Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

21 more

We invite you to an amazing road trip from Yakutsk to Magadan through the GULAG camps with a visit to Oymyakon— the Pole of Cold.

A warm welcome awaits us at the evening of Yakut culture, acquaintance with the Keeper of the Cold, a trip through the bays of the Sea of Okhotsk with a historical guide and breathtaking landscapes of the republic in winter clothes.

The route has been tested by foreign tourists and film crews since 2010, and is one of the most popular winter expeditions in Yakutia.

Location

the city of Yakutsk

Expeditions

from

Contact the tour coordinator

Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The coldest place in the world

We will visit Oymyakon, the settlement where the lowest temperatures were recorded.

Reindeer sledding trip

We will visit the reindeer herders' winter base, where we will get to know the living symbols of the north better.

Fabulous atmosphere

Let's take a walk through the ice tunnels and meet with the Keeper of the Cold — Chyskhaan

The intricacies of ice fishing

Let's experience the real fishing excitement of winter fishing on Indigirka

The stop is the GULAG

We will see the remains of GULAG camps that existed in the Soviet Union.

Getting to know the Yakut culture

We will learn more about the traditions and way of life of the people at the evening of Yakut culture.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Yakutsk — Khandyga. Ice crossings and historical and architectural museum in Cherkekh village
Travel by car from Yakutsk to Khandyga, 432 km, 8-10 hours on the way.
Crossing the Lena and Aldan rivers by ice crossings.
Stops on the route at roadside cafes (meals at your own expense).
Visit to the historical and architectural museum in the village of Cherkekh.
±19:00 Arrival in Khandiga in the evening.
Accommodation in a private apartment-type hotel (double occupancy).
Meals at the cafe are at your own expense.

1 more photo
Day 2 - A trip from Khandyga to the GULAG camps
One-day trip to the GULAG camps.
Stops in Teply Klyuch to visit the Gulag History Museum.
Inspection of camps on the Topolinskaya highway.
Accommodation in a private apartment-type hotel (double occupancy) in Khandyg.
Meals at the cafe are at your own expense.
Day 3 - Khandyga — Oymyakon. Travel photo shoot
Travel by car from Khandyga to Oymyakon, 514 km.
±08:00 Departure from the hotel.
Stop at a cafe in the village of Teply Klyuch (meals at your own expense).
Stops for a photo shoot at the clamps and other places of the Verkhoyansk ridge.
Stop at the Kuba cafe in Kyubum (meals at your own expense).
Arrival in Oymyakon at 20:00/22:00.
Family dinner (included).
Two- to three-bed accommodation in a private house in Oymyakon.
Day 4 - Oymyakon. The "Pole of Cold" stele. Ice fishing. Evening of Yakut culture
Breakfast.
Visit to the "Pole of Cold" stele.
Photo shoot with the fabulous character Chishaan, the Keeper of the Cold.
Tour of the village.
Visit to a horse farm with Yakut horses.
Lunch.
Ice fishing on the Indigirka River.
Supper.
An evening of Yakut culture at the Archy Center.
Evening tea in the family.
Accommodation in a private house with two- and three-bed accommodation in Oymyakon.

5 more photos
Day 5 - Oymyakon — Tomtor — Ust-Nera. Horse farm, ice tunnel complex and reindeer herders' base
Travel to Ust-Nera, 435 km.
Breakfast.
Departure from Oymyakon at 08:00.
This includes a visit to the Chyskhan Residence ice tunnel complex, the ice-free Kuydusun River, and other facilities.
20 km from Kyubume, visit the reindeer herders' winter base.
18:00 Stop at the Kuba cafe in Kyubum.
Passage through Bryugandinsky and Walchansky passes.
Arrival in Ust-Nera late in the evening.
Overnight at the hotel (double rooms with amenities).
Meals at the cafe are at your own expense.

2 more photos
Day 6 - Ust-Nera — Susuman. The abandoned Kadykchan village
Travel by car to the village of Susuman, 390 km, 9-10 hours.
With a visit to the abandoned urban-type settlement Kadykchan.
Stops at notable places for photo shoots.
Time for breakfast in Ust-Nera and dinner in Susuman. There is no cafe on the route.
Meals are at your own expense.

1 more photo
Day 7 - Susuman — Magadan
Travel by car to Magadan, 625 km, 12-15 hours.
With visits to the village of Yagodnoye and the village of Sinegorye.
With stops at the bridge over the Kolyma River, Burkhalinsky pass.
Stops at a cafe in a stall, a tent.
Arrival in Magadan late in the evening.
Meals are at your own expense.
Day 8 - Magadan and the bays of the Sea of Okhotsk
Free time before lunch.
14:00 Sightseeing tour of Magadan, in particular, with a visit to Nagayev Bay, mammoth monument, Mask of Sorrow on Krutaya hill, Museum of history, fish market.
In the evening, a joint dinner at the Torro / Crocodile Grill bar.
Meals are at your own expense.
Day 9 - Departure from Magadan
Group transfer to Sokol airport, 50 km from Magadan.
Departure from Magadan.
Attention! The actual timing depends on the number and duration of stops on the route and the start time of the passes.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

Long trips are waiting for us within the expedition.

Accommodation

Hotel

4 nights
Guest House

2 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour includes accommodation in hotels and guest houses along the route.

Accommodation in Yakutsk and Magadan is not included in the price (can be ordered additionally).

The cost of the tour for 1 person, rub.:

Type of tour	Group size	Cost
Group	3-10 people, as part of a group on the specified dates (seating 3-4 people in a car)	260 000
Individual	2 people (for 1 car)	330 000
Individual	1 person (for 1 car)	610 000

The tariffs are valid until September 2024, when prices are adjusted to reflect the inflation forecast for the winter. An unscheduled price revision is possible.

Accommodation in a private apartment—type hotel - double occupancy, shared kitchen, shared shower and toilet rooms, without breakfast.

Tour conditions

Group

From 3 to 12 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

9 days 8 nights

Group meets at

the city of Yakutsk

Included in price

transfers and movements according to the program:
- transfer from the airport to the Yakutsk hotel on the eve of the tour;
- group transfer to Sokol airport on the last day of the tour;
- vehicles for travel on the Yakutsk— Oymyakon —Magadan route on days 1-9 (according to the program);
accommodation in Khandyg, Oymyakon, Ust-Nera and Susuman;
nutrition:
- Day 3: Dinner;
- Day 4: Breakfast, lunch, dinner;
- Day 5: Breakfast;
activities specified in the program;
guide services during a sightseeing tour of Magadan.

Paid extra

flights to and from Yakutsk, Magadan;
accommodation in Yakutsk and Magadan;
meals at roadside cafes along the route and places of residence in Khandyg, Ust-Nera, Susuman;
other services outside the scope of the tour, before the start of the tour and after the end of the tour;
insurance;
rent of warm clothes (on request, rent of a complete set, namely hats, scarves, trousers, mittens, warm jackets, felt boots);
tips.

It's important to know

We use the following types of vehicles ready for winter auto expositions:

Toyota Land Cruiser 105 / Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs for 1-3 seats;
Mitsubishi Delica off-road minibus with 4 seats;
comfortable Toyota Hiace minibus with 5 seats.

All cars are prepared for expedition conditions of use and at extremely low temperatures, the salons are equipped with additional stoves.

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

Individual dates available on request

1 Dec, 2025 – 31 Mar, 2026

Submit request
No need to pay now
$3,215

18 – 26 Mar, 2026 9 days 8 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now

Yakutsk — GULAG — Oymyakon — Magadan. Kolyma Highway Winter Car Tour