Yamal Photo Tour: Nenets & Northern lights

At 8 a.m. meeting at the airport of Salekhard. Set out for Yamal Tundra in order to reach reindeer herders nomad camp, area of Landiq’yato lake and Yenzor Yaha river, Yamal peninsula (TREKOL snow and swamp-going vehicle and snowmobile, way-time approx. 7-9 hours, subject to weather and road condition). Depending on the weather and road conditions, there can be chosen the alternate destination to the Nenets nomads camp in Panaevskaya tundra, on the right bank of Ob river.
Lunch (lunch box) en route. Evening arrival to chum, meeting with the family. Dinner in chum (incl.national cuisine).

After breakfast ice-fishing. Setting or check-up of fishing nets with driving to the lake/river. Reindeer herder uses any opportunity to catch fresh fish for his family, as he knows which river or a lake is full of fish. As soon as a new nomad camp is set near such location, they take their nets and ready for catch. But it is not as easy as it may seem. You need to cut through one meter thick ice to set the net, yes, you have to work hard to catch the fish.
Guests can attend traditional fishing or try fishing with the rod and line if there is one in the nomads’ camp.
Wood cutting, ice chopping, and other everyday activities of Nenets nomads.

After breakfast set out for the main herd on snowmobiles or reindeer sleigh. Slow deep dive into the world of Nenets reindeer herder, i.e. in the world of His reindeers. Here is the whole life of a human is devoted to the pace of reindeers life… Every day despite the weather, they entrap reindeers. For this purpose they set corral of sledge, made in the morning at the herd coming. Thud of hooves as wake up clock. Sledges are forming semi-circle, tied with a rope. First reindeers come into this corral, then they are caught and taken for gear up. Men leave the corral stepping over the rope, but women go under it.
Involvement into reindeers lassoing, sleigh riding, reindeers’ bread feeding, taking pictures.

After breakfast getting acquainted with everyday life of Yamal chum-keeper. It is women who build house for the whole family. To build a house is to curry, adapt, foul reindeer coat with smoke, than to sew niuk, cover for chum. Women are also in charge of sewing dress and footwear for the whole family. In terms of -40c it is very important to make warm and comfortable malitsa (reindeer parka) for men and yagushka for women.
Master classes on reatment of reindeer skins, bead weaving, making special natural ropes of reindeer veins or sewing and fitting of national dress, taking pictures.
Evening conversation around fire about culture and religion.

After breakfast series of master-classes: making poles for chum (choosing wood, preparing tree trunks, preparation and finishing), cargo sleigh repair or throwing the tynzyan (lasso) onto khorey (pole for steering the sledge).
About 10 a.m. set out for Salekhard (TREKOL all-terrain vehicle/ snowmobile, way-time approx 7-9 hours, subject to weather and road condition). Quick lunch on the way.
Arrival to Salekhard. Dinner in Okhota restaurant, traditional cuisine of Russian North.

After breakfast, we will go to Salekhard airport, where we will take the flight back home and end our Yamal photo tour.

Price based on the participation of a minimum of 8 participants. In case there are not enough participants, the possibility of making the trip will be offered with an increase proportional to the price, or a 100% refund of the total paid.
The last time of exchange rate calculation was 15th of May 2020, the final price can be modified up to 30 days before the tour start.

The accommodations offered are double rooms with private bathrooms first and last nights, and shared chums in the nenet camp.
You can book individual room during the process of book your place for the photo tour. Also you can write us to [email protected] later with this or another request about this tour.

This tour include a basic insurance, we suggest to contract a full cover insurance. Contact us to expand your insurance coverage.

All our tours include all internal transports (cars, vans, trains or flights). We don’t include international flights, but we will guide you at the moment of your booking the best options to arrive to the destiny from your home.

The itinerary mentioned above can be changed due a force mayor reasons as weather conditions or accidents for example. The tour is though for photographers of all levels, so we will prioritise the capture of photographies than tourist visits. Anyway, we always have time to rest or buy souvenirs during the free time.

To book your place you need to pay the 20% of the total cost. Reservations can be made up to 30 days before the start of the trip, and the total payment must be made 15 days before the trip.
This tour is done by Team Travel LLC, PhotoWorldTours acts as an intermediary, due to illness or other reasons the trip may be made by another guide.

Before 90 days we refund the 100%. Before 30 days we refund 80% of the total cost of the tour. Less than 30 days there is no refund (we recommend to contract a full insurance to cover this).

Please, check the section “This tour include” and “This tour not include” to know more details about meals, guides or other services include.