Yamal proves to be a destination that shines in every season. It welcomes visitors in winter, summer, and autumn. A traveler and blogger notes that Yamal is a place where seasonal shifts unlock entirely new environments.
winter in plague
This winter, routes are prepared to welcome guests and let them glimpse daily life of the North’s indigenous communities. In Yamal, Nenets, Khanty, and Selkups live and work in close proximity to visitors. Guests can visit a reindeer herders’ camp, ride a reindeer sleigh, and meet Yamal Iri, a local figure associated with the region, who is hosted in Gornoknyazevsk, near Salekhard.
A traveler said that winter grants an ethnographic window into the lives of northern communities. The season invites learners to observe nomadic practices in the cold, and visitors themselves can decide how deep that experience goes.
Travelers recommend diving into the life of northern small peoples by aligning with a traditional winter festival. The Reindeer Herders Day occurs in February–March, and this is seen as one of the easiest and most accessible ways to understand indigenous customs beyond a museum visit.
Another approachable option is to visit one of the tents kept by Khanty and Nenets families for guests. These aren’t permanent homes, but families who once roamed the tundra now live near towns and villages while sharing their way of life with visitors for short programs or an overnight stay.
A more immersive, albeit tougher, path is to stay with a real nomad family engaged in reindeer herding. Daily life in a tent involves simple meals cooked on a stove, sleeping on boards, and limited facilities. Animal companions, including dogs, stay close by for warmth, and the space is heated solely by the stove at night. It is not a tourist show; it is a chance to observe and participate in everyday living and chores, if one is prepared for basic conditions.
Many find the discomfort worth enduring because it yields a rare glimpse into a traditional way of life and the stunning winter tundra. Frosts can plunge dramatically, and sunsets unfold slowly, with deer herds releasing a golden vapor as the light fades. Those moments make the harsher days feel meaningful rather than merely difficult.
Winter also offers encounters with musk oxen at the Kordon Morozova nursery in Ingilor Nature Park. The animals active in winter stand away from the fences during summer but come to feed when hay is harvested. The park, established on the site of a former protected area, stretches across a vast landscape and requires a permit to enter. Yet such permissions are usually straightforward to obtain for curious visitors.
Ingilor Park dates back to a 2022 establishment on a site once known as Polar-Ural Park, a vast reserve that now covers hundreds of thousands of hectares. Its reach extends from the Sob River to the Baydarata River, a reminder of how expansive and wild the region remains, even for those entering with a guide.
Summer and autumn in the tundra
Summer in this northern expanse means long days of bright sun, clear rivers, and fresh air. It is a prime time to explore the Polar Urals’ natural wealth. In summer, greenery flourishes around Yamal, even as the climate stays cool. From June to August the season offers brisk adventures in fishing, hiking to notable sights, and enjoying waters that invite a swim or a drink from pristine streams. Long white nights stretch into the horizon, occasionally leaving the sun above the line all night long.
The Romantikov Glacier stands out as an accessible highlight in the Polar Urals. A day trip from Salekhard brings visitors to a glacier perched high in the Rai-Iz massif, roughly 800 meters above sea level and formed many centuries ago. Its discovery took place in the mid-20th century, marking a milestone in Arctic glaciology.
For more remote destinations, the Romantics’ Glacier rewards those willing to trek farther and rent off-road transport. Visitors must be prepared for long drives and sparse road networks, but the payoff is dramatic alpine scenery and spectacular vistas that showcase the tundra’s stark beauty.
All-terrain vehicles with ultra-low-pressure tires are the practical choice for tundra travel. They enable access to the Yangana-Pe tract within Ingilor Nature Park, where the karst lake Num-Khayal sits regarded as sacred by the Nenets. The lake’s waters are so clear that travelers often fill bottles to take a sample home. The lake’s precise depth remains a mystery, with estimates suggesting it sits at several dozen meters below the surface.
The Yangana-Pe massif is an ancient landmark, a Devonian-era reef that formed hundreds of millions of years ago. Standing on the ridge can evoke a humbling feeling—an instant reminder of the small place humans occupy amid timeless rock, wind, moss, berries, and wide, pale skies that mirror the sun.
Another notable highlight is Lake Khadatayoganlor. Reaching it typically requires several days of trekking, sometimes with overnight stops or boat travel. The journey tends to be a serious expedition, rewarding those who gain the time and stamina to travel slowly through the landscape.
The Rai-Izsky massif with the Jade Valley may be accomplished in a single day from Salekhard, but it still requires off-road travel. The valley’s name reflects the presence of green minerals, yet jade itself is rare. The landscape delivers dramatic views: low-growing larches, moss and lichens, and a wind that keeps expectations high. The Sob River adds a refreshing edge to the scenery, while blueberries punctuate the landscape with color and scent, and the weather remains brisk and changeable.
When and how is the best time to go to Yamal?
If winter feels excessively harsh, August and September offer more comfortable sightseeing. A traveler believes autumn is ideal for Yamal, when mosquitoes and midges decline and temperatures stay mild enough for day trips. The tundra bursts with autumn color, making a visit especially striking.
This season often reveals the tundra in September as scarlet and ocher mingle with the emerald of larches and abundant berries. With a warm jacket and waterproof socks, it is possible to enjoy the outdoors without discomfort. Even with popular tourist arrangements, the region remains demanding: weather can turn quickly, equipment may fail, and connectivity can vanish far from urban centers. Those considering a trip should plan for contingencies and personal survival strategies as a precaution.
A practical note for the warm months and winter alike: carry repellents in summer and gear that keeps warmth in winter. Modern, self-heating undergarments for hands and feet are widely available, making those long days in the cold more comfortable. A journey to Yamal can become a memorable story, one that may inspire a return trip.
The trip described here was organized through a regional nonprofit as part of a media intelligence initiative aimed at showcasing northern life and travel possibilities.