Chukotka - Winter Expedition in the Russian Arctic
To the last Caribou Nomads and Eskimos of Siberia
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16 day Expedition through untouched regions of NE-Siberia
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from the Pacific to the Polar Ocean by snow-cat and motor-sledge
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remote landscapes, fascinating wilderness
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personal contacts with Chukchis and Eskimos
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Polar Bears
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Chukotka, the unknown country on the Russian side of the Bering Strait. On the other side: Alaska. Always one day behind, because our days begin in Chukotka.
A very unaccessible region. Few cruiseships were allowed short stopovers in some settlements in the past. We are going to explore the unknown interior, shall be visiting the Chukchis, the nomads of the Arctic, and the Asian Eskimos. This journey offers an ideal mixture of nature, culture and adventure.
A very unaccessible region. Few cruiseships were allowed short stopovers in some settlements in the past. We are going to explore the unknown interior, shall be visiting the Chukchis, the nomads of the Arctic, and the Asian Eskimos. This journey offers an ideal mixture of nature, culture and adventure.
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1. day:
Flight to Moscow and continueing flight to Chukotka at the Pacific.
2. day:
Arrival at noon, transfer to the city of Anadyr, the capital of Chukotka.
On the way we'll cross the frozen Anadyr Bay. Check-In in Hotel Anadyr***, lunch in the city, preliminary information on the routing of the expedition. In the afternoon: guided tour through the city. Visit of the ethnological museum, introduction into the culture of the Chukchi.
Flight to Moscow and continueing flight to Chukotka at the Pacific.
2. day:
Arrival at noon, transfer to the city of Anadyr, the capital of Chukotka.
On the way we'll cross the frozen Anadyr Bay. Check-In in Hotel Anadyr***, lunch in the city, preliminary information on the routing of the expedition. In the afternoon: guided tour through the city. Visit of the ethnological museum, introduction into the culture of the Chukchi.
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3. day:
After breakfast: we'll receive our personal winter stuff, special attire and other equipment. Introduction into the use of the motor-sledges and into safety measures. After that explicit schooling of every participant with the scooters. Lateron we'll test our equipment and scooter skills. If possible we'll visit the university in the afternoon and talk with the students abourt life conditions in Chukotka.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel
After breakfast: we'll receive our personal winter stuff, special attire and other equipment. Introduction into the use of the motor-sledges and into safety measures. After that explicit schooling of every participant with the scooters. Lateron we'll test our equipment and scooter skills. If possible we'll visit the university in the afternoon and talk with the students abourt life conditions in Chukotka.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel
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4. day:
We start the expedition, shall drive through snowy tundra to the Eskimo settlement Uelkal at the Bering Sea. Depending on the snow conditions and the scooter skills of our expedition members, this initial drive may take 10 to 12 hours (170 km). For safety reasons we are accompanied by a track-vehicle (snow-cat). We'll stop repeatedly on the way, to warm up or to take photographs, we also take a short lunch. Anyone, who feels too cold, may warm up inside the snow-cat.
In Uelkal we'll be welcomed by the local Culture Club.
Dinner and overnight in the clubhouse
We start the expedition, shall drive through snowy tundra to the Eskimo settlement Uelkal at the Bering Sea. Depending on the snow conditions and the scooter skills of our expedition members, this initial drive may take 10 to 12 hours (170 km). For safety reasons we are accompanied by a track-vehicle (snow-cat). We'll stop repeatedly on the way, to warm up or to take photographs, we also take a short lunch. Anyone, who feels too cold, may warm up inside the snow-cat.
In Uelkal we'll be welcomed by the local Culture Club.
Dinner and overnight in the clubhouse
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5. day:
We continue our journey after breakfast: an easy drive with the scooters through flat tundra and across the frozen sea. The distance today: 100 km (4 - 6 hours). In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Egvekinot. We'll be accommodated in comfortable bungalows, get some orientation in the village and shall visit the museum with interesting exhibitions on the ethnography, geology and history of the area. The museum staff will also explain political facts, e.g. the significance of the settlement during World War II, about later GULAGs and the life of its inmates.
We continue our journey after breakfast: an easy drive with the scooters through flat tundra and across the frozen sea. The distance today: 100 km (4 - 6 hours). In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Egvekinot. We'll be accommodated in comfortable bungalows, get some orientation in the village and shall visit the museum with interesting exhibitions on the ethnography, geology and history of the area. The museum staff will also explain political facts, e.g. the significance of the settlement during World War II, about later GULAGs and the life of its inmates.
6. day:
We start with the skidoos to and exploratory drive to the surroundings: a majestic mountainous landscape. We may also undertake a hike
with snow-shoes and return to Egvekinot in the afternoon.
Overnight in bungalows.
7. day:
We will drive to Amguema (90 km) on a road, which has been built by GULAG-prisoners. Anguema is the centre of the caribou Chukchi. We'll arrive in the afternoon. In the evening we'll see a Folklore show of the local dance-group. Overnight in a public building .
We start with the skidoos to and exploratory drive to the surroundings: a majestic mountainous landscape. We may also undertake a hike
with snow-shoes and return to Egvekinot in the afternoon.
Overnight in bungalows.
7. day:
We will drive to Amguema (90 km) on a road, which has been built by GULAG-prisoners. Anguema is the centre of the caribou Chukchi. We'll arrive in the afternoon. In the evening we'll see a Folklore show of the local dance-group. Overnight in a public building .
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8. day:
The destination for this day is a winter camp of the Chukchi in the open tundra. We'll arrive at noon and shall be accommodated in a "Yaranga", the traditional tent. In the afternoon we may accompany the natives to their caribou-herds In the evening we'll meet the locals and listen to them in the shine of an open fire. The traditional dinner will be served: caribou-meat! Overnight in sleeping-bags, inside the Yarangas.
9. day:
We get up early in the morning and accompany the men to their herds. We'll learn how the caribous are being captured and hitched to a sledge. Everyone may try his skills to drive a caribou-sledge.
Breakfast after this excursion. In the afternoon we start our way back to Amguema. After arrival we may enjoy a hot "Banya" (Russian sauna).
Dinner and overnight in the administration building of Amguema.
10. day:
We leave our skidoos behind and continue with the snow-cats to Vankarem at the Polar Ocean (200 km, 10 hours). This is an Eskimo-settlement, along the coast of the so-called "Chukchian Sea". Lunch on the way. Arrival in Vankarem in the evening, opportunity to relax in the banya.
Overnight in the school of Vankarem.
The destination for this day is a winter camp of the Chukchi in the open tundra. We'll arrive at noon and shall be accommodated in a "Yaranga", the traditional tent. In the afternoon we may accompany the natives to their caribou-herds In the evening we'll meet the locals and listen to them in the shine of an open fire. The traditional dinner will be served: caribou-meat! Overnight in sleeping-bags, inside the Yarangas.
9. day:
We get up early in the morning and accompany the men to their herds. We'll learn how the caribous are being captured and hitched to a sledge. Everyone may try his skills to drive a caribou-sledge.
Breakfast after this excursion. In the afternoon we start our way back to Amguema. After arrival we may enjoy a hot "Banya" (Russian sauna).
Dinner and overnight in the administration building of Amguema.
10. day:
We leave our skidoos behind and continue with the snow-cats to Vankarem at the Polar Ocean (200 km, 10 hours). This is an Eskimo-settlement, along the coast of the so-called "Chukchian Sea". Lunch on the way. Arrival in Vankarem in the evening, opportunity to relax in the banya.
Overnight in the school of Vankarem.
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11. day:
The whole day is reserved to explore the hunting grounds of these Inuit. Probably we'll also observe Polar Bears on the way. We are being guided by a local hunter, who knows the habits of the bears at its best. He's a member of one the WWF's Polar Bear patrols and will tell us all about the Arctic animals, the Inuit and their way of life as hunters, depending exclusively on sea-mammals. In the evening we'll meet the natives, listen to their tellings, their legends and exchange opinions.
Overnight in the school of Vankarem
The whole day is reserved to explore the hunting grounds of these Inuit. Probably we'll also observe Polar Bears on the way. We are being guided by a local hunter, who knows the habits of the bears at its best. He's a member of one the WWF's Polar Bear patrols and will tell us all about the Arctic animals, the Inuit and their way of life as hunters, depending exclusively on sea-mammals. In the evening we'll meet the natives, listen to their tellings, their legends and exchange opinions.
Overnight in the school of Vankarem
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12. day:
After breakfast we'll say good bye to these hospitable people and begin the long tour back to Amguema. Lunch on the way. Arrival in the evening, dinner and overnight in a public building.
After breakfast we'll say good bye to these hospitable people and begin the long tour back to Amguema. Lunch on the way. Arrival in the evening, dinner and overnight in a public building.
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13. day:
We load our skidoos after breakfast and start a long but magnificent ride through fascinating winterly landscapes via Egvekinot to Uelkal. The last miles will follow the coast of the Pacific. We may visit a big radar installation on the way, a relict from Cold War. In Uelkal we'll get another opportunity to experience traditional Chukchi dances and folklore in the evening.
Overnight in Culture Clubhouse.
We load our skidoos after breakfast and start a long but magnificent ride through fascinating winterly landscapes via Egvekinot to Uelkal. The last miles will follow the coast of the Pacific. We may visit a big radar installation on the way, a relict from Cold War. In Uelkal we'll get another opportunity to experience traditional Chukchi dances and folklore in the evening.
Overnight in Culture Clubhouse.
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14. day:
Finally another long ride of 9-11 hours to Anadyr. Lunch on the way. Arrival in the evening Farewell dinner with our accompanying staff. Overnight in Hotel Anadyr.
15. day:
After breakfast we'll meet a musher, who tells us all about his team and instructs us a bit to drive with a dog-sledge. You may try yourself, how far you'll get.
Afternoon is free for shopping souvenirs in Anadyr. Overnight in Hotel Anadyr.
Finally another long ride of 9-11 hours to Anadyr. Lunch on the way. Arrival in the evening Farewell dinner with our accompanying staff. Overnight in Hotel Anadyr.
15. day:
After breakfast we'll meet a musher, who tells us all about his team and instructs us a bit to drive with a dog-sledge. You may try yourself, how far you'll get.
Afternoon is free for shopping souvenirs in Anadyr. Overnight in Hotel Anadyr.
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16. day:
There is still an opportunity for shopping in the morning. After lunch transfer to the airport, flight to Moscaow and connercting flight to Frankfurt. Arrival in Frankfurt is late on the same day.
There is still an opportunity for shopping in the morning. After lunch transfer to the airport, flight to Moscaow and connercting flight to Frankfurt. Arrival in Frankfurt is late on the same day.
Kindly take note:
Early booking is necessary! For Chukotka there are special Visa-requirements. You'll get the forms with the confirmation of your booking. You need a passport, which is still valid at least six month after the tour.
Average-temperatures in April are between -10 to -35 degrees Celsius. The journey leads into a region with almost no touristic infrastructure.
You have to be aware: the comfort is very basic. You may NOT expect your accustomed standards!
Important is: The routing is highly dependent on the actual snow- and weather-conditions. No-one can guarantee a fixed itinerary. Changes of the routing might occur and be necessary anytime. You are ready to acknowledge to this condition and you are willing to adapt to the pace, which is given to us by nature.
You are also ready to actively cooperate with your co-participants in all necessary activities. Our Russian partners and the native locals are equal to us, they are NOT our servants! We want the expedition to be successful, that's why we all have to contribute our share.
Are you qualified?
You should be healthy and regularly do some kind of sports. We expect, that you have outdoor-experience. Driving a snow scooter is easy. However the scooter rides are partially long and strenous. You should be ready to drive your own vehicle alternately with another expedition member.
Patience and psychic calmness are important psychic characteristics in the Arctic!
You should be equipped with it!
Early booking is necessary! For Chukotka there are special Visa-requirements. You'll get the forms with the confirmation of your booking. You need a passport, which is still valid at least six month after the tour.
Average-temperatures in April are between -10 to -35 degrees Celsius. The journey leads into a region with almost no touristic infrastructure.
You have to be aware: the comfort is very basic. You may NOT expect your accustomed standards!
Important is: The routing is highly dependent on the actual snow- and weather-conditions. No-one can guarantee a fixed itinerary. Changes of the routing might occur and be necessary anytime. You are ready to acknowledge to this condition and you are willing to adapt to the pace, which is given to us by nature.
You are also ready to actively cooperate with your co-participants in all necessary activities. Our Russian partners and the native locals are equal to us, they are NOT our servants! We want the expedition to be successful, that's why we all have to contribute our share.
Are you qualified?
You should be healthy and regularly do some kind of sports. We expect, that you have outdoor-experience. Driving a snow scooter is easy. However the scooter rides are partially long and strenous. You should be ready to drive your own vehicle alternately with another expedition member.
Patience and psychic calmness are important psychic characteristics in the Arctic!
You should be equipped with it!
What is included:
- Flights (Economy Class) from/to Munich,
If you would like to join out of Moscow or Alaska, kindly get in touch with us.
- all transfers
- German/English speaking guide,
- English speaking local guides,
- accommodation according to program,
- full board from/to Anadyr,
- motor-sledge, incl. fuel, 2 participants share one sledge
- snow-cat according to program
- winter-overall, helmet, boots, gloves, storm-cap
- Cultural program as indicated,
- museum entrance fees
- airport taxes
Not included:
- Visa fees
- food and beverages in Moscow and Anadyr
- additional hotel overnights (if necessary), which are not indicated in the program
- beverages, tips, personal expenses
- obligatory insurance package (health and rescue-insurance etc. - valid only for EU-members)
- other insurances
- additional charges of airline for fuel or the like
- Flights (Economy Class) from/to Munich,
If you would like to join out of Moscow or Alaska, kindly get in touch with us.
- all transfers
- German/English speaking guide,
- English speaking local guides,
- accommodation according to program,
- full board from/to Anadyr,
- motor-sledge, incl. fuel, 2 participants share one sledge
- snow-cat according to program
- winter-overall, helmet, boots, gloves, storm-cap
- Cultural program as indicated,
- museum entrance fees
- airport taxes
Not included:
- Visa fees
- food and beverages in Moscow and Anadyr
- additional hotel overnights (if necessary), which are not indicated in the program
- beverages, tips, personal expenses
- obligatory insurance package (health and rescue-insurance etc. - valid only for EU-members)
- other insurances
- additional charges of airline for fuel or the like
Number of participants:
min 5, max. 12 persons
Dates:
we will not conduct this tour in 2012
Price:
from Munich:
11.200,- $US
8.250,- €
from other cities pls. inquire
Extra Charges:
*) Surcharge 400,- € for this date. The advantage:
- one motor-sledge per person, which is much more comfortable
- max. number of participants: 5
- slightly different day-program with the opportunity to stay longer in the Chukchi-camp.
- no noisy snow-trucks
Single room: 395,- €
Single rooms can not be guaranteed
min 5, max. 12 persons
Dates:
we will not conduct this tour in 2012
Price:
from Munich:
11.200,- $US
8.250,- €
from other cities pls. inquire
Extra Charges:
*) Surcharge 400,- € for this date. The advantage:
- one motor-sledge per person, which is much more comfortable
- max. number of participants: 5
- slightly different day-program with the opportunity to stay longer in the Chukchi-camp.
- no noisy snow-trucks
Single room: 395,- €
Single rooms can not be guaranteed
If interested in this expedition, kindly