The Pole of cold monument in the centre of Oymyakon, the coldest permanently inhabited place on earth

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; The Pole of cold monument, the concrete statue of a bull and the electronic thermometer in the centre of Oymyakon, the coldest permanently inhabited place on earth are a must see when visiting Oymyakon. The monument represents a tribute to the recording of the lowest temperature (-71.2C) 96F in a habitable area. It is located a short walk (1,000 meters) from the sign at the entrance to the town.

Typical Siberian houses in the village of Oymyakon (Pole of Cold), the coldest permanently inhabited place on earth, Sakha Republic, Russia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Positioned deep in Siberia, the village of Oymyakon holds the distinction of being the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. Temperatures have dropped below -71 Celsius in the past, with average January temperatures sitting at around -50 C. Despite all that, the 500 inhabitants of Oymyakon manage to make those conditions hospitable. Despite such extreme conditions, or maybe because of them, Oymyakon is a popular tourist destination.

Oymyakon in Siberia has its own version of Santa: he's called 'Chyskhaan', the Lord of the Cold

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; In eastern Siberia, thermometers normally hover at around -50°C. It is a white steppe, where towns like Oymyakon, the coldest in the world, somehow manage to survive. Here in Oymyakon, the average winter temperature hovers between -42°C and -50°C, with winter lasting nine long months. The toughest months are December and January, when there is light for just three hours a day.

Typical Siberian houses in the village of Oymyakon (Pole of Cold), the coldest permanently inhabited place on earth, Sakha Republic, Russia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Positioned deep in Siberia, the village of Oymyakon holds the distinction of being the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. Temperatures have dropped below -71 Celsius in the past, with average January temperatures sitting at around -50 C. Despite all that, the 500 inhabitants of Oymyakon manage to make those conditions hospitable. Despite such extreme conditions, or maybe because of them, Oymyakon is a popular tourist destination.

The school bus in front of the school in Oymyakon (Pole of Cold), the coldest permanently inhabited place on earth, Sakha Republic, Russia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Positioned deep in Siberia, the village of Oymyakon holds the distinction of being the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. Temperatures have dropped below -71 Celsius in the past, with average January temperatures sitting at around -50 C. Despite all that, the 500 inhabitants of Oymyakon manage to make those conditions hospitable. Despite such extreme conditions, or maybe because of them, Oymyakon is a popular tourist destination.

Covered by snow village of Oymyakon at sunset, Sakha Republic, Russia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; The valley of Oymyakon in Yakutia (northeast Russia) is known as the Pole of Cold and with average January temperatures of -50C, it is no wonder the village is the coldest permanently inhabited settlement in the world. Pipes in Oymyakon freeze, so most restrooms are plumbing-less outhouses. The gruelling weather conditions determine every aspect of the locals’ lives.

Two women walking on the snowy road in the village of Oymyakon (Pole of Cold), the coldest permanently inhabited place on earth, Sakha Republic, Russia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Positioned deep in Siberia, the village of Oymyakon holds the distinction of being the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. Temperatures have dropped below -71 Celsius in the past, with average January temperatures sitting at around -50 C. Despite all that, the 500 inhabitants of Oymyakon manage to make those conditions hospitable. Despite such extreme conditions, or maybe because of them, Oymyakon is a popular tourist destination.

Covered by snow village of Oymyakon at sunset, Sakha Republic, Russia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; The valley of Oymyakon in Yakutia (northeast Russia) is known as the Pole of Cold and with average January temperatures of -50C, it is no wonder the village is the coldest permanently inhabited settlement in the world. Pipes in Oymyakon freeze, so most restrooms are plumbing-less outhouses. The gruelling weather conditions determine every aspect of the locals’ lives.

Horses at Yakutian horse breeding farm near Oymyakon in winter, Sakha Republic, Russia

Yakutia horse breeding farm, Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Not far from the Pole of Cold - the village of Oymyakon Yakutia horse breeding farm is located. The Yakutian horse is unique breed accustomed to live in the extreme cold. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse. It is unique with the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C.

The horse farmer Mihail explains about the different aspects of the harsh life at the horse breeding farm near Oymyakon, especially in winter

Yakutia horse breeding farm, Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Not far from the Pole of Cold - the village of Oymyakon Yakutia horse breeding farm is located. The Yakutian horse is unique breed accustomed to live in the extreme cold. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse. It is unique with the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C.

Horses at Yakutian horse breeding farm near Oymyakon in winter, Sakha Republic, Russia

Yakutia horse breeding farm, Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Not far from the Pole of Cold - the village of Oymyakon Yakutia horse breeding farm is located. The Yakutian horse is unique breed accustomed to live in the extreme cold. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse. It is unique with the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C.

The horse farmer Mihail explains about the different aspects of the harsh life at the horse breeding farm near Oymyakon, especially in winter

Yakutia horse breeding farm, Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Not far from the Pole of Cold - the village of Oymyakon Yakutia horse breeding farm is located. The Yakutian horse is unique breed accustomed to live in the extreme cold. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse. It is unique with the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C.

Man in horse-drawn sleigh at Yakutian horse breeding farm near Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia

Yakutia horse breeding farm, Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Not far from the Pole of Cold - the village of Oymyakon Yakutia horse breeding farm is located. The Yakutian horse is unique breed accustomed to live in the extreme cold. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse. It is unique with the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C.

Horses at Yakutian horse breeding farm near Oymyakon in winter, Sakha Republic, Russia

Yakutia horse breeding farm, Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Not far from the Pole of Cold - the village of Oymyakon Yakutia horse breeding farm is located. The Yakutian horse is unique breed accustomed to live in the extreme cold. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse. It is unique with the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C.

Horses at Yakutian horse breeding farm near Oymyakon in winter, Sakha Republic, Russia

Yakutia horse breeding farm, Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia; February 18, 2020; Not far from the Pole of Cold - the village of Oymyakon Yakutia horse breeding farm is located. The Yakutian horse is unique breed accustomed to live in the extreme cold. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse. It is unique with the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C.

Fisherman showing how to set up the ice fishing equipment before ice fishing on the frozen Indigirka River near Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold inYakutia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia; February 18, 2020; Ice-fishing on the Indigirka river near the village of Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold, is a common activity for the villagers. The fisherman monitors the River daily and knows exactly where the best bites are and where to fish. They auger out a hole through the thick ice, then put a cover over it to keep it clear. They clear the ice often, preventing the closure of the hole. Ice-fishing is a cold and sometimes lonely pursuit. However groups of fishermen go ice fishing, bringing warm clothes, snacks, vodka, and boxes to sit on. The Indigirka River is a river in the Sakha Republic in Russia between the Yana River and the Kolyma River.

Fisherman showing how to set up the ice fishing equipment before ice fishing on the frozen Indigirka River near Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold inYakutia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia; February 18, 2020; Ice-fishing on the Indigirka river near the village of Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold, is a common activity for the villagers. The fisherman monitors the River daily and knows exactly where the best bites are and where to fish. They auger out a hole through the thick ice, then put a cover over it to keep it clear. They clear the ice often, preventing the closure of the hole. Ice-fishing is a cold and sometimes lonely pursuit. However groups of fishermen go ice fishing, bringing warm clothes, snacks, vodka, and boxes to sit on. The Indigirka River is a river in the Sakha Republic in Russia between the Yana River and the Kolyma River.

Fisherman showing how to set up the ice fishing equipment before ice fishing on the frozen Indigirka River near Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold inYakutia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia; February 18, 2020; Ice-fishing on the Indigirka river near the village of Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold, is a common activity for the villagers. The fisherman monitors the River daily and knows exactly where the best bites are and where to fish. They auger out a hole through the thick ice, then put a cover over it to keep it clear. They clear the ice often, preventing the closure of the hole. Ice-fishing is a cold and sometimes lonely pursuit. However groups of fishermen go ice fishing, bringing warm clothes, snacks, vodka, and boxes to sit on. The Indigirka River is a river in the Sakha Republic in Russia between the Yana River and the Kolyma River.

Fisherman showing how to set up the ice fishing equipment before ice fishing on the frozen Indigirka River near Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold inYakutia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia; February 18, 2020; Ice-fishing on the Indigirka river near the village of Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold, is a common activity for the villagers. The fisherman monitors the River daily and knows exactly where the best bites are and where to fish. They auger out a hole through the thick ice, then put a cover over it to keep it clear. They clear the ice often, preventing the closure of the hole. Ice-fishing is a cold and sometimes lonely pursuit. However groups of fishermen go ice fishing, bringing warm clothes, snacks, vodka, and boxes to sit on. The Indigirka River is a river in the Sakha Republic in Russia between the Yana River and the Kolyma River.

Fisherman showing how to set up the ice fishing equipment before ice fishing on the frozen Indigirka River near Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold inYakutia

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia; February 18, 2020; Ice-fishing on the Indigirka river near the village of Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold, is a common activity for the villagers. The fisherman monitors the River daily and knows exactly where the best bites are and where to fish. They auger out a hole through the thick ice, then put a cover over it to keep it clear. They clear the ice often, preventing the closure of the hole. Ice-fishing is a cold and sometimes lonely pursuit. However groups of fishermen go ice fishing, bringing warm clothes, snacks, vodka, and boxes to sit on. The Indigirka River is a river in the Sakha Republic in Russia between the Yana River and the Kolyma River.

Yakutia village of Tyungyulyu on the Kolyma Highway covered by snow in winter, Russian Far East

The Kolyma Highway, Russian Far East, Russia; February 20, 2020; Originally built by prisoners using hand tools in the 1930s, the Kolyma Highway represents the unification of two road systems, one stretching east from Yakutsk, the other north and west from the sea port of Magadan. The road condition is best in winter, when it is made of ice. During winter the temperature is rarely warmer than -30C. Using The Kolyma Highway, you can explore the Russian Far East and see lots of mines, wilderness, bears, moose, squirrels and abandoned cities.

Yakutia village of Uolba on the Kolyma Highway covered by snow in winter, Russian Far East

The village of Uolba, The Kolyma Highway, Russian Far East, Russia; February 20, 2020; Uolba is a rural locality on Kolyma Highway. It is famous with the sculptures made from cow shit by a local artist. Driving along Kolyma Highway, you can explore the Russian Far East and see lots of mines, wilderness, bears, moose, squirrels and abandoned cities.

Yakutia village of Tyungyulyu on the Kolyma Highway covered by snow in winter, Russian Far East

The Kolyma Highway, Russian Far East, Russia; February 20, 2020; Originally built by prisoners using hand tools in the 1930s, the Kolyma Highway represents the unification of two road systems, one stretching east from Yakutsk, the other north and west from the sea port of Magadan. The road condition is best in winter, when it is made of ice. During winter the temperature is rarely warmer than -30C. Using The Kolyma Highway, you can explore the Russian Far East and see lots of mines, wilderness, bears, moose, squirrels and abandoned cities.

Yakutia village of Tyungyulyu on the Kolyma Highway covered by snow in winter, Russian Far East

The Kolyma Highway, Russian Far East, Russia; February 20, 2020; Originally built by prisoners using hand tools in the 1930s, the Kolyma Highway represents the unification of two road systems, one stretching east from Yakutsk, the other north and west from the sea port of Magadan. The road condition is best in winter, when it is made of ice. During winter the temperature is rarely warmer than -30C. Using The Kolyma Highway, you can explore the Russian Far East and see lots of mines, wilderness, bears, moose, squirrels and abandoned cities.