Dudinka is a small town and sea port on the river Yenissey, on the peninsula Taymyr, located on permafrost, 70 km from Norilsk, 1500 km from Krasnoyarsk, 2800 km from Moscow and 2300 km from North Pole. The population of 22.200 residents. Dudinka was founded in the 17th century.

In summer tourists arrive to Dudinka from Krasnoyarsk by motor vessels. Traditionally Dudinka city tour starts from the city quay, from where visitors can see Vvedenskaya church. An excursion also includes visiting Taimyr Regional Museum, City Center of folk art, Memorial museum of Boris Molchanov. Walking along Dudinka’s terrace-like blocks, Russian and foreign tourists learn a nature of Siberian transpolar town: despite harsh winds, polar night (45 days and nights, from 30 November till 13 January), polar day (68 days and nights, from 19 May till 25 July), white nights (23 nights, 25 July till 17 August), twilight nights (30 nights, from 17 August till 16 September), 9 months long winter with a temperature  -50°C, life in Dudinka boils very actively. Absence of old buildings and colorful new buildings amaze by their modernity.

Dudinka and its surroundings include Kheta River basin which is a tributary of the Khatanga River and south forest-tundra on both banks of Yenisey river, where the biggest Russian sea and river port is located (Dudinsky port). The main aim of the port is sending cargo from mettalurgical company "Norilsk Nickel" (Russian nickel and palladium mining and smelting plant) via Norilsk railroad.

Dudinka seaport - the only one in the world is flooded every year during spring ice break. In this regard, there is a complete evacuation of equipment and goods to flood-free mark of 20 m. The peak of flooding is on June, 7 during an ice drift. The maximum water level recorded in 1999 at the level of 21.49 m. The main sea port piers on 8-meter mark are exempted from the water by 1 July.

Docks there have a depth of 8-12 meters which allows to serve ships with a weight-carrying capacity of 17 thousands tons. Summer navigation period continues from June 15 to October 20, winter navigation is provided by icebreaking ships which convoy transport vessels through the ice. The all-year-navigation in Dudinka became possible since 1972. The port has 23 river piers, 9 sea piers and 8 piers of high water with pass-through function of 25 thousand tons per day.

Communication available during the whole year is an aircraft transport (“Alykel” airport is located in 53 km away from Dudinka. There are regular buses run between the airport and the city). In summer it is easy to get from Krasnoyarsk to Dudinka by cargo-and-passenger ships. There is also a highway of federal significance which connects Dudinka with towns of Norilsk industrial district. There are no any roads connecting villages around Dudinka, and it is necessary to use “zimnik” (special winter roads) to get from one to another.

There are Volochanka, Levinskie pesky, Potapovo, Ust-Avam, Khantaiskoe ozero villages near Dudinka. 7% of Dudinka citizens are indigenous people from the Notrh – dolgans, nganasans, nenets people, evenk people, enets people etc.

Spring fishing for candle fish is a fascinating deal of local people, because soft-salted, sun-dried or smoked candle fish is a best present to friends and relatives who live on "the Big Land". In summer fishers usually fish out vendace, nelma, luce, dog-fish, sturgeon. In tundra which surrounds Dudinka only edible mushrooms grow (because of the climate), exotic fen-berry and arctic raspberry.

Please note, that Dudinka is a closed city, the Russian Security Service requires a special permission to enter Norilsk and Dudinka, all foreigners must apply in advance, better in 40 days before arrival. You do NOT need any special permission: during Yenissey river cruise till Dudinka and during your stay at Dudinka port, but if you are going to leave the ship and visit the town, you need to provide this very special permission from Russian Security Service. 

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