Today we prepare for our camping trip to Tuymaada Yhyakh, the republic-wide ritual festival celebrating the summer solstice, the central holiday (and new year) in Sakha culture. Over 100,000 people will be in attendance, creating a diversity of ritual, celebration, exhibition and marketplace that we’ll experience for three days at the sacred site of Us Khatyng.

Travel to our destination takes about an hour, after which we will set up camp and have an experiential introduction to Yhyakh, learning about its traditions, symbols, and celebratory components. We will walk around as a group, taking in the major landmarks and learning to orient ourselves to the land.

Accommodations: camping, shared tents. pit toilets.

Meals Included: breakfast, lunch.

Included Activities: trip to Yhyakh, all guided visits and interpretive experiences while there.

Special Information: Yhyakh is a massive ritual celebration, with events taking place 24 hours a day for three days. It’s important to pace yourself and practice self awareness and self care. Stay hydrated and remember to eat and sleep. Yhyakh is an alcohol-free event.