Join the epic migrations of nomadic Nenets reindeer herders on Arctic Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula

On Arctic Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula, the culture of nomadic reindeer herding has been better preserved than anywhere in the world.

The Nenets nomads inhabit this isolated land, whose name means “The Edge of the World” in their language. They travel with herds of up to 11,000 reindeer, drifting through the tundra  on centuries-old migration routes. They make their own reindeer fur clothing, live in reindeer-fur tents and migrate thousands of kilometres on reindeer sledges every year. Many of the items they use in daily life are fashioned from different parts of the reindeer. Their favourite meal is raw reindeer meat and blood, which they eat and drink straight from the carcass. Their language is unrelated to Russian, their features are more Asian and they follow an ancient animistic-shamanistic religion.

Access has long been difficult: there are no roads, little infrastructure and many areas require a special access permit to visit.

As a result, very few foreigners have ever visited the Yamal Peninsula. Many potential visitors are also put off by the extreme cold the area experiences during winter. However, when dressed in reindeer fur clothing, you feel absolutely toasty even if you have to spend hours outside!

This site provides information about private trips to visit nomadic Nenets reindeer herders. Our guests live with a nomadic family and immerse themselves in the daily life of the camp. Our guides have an anthropological level of knowledge of Nenets culture and longstanding personal relationships with the nomads.

About 50% of the trips we run are for photographers and film crews. We have organised the shoots for most films made about the Nenets over the last ten years.

Please browse the areas of interest below to find out which parts of the Yamal Peninsula would most suit your requirements.

On Arctic Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula, the culture of nomadic reindeer herding has been better preserved than anywhere in the world.

The Nenets nomads inhabit this isolated land, whose name means “The Edge of the World” in their language. They travel with herds of up to 11,000 reindeer, drifting through the tundra  on centuries-old migration routes. They make their own reindeer fur clothing, live in reindeer-fur tents and migrate thousands of kilometres on reindeer sledges every year. Many of the items they use in daily life are fashioned from different parts of the reindeer. Their favourite meal is raw reindeer meat and blood, which they eat and drink straight from the carcass. Their language is unrelated to Russian, their features are more Asian and they follow an ancient animistic-shamanistic religion.

Access has long been difficult: there are no roads, little infrastructure and many areas require a special access permit to visit. As a result, very few foreigners have ever​ visited the Yamal Peninsula. Many potential visitors are also put off by the extreme cold the area experiences during winter. However, when dressed in reindeer fur clothing, you feel absolutely toasty even if you have to spend hours outside!

This site provides information about private trips to visit nomadic Nenets reindeer herders. Our guests live with a nomadic family and immerse themselves in the daily life of the camp. Our guides have an anthropological level of knowledge of Nenets culture and longstanding personal relationships with the nomads.

About 50% of the trips we run are for photographers and film crews. We have organised the shoots for most films made about the Nenets over the last ten years.

Please browse the areas of interest below to find out which parts of the Yamal Peninsula would most suit your requirements.

What people say

Yamal Peninsula Travel organised a trip for my wife, my 7-month-old son, my parents and I to stay with a Nenets family in March 2020. The Yamal Peninsula is a challenging place to get to, but everything was spot on. Yamal Peninsula Travel were supportive and prompt in managing all issues. They have extensive experience working and traveling on the Yamal Peninsula and in Northern Russia in general. They have incredibly strong relationships with the local Nenets, which made our trip a great success. Their guides have an insatiable and genuine curiosity for the peoples of the North and are known and trusted in the region.

I'd previously been visiting the Yamal Peninsula for several years without my family. On those previous trips I had been working as a team leader for a well-known tour operator. Yamal Peninsula Travel organised the trips for that tour operator. They have always been great to work with. Always fantastic at understanding and managing travel and cultural nuances and challenges from both local and traveller perspectives. Their guides have fluent Russian and English language to be able to communicate freely with both the Nenets and the guests. Always ready to help and adapt a plan to any situation that may arise. Always a pleasure working with them.

You can listen to a podcast about  Patrick's trips to the Yamal Peninsula here: https://soundcloud.com/search?q=Patrick%20barrow

Patrick Barrow

March 2020, Yar-Sale tour

This was my second photographic trip with Yamal Peninsula Travel. Having already visited the Yar-Sale Nenets with them, I was keen to come back and visit the remoter Seyakha area. As a photographer, I was keen to experience the harsh realities of life on the Yamal Peninsula and witness the routines of the nomadic reindeer herders. Yamal Peninsula Travel organised a trip for me to the northern settlement of Seyakha which involved a helicopter flight from Salakhard followed by snow mobile travel. Throughout the trip from Moscow, I was with a guide/translator who was at pains to ensure any difficulties were addressed and safety issues were carefully explained. I always felt secure and 'looked after'. This was a fantastic trip with countless memorable experiences. The herders that had been sourced by Yamal Peninsula Travel were friendly and were aware of what I was hoping to achieve. Of course, this form of bespoke travel is not cheap, but you will be left with lifelong memories of a tradition that may not last for too much longer.....take this opportunity while it is still available.

Some of Gordon's photos from the Yar-Sale and Seyakha areas can be found here: https://www.gordonesler.com/nenets-of-yamal-siberia

Gordon Esler

February 2020, Seyakha tour

I work for a large European tour operator. We have used the services of Yamal Peninsula Travel several times over the last few years to organise trips for our clients to this area. In January 2020 we sent a Swiss couple, who very much enjoyed their trip. Yamal Peninsula Travel is a very reliable partner who offers tailor-made travel in the "difficult" Arctic regions of Russia. Their great knowledge of the area allows for an off-the-beaten-path itinerary. Their personal contacts ensure authentic experiences and great relationships between the travellers and their Nenets hosts. They always have a back up plan, and they find solutions to any non-standard situation (very precious in the Arctic). Excellent returns of our clients after trips with this company. I do recommend them without any hesitation for the Yamal Peninsula and Yakutia.

Irina Baranova

January 2020, Yar-Sale tour