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A Guide to Hunting Russia’s Northern Lights in Murmansk

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / A Guide to Hunting Russia’s Northern Lights in Murmansk

Where can one experience the northern lights in Russia ? Where is Murmansk in the Kola Peninsula? What are the optimal conditions for finding the Northern Lights in Murmansk, Russia? What else to do in Murmansk during the day? How do I get to Murmansk (Kola Peninsula) from Moscow or St. Petersburg?

There are many wonders in nature, but few are as awe-inspiring as the Northern Lights in Murmansk. Otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis, this phenomenon has brought travellers from all over the world for an unforgettable experience. With the help of this guide, we can ensure that you get the most out of your experience hunting for the Northern Lights in Murmansk, the Kola Peninsula .

Table of Contents

Where is the Kola Peninsula and Murmansk?

The Kola Peninsula is a Russian Region in the North of the Arctic Circle. It is close to the border between Finland and Norway. Murmansk is a small port city in the northwestern area of this region and one of the best places to view the Northern Lights.

What is the best time for Northern Lights in Murmansk?

Hunting for the Northern Lights in Murmansk entails elements of preparation and probabilities but there is also an element of luck. While you can never be 100% sure of sighting the Northern Lights during your stay in the Kola Peninsula there are certain times and areas that will infinitely increase your probability of seeing the lights.

Predicting the appearance of the Northern Lights has always been something of a dark art, but there are some general rules of thumb to follow. Being on the lookout between 8pm and 2am from mid-September to mid-April is critical, preferably from within the Arctic Circle (latitudes between 64 degrees to 70 degrees north should do it) to maximise your chances. The best season to visit Murmansk in order to enjoy winter activities during the day and Northern Lights hunt during the night is January-March.

To prevent the hunt for Russia’s Northern Lights from becoming complete guesswork, we partner with the Polar Geophysical Institute (PGI) in the Kola Peninsula. The PGI uses satellite technology to check for the possibility of Northern Lights appearing. Upon getting a positive confirmation, they search for a place with clear skies and inform us accordingly.

Here you will find some awesome tips to get the most of photographing your experience of the Northern Lights.

What to do in Murmansk while hunting for the Northern Lights?

Want to experience everything Murmansk has to offer while hunting the Northern Lights? Murmansk is known for its incredible biodiversity with its endless forests and tundra, crystal clear lakes and fast-flowing rivers.

1. Explore the city

Murmansk is the northernmost city in Russia, with a population of around 300,000 people, by far the largest city above the Arctic Circle. An important Russian naval base, Murmansk served as a port for the Arctic convoys during WWII. Spend a day to explore the city’s main attractions, such as:

• Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker . It is not only a historical ship – the first nuclear powered civilian vessel – but it also serves as a museum. It is one sight in Murmansk you will not see anywhere else in the world.
• Alyosha Monument . Also considered the “Monument of the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War” which commemorates those who defended the port of Murmansk during the war.
• Northern Fleet Naval Museum . Its exhibits include models of ships, artifacts, and exhibits of Russia’s first Navy and WWII convoys, and a photo collection of Franz Josef Land .
• Regional Museum of Local Lore . The oldest museum in the area, this museum includes everything from minerals and geology to the wildlife, local lore, history, and economy of Murmansk.

2. Get some adrenaline on a snowmobiling excursion

Travel up to Kirovsk at the foot of the Khibiny Mountains and go on a snowmobiling adventure while traveling through rugged mountain regions and beautiful tundra. In the evening, if the conditions are right, you may even be led home by the lights of the Aurora Borealis.

3. Enjoy amazing skiing and snowboarding

Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and other winter activities are popular in Murmansk and Kirovsk. One of the most famous is Big Wood . Nine T-bar lifts, chair lifts and gondola lifts take you on top of the mountain with slopes on both sides. One lift reaches the height of 1047 m, where you can ski down a 2300m slope.

If you aren’t fully equipped for snow sports when you reach Murmansk, you can rent ski and snow equipment from the resort.

4. Be mesmerized by the ice sculptures at the Snow Village

The Snow Village has been painstakingly constructed almost entirely out of ice and snow and features ornately decorated buildings, sculptures and labyrinthine tunnels with intricately patterned rooms, walls and corridors. This enchanting place is the work of true artists and a chance to open your imagination to the magical spirit of winter.

Note: Snow Village operates only from 25th of December until 25th of April.

5. Feed a reindeer at the Saami people tourist center

In addition to giving you a fair chance of glimpsing Russia’s Northern Lights, this area offers travellers the option of experiencing the rich culture of its indigenous Saami people. The Saami are local reindeer herders who are dependent on reindeer for most of their livelihood. You can even try your hand at reindeer herding and develop a deeper understanding of the Saami traditions and culture.

6. Go husky dog-sledding

Alternatively, you can go husky sledding, visiting a farm just outside of Murmansk. You can feast upon a traditional meal before going sledding along specially prepared routes through the snow. You will get a sense of all of the huskies personalities as companionable and fun-loving dogs who have endless stamina to pull you and your sled through the snow.

7. Explore the shores of Barents Sea on a day excursion to the famous Teriberka village

Located on the shore of Barents Sea, 120km, three hours’ drive down an icy road from Murmansk, this small village has just 617 residents and a wide selection of picturesque abandoned houses that could serve as art objects or as a set for horror films. In 2015, thanks to the Oscar-nominated drama movie “Leviathan” from producer Alexei Zvyagintsev, Teriberka village became more known in Russia and also abroad.

During the tour of the village, you will stop at several locations, such as a wooden ships “cemetery”, which is older than 100 years and started from Imperial times. Then, we head to the Arctic Ocean coast for the weird and wonderful photos of frozen rocks and tundra against the mighty Barents Sea, and a magnificent waterfall that flows into the Arctic Ocean.

8. See the Northern lights from a glass igloo

Enjoy starry nights under the Northern Lights at the glass-igloo. Located on the way to Teriberka village, right on the Arctic Circle, each of its glass-domed rooms offers cosy beds, cosseting fur throws, en-suite bathroom and even a small kitchenette. But it’s the view that steals the show, with snowy forests and the lakes frozen waters looked down upon by starry skies and, if conditions are right, the green swirls of the Northern Lights.

How to get to Murmansk?

Getting to murmansk from moscow.

Getting to Murmansk from Moscow can be achieved by a direct flight taking about two and a half hours while overland travel by train can be anywhere upwards of 35 hours. For those who are used to total luxury, the northern lights can be discovered on an epic train journey to the Arctic regions of Russia .

Before you set off on your adventure to the Northern Lights in Murmansk, make sure you allocate a few days to explore all Moscow has to offer . Travelling in winter is when this cold city turns itself into a snow-covered wonderland which gives the city its unique character.

At the top of every tourist must-see list for Moscow sits The Kremlin, Saint Basil’s Cathedral and The Red Square all of which are steeped in Soviet history. Delving into the luxurious end of this destination, you can find the highest concentration of billionaires around the globe leading to an array of experiences you are unlikely to find anywhere else.

Getting to Murmansk from St Petersburg

Your other main option for getting to Murmansk to see the Northern Lights is from St Petersburg . A direct flight to Murmansk will take a little under two hours. If you feel as though you would prefer to take an overland route a direct train would take around 22 hours.

If you want to experience everything on the way to your hunt for the Northern Lights, you can look at this immersive tour taking you all the way up to Murmansk via Karelia and its accompanying in a nature park to see resplendent waterfalls and marble quarries, while also stopping off Kizhi island via a hovercraft ride.

There have been few occasions where the Northern Lights have been seen as far down as St Petersburg but unfortunately, these instances are few and far between. However, if you have some extra time to spare in what is sometimes referred to as the ‘Northern Capital’ of Russia, you will be rewarded with the cultural experience of a lifetime.

This city is renowned for its collection of artwork from the State Russian Museum to the Hermitage museum. You could alternatively treat yourself to some theatre or ballet from the Mariinsky theatre or even strolling the UNESCO heritage listed historic centre of town.

Where to Stay in Murmansk

There are plenty of hotels in Murmansk, our recommendation are the following:

Azimut hotel 4* Park Inn by Radisson Polyarnye Zory 4* Boutique hotel Renaissance 3* Congress Hotel Meridian 3* Eco home

Weather in Murmansk

Murmansk has relatively mild weather for how far north it is. In the winter weather is usually around -10 degrees Celsius. Polar nights (24-hour darkness) occur from December 2 – January 11. Polar nights are a natural phenomenon that occurs at latitudes to the north of the polar circle. In northwestern Russia, the circle passes through the southern part of the  Kola Peninsula  and part of  Karelia . At Murmansk’s latitude, polar nights last about 40 days, while the phenomenon lasts half a year at the  North Pole .

Even though the sun remains below the horizon, the Russian Arctic is not blacked out completely. On clear days, you can see beautiful sunset colours in the south while the sky to the north is a deep midnight blue.

Enjoy your tour in Murmansk

So head for the snow-white serenity of the Kola Peninsula, where the Saami have herded reindeer for generations, go husky sledding throughout the tundra and go snowmobiling through the Khibiny mountains. All of this can be done on your hunt for the Northern Lights in Murmansk .

Take a closer look at the 56th Parallel itineraries and departures:

• Quest for Aurora Borealis  (4-day tour)
• Northern Lights discovery tour  (7-day tour)
• Aurora Borealis: Arctic Winter Magic  (12-day tour)

These tours can be personalised in order for you to maximise your experience in Russia and give you the best possible chance of finding the Northern Lights.

If your hunt for Russia’s Northern Lights is successful, then kudos to you, you will come home with genuine bragging rights, amazing photography and be one of the few who witnessed this natural wonder. If you don’t happen to experience it during your visit, you would still enjoy a rich cultural experience, exploring the people and the environment of the Kola Peninsula.

For more information on related tours contact us here: [email protected] Ph: +61 2 93889816

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We stayed at Aurora Village for 4 days and a half in summer for a glamping adventure. The domes are extremely cosy and warm with floor heating when the temperatures drop at night and there's even a stove with wood if you are chilly. Everything inside is convenient : a large bathroom with excellent shower, a table and chairs. If you are a family, there's a mezzanine upstairs with more beds. It is a great spot to get a beautiful view over the lake.

On the glamping site, there's a café which is soon to open (it will be a fantastic place for sunsets over the lake!). You also have the possibility to bring your own food to cook on the bbq (chachliks are a traditional activity for Russian people). And there's also a Japanese jacuzzi if you feel like a warm relaxing time. If, like I am, you are more of a cold bath person, a swim in the lake is also a great refreshing activity that I recommend (for a few minutes if you don't want to end up frozen:-)). You can also easily go for a hike in the tundra around the lake. Russian people pick berries and mushrooms there at that time of the year so as the saying goes : do as the locals do! If you walk towards the left hand-side of the beach, you will end up in a pretty picturesque village on the shore of the lake. Only locals and datchas there, but it's worth it especially around 4 or 5 pm for photos when the lights turn golden. Talking about golden, we saw the midnight sun while we were there ! An incredible moment !

Aurora Village also organises day tours. We took one to Teriberka which I strongly recommend as well. Indeed, we ended up on the north-western coast of Russia on the shores of the Barents sea which was a total escape for foreigners like us ! We saw the wide and wild tundra, the one you read about in adventure novels when you are young, magnificent lakes and, of course, the old fishermen's village called Teriberka. Further away on the other side of the village, we took some pics at the ghostly but very photogenic ship cemetery : a great place for your instagram account ;-) and then, we went to Dragon eggs beach (wow ! THAT is a spot !) And to a wild waterfall.

I'd like to thank Oleg and his staff for making our week at Aurora village a great time. We were stuck in Russia because of covid 19 and couldn't see our family in France which we haven't seen for a year so we really appreciated their warm welcome, their disponibility and efficiency.

Imagine, you are lying so warm, on a good bed, and your gaze falls on the stars and yes, the northern lights! This is what you can experience in Aurora Village! We were very lucky, we saw the FIRST northern lights of the season on one of the nights that I stayed at the hotel. So, Aurora is kind of our talisman of luck And I also want to say a little about the service with which we so frankly sucks in Russia ... One night we went into the forest to make a spoon from a dry tree. Well, we wanted to, we are tourists and we didn't want to eat from an ordinary spoon. And Aurora's staff found out, knocked on our house and brought spoons! We laughed very nicely, said "thank you very much, but we deliberately went to make a spoon ourselves, out of wood, and not because we do not have it" 🤣This is how the service should be🙌

On the way from Teriberka, we stopped at the most unusual hotel, with houses in the form of glass domes. For dinner, our chef Alexander Zakharov prepared a delicious BBQ dinner! Branded chicken and an hour ago cod caught in the Barents Sea ... This is something ... Fabulous round alien houses. They are small, but inside there is everything you need: warm floor, stove, bathroom with shower and toilet, warm blankets, deer skins and bed linen with husks) Many tourists visit this place in winter, now we also dream of coming to admire the northern lights, but I want to say that in summer it has its own callorite and charm. Many thanks to all the staff for the warm and very friendly welcome! Now we are waiting for winter and we will definitely come here for a new portion of positive and unforgettable emotions !!

Dear Oleg! ⭐ We are grateful to you and your super team for the presented emotions and impressions of stay in Murmansk!!! ????? Success in all kind of undertakings!! ? Until next time!! ? Girls from Vologda! ??

Review from team of "Let's go We Will Eat" TVshow with John Warren.? Anna Isaeva (the producer of NTV) writes us: ✨ "Oleg, hello! I am very glad that the show was pleasant, we tried for all 100%) And many thanks to you for this unique night in the tundra, then all team was inspired and caught this powerful spirit of the North! I hope very much that we still will return! "

Our group of 4 stayed here for 2 nights in February 2018. A perfect place to get away from the light of the city and of course perfect place to see Aurora. Staffs are very friendly and helpful but if you don't speak Russian, I would recommend you to have google translate with you to communicate better with the staff and they are very kind and always be there 24 hours to assist you. Hot shower in the bathroom was working perfectly fine.

The owner of the village, Mr. Oleg has also the tour company . Very reliable and he himself is very helpful and responded to my email very promptly . The tour programs are very flexible depending on your availability. Check out visitmurmansk.info for more detail.This Aurora Village in Murmansk is still pretty new to the market and the price to stay is very affordable compare to other countries in Scandinavia . I would love to go back again one day.

Such days in which it is possible to find room for the whole life are especially valuable... as if to squeeze her, to concentrate very best... interesting people, the impressing types, fascinating stories... to pass many kilometers on the way to the purpose. To catch new shots in a lens, new smells, to see the most boundless tundra, the most northern ocean, the brightest stars, to try the most tasty cod and to get the hottest emotions. Thanks hospitable North!

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E-VISA Nationals of 55 foreign States may be granted an e-visa to enter the Russian Federation through the border crossing points⛰️ FAST. An e-visa is issued within 4 calendar days, including week-ends and bank holidays. EASY. There is no need for any invitations or confirmations. Just fill in the application form on the website. CONVENIENT. […]

Dear friends, we want to remind you that we have two types of forecast: 1. Forecast for 27 days and 3 days ahead by the hour https://auroravillage.info/forecast/ There we pay attention to kp-index: kp-index 2-3 – Shine will be, but not strong kp-index 4-5 – will blaze But do not forget that visibility is also […]

Northern Lights in Murmansk Tour 4 Days | Murmansk, Khirovsk/Khibiny Mountains, Minkino, Loparskaya

Experience winter in the Russian Arctic as you explore Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula on this Northern lights in Murmansk tour. The absolute highlight will surely be seeing the breath-taking aurora borealis, or “northern lights” (conditions permitting)! In addition, you’ll discover Murmansk’s Soviet and maritime history, journey across the tundra on a snowmobile, meet the reindeer in a Sami village, enjoy beauty of russian winter.

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Northern Lights tours in Russia

Our major destination for hunting the Northern lights in Russia is Murmansk where we arrange evening and multi-day Aurora tours. Check out our Northern Lights article for more information on this spectacular natural phenomenon or select a trip in the list below.

Northern Lights Tours in Russia

Adventures, activities and a bit of culture on the scenic roads of the Russian north (September — April).

• Explore picturesque nature spots
• Hunt for the Northern Lights
• Ride on a steam train
• Visit a husky kennel
• Drive a snowmobile or a quad bike
• Taste local food

From: 65000 Rubles/person

Request a private tour, tailor-made for individuals and small groups to meet your needs and preferences.

Aurora Short Break in Russia

• 3-day package
• Northern Lights hunt
• Teriberka village
• Hotel included

From: 27000 Rubles/person

Try your luck in chasing the Northern Lights

• The evening Aurora pursuit
• Starts in the city centre of Murmansk
• Operated from late August to early April

From: 6500 Rub/person

Tailor-made Northern Lights tours in Russia may include Aurora Borealis experience in the Yamal Peninsula, Naryan-Mar and in Karelia.

In Search Of A Perfect Match

Categories Destinations , Asia , Murmansk , Russia

So our day… Let me rephrase… Our night under the Aurora Borealis captured a lot of attention . That being said I need to emphasis that moving around Murmansk in winter can be a tad bit difficult. If you know how to drive in snow, slush and ice then you are good. Unfortunately for use we were not. So what did we do? When you are in the Arctic and the chances of catching the Aurora Borealis are high you really want an alternative other than sitting at home.

It means that you will be looking for a Murmansk Nothern lights tour. That is how we found Oleg ( VisitMurmansk.info ). Before I tell you why we chose to go with him, I’m going to rewind a bit and tell you about the difficulties we faced when searching for a tour company.

A Murmansk Northern Lights Tour To Suit Your Needs

That is very true… It is really difficult to join a tour that goes round hunting for the Aurora Borealis. In fact it is difficult to find a tour for other activities as well. The reason is simple. Most people book their Murmansk Northern lights tour which usually starts from St. Petersburg or from Moscow. It is all inclusive. I think we were probably the only backpackers in the area.

So what’s the alternative? The alternative is to hire a person who will drive you around and probably a translator. We tried that once and we got royally fleeced! It was way too costly and definitely not worth it. Bear in mind that these companies will also advertise their services as ‘Murmansk Northern lights tours’. While they are comfortable because you have an entire car to yourself, they did not suit our shoestring budget.

Shawn had messaged Oleg about his Murmansk Northern lights tour initially and had mentioned that we were travel bloggers. I think that was what piqued his interest initially. Language barriers made communication difficult but once we visited him a lot of our doubts got clarified over a cup of warm tea! It soon became clear that Oleg offered us a cheaper alternative to the private tours that everyone else offered. How? Why? His company has numerous groups of tourists coming to Murmansk. All that he was offering was for us to join the troop in the bus. Not a bad alternative.

That being said he charged us 2000 rouble per person. That was the discounted rate that he gave us since we were travel bloggers and we said that we would write a blog about our experience. Fair enough. His company seemed good enough and I was almost completely certain that I wasn’t going to mislead my readers so hey! Why not?

For us it was a win-win situation. Other agencies were charging us 5000 rouble a head. Way too steep for our pocket. At 2000 rouble we were able to do the trip twice over. Though I must mention that we had better luck the first time around.

The Murmansk Nothern Lights Tour In All Its Crazy Glory

Sometimes you need to act a wee bit crazy! And cheesy… Let’s not forget cheesy!

I exaggerate… The Murmansk Northern lights tour wasn’t crazy but if you’ve spent the day walking through ice and snow, you definitely want to rest at night. For us keeping our eyes open was half the battle. Our luck was not overtly good. The forecast was clear but the KP index was low. That meant that even if we had a clear sky our chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis were slim.

At first we thought we would skip and go another day. Luckily we did not for we did catch the Aurora Borealis in Murmansk but it wasn’t in the same majesty that people described. We scrambled about to get a good photograph but since we aren’t experts our efforts weren’t rewarded. Luckily for us what we lacked in skills Oleg had in plenty. That’s how we got our cheesy Valentine’s day photograph under the aurora borealis in Murmansk.

(This is one of the reasons why I honestly feel that the type of Murmansk Northern lights tour you book is very important. You can have fun while they capture your memories in print!)

That being said we were really glad that we had joined this particular Murmansk Northern lights tour. While we were on our way scouring the countryside, Oleg’s numerous contacts all came in handy. With more than one bus heading in different directions, finding the probability of finding the Northern lights doubled.

Murmansk Northern Lights Tour: Winding Off

A picnic in the dead of the night… Frigid Arctic weather doesn’t stop people who want to have fun!

One would think that the Murmansk Northern lights tour would wind off quickly and we would be on our long drive home. Honestly that is what I expected but no! That’s not what happened. The first time we had hot tea, vodka and sherry in the bus. The second time (mind you with the same group of Thai tourists that we had met on the first trip!) we set up a table and had a picnic in the Arctic night. Cool? Nope! Cold! But we needed it because we were freezing as the temperatures dropped.

While the second night was non eventful as far as the Aurora Borealis was concerned, we had so much more fun because we knew everyone around us better. We did try a few light exercises to pass our time. Dimitri (Oleg’s assistant) was especially amused!

We had planned on visiting a town call Teriberka which is located a good distance away. Our plan was to join Oleg’s group. Unfortunately the weather conditions turned and the road was closed. I must admit that we were a bit disheartened. To make up for our disappointment Oleg sent us on a lovely adventure.

The adventure begins!

We visited a monastery at first while the arrangements were made. You have got to love those wooden buildings covered in snow. A man came running up to us to tell us not to ring the bell (not that we were going to!). I think some tourists may have done so before. Honestly I couldn’t keep my smile under control. It definitely felt like a mischievous prank a kid would play.

Taking the reins into our own hands!

Next we headed out to a place that was meant for winter activities. We played with some huskies, rode snowmobiles and even did a bit of ice fishing. No! We didn’t catch anything other than a cold. It’s funny how the cold creeps up when you stand in one place for two long!

That being said I must admit that we had a lot of fun. We made some great friends and learned about a new culture. We were lucky to have found a group that suited our wavelength. Half the fun of an excursion always lies with the company you have.

There is so much to talk about and tell you but I’m going to wind off here today. Till the next post then!

Pin this on your board

Anna Hammerschmidt

Thursday 30th of March 2017

That's such an amazing adventure! I can't believe you saw the Northern lights! I need to make a trip to see them somewhere.

This tour looks really cool. I haven't seen the northern lights but I'm dying to!

I just went to Iceland for 9 days and never got to see them! :( I'm so glad you did and for cheaper, you can't beat that!

Somehow we weren't satisfied with the outcome but like you said... At least we got something! Shawn would have been so so disappointed if he missed them entirely!

I would love to see the Northen Lights in the future :) Glad to see that there are other activities as well

Wednesday 29th of March 2017

It's a big dream to see the Northern Lights, which I haven't fulfilled yet. Great post!

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Murmansk, Russia

You are here, about murmansk, why visit murmansk, russia.

Excited by the idea of exploring the Russian Arctic ? Bend steps towards the mysterious north on a tour to the last city founded in the Russian Empire, alluring Murmansk.

Being a port city, Murmansk provides an amazing opportunity to step aboard the first nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world! You can explore the inner parts of the ship, including a nuclear reactor. Not many cities can offer such a unique experience, so try to find a place for the Nuclear Icebreaker Lenin in your Murmansk itinerary.

Among architectural highlights, you may check out the beautiful Church of the Saviour on the Waters and British Naval Cemetery. These monuments memorialize all those human losses caused by violent wars of the past. Both places are well-kept and leave their mark in your memory for a long time.

For the daredevil travelers, there is the Ice Bathers' Hut, where you can experience truly extreme emotions: the place offers to test your endurance swimming in icy waters of Lake Semyonovskoe. Jump through a hole cut in the ice to get the feel of the authentic life of the northerner. If you prefer to stay above water, visit the exciting Museum of the Northern Fleet to marvel at a great collection of war history.

Murmansk is fascinating, but the most amazing thing about this town is its magical natural phenomenon called Northern Lights. At nightfall, the city is lit by colorful lights hovering in the sky. All Northern Lights hunters should definitely consider a tour to Murmansk as it is one of the best places in the world for Aurora Borealis seeking as well as observing Midnight Sun.

Best Things to Do in Murmansk, Russia

• Take a look at the Church of the Saviour on the Waters
• Step onboard the Nuclear Icebreaker Lenin
• Enjoy the beautiful light show, the Northern Lights
• Learn about Russian war history in the Museum of the Northern Fleet

Best Tours to Murmansk

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Murmansk, Gate to Arctic

Day schedule.

➤ Meet and greet at Murmansk airport

➤ Transfer to airport and fly to Murmansk

➤ Transfer to your hotel, luggage drop off

➤ Hotel check-in in due time

➤ Midnight Northern lights Hunt

Arrive Murmansk. Meet & greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. Optional: Murmansk city tour. Murmansk is the largest city in the world north of the Arctic Circle. Founded in 1915 as a supply port in You may with to visit the museum of ice-breaker “Lenin”, the first nuclear ice-breaker in the world! Murmansk played an important role as a Russian trade link with the Allies during the Second World War II. Various supplies were brought to the city with the help of the Arctic convoys. Murmansk was heavily damaged during the war. It was restored at the beginning of the 1950ies.

Evening free at leisure as we prepare to the Northern Lights Midnight Hunt and adventure. In good conditions, it might be possible to observe northern lights in Murmansk city itself. However, we drive off the town to the tundra for better viewing (where city lights do not interfere) and to high hills most know for the best Aurora viewing. The exact date of the trip will be advised by your guide and is subject to a current and best Northern Lights forecast. We depart for our Northern Lights Hunt at about 10:00 pm but the the exact time will be advises by the guide.

On October 4, 1916, Romanov-on-Murman was laid on the shores of the Kola Bay, renamed Murmansk after the October Revolution. By the way, this was the last city founded in the Russian Empire.

"And on the left hand of the Kola town, they went to the sea to look, they live Murman, Syrech - Norman, they are also Varangians, who in ancient times came and sailed from the city of Varda and lived with us robbed, which memory remained in the word - thieves, thieves. The abbot disputed: they say that the Normans, therefore, live in the ground holes (“nora”) live like animals: the reason for this is cold. And I say: this is not Murmas who live in burrows, and it is not because of the cold, but the small people shovel from fear, no matter how much our industrialists live it. You will not bite a Murman with a blunt tooth. " - From the story of Levontius Pomorets. The impetus for the early development of the bay was the First World War. Trying to get access to the Arctic Ocean through the only non-freezing strait at that time, Russia in 1915 determined a site for the development of a seaport on the right bank of the Kola Bay of the Barents Sea. His task was to ensure the unhindered delivery of military cargo of the Entente during the blockade of the Baltic and the Black Sea exits. During WWI, Murmansk was the main port in European Russia During WWII, the help of the allies was invaluable. Of great importance were the supplies of military equipment and ammunition, food and strategic materials that our defense industry needed. In March 1941, a law was passed in the United States that granted the president the authority to transfer, exchange, rent, a loan or otherwise supply military materials or military information to the government of any country if its "defense against aggression is vital to the defense of the United States." This system is called Lend-Lease.

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• Northern Lights

Northern Lights Hunting tour

from 0 review

Price: from 4 000,00 RUB.

A real miracle and the pearl of the northern land – Aurora Borealis!

A fascinating adventure in pursuit of an exceptional natural phenomenon that makes us happy all winter! The best time for hunting is from October till April, a pleasant forecast: cloudless sky, high level of activity.

The program starts at 21: 00 – 22: 00

Duration 3 hours – Tea, coffee, sweets are included, as well as unforgettable photos for memory! * Cost is valid for a group from 3 tourists. * Join another tourist

Included/Exclude

• Transport service;
• Guide service;
• Beutiful photos with Northern Lights;
• Hot tea/coffee and snacks.
• Fly and train tickets;
• Accommodation;
• Guests' personal expenses.

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Arctic Floating

March Holidays in Murmansk 7.03 – 10.03

February Holidays 22.02 – 25.02

Northern Lights Hunting tour in Murmansk

Duration: 3-5 hours

Season: 1st Septermber — 15th April

Prices: price by request

What is included in the price:

• The duration of the tour 3-5 hours;
• An English-speaking guide-photographer;
• Hot tea and snacks;
• Photos with the Northern Lights.

What is NOT included in price:

• Transfers from/to the airport (1-3 persons: +3000 RUB; 4-6 persons: +5000 RUB);
• An accommodation in Murmansk (hotels and prices for request);
• Meals in Murmansk.

Important information:

• NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: up to 16 people in one group. The private tours could be provided — price for request.
• GATHERING PLACE: parking in front of the entrance to the Azimut hotel.
• DEPARTURE TIME: the exact time you will be informed the day before.
• DIFFICULTY: easy (no preliminary preparation required).
• DATES: by prior agreement.
• ACCOMMODATION: not included accommodation in Murmansk.
• TRANSPORT: Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, VW Crafter; Mercedes Vito, Hyundai Starex, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Renault Duster or similar.
• PREPAYMENT: 1000 rubles per person, the rest is paid before the tour.
• CLOTHING RECOMMENDATIONS: thermal underwear, high winter shoes, winter jacket and pants, hat, scarf, gloves, contact lenses instead of glasses.
• Program of the tour
• Guides & transport
• Hotels in Murmansk

About the Northern Lights Hunting

The Northern Lights is one of the most amazing natural phenomena of the planet Earth. The season of the northern lights hunting usually starts on the 1st Septermber and ends on 15th April. During these 8 months (September, October, November, December, January, February, March and April) we can see the beautiful skylights with green, pink and purple colours. Our professional guides will find for you the most suitable days for successful hunting for the Northern Lights. Just arrive in Murmansk for at least 3 days and we will try to make your dream to reality!

We are providing the Northern Lights Hunting tours during the last 3 years and served about 1000 tourists from more than 20 countries from Asia, Europe, America, and Australia.

Program of the Northern Lights Hunting tour

• When you will arrive in Murmansk, we will choose the best evening for the tour. We need to check the weather forecast and find the evening without clouds in the Murmansk region. We recommend you to visit Murmansk for at least 3 days to wait for the best conditions. While you are waiting for the tour, you can take a part in our one-day interesting tours from Murmansk.
• When we decide about the day of the tour, our guide will connect with you and inform about the date and time of start.
• The meeting place with the guide is on the 1st floor of the Azimut Hotel. The departure time will be announced by the guide on the eve of the tour (approximately departure at 9:00 p.m.). Payment for the tour will be accepted by the guide before the departure. After your meeting, you will go to some place in the Murmansk region to find a clear sky. Be ready to go for 100-150 kilometers from Murmansk.
• When you will find Aurora Borealis, a guide-photographer will ask you to move quickly to take the best photos, because the Northern Lights are regularly changing. First, the guide makes group photos and then individual.
• If you're cold, you can get into the car and drink hot tea with snacks. We have warm clothes for our tourists (must be ordered in advance for an additional cost).
• After successful hunting, we will go back to Murmansk. We finish the tour always at a different time. Usually, it takes 3-5 hours.
• After the tour, we will send to you a web link with all photos (Google) during next 2-3 days without.

What is included in price:

We recommend you to stay in the city centre Murmansk area. If your group is more than 6 persons, we can help you to book accommodation. These hotels (below) are the best places to stay in Murmansk. You can check the price on booking.com.

Azimut Hotel is the most popular hotel in the city of Murmansk among tourists coming to us. This is the tallest building in Murmansk (18 floors). The hotel has 4 stars and it is located in the heart of Murmansk on the Pyat Uglov Square at Lenin Ave., 82. To the railway station it was possible to walk on foot for 5 minutes. The distance to the airport is 32 kilometers. On the upper floors of the hotel there are interesting panoramic views of Murmansk.

Booking.com: www.booking.com/hotel/ru/azimut-murmansk-hotel.en-gb.html

This one is one of the largest hotels in Murmansk and offers for accommodation of 262 rooms: standard, comfort and luxury. Restaurant "Polarnye Zory" in the hotel is designed for 160 guests. The world-famous hotel chain Park Inn is located in the business part of the city of Murmansk and has 4 ****. Distance from the airport is 30 kilometers. In walking distance from the hotel there is the main square of the city "Five corners" and the Murmansk Regional Drama Theater.

Booking.com: www.booking.com/hotel/ru/park-inn-poliarnie-zori.en-gb.html

Boutique Hotel Renaissance offers classic-style rooms in Murmansk, within a 10-minute walk from Pyat Uglov Square. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant with a variety of cuisines and room service. Each room at this hotel has a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The units come with a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hairdryer. Extras include slippers and an expanded set of free toiletries. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

Booking.com: www.booking.com/hotel/ru/boutique-renaissance.en-gb.html

Situated in the centre of Murmansk, Meridian Congress Hotel offers rooms with satellite TV. Free Wi-Fi access is available anywhere in the hotel. Each of Meridian Hotel’s rooms are simply furnished. Several rooms have a seating area. A 24-hour front desk is provided by Meridian Congress Hotel. The hotel also offers a shuttle service.

Booking.com: www.booking.com/hotel/ru/meridian-congress.en-gb.html

Rooms & Breakfast Hotel is located a 3-minute walk from a park area and a 10-minute walk from Murmansk city centre. It features stylish rooms and a 24-hour reception. Free Wi-Fi is provided. All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and heated floors. Bathrooms are fitted with modern shower cabins and hairdryers. Various restaurants, bars and cafes can be found within a 5-minute walk from the property. A continental breakfast is served every morning. Tea and coffee are available for free 24/7 in the lounge area.

Booking.com: www.booking.com/hotel/ru/minihotel-rooms-amp-breakfast.en-gb.html

'Dirty as Hell': Coal Dust Chokes Murmansk as Moscow Ramps Up Asia Exports

N ear the shores of the Barents Sea in Russia’s far northwest lies Murmansk, the world's largest city beyond the Arctic Circle and a popular destination for tourists hoping to witness the Northern Lights.

In the heart of the city, Murmansk Commercial Seaport carries out coal transshipment out in the open — sending coal dust into the air in a radius of several kilometers.

“When you stroll through the city center, when you take tourists there, everyone sees this coal dust," Daria, a local tour guide born and raised in Murmansk, told The Moscow Times.

At her job in the local tourism sector, Daria often shows guests her hometown’s iconic landmarks, like the monument to those who defended the Soviet Arctic during World War II, which are "all covered in coal dust."

"This certainly raises questions not just among Murmansk residents, but among guests from other regions as well — ‘What is actually going on here?’ And they often ask if it's dangerous to breathe this dust," Daria said.

Daria withheld her last name due to the potential risks of speaking to a media outlet labeled as a “foreign agent” by Russia.

A persistent problem for over a decade , the effects of coal dust pollution have become especially visible in recent months, said Daria. Residents’ complaints about coal dust have surged fifteenfold compared to last year, Governor Andrei Chibis said in March.

Beyond its unpleasant appearance and harmful impacts on public health, this coal dust is a sign of the port's expanding activity as Russia pivots its coal exports from Europe to Asia under wartime sanctions.

After Chibis called on state prosecutors to investigate Murmansk seaport for potential violations, port management acknowledged in early March the need to enhance the current dust control system, especially with the uptick in shipments.

“Since February, we have suspended the intake of dusty cargo,” said Pavel Oleynik, executive director of the Murmansk port.

“In February, there was already a 20% decrease in this kind of cargo compared to last year. We are also actively working with freight owners to technologically change the loading points so that these cargoes do not come to us at all,” Oleynik added.

It remains unclear which specific types of dusty cargo Oleynik was referring to or if it can alleviate the problem in the future, given that coal has been the Murmansk seaport’s main business for years, accounting for over 80% of all freight.