All nationalities are welcome to Russia, including US, UK, Canadian, or Australian passports.
1 – For visits up to 16 days
This works for all nationalities except for US citizens, British, Canadians and Australians.
You can apply for an e-visa through this website.
2 – For visits longer than 16 days
Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia are only eligible for this option (not the e-visa).
In this case, you can (and must) apply for a visa through the Russian embassy or consulate, which is generally a very straightforward process.
Embassy requirements include:
1. US citizens
As an American, you can only apply for a 3-year multiple-entry visa, that’s the only option you can opt for, and it costs 500 USD.
After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you can make an appointment with any of the following consulates:
After submitting your documents at the embassy, expect to receive your visa within 2-3 weeks.
If you can’t go to the embassy in person, know that they also accept applications via ordinary mail. The whole process takes around 4 weeks.
2. British citizens
British citizens can only apply for their visa in person. However, visa collection can be done by mail service.
After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you’ll have to book an appointment with your nearest embassy:
Allow between 1 to 4 weeks to get your visa.
By the way, some of our UK travelers recommend IBSVP as a company that can help you with your Russian visa.
3. Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens can only apply for their visa in person. However, visa collection can be done by mail service.
After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you’ll have to book an appointment with your nearest embassy:
The process can take around 3 weeks.
When we are in the tundra, we’ll stay in a traditional tent called chum, a pyramid-shaped tent with very basic amenities.
Those tents are big enough to accommodate up to 10 people, and you’ll be sleeping with 4 other travelers and a family of Nenets, all together in the same tent.
Please note that those tents are very basic, and that you’ll be sleeping on the floor with your sleeping bag.
This tour includes 4 nights with the Nenets, and 2 nights in Salekhard.
In Salekhard, we’ll stay in either of these 3-star hotels, based on availability: Hotel 89 or Sale-Kharn.
The tour includes 4 nights in a chum. For that, there isn’t availability of single supplement, but we’ll be staying in the same tent with 4-5 other travelers and a local family.
The last 2 nights will be spent in Salekhard and price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.
If you are a solo traveler, you will be sharing the room with another like-minded traveler from the group. We always try to group people of same gender and age together but note that this won’t always be the case.
If you want to have your own single room for those 2 nights, you will have to pay an additional €110.
Information about the risks and dangers of the trip:
The traveler is expressly informed that the activities included in the travel itinerary are adventurous and/or take place in conflict zones, which entail dangers and imply the risk of physical, and psychological injuries, and/or death for the traveler.
Due to the characteristics of the destination and/or activities, the specific risks and dangers of the trip are, by way of example but not limited to, those listed below:
War; terrorism; political instability; arbitrary detentions, gunfire in the activity area; and/or violent crime.
Regarding the potential dangers of the destination, travelers are advised to consult the travel recommendations for the destination country provided by their country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For example, in the case of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these recommendations can be accessed on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia
FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine, including:
The region of Yamalia is usually safe from all those issues but camping in the wild in the heart of winter may involve other dangers such as hypothermia, frostbite, chilblains, chill burns plus many other dangers related to wild camping.
Yes, if you want to join any of our expeditions, you must purchase travel insurance.
Moreover, having valid travel insurance for travel in Russia is a must requirement for getting your visa at the embassy.
Unfortunately, our preferred travel insurance company (IATI Travel Insurance) isn’t covering travel in Russia any longer. Instead, we recommend Alfa Strakhovanie, InterMundial (website only in Spanish) or Auras.
Both seasons offer incredible experiences, but they’re dramatically different.
Winter (April and November expeditions) is more epic and visually striking. The tundra is blanketed in snow, creating a stunning, otherworldly landscape. You’ll witness how the Nenets survive and thrive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth—an experience that feels raw, authentic, and deeply humbling. The traditional reindeer-hide clothing they wear in winter adds to the visual and cultural impact, making it an especially photogenic time of year. However, be prepared: it can get extremely cold, and you won’t witness one of the main highlights of Nenets’ life—migration.
In summer (September expedition) the tundra is alive with wildflowers, and the temperatures are much milder. While it might not feel as epic as winter, it’s still a jaw-dropping experience. One of the biggest advantages is that you’ll get to witness the migration, as Nenets families move with their reindeer and sledges every one or two days—a dynamic, ever-changing scene that few outsiders ever get to see.
Our expedition will officially start at Salekhard Airport at 8 am, on day 1 of the tour.
You can fly to Salekhard with Yamal Airlines.
There are 2 daily flights from Moscow, but you may also fly from Saint Petersburg, Ekaterinburg and Kazan.
There’s a direct train from Moscow to Labytnangui, a small town close to Salekhard.
The train journey however, takes nearly 48 hours, so plan accordingly.
From Moscow, there are two daily flights, arriving at 8 am and 4 pm respectively.
Ideally, you should book the flight that arrives at 8 am on day 1 of the tour, since that’s the official meeting time and point.
However, you may also arrive on the day before at 4 pm.
You can easily book your hotel via ostrovok.ru, which is like the Russian version of booking.com.
We’ll stay in either of these 3-star hotels, based on availability: Sale-Kharn or Hotel 89, which might sometimes be listed as Parallel Hotel.
You can book them via Aviasales website.
We can also book them for you, but we will charge an additional 6% fee on top of the price you see on Yamal Airlines website. This fee refers to the exchange rate and bank commissions we may get charged with.
Because of the sanctions, there are no flights operating between Russia and any Western countries, but you can still fly from many cities around the Middle East and Central Asia.
Most typical connections are:
But you may also fly from:
No. Foreign cards aren’t accepted in Russia.
You must bring enough cash for the entire trip.
Both Euros and USD can be easily exchanged.
However, for some reason we don’t know, Russian authorities at the airport don’t like foreigners bringing Euros so, if possible, do bring USD instead.
You can exchange at pretty much any bank, both in Moscow and Salekhard.
In this tour, everything is included but:
Nenets have a generator which they can switch on at night.
You can use that for emergencies, but we still recommend bringing a power bank and spare batteries.
There’s no connection in the tundra, you’ll be completely offline for almost 5 days.
In Salekhard, there’s good internet connection.
Yes, you can easily get a SIM card at any official shop across Russia, all you need is your passport.
HolaFly, GoMoWorld and Alosim offer eSIMs for Russia.
Instagram, Facebook and YouTube are restricted in Russia. If you wish to access them, do download a VPN before getting in Russia.
Russians claim OpenVPN and PlanetVPN work best.
In Russia they use Type C (European standard plug).
You’ll be traveling in the extreme north of Russia, in deep Siberia.
In winter, December to February, the average temperature at night can be around -40ºC, down to -50ºC.
In April and November, temperature isn’t that low but there will still be snow, and night temperatures can easily drop to -25ºC.
It will be certainly cold, very cold, so do bring proper clothes.
Don’t worry, you won’t freeze to death.
You can borrow local clothes from Nenets, but it’d be good to give them a small tip.
You will be staying in the middle of the Arctic tundra with freezing temperatures. There won’t be any toilets and you’ll be sleeping on the floor. No internet service and no shower for almost 5 days.
Honestly, it’s not as bad as it sounds, but we just want our guests to be prepared.
Reindeer meat, usually accompanied with either soup, pasta or rice.
Before heading into the tundra, we’ll also buy different types of snacks for everyone, like ham, cheese, bread, etc.
We’ll have enough food for the entire stay but if you want anything specific, you should buy it at the supermarket on day 1.
Nenets can cook plain rice and pasta but we recommend bringing your own snacks, such as instant noodles for example.
We love taking you to remote and authentic places. However, trying unfamiliar local food can sometimes lead to stomach discomfort or diarrhea. If you’re prone to digestive issues, or simply want to be cautious, we recommend bringing the medications you normally use to treat these symptoms, such as omeprazole, probiotics, loperamide (Imodium or Fortasec), etc.
This is the recommended packing list for all tours:
For April and November tours, the temperature can easily drop to -25ºC, even to -30º. The temperature inside your chum in the middle of the night – without the fire on – will be around -10ºC. Please bring:
For September tour, temperature will drop to -8ºC max. You will need the same type of clothes, but perhaps not as many layers and a warmer sleeping bag (-5ºC).
We travel in small groups, a maximum of 9 people + European Tour Leader.
The deposit is non-refundable.
However, if you cancel up to 45 days before departure we can use your deposit as a credit for another tour.
For further information check our Terms & Conditions.
Have a look at our Country Guide for Russia.