Lena river trips

Route 1. Yakutsk-Vitim (to South) Cruise duration - 10 days . (The Program see here)

Departure from Yakutsk up the Lena River (see the map). 

Diring-Yuryakh
is a major archaeological site about 60km upriver from Yakutsk. In 1982, evidence of man dating back 1-2 million years was discovered here, putting the site on a par with Professor Leakey's excavations in Africa. This site challenges the assumption that the birthplace of humanity was on the African continent. Yakutsk's scientists have proposed that the discovery of the world's oldest stone scrappers at Diring-Yuryakh proves that the local indigenous people were the first to adopt tools following the Ice Age which started in the region. 

The Lena Pillars
The geological formations known as the Lena Pillars have fascinated travellers here since the 17th century. About 140km upriver from Yakutsk, the rock of the cliffs alongside the river has been eroded away into delicate shapes of a reddish brown colour. The extremely steep column are made of kimbery limestone with the surrounding softer rock being eroded over the millennium. Today the stone rocks look like amazing creatures and towers, pillars and columns, towering over 150 meters high. The Lena Pillars extend along the river for about 80km. 

Rassoloda
The shoals of the river make navigation extremely difficult here. The river-bed is constantly changing and every 15- 20 years right and left for waters exchange their places. Right after the Island one can see very beautiful promontory of Tabaga. 

Khara- Balyk
is very beautiful place where one can always go fishing and have a good rest 

Nyuryukhtyai
is a centre of diary and meat production, and horse- breeding. Here you can get acquainted with life and customs of local people and take part in fascinating holiday celebration called 'Aesaekh'. Opposite Nyuryukhtyai is the settlement opposite to the Island of Mayachniy. 

Ura River
flows into the Lena River. The Ura River's mouth is guarded by the famous 'Bell' and 'Kamennaya' rocks. Sailors consider this place the centre of the Lena River and call it the Lena Equator'. About 10km away you can see a beautiful 30m high waterfall. 

Lipaevsky
is a nice green island where we stop for a rest and picnic. 

'The Lena Cheeks'
is a narrow canyon filled with 3 copper-red coloured stone pillars which tower 200 metres above the river. The river is deflected off the first pillar into the second on the opposite bank which in turn, ricochets the water into the third and largest on the opposite bank. Beacons have been installed in the Shcheki to ensure safe passage. The canyon walls echo the ship's horn 24 times! A few kilometres further on the left bank is a cliff called Pyanyi Bik which translated means drunken bull. This section is the river narrowest at only 200m wide. Its name comes from the water's raging turbulence.

(After visiting Lena Cheeks the ship is going back to Yakutsk)

Dapparai
is a famous settlement. In 1922 there was a decisive battle here between Red Army and Tsar's detachments. The spot is marked by a monument dedicated to the Red victory. On the nearby Kyllakh Cape is an orthodox wooden St Nicholas' Church built in 1858. 

Tinnaya
is a green stop near the settlement of the same name. Here you can see the special northern species of barley, wheat, rye and potatoes which can be grown in the frozen permafrost soil of Sakha. 

Diring- Yuryakh
Rassoloda
Yakutsk

Route 2 Yakutsk-Tiksi ( To North) Cruise duration - 14 days. (The Program see here) 

Departure from Yakutsk down the Lena River (see the map). 

Viluy River
Here the Viluy River flows into the Lena River. The Viluy is 2,450km long and ends in the Viluy Sea. 

Zhigansk
is the first settlement beyond the Polar Circle. Zhigansk's fortress was founded in 1632, making it the same age as the fortress in Yakutsk. The name of Zhigansk is translated from the indigenous Evenk language to mean in inhabitant of the lower part of river' 

Kyusyur
was founded when the indigenous Evenks and Yakuts peoples renounced their nomadic lifestyle and became settled. Nowadays Kyusyur is a regional cultural centre boasting schools, libraries, shops, hospitals and kindergartens. 

Lena Delta
The river meanders as it passes through the Lena Delta and widens to 30km as it passes around islands in the river's path. Before the river flows into the Laptevikh Sea in the Arctic Ocean, it breaks up into a number of channels. The largest of these is Trofimov, which accounts for 70% of the Lena's discharge into the sea, followed by Bykov and Olenek. The 106km long Bykov channel connects Lena with the region's principal sea port, Tiksi. 

Tiksi
is a sea gate of our Republic. In Yakut language it means 'a moorage place'. The city of Tiksi appeared on the map by the mid 1930s when Soviet vessels travelled regularly to the region. The navigation period is extremely short (2. 5 months). You will see the first sun rays on the 7th of February and by the 19th of February, you can see all of the sun. 

(After visiting Tiksi the ship is going back to Yakutsk)

Samoilovsky
is an island situated on the territory of the biggest in the Lena Delta Nature Reserve. 

Siktyakh
Siktyakh is the oldest settlement beyond the Polar Circle. Siktyakh translates as 'a wet place'. It is famous for the reason that people from the settlement have known how to melt metal and shape for over 3,000 years. 

Natara
is a river on which in 1920 there was set up a small indigenous settlement of Tungus fishermen. It used to have two leather urasas (tents), a big kolyma (an urasa made of turf) and 8 to 10 barns. Nowadays, only one fisherman's family still lives in the settlement but they will be glad to welcome you. 

Agraphena (Polar Circle)
is an island that always frightened every sailor. Every one who has ever passed the island gave it a gift from the vessel in order not to tease the mysterious Russian princess who had sent many diseases to the Yakut people. But in spite of numerous gifts, Agraphena is likely to sink any boat drifting by her island. The Island of Agraphena is near the boarder of the Polar Circle. 

Maimaga
A delightful green stop with a picturesque landscape, nice fishing, berries and a perfect place for a rest. 

Sottintsy
The most known museum of culture and architecture of Yakutian people.

The Lena Pillars
The geological formations known as the Lena Pillars have fascinated travellers here since the 17th century. About 140km upriver from Yakutsk, the rock of the cliffs alongside the river has been eroded away into delicate shapes of a reddish brown colour. The extremely steep column are made of kimbery limestone with the surrounding softer rock being eroded over the millennium. Today the stone rocks look like amazing creatures and towers, pillars and columns, towering over 150 meters high. The Lena Pillars extend along the river for about 80km. 

Rassoloda
The shoals of the river make navigation extremely difficult here. The river-bed is constantly changing and every 15- 20 years right and left for waters exchange their places. Right after the Island one can see very beautiful promontory of Tabaga. 

Yakutsk.

SCHEDULE
OF LENA RIVER CRUISES

YAKUTSK-TIKSI-YAKUTSK (NORTHERN)
# #	STOPS	DAY	SHIP ARRIVING	SHIP DEPARTURE	ACTIONS
1	Yakutsk	1-st		20:00	Sightseeing excursion in Yakutsk
2	Zhigansk	3-rd	8:00	13:00	Folklore, museum
3	Tiksi	5-th	13:00	19:00	Folk concert, sightseeing excursion
4	Bio-station "Lena Nordensheld"	6-th	8:00	12:00	Acquaintance with tundra nature, lecture
5	Kyusyur	7-th	10:00	13:00	Excursion, folk
6	Natara	8-th	15:00	20:00	House of fisherman
7	Polar Circle	9-th	15:00	19:00	Water Holiday
8	r.Viluy	10-th	15:00	21:00	Acquaintance with north nature, fishing
9	Maimaga	11-th	17:00	23:00	Excursion, folk
10.	Sottintsy	12-th	08:00	14:00	Excursion to museum of culture
11	Lena Pillars	13-th	12:00	16:00	Ascent to Pillars
12	Yakutsk	14-th	6:00		After breakfast - Departure to .....Moscow or other cities
YAKUTSK-r.VITIM-YAKUTSK (SOUTHERN)
# #	STOPS	DAY	SHIP ARRIVING	SHIP DEPARTURE	ACTIONS
1	Yakutsk	1-st		19:00	Sightseeing excursion in Yakutsk, accomodation on the  board
2	Khara-Balyk	3-th	10:00	13:00	Acquaintance with north nature, fishing,Water holiday
3	Ura  river	4-th	19:00	23:00	Ascent to  cliff
4	Lensk	5-th	10:00	14:00	Sightseeing excursion in Lensk
5	r. Vitim   (ship is going back to Yakutsk)	6-th	19:00	24:00	Green stop on Lipaevski island , fishing
6	Olekminsk	8-th	09:00	13:00	Sightseeing excursion
7	Lena Pillars	9-th	19:00	23:00	Ascent to Pillars
8	Yakutsk	10-th	08:00		After breakfast -Departure to .....Moscow or other cities

Also we have other cruises:

Yakutsk-Zhigansk-Yakutsk - 8 days/7 nights 

Yakutsk-Lensk-Mirny (capital of diamonds) -Yakutsk - 8 days/7 nights 

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The Lena river

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