Chukotka: Chukchi whalers, reindeer herders, and Cape Dezhnev

Pre-trip. August 14, 2022 Flight from your country to Moscow

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For travelers flying from Bangkok, Thailand - take the flight Bangkok (BKK)-Moscow (VKO) 23:00-10:30 (+1 day)

 

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Pre-trip. August 15, 2022 Flight from Moscow to Anadyr

 

On your arrival, transfer to flight UTair Moscow (VKO)-Anadyr (DYR) 19:40-12:50(+1 day)

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Day 1. August 16, 2022. Arrival to Chukotka. Abandoned military base Gudym

 

Arrival in Anadyr at 12:40 pm (UTair flight 533 from Moscow). Meeting with a guide at the airport, crossing the estuary by ferry and entering the city of Anadyr. Check-in in the hotel "Nord" near airport.

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Visiting the abandoned military base Gudym. Gudym, built in late 1950th, served as a nuclear weapon base during the Cold War period and was completely hidden underground. Explore secret tunnels. Picnic at the military base with packed army ration. Local delicacies: red fish, caviar and other. In the evening stories about local rituals and traditions: the ritual of feeding the spirits.

 

Meals: lunch, dinner

Accommodation: hotel "Nord" in double/twin rooms

 

Day 2. August 17, 2022. Anadyr – Laurentius – Lorino

 

After breakfast transfer to the airport. Flight from Anadyr to Laurentius, to the very east of the Chukotka Peninsula.

At the airport meeting with our guide and team leader, professional ethnologist. Registration at the border guard office and lunch in the local café. Walking tour around the village, visiting the local museum.

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Land transfer to Lorino (42 km, 1 hour), photographing tundra along the way. Accommodation at the apartment.

An ethnologist's lecture on the history of whaling on the seashore with a visual study of canoes, harpoons and other whale hunting tools. Dinner (homemade food) and communication with sea mammals hunters in an informal environment.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: apartment

 

Day 3. August 18, 2022. Acquaintance with the culture of the Chukchi in Lorino

 

Participation in the competition of whalers: throwing a harpoon, rowing on a canoe made of walrus skin, knitting.

A visit to the bathhouse, informal communication with hunters.

 

Walking tour around the Lorino village – world capital of whaling. Meeting with representatives of the Inuit and Chukchi cultures, a discussion on issues of intercultural interaction.

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The Chukchi are an indigenous people inhabiting the Chukotka Peninsula and the shores of the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea region of the Arctic Ocean within Russia. They speak the Chukchi language. Chukchi originated from the people living around the Okhotsk Sea. According to most recent genomic research, Chukchi people are the closest cousins of the First Americans in Asia. Chukchi are traditionally divided into the Maritime Chukchi, who had settled homes on the coast and lived primarily from sea mammal hunting, and the Reindeer Chukchi, who lived as nomads in the inland tundra region, migrating seasonally with their herds of reindeer. The Russian name "Chukchi" is derived from the Chukchi word Chauchu ("rich in reindeer"), which was used by the Reindeer Chukchi to distinguish themselves from the Maritime Chukchi, called Anqallyt ("the sea people").

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The Inuit (Eskimo, Yupik) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, Chukotka and Alaska. The Inuit languages are part of the Eskimo-Aleut family. Inuit are the descendants of what anthropologists call the Thule culture, who emerged from western Alaska around 1000 CE. They had split from the related Aleut group about 4,000 years ago and from northeastern Siberian migrants, possibly related to the Chukchi language group, still earlier, descended from the third major migration from Siberia. They spread eastwards across the Arctic.

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Visit to a bone carving workshop, explanation about a traditional craft. Here you can also order souvenirs made of walrus tusk, bone or whalebone. Dinner and overnight in the apartment.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: apartment

 

Day 4. August 19, 2022. Lorino – Reindeer herders camp in tundra

 

After early breakfast, leaving by motor boat or by caterpillar all-terrain vehicles for the reindeer herders brigade (brigade of Neshkan, Yanrakynnot or Lorino, depending on the location of the nomads). The way by boat takes at least 4 hours, by all-terrain vehicle – at least 6 hours and may take even much more, depending on location and road and weather conditions. Taking pictures of tundra on the way.

 

If we travel by sea towards Yanrakynnot, we will stop at the Masik (Mechigmen) "whale alley", where ancient settlements of whalers of the 13th century are located. Here you can still find the remains of so called "jaw dwellings", built in the form of semi-dugouts from the bones of the jaws and ribs of bowhead whales. Picnic en route.

Meeting reindeer herders and sharing gifts. Dinner from venison and food of reindeer herders. Master classes on cooking dishes from venison. Talking with reindeer herders, stories about life in tundra around the fireplace. Lecture on the traditional exchange between reindeer herders and marine hunters. Night in sleeping bags in traditional yaranga in a very basic conditions.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: yaranga (traditional Chukchi dwelling).

 

Day 5. August 20, 2022. Reindeer herders camp in tundra – Lorino

 

Breakfast with reindeed herders. We spend first half of the day in the camp of reindeer herders, participating in the life of the reindeer herders' brigade. Trip to the herd. Master class on lassoing. Return to Lorino, lunch.

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Visit Lorino hot springs in the tundra halfway from Lorino to Laurentius. Bathing in the springs and return to the village for spending the night at an apartment.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: apartment

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Day 6. August 21, 2022. Dezhnev Cape - the easternmost point of Eurasia and the ancient Eskimo settlement of Naukan

 

After breakfast we will travel to the End of the World. We will make a sea trip to the northernmost part of the Bering Sea, pass through the raging waters of the Bering Strait, and if weather permits, we will go out to the Chukotka Sea relating to the waters of the Arctic Ocean. Here is our main goal - Cape Dezhnev, the extreme eastern point of Russia and the entire continent of Eurasia. In good weather and visibility, you can see not only the outlines of the islands of Ratmanov (Russia) and Kruzenshtern (USA), but also the mainland coast of America - Alaska. If weather permits, we go until Uelen – another settlement located on the northern part of Chukotka Peninsula.

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On the way we will observe gray whales beating their tails, walruses in the water and sometimes at rookery and numerous bird colonies.

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We will go ashore in the immediate vicinity of Cape Dezhnev, where there is a monument to Semyon Dezhnev, the discoverer of the strait between Eurasia and America. His notes were published only after his death, a hundred years after he discovered the strait, so all the laurels went to Bering, who saw the strait seventy years later, and Dezhnev just got the name of the cape.

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There is also the ancient Eskimo settlement of Naukan of the 11-12th century and the Ekven burial ground dating back to the 2nd century BC. This place, with the remains of half-dugouts of dwellings and utility rooms of the Eskimos: built with stone and whale bones, is located in a stunningly beautiful place and makes an extremely strong impression, atmospherically surpassing the famous Cape Roca in Portugal, located on the opposite end of Eurasia.

Lunch at the easternmost point of Eurasia, next to the Dezhnev monument and the border service point.

Return to Lorino.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: apartment

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Day 7. August 22, 2022. Chukchi whale hunting in Lorino

 

After early breakfast, boat trip for observation of gray whales and observation of the full process of traditional whaling craft. We will witness distribution of the whale meat among local population. Traditional hunting for whales is officially permitted among the Chukchi people, within allocated quotas, which amounts to about 120 – 140 gray whales and 2-4 Greenland whales a year. Lunch made of meat of sea animals.

 

Walking tour around the village. Dinner and ethnologist lecture on the history of the development of Chukotka.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: apartment

* As an option, at extra fee, concert of folklore group.

 

Day 8. August 23, 2022. Walrus traditional hunting in Akkani

 

Early departure to the old settlement of Akkani. We visit old abandoned village of Akkani which now serves as a hunters' base for the local community. Akkani is located in a picturesque bay with numerous whale skulls and bones along the coast.

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Observation of traditional hunting of indigenous people for pinnipeds. Demonstration of traditional cutting pinnipeds, tasting of cooked dishes from walrus meat. Lunch made of meat of sea animals, mushrooms and berries.

After a walk around the area we return to Lorino. Farewell dinner.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: apartment

 

Day 9. August 24, 2022. Lorino – Laurentius – Anadyr

 

After early breakfast, visiting the office of the territorial-neighbors community of sea mammals hunters during the morning meeting. Say goodbye to the hunters. Buying souvenirs and transfer to the airport of Laurentius, say goodbye to the ethnologist. Flight to Anadyr.

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Ferry through the Liman to the city, check-in at the Anadyr hotel. Lunch.

 

Observation of salmon fishing on the shore of the traditional Chukchi village Tavayvaam. Dinner.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: hotel "Anadyr"

 

Day 10. August 25, 2022. Anadyr

 

After breakfast we go for city tour (monuments of Grinevetsky, Rytkheu, Mandrikov, St. Nicholas) and an observation point overlooking Anadyr. Visiting of the Chukotka Heritage Museum.

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After lunch, we will walk to the passengers' pier, where at low tide beluga whales and seals catch salmon, staying against the current in the estuary. Photographing white whales and seals.

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Farewell dinner. Performance of a folk group: throat singing or dancing.

 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: hotel "Anadyr"

 

Day 11. August 26, 2022. Return flight

 

After breakfast buying of souvenirs and crossing the estuary. Transfer to the airport and take the flight Anadyr - Moscow 15:30-15:00 UTair (UT 534). Another flight onward to your destination/ home country.

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Meals: breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: no

 

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

** The program depends on the local flights schedule and availability of flying weather.

 

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Includes:

 

• Domestic flights from Anadyr to Laurentius (roundtrip)

• Round-trip tickets from Moscow to Anadyr

• Transportation costs in Chukotka (transfers, taxi, ferries, boats, all-terrain vehicles)

• Twin/double accommodation in hotels and apartments,

• Accommodation in yaranga

• Full board meals

• Permit to the border zone

• Entry to the national park zones (payments and permits),

• Tickets to the museums

• All activities and visits according to the program

• English and Thai speaking team leader from Saga Expeditions

• English and Russian speaking guide, local guides

• English and Russian speaking guide - ethnologist and team leader in Lorino

• Ethnologist's lectures about Chukotka in Lorino

 

Excludes:

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• Round-trip tickets from your country to Moscow, Russia

• Medical insurance,

• Russian visa (if required),

• Additional extra food, alcohol and souvenirs,

• Additional optional activities which are not listed in the program.

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What to bring:

 

• Wear sets fitting weather conditions, including summer wear (trousers, T-shirts, long sleeve shirts) and warm wear (fleece, jamper),

• warm windstopper jacket

• thermal underwear

• hats for all types of weather: baseball cap/hat/suncap and windstop warm hat for sea journeys

• windstopper gloves

• buff

• swimsuits

• raincoat

• comfortable closed trekking footwear (with membrane) and comfortable light shoes (snickers) for walking

• rubber boots (up to you)

• sleeping bag for 0 degree

• anti mosquito net for sleeping (up to you)

• personal hygiene items: towel, wet tissues

• personal medical kit (analgesics, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, your personal medications)

• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap) and wind protection means

• facial anti mosquito net (up to you)

• repellents: sprays, creams

• big backpack for stuff

• small backpack for radial walks (25-30 liters)

• forehead torch

• thermos (up to you)

• photo and video camera, spare batteries

• dry bag for camera and documents (up to you)

• insurance confirmation copy

 

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Visa: Thai passport holders have a visa-free access to Russia. For other passports, please contact our team for advise.

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Recommended flights:

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Round-trip flight Bangkok-Moscow-Bangkok (~32,568 THB)

• 14 August 2022 Bangkok (BKK)-Moscow (VKO) 23:00-10:30 (+1 day) Turkish Airlines (TK 69/TK 413)

• 26 August 2022 Moscow (VKO)-Bangkok (BKK) 20:05-15:25 (+1 day) Turkish Airlines (TK 416/ TK 68)

 

*Flights are subject to change

 

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Saga club discount:

 

You are automatically offered our club membership after your first expedition. The following discount applies: 3% on 2nd trip, 5% on 3rd trip, 7% on 4th trip or 10% all after. This cannot be combined with the early bird discount. 

 

Payment & Deposit:

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• 35% deposit payment is required for reserving your spots

• Balance payment is due 60 days before the departure date. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of booking.

• If the booking is made within 60 days of departure date, full payment is required. 

 

Cancellation policy:

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• In any case of cancellation, 20% of deposit payment is refundable or the whole amount can be kept as credits for any other Saga expeditions within 2 years of cancellation date. 

• In any case of cancellation, if full payment is made, a full refund will be issued minus 10% cancellation fee and any cost to the third parties.

• If the cancellation is due to COVID19, a full refund will be issued minus any cost incurred. We always attempt to maximize the refund for our client’s benefit! 

• In the event of premature departure during the expedition for any reasons, no refund will be issued. 

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Important note:

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All of our expeditions take you through one of the most challenging roads in the world. While the Saga team endeavors to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered as an approximate agenda of activities rather than a rigid schedule. Trip itineraries are subject to last-minute, and on-the-ground revision due to weather, road conditions, government and local restrictions, and other reasons beyond our control. Note that the order of visits and excursions can be modified according to local conditions (i.e. state of roads, market days, etc.). If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible. Your safety is always our first priority!