The Nenets are an Indigenous people of Arctic Russia, renowned for their nomadic lifestyle and deep connection to reindeer herding in the remote, unforgiving tundra of northern Siberia, in a region named Yamalia.
Despite their isolation, it is now possible for travelers to visit Nenets camps, a rare opportunity to meet a truly nomadic culture, while witnessing one of the rawest travel experiences.
When it’s best to visit the Nenets: winter or summer?
Travelers interested in this particular part of Russia are often not sure about which season is best for going to Yamalia.
The truth is that both seasons offer incredible experiences, but they’re dramatically different. Here are 30 photos that will help you decide which season is best to travel with us to Yamalia.
Remember that we have the following shceuded for Nenets:
In summer, the landscape is more beautiful, with the tundra being green and covered in wildflowers.
Another great advantage is that you are going to see much more reindeers, since in summer, Nenets need to gather them every day for carrying out different types of tasks.
In summer, Nenets often don’t wear their traditional reindeer-made clothes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take amazing photos, plus remember the weather is much more pleasant than the freezing Siberian winter.
However, the main advantage of coming here in summer 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.
In winter, the whole tundra is frozen, and temperatures drop down to -20ºc and -40ºc. The tundra isn’t as beautiful as in summer but the weather and snow add an epic touch into it. From a weather perspective, it’s colder and more uncomfortable, but don’t worry, chums (local tents) are warm and cozy.
Nenets wear their traditional, reindeer-made clothes, making them particular photogenic.
In winter, you won’t witness Nenets migration (unless staged) but you will be able to see other activities like ice-fishing, or ice collection for their water.
Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Nenets on:
September 18th to 24th, 2025
The Nenets are an ethnic group indigenous to Arctic Russia, a group of nomads and reindeer herders living in the extreme north of Siberia, in one of the most challenging environments in the world.
Despite living in one of the most isolated places on Earth, today it’s possible to meet Nenets, while staying in their camps.
This is the rawest and most authentic experience you will ever have.
This guide will explain everything you need to know to visit the Nenets in Russia’s extreme north.
Remember that we have scheduled Nenets Expeditions on the following dates:
Since 2014, I have been traveling to some of the remotest areas in the world.
From riding on top of an iron ore train across the Sahara to having the whole of Djenné all to myself in Mali, or reaching the Minaret of Jam by public transportation in Afghanistan; I have experienced endless raw adventures, for which I consider myself very fortunate.
However, the few days I spent cohabiting with the Nenets in far-north Russia was a whole other level.
Just imagine a group of people living in what is perhaps the least known and remotest region in the world: Arctic Russia.
This part of Arctic Russia (Yamalia, north Siberia) is not only extremely freezing, it’s also massively isolated, there aren’t any roads, and there’s absolutely nothing but endless frozen tundra.
Still, Nenets choose to live there out of a tent and with a few hundred reindeer: that’s all they have.
The Arctic tundra is the Nenets’ actual home, where they live and keep moving 365 days a year under the most extreme weather conditions, surviving on reindeer blood, meat and little else.
Living together with the Nenets is an extremely rough experience, the reason being that their life is really harsh but that’s precisely the point: to experience what it’s like to live in the Arctic tundra of Siberia.
Trust me, nothing can get as raw as this.
A Nenet drinking blood from a recently killed reindeer
Location: where are the Nenets?
Tundra Nenets live in the northern part of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, an autonomous region that forms part of Tyumen Oblast.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all Nenets choose to have a nomadic style.
Some of them live in towns and villages within Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and have ordinary jobs. They work in banks, supermarkets and the public sector.
However, thousands of Nenets are still living a 100% nomadic style, migrating across the tundra that borders the Kara Sea every 2-3 days, 365 days a year.
The vast Arctic tundra, where Nenets live
You can find the approximate location of Tundra Nenets in the map below.
How to get to Yamalia
The main transportation hub in Yamalia is a small city named Salekhard, the administrative center of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
How to get to Salekhard by plane
There are daily 3-hour flights from Moscow to Salekhard with Yamal Airlines.
You can also find direct flights from Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Ekaterinburg.
Please remember that due to the current sanctions, it’s not possible to book flights using a foreign bank card directly from the airline’s website.
Salekhard doesn’t have a train station but alternatively, you can take a train to Labytnangui, a small town less than 20km from Salekhard, located just across the Obi River by ferry.
From Moscow, there are direct trains to Labytnangui, but keep in mind that it’s a 48-hour train journey, kind of cool for those with plenty of time, but do plan accordingly.
How to get around Yamalia and reach the Nenets’ camps
Nenets live spread across the vast tundra.
What is more, they also keep moving all year long, plus you can only be sure of where they are if you’re able to get in contact with them on a satellite phone.
Therefore, it’s plainly obvious that there isn’t any public transportation to take you there.
To make things even more complicated, regular 4WDs can’t drive across the tundra, only TREKOLs, a Russian-manufactured vehicle designed for that specific terrain.
This makes traveling to Yamal particularly complicated and expensive.
Best time to visit Nenets
Here’s how to visit Tundra Nenets, season by season.
Meeting Nenets in winter: December to mid-March
From December to March, tundra nomads live in the harshest of all conditions.
They live in north Siberia, where winter temperatures never exceed more than -25ºC, dropping to -50ºC at night.
Can you still visit Nenets in winter?
Yes, you can, they will be happy to accommodate you and you won’t be the first traveler to stay in their tent, but you will certainly suffer.
A local Nenet in deep winter
Meeting Nenets during ‘mild’ winter: mid-March to May and mid-October to November
During the shoulder season, the tundra is covered in snow but temperatures rarely drop below -25ºC.
If you want to experience white tundra landscapes without suffering too much, this is the best season.
Remember that we have 2 tours on the following dates:
While summer might seem an ideal season to visit the Arctic tundra due to higher temperatures, June to August is the worst time to travel in Yamalia, for 2 reasons:
The tundra is plagued with mosquitos
The level of the river is too high to cross it in the tundra vehicles
On the other hand, September should be fine.
While the weather in September is not as good as in July and August, you don’t have problems with mosquitos, and the river level is just right.
Remember that we have the following tour in September:
A Nenet trying to catch their reindeer
Accommodation when visiting the Nenets
Nenets live in a traditional tent called chum, a pyramid-shaped tent made of reindeer skin with very basic amenities.
This is what a chum looks like
A chum has to be basic because they set them up and take them down every few days, all year round.
Chums are big enough to accommodate up to 10 people, including the family of Nenets, and you’ll be sleeping with them and 4 other travelers.
That’s for accommodation in the tundra.
In Salekhard, Yamalia’s main town, there are several hotels, and we recommend a 3-star hotel called Hotel 89.
Nenets setting up a chum
Yamalia Itinerary: things to do when visiting the Nenets
Here’s our suggested itinerary for visiting the Nenets and the region.
Remember that this is the itinerary we follow on all our Nenets expeditions.
Day 1 – Arrival in Salekhard and transfer to Yamal Peninsula
Flights from Moscow to Salekhard arrive at 8 am, which is the perfect time to start your journey into the tundra.
Alternatively, there’s a second flight arriving at 4 pm, but you will have to spend the night in Salekhard.
We recommend Hotel 89, sometimes also listed as Parallel Hotel.
The journey from Salekhard to Nenets’ campsite takes 8 – 12 hours, depending on their present location.
The campsite you will arrive on day 1.
Day 2, 3 and 4 – Living with the Nenets
Three full days is the amount of time I recommend spending with the Nenets.
It’s important to remember that cohabiting with Nenets is more about observing their daily life, focusing on high-quality photography, and helping them with their daily chores, rather than having a full day packed with activities.
Nenet’s daily chores
However, you can still do plenty of activities, which typically include:
Fishing: especially ice-fishing during the colder months.
Witnessing migration: This is a full day event that implies packing the sleds with all their stuff, and moving to their next location.
Nenets preparing for migration
Reindeer gathering: Nenets use their reindeer for many different things, so they need to gather them all together almost every day no mean feat, for which they need 3 to 4 hours at least.
Nenet gathering her reindeer
Reindeer slaughtering: This isn’t for everyone but it’s certainly something to experience. After killing the chosen reindeer, they drink its blood while still warm, and eat some of the organs raw. The meat is consumed over the following days and/or weeks. Once they run out of meat, they start over with the process.
This is part of the ritual:
Nomad games: Nenets play their own games/sports and, if you are staying with them for long enough, you are likely to see a demonstration. All their games are related to strength and lasso skills.
Day 5 – Transfer to Salekhard
We recommend departing no later than 8 am, since there will be a long journey ahead of you, a 12-hour drive.
After almost 5 days of no shower, being back in Salekhard feels absolutely great, and these are the restaurants I recommend:
Day 6 – Visit Salekhard
Salekhard is a small town but there are quite a few interesting things to do, the most interesting being Yamal National Museum.
Recently renovated, I was very impressed by the quality of that museum. They even feature 2 small mammoths rescued from the permafrost, so you can still appreciate their skin.
Salekhard also has its Lenin Square, a local market selling typical regional products, and two souvenir shops.
The streets of Salekhard
Day 7 – Departure
The flight from Salekhard to Moscow departs at 9:30 am
More practical information for visiting the Nenets
For all the information related to visas, money, getting a SIM card, etc., please check our travel guide to Russia
Packing list
It’s important to bring suitable gear and clothes for the frozen tundra.
This is our recommended packing list for visiting the Nenets.
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Headlamp
Power bank and/or spare batteries
Personal toiletries
Towel
Thermo
Inflatable camping mattress
Personal medical kit
Sunscreen
For April and November tours, the temperature can easily drop to -25ºC, even -30º. The temperature inside your chum in the middle of the night – without the fire on – will be around -10ºC. We recommend:
Extra warm jacket
Windbreaker
Sleeping bag (-10ºC)
Extra warm gloves
Winter hat
Thermal T-shirt and pants
Thermal socks
Extra layers of warm clothes (having lots of layers is the best protection against freezing temperatures)
For the September tour, the temperature will drop to -8ºC max. You will need the same type of clothes, but perhaps not as many layers and a slightly lighter sleeping bag (-5ºC).
What’s the food like?
Reindeer meat, usually accompanied with soup, pasta or rice.
Before heading into the tundra, we recommend stopping at the supermarket to buy extra snacks.
What about vegetarians?
Nenets can cook plain rice and pasta but I recommend bringing your own snacks, such as instant noodles, for example.
Internet and connectivity
There’s no connection in the tundra, you’ll be completely offline for your entire stay.
Can I charge my devices when we’re in the tundra?
The Nenets have a generator which they can switch on at night. This can be used for emergencies, but I still recommend bringing a power bank and spare batteries.
More helpful information to visit Russia
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