Chukotka: Journey to the 180th Meridian

On the second day, we'll explore Anadyr. During a sightseeing tour, you'll learn about the city's history and visit its most iconic sites: the main square, the memorial cross, the incredibly beautiful and majestic wooden cathedral, and the monument to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker located nearby. After a hearty lunch, you'll meet the Ergyron ensemble, learn firsthand about Chukchi-Eskimo culture, and even participate in a master class in traditional throat singing and dancing. The program concludes with a visit to the Heritage of Chukotka Museum.

After breakfast, we'll head to Gudym, a town never seen on maps. A secret military base was located here during the Cold War, but Gudym was finally abandoned in 2002 and has been gradually deteriorating ever since. We'll stroll through empty streets, peer inside houses, and even descend into the shafts of underground military installations. After lunch in the open air, we'll visit the village of Ugolnye Kopi. This village, once one of the largest settlements in Chukotka, is also partially abandoned, but there are still some residents left. After strolling through Ugolnye Kopi, we'll head to a fishing village, a picturesque spot on the shore of an estuary. Here, you'll learn about the simple life of fishermen and taste red caviar. In the evening, we'll return to Anadyr.

We're leaving Anadyr. In the morning, we'll head to the airport for a flight to the village of Egvekinot. What's so special about this small settlement, nestled on the shores of Kresta Bay and surrounded by rolling hills? First and foremost, it's located beyond the 180th meridian, meaning it's already in the Western Hemisphere! The beautiful natural surroundings of the village are especially noteworthy, as are the signs of neglect and abandonment that might have struck you earlier. Egvekinot is a prosperous, cozy, and charming village. On your first day, you'll enjoy a light program: a sightseeing tour and a visit to the local museum. We'll be staying in small, well-appointed cottages.

Today we'll head to Cape Opasny, which offers incredible views. Chukotka's nature is harsh, not always vibrant, but incredibly atmospheric and memorable. Here we'll visit a brand-new ethnopark, where the daily life of sea hunters from centuries past has been meticulously recreated. During the park tour, you'll learn a lot about traditional Chukchi trades and the importance whaling held (and still holds) in the lives of the indigenous people. We'll have lunch in the park and return to Egvekinot in the afternoon.

The most recognizable location in the Egvekinot area is the Arctic Circle Arch, erected on the highway where the road crosses the Arctic Circle. It's a stunning, symbolic spot where you'll want to linger, take memorable photos, and truly appreciate the vastness of our planet. After a snack in a gazebo by a picturesque stream, we'll also visit a lake with the complex name of Ravkergygytgyn. Translated from Chukchi, it means "Transparent Lake," but in good weather, the waters here aren't clear, but rather a rich emerald green. This, combined with the dark slopes covered in rusty rock inclusions, creates a truly fantastical impression.

The day before, we crossed the Arctic Circle, but that's not the most remarkable geographical point in Chukotka. On our last day of excursion in Egvekinot, we head to a landmark location—the spot where the 180th meridian, which divides the two hemispheres, intersects with the Arctic Circle. What makes this unique location even more unique is that the other "meetings" of this important meridian, the equator and the tropics, are located on the open sea—this is the only intersection on land! In addition to the sign, there's also a massive structure here—a symbol of the Sun. We'll have a picnic right next to the monument and, of course, take dozens of photos to remember the event.