A guide to Russia’s Northern Lights
- Blogs
- August 19, 2025
A Russia Northern Lights trip in winter is unlike anything else—especially when you’re standing in the Arctic Circle, watching the Aurora Borealis dance above Murmansk, Teriberka, or the frozen expanse of Siberia. The ribbons of green and purple light don’t just paint the sky; they pull you into the raw beauty and remoteness of Russia’s winter wilderness. Aurora hunting here isn’t only about the spectacle—it’s about the thrill of chasing the lights in one of the world’s most untouched frontiers.
Where to hunt for the Northern Lights in Russia?
Russia’s Arctic Circle offers multiple spots to witness the Northern Lights, giving you far more room to explore than the packed viewing areas in Norway or Finland. Murmansk, the largest Arctic city in the world, is a popular starting point for a Russia Northern Lights tour. A two-hour drive from here takes you to Teriberka, a coastal village where the snowy tundra meets the Barents Sea. Many travellers choose a Russia tour package that combines Murmansk and Teriberka for the best chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. Unlike other destinations, a Northern Lights tour in Russia often pairs the aurora chase with local cultural experiences, from tasting Arctic cuisine to learning Sámi traditions.
Further East, some of Siberia’s remote regions are among the best places to witness the Northern Lights, while also offering a rich tapestry of local culture and traditions. And if you venture further, the frozen Lake Baikal awaits — the world’s deepest freshwater lake, transformed into a glassy winter wonder. Even though auroras don’t appear here, standing on its clear ice and gazing into its depths is an experience as unforgettable as the lights themselves.
Why Northern Lights in Russia?
Opting for a Russia Northern Lights tour instead of heading to Lapland or Norway comes with clear advantages. Costs are noticeably lower, from accommodations to guided aurora tours, making it easier to enjoy a longer stay without overspending. The scale of Russia’s Arctic also means you’ll find countless viewing spots where the only sounds are the crunch of snow and the whisper of the wind.
Unique accommodations such as glass igloos and wilderness lodges let you fall asleep under the Aurora Borealis, while cultural add-ons—like learning about Sámi reindeer herding or sampling traditional Arctic dishes—bring depth to your journey. More than just affordable, Russia’s Northern Lights experience remains wild, authentic, and refreshingly uncommercialised.
Best Time to Experience Northern Lights in Russia
The Aurora Borealis is visible in Russia between late September and late March, with peak viewing conditions from December through February. This period offers long, dark nights that increase the likelihood of spotting the aurora. To avoid disappointment, skip nights with a full moon, as its brightness can drown out the natural glow of the lights.
When you plan a Russia Northern Lights package around these dates, you give yourself the best chance of success. Many seasoned travellers even return multiple times, since each night of aurora hunting brings a different experience—no two displays are ever the same.
How Long to Stay
If you’re serious about catching the Aurora Borealis, plan on spending at least three nights in Russia’s Arctic. The northern lights are famously unpredictable — one evening the sky might explode in ribbons of green and violet, and the next it could stay completely overcast. A carefully designed Russia Northern Lights tour gives you the flexibility to chase clear skies and adjust timings so you don’t miss your chance.
For travellers flying in from India or other long-haul destinations, it makes sense to stretch the trip to at least seven nights. This not only increases your odds of seeing the aurora but also gives you time to soak in the Arctic’s raw beauty and cultural richness. Think husky sledding across snowy tundra, visiting villages where traditions have survived for centuries, or tasting hearty local cuisine that warms you from the inside out.
And if you lean toward slow travel, nothing beats Russia’s winter trains. Watching endless snowfields, frozen rivers, and pine forests roll by from your cabin window is an experience in itself — a moving theatre of winter landscapes that makes the journey just as magical as the destination.
Getting There
Russia has an extensive network of trains and flights, so getting from one city to another is straightforward. But once you head into the interiors, the roads take over—and that drive often becomes part of the adventure.
For aurora seekers, Murmansk is the most accessible starting point. Just a 2.5-hour flight from Moscow or St. Petersburg, it serves as the main hub for Northern Lights tours in Russia. From here, a three-hour drive takes you to Teriberka, a remote fishing village where the Arctic tundra stretches out in sweeping, cinematic views before the night sky comes alive with colour.
Siberia, on the other hand, takes more effort to reach but rewards you tenfold. Travellers usually fly into Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude before continuing by road to the remote northern part of the region. The detour is worth it: you’re not just chasing auroras, you’re experiencing Siberia in all its stark, frozen beauty. And with most Northern Lights packages, transfers and logistics are already taken care of, so you can focus on the experience instead of the planning.
If you prefer to slow down, Russia’s winter trains offer a journey like no other. Picture yourself in a warm cabin, watching snowfields, frozen rivers, and pine forests pass by like a moving theatre of winter. Sometimes, the journey itself feels just as magical as the destination.
Plan Your Russia Northern Lights Tour with AEJ
Planning a Russia Northern Lights tour from India—or anywhere else—isn’t just about picking the right dates. It’s about knowing which regions to prioritise, when to avoid crowds, and how to balance aurora hunting with meaningful cultural encounters. At Arth Explorative Journeys, we’ve done this aurora chase ourselves. That means we can share first-hand insights into the best vantage points, the timing quirks, and the hidden experiences most travellers miss.
Along with these intimate details, we have plenty more tips to help you plan better and make your Russia Northern Lights package not just memorable but extraordinary. Connect with us to curate your personalised itinerary—a journey that blends adventure, culture, and the unforgettable magic of the aurora.