PRIVATE AURORA TOUR FROM MURMANSK
Private Northern Lights Hunt from Murmansk
Leave the glow of Murmansk behind and follow the forecast towards the clearest sky we can reach.
3–5 hours · Private vehicle and guide · From €310 per tour
AT A GLANCE
Your private aurora hunt at a glance
DURATION
Usually 3–5 hours
START
Pickup from your Murmansk hotel
FORMAT
Private tour for your own party
TEAM
Local guide and driver; photographs included
PRICE
€310 total for 1–2 guests
BEST SEASON
Late August–early April, after dark
THE HUNT
There is no fixed viewing point — the forecast decides where we go
The Northern Lights are a natural event, not a show with a start time. Before we leave, the guide checks cloud cover, visibility and auroral activity and chooses the most promising direction outside Murmansk.
Pickup is often around 21:00, with the exact time set on the day. Out on the road, we may wait beneath a clear patch of sky or move again as the clouds shift.
The car is yours for the evening, so the route can change without waiting for a larger group. The sky makes the final decision: no one can guarantee the aurora on a particular night.
REQUEST THIS TOUR
Plan your Northern Lights hunt
Choose the number of guests, then send us your date. If seeing the lights is the reason for your trip, you can ask for a second night as well.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and return in Murmansk
- Private car, driver and local guide for 3–5 hours
- Forecast check and a route beyond the city lights
- Hot tea and biscuits while you wait
- Photographs taken by the guide; if the aurora is strong enough, portraits beneath the lights
What’s not
- A guaranteed Northern Lights sighting
- Accommodation or travel to Murmansk
- Meals beyond the stated refreshments
- Winter clothing rental unless arranged in advance
PRICING
Private Northern Lights tour prices
Prices are per tour for your whole party.
1 guest — €310
2 guests — €310
3 guests — €335
4 guests — €455
5 guests — €525
6 guests — €600
7 guests — €730
8 guests — €800
For eight guests, travel is in two private vehicles.
Private hotel pickup, vehicle, guide, hot tea and guide photographs are included. A second hunt is a separate booking. Before payment, we send the pickup details and cancellation terms in writing.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
If the lights are the reason you came
- Second aurora hunt — keep another evening free for a second chance at clear sky
- Murmansk city tour — see the icebreaker Lenin, Kola Bay and the city before nightfall
- Three-day Arctic programme — add Teriberka and the Sami village to make a three-day journey
These additions are not included in the tour price. We confirm availability and cost before you book.
THE PROGRAMME
How the evening works
There is no fixed route, but every hunt follows the same rhythm.
BEFORE DEPARTURE · The forecast
We check cloud maps, visibility, road conditions and auroral activity, then choose a direction and set the pickup time.
PICKUP · Leaving Murmansk behind
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel. We leave street lights and urban haze behind and drive towards darker sky.
THE SEARCH · Wait, watch and move when needed
The guide follows the changing cloud cover and can move between viewing areas. Some nights reward patience; others stay cloudy.
DURING THE HUNT · Tea and photographs
Hot tea and biscuits are ready while you wait. The guide takes photographs throughout the evening and, when the aurora is bright enough, portraits beneath the lights.
RETURN · Back to your hotel
After 3–5 hours we return you to your Murmansk hotel. If you want a second night, ask in advance so we can keep another evening free.
Beyond the city lights
Waiting under a clear winter sky
Aurora photography when the lights appear
FAQ
Before you go out into the Arctic night
Five things worth knowing about the sky, the cold and a late return.
Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?
No. Solar activity and cloud cover both matter. We use the forecast to find the clearest reachable sky, but the aurora cannot be promised for a particular night.
What time does the tour start?
Pickup is often around 21:00. We set the exact time on the day, once we have checked darkness, cloud and road conditions, so keep the evening free.
How cold will it be?
Winter nights can be around −10 to −25 °C, sometimes colder with wind. Wear thermal layers, a windproof outer layer, insulated boots, a warm hat and gloves.
Can children join?
Often, yes, but the hunt can finish after midnight and includes time outdoors. Tell us their ages and we will suggest suitable timing and arrange child seats.
Do we need our own camera?
No. Guide photographs are included. Bring your own camera if you enjoy shooting, and keep spare batteries in an inside pocket because cold drains them quickly.
GOOD TO KNOW
Plan for the sky, not for a performance
Darkness, cloud and warm clothes matter more than a rigid route.
FORECAST
Cloud cover can matter more than a dramatic aurora forecast. The guide chooses a direction only after looking at both.
DARKNESS
The season runs from late August to early April, when Murmansk nights are dark enough.
CLOTHING
Warm feet and wind protection matter more than dressing for a quick photograph.
ASK US FOR A QUOTE
Tell us when you will be in Murmansk
Send your date and party size. We will reply with availability, pickup time and price.