5 places in Russia where you can see the Northern Lights

Russia is one of the nine countries where tourists are given a unique option to see an unusual in properties and indescribable in beauty miracle of nature. And almost all travel enthusiasts hunt for it. Many people who managed to catch the aurora borealis in the lens or capture in memory, say that they have nothing else to dream about.

It’s hard to disagree with them. Scientists still can not predict exactly to the day, when and at what time in the sky will appear blue-green glow. Therefore, the phenomenon can rightfully be called magic. In winter, the aurora borealis can be observed from November to February.

How does the northern lights appear?

The northern lights appear in the sky when the Sun throws millions of tons of charged particles into space, which, in turn, reach the upper atmosphere. This is where they meet nitrogen and oxygen, resulting in bright flares. The arrival time of the particles is between two and five days.

Why is this data important? By studying solar activity, you can approximately calculate the days of the appearance of the aurora. Do it conveniently on the website of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation of the Russian Academy of Sciences or in the application of the American Center for Space Weather Forecasting Aurora Forecast.

But even thoroughly studied solar activity does not give a hundred percent guarantee that you will be lucky and will be able to boast about the miracle of nature. Clear weather, night time, approximately from 00:00 to 5:00, remoteness from urban areas also increase the chances of witnessing the aurora borealis.

Searching for spots on your own can be very dangerous. Use the services of trusted travel agencies, locals, guides. Now let’s move on to the places.

Murmansk region, Kola Peninsula

PR director of the international transfer service i’way

If you are going to go for the Northern Lights in the near future, then perhaps the most accessible place in Russia is Murmansk region. To be more precise – Teriberka. Many people are familiar with this settlement from the movie by Andrey Zvyagintsev. But it happened geographically that next to this place still passes the migration route of whales, which often swim here in search of food. In this place there is a high intensity of appearance of Pazorei (Northern Lights).

In the Murmansk region you can hunt for the Northern Lights not only in Teriberka, but also in Vidyaevo, in Pechenga or in the Saami village. The main thing is to make sure that you can get there by car.

With public transportation and cabs, such a trip is absolutely unpredictable. I recommend to book a transfer in advance, it gives you a guarantee that you will get a car on time and take you to your destination.

Another plus is that you can always warm up in the car and, if necessary, you can follow the aurora borealis or go to a more interesting observation point. Usually drivers know all the viewpoints and scenic spots in the area, where you can not only watch the aurora borealis, but also take atmospheric photos.

How to get there and how much does it cost?

You can get to Murmansk from Moscow and St. Petersburg by direct flights. Their cost will be on average 15-20 thousand rubles in both directions. Transfer airport – Murmansk will cost about 1300 rubles, and the transfer from Murmansk to Teriberka – from 5 thousand rubles, depending on the class of car.

If you go only for the northern lights, you can save on housing and check into a hostel in Murmansk. Prices start from 700 rubles. And in Teriberka itself rent an apartment, prices from about 2 thousand rubles per day, but in the season of the northern lights prices can seriously increase.

Teriberka

Krasnoyarsk Territory, Taimyr Peninsula

Located above the Arctic Circle, the peninsula is an excellent observation point for the magical aurora borealis. If you choose to stay in the National Taimyr Reserve, in addition to capturing a natural wonder, you’ll be culturally enlightened.

There is a mammoth museum on the territory, where the remains of ancient animals are kept, and a natural-ethnographic museum, which tells about the life, cuisine and traditions of the indigenous peoples of Taymyr.

Interesting fact: the remains of mammoths are kept in a cave, which was artificially created in the mountains with permafrost. The temperature outside is minus 30 degrees, inside – always minus 1-2 degrees.

How to get there and how much does it cost?

We use flights from Moscow airports to Norilsk. Travel time: 4.5 hours. The cost of tickets starts from 17 thousand rubles one way.

From Norilsk, a flight to Khatanga – a village in the Taimyrsky Dolgano-Nenetsky District – is required. It will take 2.5 hours. Tickets will also cost 16-18 thousand rubles one-way.

Do not forget that the northern weather is capricious and unstable. Therefore, save more days for the trip in case of canceled flights.

Norilsk

Komi Republic

The harsh region will not greet you with beautiful weather, but it will be an ideal place where you can catch your luck and capture the green flashes. As the locals note, the aurora borealis is observed almost anywhere in the republic.

Usually tourists prefer to visit the former workers’ settlement founded by geologists in Vorkuta. They also often book hotels in Syktyvkvar.

How to get there and how much does it cost?

From Moscow, fly two hours to Syktyvkar. The price starts from 10 thousand rubles for one ticket. But you can get to Vorkuta by ground transportation, by train. If you have a day to spare, the train will be a great option. The cost of a one-way ticket starts from 2500 rubles.

Republic of Karelia

The lakeside region with green forests and rushing rivers is beautiful in itself and loved by tourists. But in winter, visiting the area, you can also witness the magnificent glow.

It is possible to see the northern lights in Petrozavodsk, the Karelian village of Nilmoguba near the White Sea, in the National Park “Paanajärvi”. In addition, tourists and visitors will have an opportunity to live in organized wooden huts, fish and even swim with a toothy beluga whale. There are a lot of equipped places for recreation in Karelia.

How to get there and how much does it cost?

There are no direct flights to Paanajärvi National Park. The airport is located only in Petrozavodsk. The most convenient way is to fly from Moscow to Apatity or Murmansk (prices from 3 to 14 thousand rubles one way). It takes about two hours. Then overcome the distance of a thousand kilometers by car or cab.

Arkhangelsk region

As noted by experienced travel bloggers, in Arkhangelsk and its surroundings, the aurora has a special beauty. Here it has a different green hue and a specific shimmer.

Good news for those who do not want to leave the urban area. The polar lights can be seen within Arkhangelsk. But do not forget that remoteness from the city and infrastructures will give you the opportunity to see the miracle of nature brighter and clearer. Experienced tourists go further to the North, to Severodvinsk. The most desperate go to the Solovetsky Archipelago.

How to get there and how much does it cost?

We fly from Moscow to the airport in Arkhangelsk. Travel time: two hours. The price for one ticket starts from 5 thousand rubles.

To make the joy of seeing even brighter, do not forget about the right equipment that will keep you warm during cold weather. Take with you a quality optics.