The Akhtaranda has a drainage basin of 15,700 square kilometres (6,100 sq mi).

It heads roughly southwards meandering slightly among low hills.

Finally, it meets the northern shore of the Vilyuy Reservoir 1,336 km (830 mi) from its mouth in the Lena.

[3][4] The main tributary of the Akhtaranda is the 221 kilometres (137 mi) long Batyr joining it from the right, and the 78 kilometres (48 mi) long Aannaakh (Аанньаах) from the left.

The Akhtaranda freezes in mid October and stays under ice until late May or June.