Expedition with Alex Mzungu and professional Chuckchi mushers by dog sleds to the Cape Dezhnev with the expert of Russian geographical society and professional ethnographer
CHUKOTKA
April 19 – 29, 2027
Chukotka, Russia
* IN COLLABORATION WITH RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
April 19 – 29, 2027
Chukotka, Russia
* IN COLLABORATION WITH RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
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winter tour to Chukotka with ethnologist expedition to reindeer herders tour stay in yaranga tundra polar bears photo tour Chukchi sea mammals hunters Dezhnev Cape dog sleds Russian Arctic
Find yourself in the place where day turns into night, where distance from the eastern hemisphere to the western one is only one step, where the cultures of the Chukchi reindeer herders and Inuit sea mammals' hunters survive in the polar tundra.
Feel like a true discoverer: explore Chukotka Peninsula in the role of musher, reach the easternmost part of Eurasia – Cape Dezhnev, and glance from Siberia to America.
This is a very authentic expedition. In addition to winter polar weather and traditional cultures, we will have a chance to see the northern lights and polar bears.
We will be led by Chukchi mushers, participants and winners of famous Beringia and Nadezhda dog sled races and noted in Guinness Book of world records.
In the joint expedition of MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS and Russian geographical society, the team is accompanied by team leader Alex Kolbov (Mzungu), the expert of the Russian Geographical Society, and the professional ethnographer, practicing scientist in the field of indigenous tribes of Chukotka.
Participants of the expedition will be able to observe how scientists work in the field, collect ethnographic materials, and listen to a series of lectures by the scientists. The lectures will cover topics such as the history of development of Chukotka, the history of traditional whaling, traditional exchanges between reindeer herders and sea mammal hunters, the nomadic culture of the Chukchi, dog breeding culture in Chukotka and others.
All participants will learn to see culture from the outside and inside, combining the view of a representative of the local community and an outsider.
The results of the research and impressions are expected to be presented at a seminar at the RGS Headquarters in St. Petersburg and in scientific publications.
Feel like a true discoverer: explore Chukotka Peninsula in the role of musher, reach the easternmost part of Eurasia – Cape Dezhnev, and glance from Siberia to America.
This is a very authentic expedition. In addition to winter polar weather and traditional cultures, we will have a chance to see the northern lights and polar bears.
We will be led by Chukchi mushers, participants and winners of famous Beringia and Nadezhda dog sled races and noted in Guinness Book of world records.
In the joint expedition of MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS and Russian geographical society, the team is accompanied by team leader Alex Kolbov (Mzungu), the expert of the Russian Geographical Society, and the professional ethnographer, practicing scientist in the field of indigenous tribes of Chukotka.
Participants of the expedition will be able to observe how scientists work in the field, collect ethnographic materials, and listen to a series of lectures by the scientists. The lectures will cover topics such as the history of development of Chukotka, the history of traditional whaling, traditional exchanges between reindeer herders and sea mammal hunters, the nomadic culture of the Chukchi, dog breeding culture in Chukotka and others.
All participants will learn to see culture from the outside and inside, combining the view of a representative of the local community and an outsider.
The results of the research and impressions are expected to be presented at a seminar at the RGS Headquarters in St. Petersburg and in scientific publications.
©️ MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS / Alexey Kolbov, 2021
SCHEDULE AND COST:
Dates: April 19 – 29, 2027
* The dates of the expedition can be shifted 1 week back or forward, depending on the spring schedule of ChukotAvia Airlines’ domestic flights in Chukotka, as well as depending on the dates of the annual Nadezhda dog sled race (mushers and dogs participating in our expedition, must also participate in the Nadezhda race).
The final dates of the expedition will be determined upon receipt of information on the flight schedule and the dates of the Nadezhda race, in any case no later than in January 2027.
Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 9
Cost of participation per person (based on double occupancy):
- 719,000 rubles for 9 participants, or
- 749,000 rubles for 8 participants, or
- 799,000 rubles for 7 participants.
Early Booking Discount: 10% (valid for bookings made before October 19, 2026)
Everything included except for:
Estimated cost of the Moscow-Anadyr-Moscow flight: around 40,000 ruble
Single supplement: on request (available only in hotels and only when places are available).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: PHOTO TOUR TO CHUKOTKA
Day 1. April 19, 2027 (Monday). UGOLNYE KOPI – GUDYM – ANADYR
Arrival in Anadyr. Airport pick-up. Document processing, passport control and collecting the luggage.
Lunch in a canteen (option: picnic if we are late for the canteen which is the only one in the town).
Excursion to the abandoned Gudym Strategic Rocket Forces military base. A unique Cold War monument – an underground nuclear warhead storage facility and command post. Accompanied by a local guide, an expert on the site.
Crossing to the Anadyr city over the frozen estuary.
Accommodation in the hotel Anadyr or in the apartments in Anadyr.
Gala dinner.
*Recommended flight:
- direct from Moscow to Anadyr with Aeroflot, departure from Moscow on April 18 at 19:35 with arrival in Anadyr at 12:25 pm on April 19,
- or any other flight from Moscow or another city arriving in Anadyr no later than 12:30 pm on April 19.
Meals included: lunch (picnic), dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Anadyr or apartment
Day 2. April 20, 2027 (Tuesday). ANADYR
Breakfast. First thing, we will visit the "Heritage of Chukotka" Museum Center, where we will explore the unique history, culture of indigenous peoples, and nature of the region.
Next — lunch in the city on your choice, to recharge before the tour.
In the afternoon, we will set out on a city sightseeing tour and explore its surroundings: we will see the monument to the first head of Chukotka, Leonid Grinivetsky, at Cape Anadyrsky; the monument to the famous Chukchi writer Yuri Rytkheu on the shore of the estuary; the monument for Revolution commissioner of Chukotka on the central square; and the world's largest active wooden Orthodox church — the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which houses a monument to its heavenly patron, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
A lecture by an ethnographer on the history of the development of Chukotka.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: "Hotel Anadyr or apartment
Day 3. April 21, 2027 (Wednesday). ANADYR – LAURENTIUS – INCHOUN
Breakfast, transfer to the airport, crossing estuary.
Flight from Anadyr to Laurentia, to the easternmost part of the Chukotka Peninsula.
Lunch in the village of Laurencia or picnic on the way.
Overland transfer by TRECOL off-road vehicle to the coast of the Arctic Ocean to the village of Inchoun (90 km, 3-4 hours), photographing the tundra along the way.
Arrival, accommodation in the local houses of the mushers or in the school.
Dinner – home cooking, traditional food of coastal residents.
Meeting with the representatives of the Chuckchi-Inuit community of sea mammals’ hunters, discussion on intercultural interaction issues.
Story about local rituals and traditions. Ritual of feeding the spirits.
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").
Meals included: breakfast, lunch (picnic), dinner
Accommodation included: the house of mushers or in the school
Day 4. April 22, 2027 (Thursday). INCHOUN
Breakfast and excursion around the village. Master class "musher school" - acquaintance with dogs, learning the basic skills of managing a dog sled. Test drives.
Each person manages their own dog sled, accompanied by an experienced musher instructor. We work with Chukotka's best mushers — participants and winners of the Nadezhda race — who continue the traditions of their ancestors and carefully preserve the unique Chukotka sled dog breed.
Weather permitting – a trip to the ice edge with sea mammal hunters and observation of traditional hunting for seals or fishing.
A lecture by ethnographer on the dog breeding culture in Chukotka.
Overnight stay in the house of mushers or in the school, preparation for the race.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: the house of mushers or in the school
Day 5. April 23, 2027 (Friday). INCHOUN – UELEN
Dog sled transfer from Inchoun to Uelen (about 30 km, 2 – 4 hours) along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. The group is accompanied by TREKOL off-road vehicles. Possible encounters with animals - polar bears, polar foxes, wolverines. Along the way – a picnic, hot tea.
Arrival in Uelen. Accommodation in a hotel or boarding school, or houses of locals.
Walk around the village, getting to know the locals. Visit to the Museum of Bone Carving Art.
Dinner.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local hotel or boarding school, or houses of locals
Day 6. April 24, 2027 (Saturday). UELEN – CAPE DEZHNEV – UELEN
Breakfast and dog sled journey to the easternmost point of Eurasia - Cape Dezhnev (a round trip of approx. 40 km).
The dog teams remain with the mushers, and the group walks accompanied by a guide to the lighthouse and the monument to Semyon Dezhnev, or to a point where he is visible, depending on the weather and ice coverage of the cliffs.
If weather conditions are favorable, a visit to the archaeological site of the ancient Eskimo settlement of Naukan will be possible.
Explore the archaeological monument – the ancient Eskimo settlement of Naukan.
The Eskimo (Inuit) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples living in Arctic regions - Greenland, Canada, Chukotka, and Alaska. The Inuit language belongs to the Eskimo-Aleut language group. The Inuit are descendants of those anthropologists refer to as the Thule culture, which emerged from western Alaska around 1000 AD. They separated from the Aleut group about 4,000 years ago, and from the northeastern migrants from Siberia (probably speaking a language similar to that of the Chukchi) even earlier, and are considered the descendants of the third major migration from Siberia. They spread eastward across the Arctic.
The descent to the cape and to the Naukan settlement takes about an hour, the ascent about 2 hours, with an elevation difference of 400 meters. In icy conditions, the slope may be slippery, making the descent impossible. The guide decides how close to the point to approach. This section of the route is the most dangerous, and the guide's decisions are not discussed until returning to base.
Photography of landscapes. With good visibility, observation of the Diomede Islands: Ratmanova (Russia) and Kruzenshtern (USA), as well as the coast of Alaska. Along the national border between the islands, there is also a date change line. For this reason, with a distance of only 4 km, the time difference between the islands is 21 hours. Therefore, the islands were given unofficial names "Island of Tomorrow" and "Island of Yesterday".
Return by the dog sleds to Uelen. The total day's journey will take between 4 and 6 hours.
In the evening, there's an optional public bathhouse—women's day—a good opportunity for the female members of the team to meet the locals and catch up on the latest news.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local hotel or boarding school, or houses of locals
Day 7. April 25, 2027 (Sunday). UELEN – INCHOUN
Breakfast and return journey by dog sleds to the village of Inchoun (about 30 km). The group is accompanied by TREKOL off-road vehicles. Picnic along the way.
Dinner in Inchoun, accommodation in the mushers' houses.
Sharing impressions. Dinner.
A lecture by ethnographer on the traditional exchange between reindeer herders and sea mammals’ hunters.
Weather permitting, Northern Lights hunting.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: the house of mushers or in the school
Days 8. April 26, 2027 (Monday). INCHOUN – LAURENTIA – LORINO
Breakfast and farewell to the mushers and dogs. Transfer by TREKOL to the village of Laurentia (90 km).
Lunch in the village of Laurentia.
If arriving late, overnight accommodation is available in Laurentia, either in an apartment or at a social hostel.
Transfer to the village of Lorino, the capital of whalers (42 km, 1.5 hours).
Meeting with representatives of the Lorino whalers' community.
Accommodation in sea mammal hunters' apartments.
Informal conversation with the mushers and sea mammal hunters.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: apartment
Day 9. April 27, 2027 (Tuesday). LORINO
Breakfast. At 8 a.m., attend a meeting at the Territorial neighborhood community of sea mammals’ hunters. Welcoming by the community chairman, Alexey Ottoy. A tour of the village and a lecture by an ethnographer on whaling in Chukotka, demonstration of artifacts s.
Visit to a bone carving workshop and master class. Experience the art of carving a walrus tooth as a souvenir. The class will be led by Vladimir Alyapak, a member of the Union of Artists of Russia.
Presentation of a sewing workshop that produces beautiful items from reindeer and seal skins, beads, and walrus stomach. Buying souvenirs.
Visit to the stylized traditional yarangas of reindeer herders and sea mammals’ hunters. A tasting of traditional Chukchi dishes: coastal food made from whale, walrus, and seal meat, and tundra food made from reindeer, mushrooms, and herbs.
Trip to the hot radon springs for a swim.
Return to Lorino. Tuesday – men's day at the banya, an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with our whalers and mushers.
Dinner and an optional concert by a local folk group.
Optional: visit to a reindeer herders' camp, subject to a nearby reindeer herding brigade camping nearby, at an extra cost.
Introduction to the life of nomadic reindeer herders, gift exchange, and a visit to the herd.
Lunch in yaranga – reindeer herders' food, a lasso-throwing master class, and campfire conversations about the harsh life in the tundra.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: apartment
Day 10. April 28, 2027 (Wednesday). LORINO – LAURENTIUS – ANADYR
Breakfast. Farewell to the sea mammals’ hunters and transfer to Laurentia village to the airport. Midday flight from Laurentia to Anadyr.
Crossing the estuary to the city. Accommodation at the Hotel Anadyr or apartment.
Farewell dinner, sharing impressions, discussing the matters of Chuckchi culture.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Anadyr or apartment
Day 11. April 29, 2027 (Thursday). ANADYR – RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast. Free time, souvenirs.
Transfer to the airport (crossing estuary) and fly from Anadyr to Moscow with Aeroflot at 15:25 or another flight.
* Recommended flight:
- direct from Anadyr to Moscow with Aeroflot, departure from Anadyr on April 29 at 15:25 with arrival in Moscow at 14:30 on April 29,
- any other flight from Anadyr to Moscow or another city with a departure from Anadyr at any time on April 29.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no
* The operator reserves the right to change the order of execution of the program subject to keeping of all main activities.
** The program depends on the domestic flights schedule (subject to change) and availability of flying weather. Traveling into the tundra is also subject to weather conditions and may be restricted at any time due to safety concerns.
*** A member of an expedition to Chukotka must be motivated: respect the culture of the Chukchi and Inuit, be aware of the purpose of the trip and possible adjustments to plans depending on weather conditions, as well as on the decision of indigenous communities. The expedition member must be in good physical condition and able to adapt to an unfamiliar community and culture.
**** If certain visits and/or tours cannot be completed due to external conditions, they will be replaced where possible.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS EXPEDITION:
While preparing for a trip to such a unique region as Chukotka, many questions arise, since such a trip is not easy to plan and conduct, firstly, due to the lack of tourist infrastructure there, and, secondly, due to difficult climatic conditions.
Transport
If you have already safely flown to the Anadyr airport, this does not mean that your trip is guaranteed to pass along the entire route. First of all, a ticket for a domestic flight must be purchased in advance, since in Chukotka there is a constant shortage of air tickets, and all tickets are usually sold out six months prior to the trip, as soon as they appear on sale. In addition, flights to the regions are often delayed, so we strongly recommend buying a return ticket back from Anadyr with at least one or two spare days after your return from the region, or with the possibility of changing the departure date.
Once at the airport, it is not easy to get into the city, although in winter, in general, traveling around Chukotka is much easier than in summer and autumn – you can travel overland. As part of this expedition, we will use various types of transport – from dog sleds to all-terrain vehicles. The main thing is to dress warmly and treat everything positively.
Accommodation
Upon arrival in Anadyr, we will accommodate for one night in private apartments or in the Hotel Nord. Why? The fact is that at the moment the Hotel Nord is the only one on this bank of sstuary, and is often used in emergency cases to accommodate people who got stuck due to the weather. For example, children returning from summer camps. Therefore, this hotel does not accept bookings. So that our travelers are not left without accommodation, we prefer to deal with private apartments. However, if there are available rooms at the hotel today upon request, we can accommodate you in the hotel as well.
Throughout the route, we will have to stop for the night in apartments and houses of local residents, and possibly in hostels where they are available. The hostels are very simple, but all the amenities are there.
In case of extreme cold overnight stay in the tundra, it is suggested to use a sleeping bag in a tent or yaranga. Our experienced local friends will take care of the accommodation for the night, they will do everything so that you do not feel cold.
Upon returning to Anadyr, we plan to check in at the Hotel Anadyr, basic standard double occupancy.
Meals
In the town of Ugolnye Kopi, in the city of Anadyr and in the village of Lorino, we provide for three meals a day. During long trips across the tundra, we often organize a picnic – hot tea and snacks. Upon returning to the base, we will already organize a full hot meal.
Since tourists come to Chukotka to learn about how the local people live, and the cuisine is one of the most interesting manifestations of culture, we try to give you the opportunity to test the "Chukotka exotic" as much as possible - dishes from the meat of marine animals, venison, fish and caviar. Of course, it is difficult for vegetarians and vegans to organize a full-fledged diet, since everything is brought to stores here during a short navigation period. Often there is shortage in vegetables and fruits, which are affectionately called the word "freshness" here.
Of course, we must know in advance about your diet restrictions. In any case, cereals and noodle are in abundance in summer. But some delights will have to be forgotten before returning home.
Equipment
Before the trip, people ask to send a list of recommended equipment, and when they receive it, they begin to argue: "Do we really need sleeping bags? do we really need this or that clothing or footwear?" The list contains RECOMMENDATIONS! It is up to you. But most visitors underestimate the severity of the local climate. One tip – do not neglect the recommendations, take warm clothes and shoes, additional sets of thermal underwear and woolen socks, a sleeping bag, a thermos.
Hygiene
In order to avoid embarrassing situations and in order to prevent infections that are currently roaming the planet, we recommend (this is only a recommendation and is up to you) that everyone brings along a traditional tourist dishwear and cutlery personal kit: cup - spoon - plate - knife. While visiting reindeer herders, this is especially useful - there are not enough dishwear for everyone in the nomadic yaranga, and forcing the hostess to wash after everyone is also not really nice. In addition, you will be of the safe side – it is safer and more reliable to use your personal cup or plate.
Respect for the residents
We urge everyone to treat the people we have come to carefully and with high respect. The culture of marine hunters and tundra reindeer herders is a rare phenomenon that requires protection. Therefore, we ask that you listen to the requests and demands of the community regarding various rules and taboos, including those related to photography and video filming, which are currently limited and strictly regulated. We ask you to treat this with tact and understanding and do not shoot bloody scenes of slaughtering animals, do not photograph dirt, devastation and drunk people - all this can catch your eye, but you do not need to make hype out of it or post it online.
Safety
The nature of Chukotka has still saved its authenticity. – On the one hand, it is absolutely beautiful, on the other - dangerous. Even on the territory of the village, you can face a predator, you should always remember this when you are in Chukotka. Always listen to what the locals say – where you can go and where should not.
We will give you a safety briefing in the tundra, but common sense and precaution are the basis of your safety.
Welcome to smashing Chukotka! We wish you to get a lot of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions!
* The dates of the expedition can be shifted 1 week back or forward, depending on the spring schedule of ChukotAvia Airlines’ domestic flights in Chukotka, as well as depending on the dates of the annual Nadezhda dog sled race (mushers and dogs participating in our expedition, must also participate in the Nadezhda race).
The final dates of the expedition will be determined upon receipt of information on the flight schedule and the dates of the Nadezhda race, in any case no later than in January 2027.
Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 9
Cost of participation per person (based on double occupancy):
- 719,000 rubles for 9 participants, or
- 749,000 rubles for 8 participants, or
- 799,000 rubles for 7 participants.
Early Booking Discount: 10% (valid for bookings made before October 19, 2026)
Everything included except for:
- International flight to Anadyr and back,
- Medical insurance,
- Russian visa (if required).
Estimated cost of the Moscow-Anadyr-Moscow flight: around 40,000 ruble
Single supplement: on request (available only in hotels and only when places are available).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: PHOTO TOUR TO CHUKOTKA
Day 1. April 19, 2027 (Monday). UGOLNYE KOPI – GUDYM – ANADYR
Arrival in Anadyr. Airport pick-up. Document processing, passport control and collecting the luggage.
Lunch in a canteen (option: picnic if we are late for the canteen which is the only one in the town).
Excursion to the abandoned Gudym Strategic Rocket Forces military base. A unique Cold War monument – an underground nuclear warhead storage facility and command post. Accompanied by a local guide, an expert on the site.
Crossing to the Anadyr city over the frozen estuary.
Accommodation in the hotel Anadyr or in the apartments in Anadyr.
Gala dinner.
*Recommended flight:
- direct from Moscow to Anadyr with Aeroflot, departure from Moscow on April 18 at 19:35 with arrival in Anadyr at 12:25 pm on April 19,
- or any other flight from Moscow or another city arriving in Anadyr no later than 12:30 pm on April 19.
Meals included: lunch (picnic), dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Anadyr or apartment
Day 2. April 20, 2027 (Tuesday). ANADYR
Breakfast. First thing, we will visit the "Heritage of Chukotka" Museum Center, where we will explore the unique history, culture of indigenous peoples, and nature of the region.
Next — lunch in the city on your choice, to recharge before the tour.
In the afternoon, we will set out on a city sightseeing tour and explore its surroundings: we will see the monument to the first head of Chukotka, Leonid Grinivetsky, at Cape Anadyrsky; the monument to the famous Chukchi writer Yuri Rytkheu on the shore of the estuary; the monument for Revolution commissioner of Chukotka on the central square; and the world's largest active wooden Orthodox church — the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which houses a monument to its heavenly patron, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
A lecture by an ethnographer on the history of the development of Chukotka.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: "Hotel Anadyr or apartment
Day 3. April 21, 2027 (Wednesday). ANADYR – LAURENTIUS – INCHOUN
Breakfast, transfer to the airport, crossing estuary.
Flight from Anadyr to Laurentia, to the easternmost part of the Chukotka Peninsula.
Lunch in the village of Laurencia or picnic on the way.
Overland transfer by TRECOL off-road vehicle to the coast of the Arctic Ocean to the village of Inchoun (90 km, 3-4 hours), photographing the tundra along the way.
Arrival, accommodation in the local houses of the mushers or in the school.
Dinner – home cooking, traditional food of coastal residents.
Meeting with the representatives of the Chuckchi-Inuit community of sea mammals’ hunters, discussion on intercultural interaction issues.
Story about local rituals and traditions. Ritual of feeding the spirits.
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").
Meals included: breakfast, lunch (picnic), dinner
Accommodation included: the house of mushers or in the school
Day 4. April 22, 2027 (Thursday). INCHOUN
Breakfast and excursion around the village. Master class "musher school" - acquaintance with dogs, learning the basic skills of managing a dog sled. Test drives.
Each person manages their own dog sled, accompanied by an experienced musher instructor. We work with Chukotka's best mushers — participants and winners of the Nadezhda race — who continue the traditions of their ancestors and carefully preserve the unique Chukotka sled dog breed.
Weather permitting – a trip to the ice edge with sea mammal hunters and observation of traditional hunting for seals or fishing.
A lecture by ethnographer on the dog breeding culture in Chukotka.
Overnight stay in the house of mushers or in the school, preparation for the race.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: the house of mushers or in the school
Day 5. April 23, 2027 (Friday). INCHOUN – UELEN
Dog sled transfer from Inchoun to Uelen (about 30 km, 2 – 4 hours) along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. The group is accompanied by TREKOL off-road vehicles. Possible encounters with animals - polar bears, polar foxes, wolverines. Along the way – a picnic, hot tea.
Arrival in Uelen. Accommodation in a hotel or boarding school, or houses of locals.
Walk around the village, getting to know the locals. Visit to the Museum of Bone Carving Art.
Dinner.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local hotel or boarding school, or houses of locals
Day 6. April 24, 2027 (Saturday). UELEN – CAPE DEZHNEV – UELEN
Breakfast and dog sled journey to the easternmost point of Eurasia - Cape Dezhnev (a round trip of approx. 40 km).
The dog teams remain with the mushers, and the group walks accompanied by a guide to the lighthouse and the monument to Semyon Dezhnev, or to a point where he is visible, depending on the weather and ice coverage of the cliffs.
If weather conditions are favorable, a visit to the archaeological site of the ancient Eskimo settlement of Naukan will be possible.
Explore the archaeological monument – the ancient Eskimo settlement of Naukan.
The Eskimo (Inuit) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples living in Arctic regions - Greenland, Canada, Chukotka, and Alaska. The Inuit language belongs to the Eskimo-Aleut language group. The Inuit are descendants of those anthropologists refer to as the Thule culture, which emerged from western Alaska around 1000 AD. They separated from the Aleut group about 4,000 years ago, and from the northeastern migrants from Siberia (probably speaking a language similar to that of the Chukchi) even earlier, and are considered the descendants of the third major migration from Siberia. They spread eastward across the Arctic.
The descent to the cape and to the Naukan settlement takes about an hour, the ascent about 2 hours, with an elevation difference of 400 meters. In icy conditions, the slope may be slippery, making the descent impossible. The guide decides how close to the point to approach. This section of the route is the most dangerous, and the guide's decisions are not discussed until returning to base.
Photography of landscapes. With good visibility, observation of the Diomede Islands: Ratmanova (Russia) and Kruzenshtern (USA), as well as the coast of Alaska. Along the national border between the islands, there is also a date change line. For this reason, with a distance of only 4 km, the time difference between the islands is 21 hours. Therefore, the islands were given unofficial names "Island of Tomorrow" and "Island of Yesterday".
Return by the dog sleds to Uelen. The total day's journey will take between 4 and 6 hours.
In the evening, there's an optional public bathhouse—women's day—a good opportunity for the female members of the team to meet the locals and catch up on the latest news.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local hotel or boarding school, or houses of locals
Day 7. April 25, 2027 (Sunday). UELEN – INCHOUN
Breakfast and return journey by dog sleds to the village of Inchoun (about 30 km). The group is accompanied by TREKOL off-road vehicles. Picnic along the way.
Dinner in Inchoun, accommodation in the mushers' houses.
Sharing impressions. Dinner.
A lecture by ethnographer on the traditional exchange between reindeer herders and sea mammals’ hunters.
Weather permitting, Northern Lights hunting.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: the house of mushers or in the school
Days 8. April 26, 2027 (Monday). INCHOUN – LAURENTIA – LORINO
Breakfast and farewell to the mushers and dogs. Transfer by TREKOL to the village of Laurentia (90 km).
Lunch in the village of Laurentia.
If arriving late, overnight accommodation is available in Laurentia, either in an apartment or at a social hostel.
Transfer to the village of Lorino, the capital of whalers (42 km, 1.5 hours).
Meeting with representatives of the Lorino whalers' community.
Accommodation in sea mammal hunters' apartments.
Informal conversation with the mushers and sea mammal hunters.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: apartment
Day 9. April 27, 2027 (Tuesday). LORINO
Breakfast. At 8 a.m., attend a meeting at the Territorial neighborhood community of sea mammals’ hunters. Welcoming by the community chairman, Alexey Ottoy. A tour of the village and a lecture by an ethnographer on whaling in Chukotka, demonstration of artifacts s.
Visit to a bone carving workshop and master class. Experience the art of carving a walrus tooth as a souvenir. The class will be led by Vladimir Alyapak, a member of the Union of Artists of Russia.
Presentation of a sewing workshop that produces beautiful items from reindeer and seal skins, beads, and walrus stomach. Buying souvenirs.
Visit to the stylized traditional yarangas of reindeer herders and sea mammals’ hunters. A tasting of traditional Chukchi dishes: coastal food made from whale, walrus, and seal meat, and tundra food made from reindeer, mushrooms, and herbs.
Trip to the hot radon springs for a swim.
Return to Lorino. Tuesday – men's day at the banya, an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with our whalers and mushers.
Dinner and an optional concert by a local folk group.
Optional: visit to a reindeer herders' camp, subject to a nearby reindeer herding brigade camping nearby, at an extra cost.
Introduction to the life of nomadic reindeer herders, gift exchange, and a visit to the herd.
Lunch in yaranga – reindeer herders' food, a lasso-throwing master class, and campfire conversations about the harsh life in the tundra.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: apartment
Day 10. April 28, 2027 (Wednesday). LORINO – LAURENTIUS – ANADYR
Breakfast. Farewell to the sea mammals’ hunters and transfer to Laurentia village to the airport. Midday flight from Laurentia to Anadyr.
Crossing the estuary to the city. Accommodation at the Hotel Anadyr or apartment.
Farewell dinner, sharing impressions, discussing the matters of Chuckchi culture.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Anadyr or apartment
Day 11. April 29, 2027 (Thursday). ANADYR – RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast. Free time, souvenirs.
Transfer to the airport (crossing estuary) and fly from Anadyr to Moscow with Aeroflot at 15:25 or another flight.
* Recommended flight:
- direct from Anadyr to Moscow with Aeroflot, departure from Anadyr on April 29 at 15:25 with arrival in Moscow at 14:30 on April 29,
- any other flight from Anadyr to Moscow or another city with a departure from Anadyr at any time on April 29.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no
* The operator reserves the right to change the order of execution of the program subject to keeping of all main activities.
** The program depends on the domestic flights schedule (subject to change) and availability of flying weather. Traveling into the tundra is also subject to weather conditions and may be restricted at any time due to safety concerns.
*** A member of an expedition to Chukotka must be motivated: respect the culture of the Chukchi and Inuit, be aware of the purpose of the trip and possible adjustments to plans depending on weather conditions, as well as on the decision of indigenous communities. The expedition member must be in good physical condition and able to adapt to an unfamiliar community and culture.
**** If certain visits and/or tours cannot be completed due to external conditions, they will be replaced where possible.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS EXPEDITION:
While preparing for a trip to such a unique region as Chukotka, many questions arise, since such a trip is not easy to plan and conduct, firstly, due to the lack of tourist infrastructure there, and, secondly, due to difficult climatic conditions.
Transport
If you have already safely flown to the Anadyr airport, this does not mean that your trip is guaranteed to pass along the entire route. First of all, a ticket for a domestic flight must be purchased in advance, since in Chukotka there is a constant shortage of air tickets, and all tickets are usually sold out six months prior to the trip, as soon as they appear on sale. In addition, flights to the regions are often delayed, so we strongly recommend buying a return ticket back from Anadyr with at least one or two spare days after your return from the region, or with the possibility of changing the departure date.
Once at the airport, it is not easy to get into the city, although in winter, in general, traveling around Chukotka is much easier than in summer and autumn – you can travel overland. As part of this expedition, we will use various types of transport – from dog sleds to all-terrain vehicles. The main thing is to dress warmly and treat everything positively.
Accommodation
Upon arrival in Anadyr, we will accommodate for one night in private apartments or in the Hotel Nord. Why? The fact is that at the moment the Hotel Nord is the only one on this bank of sstuary, and is often used in emergency cases to accommodate people who got stuck due to the weather. For example, children returning from summer camps. Therefore, this hotel does not accept bookings. So that our travelers are not left without accommodation, we prefer to deal with private apartments. However, if there are available rooms at the hotel today upon request, we can accommodate you in the hotel as well.
Throughout the route, we will have to stop for the night in apartments and houses of local residents, and possibly in hostels where they are available. The hostels are very simple, but all the amenities are there.
In case of extreme cold overnight stay in the tundra, it is suggested to use a sleeping bag in a tent or yaranga. Our experienced local friends will take care of the accommodation for the night, they will do everything so that you do not feel cold.
Upon returning to Anadyr, we plan to check in at the Hotel Anadyr, basic standard double occupancy.
Meals
In the town of Ugolnye Kopi, in the city of Anadyr and in the village of Lorino, we provide for three meals a day. During long trips across the tundra, we often organize a picnic – hot tea and snacks. Upon returning to the base, we will already organize a full hot meal.
Since tourists come to Chukotka to learn about how the local people live, and the cuisine is one of the most interesting manifestations of culture, we try to give you the opportunity to test the "Chukotka exotic" as much as possible - dishes from the meat of marine animals, venison, fish and caviar. Of course, it is difficult for vegetarians and vegans to organize a full-fledged diet, since everything is brought to stores here during a short navigation period. Often there is shortage in vegetables and fruits, which are affectionately called the word "freshness" here.
Of course, we must know in advance about your diet restrictions. In any case, cereals and noodle are in abundance in summer. But some delights will have to be forgotten before returning home.
Equipment
Before the trip, people ask to send a list of recommended equipment, and when they receive it, they begin to argue: "Do we really need sleeping bags? do we really need this or that clothing or footwear?" The list contains RECOMMENDATIONS! It is up to you. But most visitors underestimate the severity of the local climate. One tip – do not neglect the recommendations, take warm clothes and shoes, additional sets of thermal underwear and woolen socks, a sleeping bag, a thermos.
Hygiene
In order to avoid embarrassing situations and in order to prevent infections that are currently roaming the planet, we recommend (this is only a recommendation and is up to you) that everyone brings along a traditional tourist dishwear and cutlery personal kit: cup - spoon - plate - knife. While visiting reindeer herders, this is especially useful - there are not enough dishwear for everyone in the nomadic yaranga, and forcing the hostess to wash after everyone is also not really nice. In addition, you will be of the safe side – it is safer and more reliable to use your personal cup or plate.
Respect for the residents
We urge everyone to treat the people we have come to carefully and with high respect. The culture of marine hunters and tundra reindeer herders is a rare phenomenon that requires protection. Therefore, we ask that you listen to the requests and demands of the community regarding various rules and taboos, including those related to photography and video filming, which are currently limited and strictly regulated. We ask you to treat this with tact and understanding and do not shoot bloody scenes of slaughtering animals, do not photograph dirt, devastation and drunk people - all this can catch your eye, but you do not need to make hype out of it or post it online.
Safety
The nature of Chukotka has still saved its authenticity. – On the one hand, it is absolutely beautiful, on the other - dangerous. Even on the territory of the village, you can face a predator, you should always remember this when you are in Chukotka. Always listen to what the locals say – where you can go and where should not.
We will give you a safety briefing in the tundra, but common sense and precaution are the basis of your safety.
Welcome to smashing Chukotka! We wish you to get a lot of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions!
OUR TEAM
EXPEDITION LEADER
Ideologist and team leader of many expeditions, including the first Russian expedition in Niger for Cure Salée festival, the first Russian dog sleds expedition to Cape Dezhnev.
Photographer, author of numerous publications in Discovery and Vokrug Sveta, member of the Russian Geographical Society.
The invincible optimist and tireless heart and brain of MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS!
Ideologist and team leader of many expeditions, including the first Russian expedition in Niger for Cure Salée festival, the first Russian dog sleds expedition to Cape Dezhnev.
Photographer, author of numerous publications in Discovery and Vokrug Sveta, member of the Russian Geographical Society.
The invincible optimist and tireless heart and brain of MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS!
EXPERT OF RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
PhD candidate in Historical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Economics.
Specializing in the phenomenon of the "Other," the history of tourism, and cultural appropriations.
Research interests: cultural anthropology and semiotics of travel, marketing, and medialandscape of destinations.
A member of the Council for Sustainable Development of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Also, a part of the Union of Scientists of St. Petersburg.
PhD candidate in Historical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Economics.
Specializing in the phenomenon of the "Other," the history of tourism, and cultural appropriations.
Research interests: cultural anthropology and semiotics of travel, marketing, and medialandscape of destinations.
A member of the Council for Sustainable Development of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Also, a part of the Union of Scientists of St. Petersburg.
ETHNOGRAPHER
Specialist in the peoples and cultures of Chukotka.
Specialist in the peoples and cultures of Chukotka.
Cost includes:
- Domestic flights Anadyr – Laurentia – Anadyr (weight limit is 15 kg, including hand baggage)
- Transportation services as per the program (transfers, taxis, ferries, ATVs, snowmobiles)
- Dog sleds (one sled per expedition participant) and accompanying Trekol vehicles throughout the route from Inchoun to Cape Dezhnev and back
- Transfer by the Trekol vehicle along the entire route Laurentia – Inchoun – Lorino
- Accommodation in hotels or apartments in Anadyr, based on double occupancy
- Accommodation in apartment in Lorino
- Accommodation in local house or school in Inchoun
- Accommodation in a local hotel or boarding school or local house in Uelen
- Three meals a day throughout the itinerary, except for some lunches and 1 dinner in Anadyr
- Processing of permits for entry into the border zone
- Processing of permits for entry into the national park, entrance fee for the national park
- Tickets to museums
- All activities and performances as per the program
- Photo and video shooting
- Payment to guides, local guides, financial support to local communities
- Accompaniment by an experienced Russian-speaking and English-speaking guide
- Accompaniment and services of a Russian- and English-speaking team leader, Alex Mzungu
- Expert from the Russian Geographical Society throughout the route
- Professional ethnographer and scientist, practicing specialist, accompanying the group throughout the route
- Lectures by scientists during the entire trip
- Participation in scientific work: introduction to the "anthropological kitchen," field studies, collection of ethnographic materials (diaries, photos, sketches, interviews, etc.)
Cost excludes (additionally paid):
- Flight to Anadyr roundtrip
- Medical insurance
- Russian visa (if required)
- Partially lunches and dinners in Anadyr
- Alcoholic beverages and souvenirs
- Additional activities not included in the program, such as trio to the reindeer herders camp
- Excessive luggage at domestic flight
- Single accommodation in hotels
To take with:
- Warm windproof down jacket with windstopper
- Warm windproof hat (2 pieces) and pants (2 pairs), gloves with windstopper (at least two pairs)
- Warm boots, warm waterproof boots (at least 2 pairs of warm footwear)
- Sets of weather-appropriate clothing (wool socks, cotton socks, wool sweater)
- Thermal underwear
- Sunglasses (mandatory)
- Ski goggles (preferable)
- Balaclava or buff
- Thermos
- Headlamp
- Personal hygiene items (including wet wipes, towel, soap)
- Minimum stock of favorite foods and beverages (there will be no opportunity to buy them)
- Personal medication (including analgesics, antiseptics, antibiotics, antivirals, gastrointestinal medications, multivitamins, rehydration solutions, band-aids, any necessary personal medications)
- Sun and wind protection
- Photo and video equipment, spare batteries, tripod
- Gifts for the local population
KEY FEATURES:
TOUR TO YAMAL
Chukotka peninsula, Russia
Best season: March - April
Feel like a real musher driving the dog sled team
Reach the easternmost part of Eurasia – Cape Dezhnev on a dog sled team, covering hundreds of kilometers, and see America over the Bering Strait
Get acquainted with the culture of Chukchi reindeer herders and spend the night in yaranga
Learn the culture of the sea mammals hunters in Chukotka, evidence sea mammals hunting
See the extreme eastern and unexplored region of Russia, the real polar tundra
Chase Aurora Borealis
Explore the abandoned Soviet military base Gudym
Get to know the northern cuisine and taste local delicacies
Chukotka peninsula, Russia
Best season: March - April
Feel like a real musher driving the dog sled team
Reach the easternmost part of Eurasia – Cape Dezhnev on a dog sled team, covering hundreds of kilometers, and see America over the Bering Strait
Get acquainted with the culture of Chukchi reindeer herders and spend the night in yaranga
Learn the culture of the sea mammals hunters in Chukotka, evidence sea mammals hunting
See the extreme eastern and unexplored region of Russia, the real polar tundra
Chase Aurora Borealis
Explore the abandoned Soviet military base Gudym
Get to know the northern cuisine and taste local delicacies
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are tested by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - REASONABLE PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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