Where and when to catch the Northern Lights in Russia?

Inspired by friends' photos from Teriberka with the Northern Lights? Then you definitely need to get such a shot too.

Today we tell you where it's best to go to observe this natural phenomenon, what to consider for your trip, and as a bonus, we've compiled a checklist of the most essential items for a winter journey.

What is the Northern Lights

In general, from a scientific point of view, the Northern Lights are the luminescence of the upper layers of planetary atmospheres, resulting from the interaction of the planet's magnetosphere with charged particles of the solar wind. Now, in simple terms: the Sun ejects millions of tons of particles into space, which reach Earth's atmosphere a few days later. When combined with oxygen, these masses of particles begin to glow in green and purple colors.

Usually, the glows occur in the region of our planet's magnetic poles, but they do not coincide with geographical latitudes. Therefore, the aurora can be observed in northern latitudes from 67° to 70°. Sometimes it even amazes residents of Moscow, though this happens very rarely.

So, to catch the aurora, you need to head north. Travelers already have “well-trodden paths” for hunting this natural phenomenon. We're sharing some options with you.

Where to go: from popular Teriberka to Anadyr in Chukotka

Teriberka

Perhaps the most popular destination for catching the Northern Lights. It's no surprise: Teriberka is a village in the Kola District of the Murmansk Region on the Barents Sea coast. It also gained popularity after the release of the film “Leviathan,” which vividly showcased the authentic local landscapes.

Coming here, you can simultaneously visit the edge of the earth, take excursions to the most interesting places, and witness the coveted natural phenomenon.

How to get there

Tourists usually buy plane tickets to Murmansk, then transfer to bus No. 241 and reach Teriberka in four hours. The bus runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. You can also rent a car if you or your friends have a driver's license.

Khibiny

The Khibiny are mountains on the Kola Peninsula, which also fall within the latitudes where the aurora is visible. Their peculiarity is that the natural phenomenon can be observed here throughout the year, except during the polar day. Moreover, the mountains are south of Murmansk, the sky here is clearer, and there is less light pollution. This allows for seeing brighter emerald-colored glows.

Also located here is the resort of the same name, where you can ski in winter and snowboard. Some tourists discover snowmobile and reindeer sleigh rides here.

How to get there

The easiest way is to buy a ticket to Apatity. From the airport, you can get to Kirovsk (a city on the southern outskirts of Khibiny) by taxi, buses No. 152/153, or minibuses No. 130/210. Trains also run to Kirovsk .

Arkhangelsk

People also go to Arkhangelsk, the capital of Pomorye, for the Northern Lights. We immediately advise you to contact guides. Excursions are often organized in the city, during which you can both chase the Northern Lights and see other cities in the Arkhangelsk region.

In Arkhangelsk, the aurora displays are not as bright as in Murmansk, but you will have the opportunity to visit the White Sea and the “Malye Karely” Museum of Wooden Architecture. To catch the natural phenomenon, it's better to go out of town: to where there is less artificial light and streetlights.

How to get there

It's as simple as — buying a ticket to Arkhangelsk. , you can also travel by train or bus if you prefer to admire Russia from the window along the way.

Petrozavodsk

Karelia in winter even without the aurora, is a very cool idea. And if, in addition to snow-covered spruce tops, frozen waterfalls, and the atmosphere of a real New Year, you also see the aurora — that's pure bliss. The easiest way to try your luck at gazing at the green shimmers is to come to Petrozavodsk between mid-September and March. Of course, during the polar night, the probability of catching the aurora is the highest. While in the city, you just need to choose an area with minimal lighting and... wait for a miracle.

Some tourists prefer to rent a car and go to the village of Nilmoguba or Paanajärvi National Park.

How to get there

Of course, the fastest way is by plane, by buying a ticket to Petrozavodsk. However, residents or guests of St. Petersburg often prefer to travel to Karelia by train. And why not — incredible beauty is visible from the windows! It would be a shame to miss such a picturesque part of the journey.

Vorkuta

In the Komi Republic, you can also see the Northern Lights. Residents sometimes spot it as early as August in the capital, Syktyvkar, but it's better to go to Vorkuta. By the way, this is the easternmost city in Europe, located in an ideal geographical position for observing the green shimmers in the sky.

Vorkuta itself is quite bright, but at the border, there are great views. Some rent snowmobiles and head to the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra to also see the local landscapes.

How to get there

You can fly to Vorkuta with a transfer in Syktyvkar. From there, bus No. 9 goes to the city, and taxis are also available – Yandex Go is here too.

Salekhard

Let's move to the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug! Salekhard is the only city in the world located directly on the Arctic Circle. The region positions Northern Lights hunting as its unique feature, so organized trips for guests are often held here. Tour guides frequently take tourists to the village of Gornoknyazevsk on the Ob River coast, from where the best panoramas of the sky, shimmering with green light, open up.

How to get there

You can buy a plane ticket for a direct flight Moscow — Salekhard. From the airport to the city center, you can get there in an hour by minibus No. 6. You can also rent a taxi.

Naryan-Mar

Naryan-Mar is the only city (and consequently, the administrative center) of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Many people leave the region, but for Northern Lights hunters, this is more a cause for joy than sadness. This amazing natural phenomenon can be observed approximately 200 days a year. In addition, from late summer until the beginning of the polar night, you can see a solar halo. So, a trip is definitely a must.

How to get there

You can fly to Naryan-Mar only with a transfer, but ticket prices are usually quite reasonable. Buses No. 4 and No. 4A run from the airport to the city.

Khatanga

Welcome to Taymyr! Khatanga is one of the northernmost settlements in Russia. A trip here has both pros and cons. Pros: the aurora is visible here far and for a long time. Cons: Khatanga has a very harsh climate; winter air temperatures here can reach as low as -60 degrees Celsius.

However, we hope you won't ignore a trip to Taymyr — just bundle up completely. The fact is, the Taymyr Nature Reserve is located on the peninsula: the nature here is amazing, and the inhabitants are incredibly beautiful. You should also definitely visit the Putorana Nature Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In short, there are many interesting activities in Taymyr.

How to get there

The answer is simple: buy a ticket to Khatanga on Kupi.com and fly with a transfer. That's it! The airport is within the village limits, so you won't even need to take a bus.

Oymyakon

We think many have heard of Oymyakon, that it's a place where one of the lowest temperatures has been recorded. Yes, indeed, the village is located in the Pole of Cold. However, the most extreme travelers come here for the Northern Lights, as well as to visit the “Pole of Cold” cultural center and Lake Alysardakh. In general, there aren't many attractions in Oymyakon, but for those who want to observe life in one of the coldest places on Earth — welcome!

How to get there

It's impossible by train, so you need to buy a ticket to Yakutsk on Kupi.com, and from there get to the village of Tomtor by bus or car.

How to increase your chances of catching the Northern Lights

So, you need to consider several factors to see the natural phenomenon with your own eyes:

• come between early December and mid-January. Earlier or later, of course, no one will forbid you to go, but it is during these winter months that the aurora will be the brightest;
• monitor solar flares. No esotericism — space observatories show the geomagnetic activity index (K-index);

You can track here and here. It's quite simple to navigate: the scale has nine values, where 1 means everything is calm. If you see a value of at least four to five points, you can head north: you will have approximately three to five days to meet the aurora.

• wait for clear weather. Incredible, but true: if there are clouds in the sky, the aurora will hide behind them;
• go as far north as possible. The closer to the pole, the higher the chance of catching the aurora.

How to prepare for a Northern Lights trip: a checklist for a comfortable journey

No poetry, let's get to the checklist:

• take warm clothes and shoes. Clothing for winter travel — is an important aspect; it's best to have several pairs of thermal underwear and insulate yourself as much as possible;
• take a rich cream for chapped skin and an SPF product to protect your skin;
• don't forget sunglasses; they will protect you from snow and sun;
• take several power banks, as any electronics will discharge very quickly in the cold;
• rent a car in advance if you are not going aurora hunting as part of an organized group;
• withdraw cash. It's never superfluous.

We wish you a great winter trip!