Chukotka - Winter Expedition in the Russian Arctic    Pilot Tour

Chukotka, the unknown country at the Bering Strait, lies in the very east of Russia, directly on the date line. The day begins here! Further east lies Alaska, which is at the same time still yesterday.
Until recently, only a few coastal towns of Chukotka were open for cruise tourism. We want to explore the interior, visit the Chukchi, the nomads of the Arctic and the Eskimos of Asia.
This is an unforgettable journey. It leads through enchanting landscapes and offers an almost ideal mixture of rare nature and cultural experiences, in addition the adventure

1. day:
Flight to Moscow, afternoon free for city sightseeing
Overnight in hotel

2. day:
Flight to Chukotka at the Pacific.

3. 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, In the afternoon: guided tour through the city.

4. day:
After breakfast: we'll drive to the airport again. Short flight over the ice gazing tundra to Egvekinot. The small town is the adminstrative center of the Iultin region. Founded in 1946 as a port to supply a gold mining complex in the interior. It also serves as ski center nowadays: We stroll through the village and shall visit the museum. It presents not only a very interesting exhibition of the Chukchee material culture, but also calls to mind the terrible hardships of war prisoners, who forcibly built the infrastructure.
If we are lucky, we may attend a dancing and music performance by local folk groups in the evening. Accommodation in cotttages (3 rooms).

5. day:
We start the expedition and drive about 90 kilometers on a road built by GULAG prisoners to the village Anguema, which is the central settlement of the reindeer Chukchee. We'll use an all-terrain vehicle called Trekol.
We pass a monument, indicating that we were crossing the Polar circle and at the same time the 180 degrees Meridian. We are thus entering the region of endless nights during winter and endles polar days during summer. This is also the date border, where a new day begins and the previous day ends. Imagine: If you step from the monument towards the East you are stepping back to yesterday.
We take lunch in Anguema and continue with the search of a winter camp of the native reindeer herders somewhere in the tundra. They always follow their herds, staying where their animals still can dig out some food from under the snow.

We are finally welcomed by several families in a "Yaranga", the traditional tent of the Chukchi. Depending on the time of arrival, we can accompany our hosts on the evening inspection tour to the herd of about 3000 animals and are later invited to dinner in the "Tschottagin". The Tschottagin is the relatively cool unheated room of the Jaranga, where people cook and eat. For the night's rest we retreat to the "Polog", the separated sleeping area of the Yaranga, surrounded by skins, where up to 5 people can sleep on an area of 2.5 x 2m. The thick reindeer skins of Polog insulate so well that our body heat and two lit candles are enough to bring the room temperature to +20°C, while outside in the tundra temperatures can reach -30°C. Overnight stay in sleeping bags.

6.- 10. day:
Live with the Chukchi, eating and sleeping in their Yarangas.
There will be no fixed itinerary for these days. Guests will merely observe and take part in the daily lives of these people and immerse themselves in this ancient culture. Daily life could include herding reindeer (up to 3,000 in one herd), lassoing reindeer with reindeer rawhide lassoes, migrating to another campsite, collecting ice or snow for water, making new sledges, sewing fur clothing, and so on. We also share with them their food (mostly caribou meat) and try to adopt a little from this ancient life-style. We'll learn how the caribous are being captured and hitched to a sledge. Everyone may try his skills to drive a caribou-sledge. In the evenings we'll meet the locals and listen to them in the shine of an open fire.

There is also a possibility to reach the Eskimo settlement Vankarem at the Polar Ocean during these days. This tour is optional. The price has to be negoiated in forehand in Egvekinot, depending on the available vehicles, either snow scooters or snow cats.
The ride is strenous and takes a minimum of ten hours one way (200 km).. Recommended only for the fittest in the group.
In the vicinity of Vankarem you'll have a good chance to see polar bears.

11. day:
Early breakfast: We say Good Bye to our hospitable guest families and start our way back to Amguema and further to Egvekinot.
After arrival we may enjoy a hot "Banya" (Russian sauna). After that: Dinner
Overnight in cottages

12. day:
Taxi to the airport. Departure Egvekinot- Anadyr.
Crossing over the estuary.
Afternoon is free for shopping souvenirs in Anadyr. Overnight in Hotel Anadyr.

13. day:
Reserve day
Visit to the museum
Farewell dinner at the restaurant
Concert of the National Folklore Group

14. day:
Crossing the frozen river to the airport
Excursion to Gudym. Picnic.
Flight to Moscow and final destination
Arrival in Frankfurt is late 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 March 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 as it is outlined here. 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.
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 or Frankfurt to Anadyr
If you would like to join out of Moscow or Alaska, kindly get in touch with us.
- permit in the border zone
- German/English speaking guide,
- English speaking local guide,
- local flight
- accommodation according to program,
- full board from/to Anadyr,
- rent of terrain vehicles (except for the optional program)
- special rental boots and snowscooter suits
- 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
- special equipment like expedition gloves sleepingbags etc.
- obligatory insurance package (health-insurance)
- other insurances
- additional charges of airline for fuel or the like

Number of participants:
min 4, max. 6 persons

Price:
 5.995 - € from/to Moscow

from Munich:or Frankfurt: surcharge approx. 350,- €
(includes flight and one additional overnight in Moscow on the return)

from other cities pls. inquire

Extra Charges::
Single room: 395,- €
Single rooms can not be guaranteed

Dates:
10.3. - 22.3. 2019 from/to Moscow
09.3. - 23.3. from other places in Europe

If interested in this expedition, kindly