Do I need a visa to travel to Sakha Republic?

Sakha Republic, and all of Siberia, are a part of the Russian Federation, which requires visas for citizens of most countries. Obtaining a visa requires a lengthy bureaucratic process, involving an official letter of invitation, followed by a detailed application. To assist in making this process as streamlined & stress free as possible, Journey Sakha includes visa support in the cost of its trips. This covers the cost of a 30-day tourist visa, support as needed in filling out the application, and the letter of invitation. Incidental costs like passport photos and photocopies will be the responsibility of the participant.

Success in obtain a visa will require filling out the application carefully & accurately in a timely manner. Journey Sakha is not responsible for any costs incurred to participants whose visas are denied, nor for any rush fees for visa applications submitted late.

Upon entering the Russian Federation, each participant will receive a slip of paper labeled Migration Card. This paper must be kept in good condition and presented upon leaving the country.

Trip participants will be required to register their visas with the local authorities in Sakha Republic. Fees & support for this process are included in the cost of the trip.

What is the required fitness level?

Our 2020 journey will include short-to-moderate walks and hikes on steep and uneven terrain. Many hikes are off-trail, or on very lightly maintained trail. There will not be any smoothly paved walking surfaces for the duration of the trip. Walking on uneven surfaces, stepping up and down into utility vehicles and boats, and carrying one’s own belongings will be required. No hikes over 5 miles are planned. Many people find that using a squat toilet requires significant strength and flexibility. Although this isn’t a trekking- or hiking-based trip, good physical fitness will make the experience much more enjoyable. There will be bumpy roads, camping, and rustic facilities throughout.

We will be traveling in very remote regions, far from medical services. Consult your physician as to whether this trip is right for you. We are happy to provide additional information for any inquiries on this matter.

Is this trip suitable for travelers with disabilities?

Unfortunately, travelers with physical disabilities are not well served in Sakha Republic and the Russian Federation. Paved surfaces, elevators, and ramps are all lacking. Toilets are of the squat variety and do not include grab bars.

We will be traveling in very remote regions, far from medical services. Consult your physician as to whether this trip is right for you. We are happy to provide additional information for any inquiries on this matter.

Is this trip suitable for LGBTQ+ travelers?

Journey Sakha warmly welcomes LGBTQ+ travelers.

The Russian Federation is known for being unfriendly, to say the least, to LGBTQ+ individuals, who face stigma, harassment, and violence in their everyday lives. Being LGBTQ+ isn’t illegal, however, promoting being LGBTQ+ is illegal. What constitutes promotion is at the discretion of those who enforce the law.

We will be traveling in very remote regions, and are unlikely to encounter law enforcement once outside of the city. This part of the world is very conservative, and homosexuality is frowned upon. We recommend that participants of all genders and orientations avoid public expressions & statements around sexuality.

Sakha culture is generally very reserved and also very tolerant of individual peculiarities & differences. Additionally, the larger post-Soviet culture tends to have a clear demarcation between one’s public and private lives.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with additional questions.

I’m interested in joining you. What’s next?

Please click here to schedule an informational interview with Laura Perlin to discuss your participation in Journey: Sakha.

Will there be internet access?

In Moscow and Yakutsk, yes.

At Lena Pillars, Sata Khaya, Yhyakh, and all villages, there will not be internet access, electricity, or plumbing.

Will my cell phone work?

If your phone plan includes international roaming, your phone should work in Moscow and Yakutsk.

Outside of the city, your non-Russian cell phone is unlikely to work. There are local cellular providers who provide service to some of the villages that foreign carriers are unable to reach. However, service can be spotty and still won’t cover all of the locations we visit.

At locations where there is no cell coverage, even for locals, trip leaders will carry a satellite phone in case of emergency.

What will the toilets and bathroom facilities be like?

Even in the city of Yakutsk, some of the toilets are of the squat outhouse variety.

At our guesthouse in Yakutsk, we will have indoor plumbing and western style toilets. Elsewhere, it will be squat pit toilets.

Get used to carrying some toilet paper and hand sanitizer on your person. Trip leaders will have some to share; however, local toilet paper has a rough texture. If you prefer soft white toilet paper, bring a roll with you.

In locations where we have squat toilets, we will not have bathing facilities.

What are the additional costs not covered in the trip fee?

Because we will be traveling in very remote places where it will be hard for participants to go off and do things by themselves, almost all trip costs are covered.

Flights to/from Moscow are not covered. There will be a few meals in Yakutsk and at the Yhyakh festival where participants will be free to roam and explore on their own; these aren’t covered.

Private sessions with shamans/healers are not covered, nor are any personal purchases.

All lodging, guides, activities, and transport are covered within the trip cost. Visas and visa support are covered. Travel insurance.

Can we drink tap water in Sakha Republic?

Tap water is not safe to drink. It is safe for washing hands, washing fruits & vegetables, brushing teeth, etc.

Jugs of drinking water for participant consumption will be provided for the duration of the trip in Sakha Republic. Bring a refillable water bottle.

In remote areas, we will often drink fresh, untreated water from natural sources. It may have a mineral taste to which you are unaccustomed.

Will there be ATM access?

Moscow and Yakutsk have large networks of ATMs. Other than that, no. Get cash in the city or before you leave home.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

Yes. Your trip leader will communicate with you about required coverage.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions & allergies?

To some extent. In remote areas, we will sometimes be hosted in people’s homes. Even in Yakutsk, vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/etc are relatively unknown. In general, food choices tend towards the limited.

Traditional Sakha diet consists of pastured meat, wild meat, horse & cow dairy, fish, berries, and mushrooms, with some herbs for flavor & spice. No grains, legumes, or vegetables at all.

With incorporation into the Russian empire in the 17th century, Russian cuisine began to integrate into the Sakha diet. Today you will find potatoes, carrots, zucchini, a few other vegetables, and bread, rice, and pasta. In the city there are more options, including international grocery stores & restaurants.

Let us know your needs and preferences, and we will give you honest feedback about whether we can accommodate them. We are unlikely to be able to meet strict dietary needs that are at odds with Sakha cuisine.

Will I need any vaccines for travel to Sakha Republic?

Consult with your physician or a travel health specialist for an answer. At the time of writing, there are no health restrictions or warnings specific to Sakha Republic.

Will I encounter many English speakers?

Probably not. Outside of the city, many people speak Sakha as a first language and Russian as a second. English speakers are few and far between, but generally increasing.

Your guide Laura Perlin speaks English and will be your translator for the duration of the trip.

Are there local customs I should know about?

Yes, many! The cultural immersion aspect of this trip is one of its most profound and most challenging aspects.

You’ll be traveling in a part of the world with an indigenous majority population, and you will encounter many ways of being that may be unfamiliar. We recommend that you approach these differences with openness, curiosity, humor, and humility.

You may notice that touch between adults of any gender is uncommon. Hugging, cheek kissing, holding hands, & linking arms are all uncommon between adults of any gender. With the influence of the global media these things are becoming more common, but don’t be surprised if people don’t reach for a handshake.

Sakha culture is very reserved. Many individuals refrain from public expressions of effusiveness or excitement. It is uncommon to hear a raised voice. The exception to this is during ritual, where you may hear screaming and crying.

You will also notice that the relationship with time is different. Things take as long as they need to. Activities are often not bound to a particular time on the clock. There is a practice of surrendering to the spaciousness of the moment, rather than plugging in to a timetable. There is more unstructured time than in the west.

Will there be alcohol or other intoxicants on this trip?

Alcoholism continues to be a major struggle in Sakha communities, as in many indigenous communities around the world. Social drinking is very rare in this part of the world; people tend to either abstain from alcohol entirely, or else they are sick with alcoholism.

Your guides Laura and Dmitry are both Sakha people who abstain from alcohol. In honor of Sakha cultural practice and in respect of community health, this will be an alcohol-free trip.

What should I pack?

Full packing list will be provided to all participants.

Short list: comfortable walking/hiking shoes, flip flops for the shower, a quick drying camping towel, sleeping bag, toilet paper/hand sanitizer, electronics chargers & adapter, swim suit, sun hat, rain gear and a warm layer, water shoes, toiletries, & personal items.

Is this trip safe?

You are encouraged to make the right decision for you, and we are happy to assist you in making this choice. Some risk factors include travel by foot, motor vehicle, boat, and plane; exposure to sun; drinking unfiltered water (in remote areas); eating unfamiliar foods; exposure to insects; and the risks associated with hiking & swimming. All risk factors are exacerbated by the fact that this trip takes place in very remote locations with limited access to infrastructure and medical facilities.

Full disclosures and waivers will be provided to trip participants.

What will temperatures be like?

70-90F/21-32C daytime. 50-70F/10-20C nightime.

We will likely have a few days of rain, during which daytime temperature will be approximately equal to nighttime temperature.

Will it really be light outside all the time?

Yes! Although the sun will dip in the sky for a couple of hours, it won’t set at all for the duration of our trip. Your sleep, dreams, and waking consciousness may be affected as a result. Bring a sleep mask and earplugs if you’d like.