Wild Russia: a trip to the most incredible remote places

There is no shortage of uninhabited places in Russia — just go outside big cities and you’ll see old churches and wooden houses that are falling apart somewhere in the middle of nowhere. However, there are also plenty of places where people are merely guests at the mercy of the majestic Mother Nature. We’ve put together our top 7 of destinations that will help you discover wild Russia:

• Chukotka

• Putorana Plateau

• Yamal

• Kuril Islands & Sahalin

• Yakutia

• Shantar Islands
  

• Manpupuner Rock Formations

1. Chukotka

The easternmost point of Russia, the land of unique animals and indigenous peoples. This huge region of Russia is where helicopters are the mode of transportation and whales and nature reserves coexist with abandoned villages of the Soviet era. 

When to go: to see the "winter" Chukotka plan a trip in March-April, for a summer adventure go there in July-August.

Where to start: Anadyr

Top 3 things to see: polar bears, Cape Dezhnev and deer in the endless tundra.

Photo: iz.ru 

2. Putorana Plateau

A place that became very popular after the release of the film "Territory", which tells a story about the difficult life of geologists in search of gold. The Putorana Plateau has become the backdrop for this Russian film, and many travelers want to see its endless expanse in real life. Scenic canyons, wind whistling in your ears, breathtaking helicopter rides and trekking — this is what you will remember if you go there on a tour.

When to go: July-August

Where to start: Norilsk

Top 3 things to see: towering waterfalls, lakes and a museum of permafrost in Igarka.

Фото: culture.ru 

3. Yamal

The Polar Urals are harsh and unpredictable like the true north. They even served as a research object for geographers and ethnographers in the USSR. These days Yamal is popular with those who are fond of glaciers, nature reserves and adore reindeer (who doesn’t?).

When to go: March, August-September 

Where to start: Salekhard

Top 3 things to see: nomadic peoples, winter fishing and wooden Obdorskiy ostrog in Salekhard, the oldest in Siberia.

4. Kuril Islands

If you refuse to be impressed by Kamchatka, take a closer look at Sakhalin and the Kuril islands. The graceful stretch of volcanic land in the Pacific Ocean — you can get there only by sea or a helicopter. Imagine trekking through landscapes similar to Kamchatka, but much more wild and savage. Commit to memory the names of all the islands, follow the protected paths and marvel at the cemeteries of the lost ships. This area is perfect for photographers, ready to capture the most beautiful places of Russia.

When to go: June - early September

Where to start: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky or Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Top 3 things to see: Golovin volcano, White rocks and sea lions.

5. Yakutia

Going to Yakutia is a brave decision. This place appears uninhabited, but some people live here all the time, even when winter temperatures drop to -50°С. Taking a helicopter ride over Yakutia in early autumn, when endless golden valleys of autumn trees open up below you, is a great way to see this area.

When to go: if you are brave enough and want to find out where the coldest place on Earth is, come here in winter. In summer come here for the Lena Pillars, a giant geological monument.

Where to start: Yakutsk

Top 3 things to see: Oymyakon, also known as the Pole of Cold, the Gulag Museum in Tomtor and the giant Mir canyon, used for mining diamonds.

Photo: baikalnature.ru  

6. Shantar Islands

These Islands of the Far East are set in the Sea of Okhotsk. Going on this expedition, you must be prepared for the rough sea and complete isolation. Walk around the islands, get to know local seals and birds, try to imagine yourself as a discoverer of these places and learn how to sail a yacht among the turquoise waters of the Sea of Okhotsk.

When to go: July-August

Where to start: Nikolaevsk-on-Amur

Top 3 things to see: Amur estuary, whales and killer whales that you are most likely to see, rainbow rocks of Feklistov Island.

Photo: podparusami.club

7. Manpupuner Rock Formations

You don’t need to go to the Far East to see wild Russia. Sometimes you can just start off by the Ural Mountains — snowmobiles, helicopters and you are in the wild lands of the Komi Republic, looking at the Manpupuner Rock Formations. There isn’t a single town or settlement within a 100 km radius, but 40-meter pillars of rock, shaped by the power of wind and time. You will be staying in tents and trekking — a total digital detox.

When to go: January, February or July-August

Where to start: Syktyvkar

Top 3 things to see: seven pillars of the Manpupuner, Dyatlov Pass and the source of the Pechora River among the tundra.

Photo: sport-marafon.ru

Russia is endless. Its wilderness gets deep into your soul, and weeks spent without access to technology help to switch off your mind and reevaluate what really is important. Listen to yourself. Listen to the wind. Hear the heartbeat of the country.