Khanty Tribes Survive –60°C in Siberian Tundra with Reindeer Herds

How Indigenous Tribes Survive the EXTREME Siberian Tundra?

This film was shot in the extreme conditions of the Yamal tundra, far beyond the Arctic Circle in Northern Russia. The Khanty nomads live here — one of the small Indigenous peoples of the Far North. Sharing the endless frozen landscapes with the Nenets, they live completely OFF THE GRID, surviving through traditional reindeer herding. Thanks to the reindeer, they have food, shelter, clothing, and transportation.

They live in cone-shaped dwellings called chums, built from long wooden poles and thick reindeer hides. In the center of each chum is a fireplace or stove, used both for cooking and heating — an absolute lifeline in brutal Arctic winters where temperatures can drop to –50°C, and sometimes even –60°C.

Far from the noise of the modern world and isolated from civilization, the Khanty remain the guardians of the ancient traditions and customs of their ancestors.

Their main occupation is reindeer herding, a survival skill passed down from generation to generation. Reindeer play an essential role in the life of the Khanty, providing them with meat, warm furs, and a reliable means of transportation across the vast, frozen tundra where there are NO ROADS. The Khanty skillfully manage their massive herds, enduring icy winds and blinding snowstorms.

Reindeer are the Khanty’s main source of survival in this extreme environment. They are invaluable creatures that allow these nomadic families not only to endure the harsh Arctic winter, but also to preserve their unique cultural and spiritual heritage in the deepest corners of Siberia.