The Nenets are reindeer herders, migrating across the Yamal peninsula, thriving for more then a millennium with temperatures from minus 50°C in winter to 35°C in summer. Their annual migration varies from 500 to over a 1000 km.

Every spring, the Nenets move their enormous herds from winter pastures on the Russian mainland, north to summer pastures in the Arctic Circle.

For centuries Nenets have survived the harsh conditions of the Yamal Peninsula. They have adapted to be able to live and travel in the freezing temperatures. Joining a reindeer migration is a real experience living the nomadic life of the Siberian people.

TRAVELPLAN

Day 1: Arrival at Salekhard and transport to the hotel. Salekhard, with 45,500 inhabitants is located on the banks of the river Ob. Constructed in 1595 as a Cossack fortress, the city bore the name Obdorsk - place on the Ob - until 1933. Salekhard means from the Nenets language "settlement at the Cape". Overnight in hotel, double room. (B)

Day 2: Breakfast and transport to Nenet camp location in Polar Ural mountains. Meet with Nenet family. Stay at Chum.

Day 3-9 Living and travelling together with the Nenet family during their migration, Overnight in chum (sharing).(B,L,D)

Day 10: After a shared breakfast with the family we will go by snowmobile to rail road station “Polyarny” (ghost town), where we will take a train to Labytnangi, where we will be picked up by car and transport to Salekhard. Overnight in hotel, double room. (B)

Day 11: Free day in Salekhard. You can visit museum. In the afternoon you have the option to take a banya (Russian sauna). After sauna we will have supper.

Day 12: Breakfast in the hotel. Departure to the airport at 8:30 am. Departure of the flight at 10:00h – arrival at Domodedovo airport at 11:00h. End of the  program.

The program will vary depending on the weather, snow and ice conditions, presence of animals and the guides’ decisions at the time.

The accommodation in the Chums is on a sharing base. Depending on the groups size there will be a Chum available for the group only.

Note: The guide will adapt the program of activities according to the group.

The order and content of the expedition may vary. Adapt the route and content based on conditions and options offered each time. The Nenet can move their camp at any time, so final location of homestay will only be known just before departure.

During the expedition the co-operation of all participants will be crucial. There is no cook on this trip, preparing the meal is a groups task.