Best Way to Catch Northern Lights in Murmansk: Hunt Aurora in Russia

What is the Aurora Borealis?
Northern lights is one of the most amazing natural phenomena. Many years ago, it was a terrifying event for ancient people that could mean everything from making the fortune till the close apocalypse. Today, scientists have learned how to predict it, photographers know how to capture its colors and tones, while travel companies... Travel companies could bring you to the place and provide you with a great experience! (or not)  
Aurora borealis can be seen mainly in the vast polar regions like Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia and the Russian Arctic with Siberia.  The Murmansk region is slowly becoming Russian a mecca for adventure travelers and beauty lovers. Even 5 years ago, no one could help you with the Northern Lights tour in the region. Now you can go hunting it in a dog sled, on a boat, a cruise liner, a snowmobile, skiing, snowshoeing, well... millions of ways!

TOP 3 Places to catch the Aurora  
1. Khibiny mountains
We are in love with the mountains (I'm sure, you are, too!) European part of Russia is mainly flat, so small but picturesque area of Khibiny Mountains is a place of worship for many Russians travelers! Being in the mountains and seeing Aurora... oh, it's like to be much closer to the stars and unite with the Universe from the top of the world!  
2. The village of Teriberka, the Barents Sea
Teriberka is an apocalyptic village that is well-known by the Leviathan movie (the long and sad movie about drinking guy with no good characters at all). Being a small fishermen village far from better times, it's incredibly authentic! Abandoned houses, the cemetery of the old ships, severe waters of the North Sea and the ruthless rocks stay in full harmony waiting for the single colorful thing... the Aurora   
3. The village of Lovozero, Khibiny
Lovozero is the traditional village near the Khibiny Mountains. It's famous for the open-air museum of Sami culture (whose are the indigenous inhabitants of the Kola Peninsula). The place is great to engage with locals, go dog sledding or snowmobiling as well as enjoy the beauty of "Lovozero tundra", a unique landscape area withing small mountain ranges.

Is it easy to predict the Northern Lights?
The two most important things in predicting Aurora are weather forecast (clouds are not good to see Aurora) as well as a forecast of geomagnetic storms. Now there are many gadget apps where you can watch it. But it does not guarantee that you will see Aurora at all!  
To predict the Aurora, we also use open satellite data of the "solar wind" (flow of charged particles) and their behavior on its way to Earth. It helps to understand should you expect the Aurora in the night and how intense it will be.  
Weather is of high importance, too. It's not easy to see spectacular dance of the Northern Lights through the clouds (those are quite common in Kola region). Leaving the city could help you as well as could be useless ar all. So we need to watch the cloud coverage and its dynamic within the whole region to find a place with a cloudless sky! 
How to make the most of your time in the North?
What to do? Make the Aurora desirable but not a necessary part of your trip! Do not take a short tour... Spend the weak exploring the Russian Arctic and its hidden places. Contact locals to learn about ordinary life in the northernmost city on the planet. Sail the sea, hike mountains, drive snowmobiles, tasty amazing fish in the small local restaurants. Get an amazing experience that doesn't depend on the weather!

Who is making all our expeditions?
Hello! My name is Tony Terentev. With my wife Ira, we are the owners of the «Travel Real Russia» company.
Actually, I am a licensed physician and doctor with 6-years of experience. One day I decided to change my way of life and start doing what I really want to do, so now I'm here planning my new journey with one of you! :)
I really like people and natural conversations about life, not only in Russia. Besides this, I have a huge experience in traveling to remote places as Arctic, deep caves and Siberian peatlands. I have a Soviet military van that was made for such places. So if you want some kind of expedition or an unusual tailor-made trip...  I would probably be your guide!
Watch YouTube video to feel the vibes :)

4x4 Tour to Vorkuta

Two equipped cars driving 3000 km to Vorkuta city (near Polar Ural Mountains). This is the most extreme expedition because of unpredictable weather.

It's still a plan... city that is becoming abandoned before our eyes and the vast spaces of snowy tundra with no roads. Should we do it? Certainly yes! One day.

Amazing Arctic, at the edge

Our 4x4 Journey to Rybachy (Kola peninsula, the northernmost area in European Russia) and Solovki Islands!

Very emotional and existential article about Russia Arctic, its abandoned settlements and severe nature. Amazing if you have time for philosophical thoughts.