One of the coldest inhabited places on Earth
A small town of around 1,100 people in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) of northeastern Siberia, high above the Arctic Circle in the Yana River basin. It is one of the two contenders for the title 'Pole of Cold' of the Northern Hemisphere, with winter temperatures that routinely plunge below -50°C.
Founded as a Cossack outpost in the 17th century, Verkhoyansk was long used as a place of political exile under the Russian Empire because of its extreme remoteness and climate. A temperature of around -67.8°C recorded here in the 1890s is among the coldest ever measured in an inhabited place.
Best May–Sep · Very cold Oct–Mar (varies widely by region) — this reflects Russia's seasonal weather and crowds.
eVisa (most passport holders). Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — always confirm with the official Russia government or embassy before you travel.
Russian Ruble (RUB). You can convert USD to the live local rate right on this page.
Russian is the primary language in Russia.
Dial 112 for emergencies in Russia.
Tap water here is generally rated "Boil first". When unsure, choose sealed bottled or filtered water.
Type C/F. Bring a compatible adapter — you can build a full packing list for Verkhoyansk on this page.
Safety varies by neighbourhood and changes over time, so there's no one-word answer. The local emergency number is 112. Check SkyOSK's safety notes for Verkhoyansk and your government's current travel advisory before you go.