Ust-Nera

Gold mining town of about 17,000 people at the confluence of the Nera and Indigirka rivers. Though subjected to freezing winters and short summers, the town does not lack spirit or location. In particular, it is surrounded by tall craggy mountains, some glaciers, endless taiga.

The town can be covered on foot. There is a bus service to the airport, about 8 km to the west.

• 🌍 Local Lore Museum (Краеведческий Музей), ☏ +7 411 542-17-89. The regional museum has several interesting exhibits covering geography, geology, indigenous culture, and local history - the first geologists arrived by float plane in 1938. (updated Jan 2020)

There are restaurants, but most only open on Friday and Saturday night.

Alcohol, juice, or water can be bought from any corner store. Public consumption of alcohol is frowned upon, if not illegal.

There is one hotel in a pink building on the main street. Single rooms are 1600 руб a night but very basic. There is a camp site near the airport, but wild animals often make a stop there for food.

Internet cafes are unknown here. Mobile reception works, though can be patchy. If you desperately need internet, you could ask someone and offer to pay, as consumption is billed by the megabyte.

About 200 km south by plane is Tomtor, the northern Pole of Cold. There is a decaying dirt track around 50km south to one of the few gulags still visible in the region. The good artefacts are in a museum and all the buildings collapsed.

About 100 km to the north is the Indigirka gorge, a rather spectacular set of rapids that can be visited by helicopter. The rapids are big enough that fish cannot cross - there are different species above and below.