Head for the snow-white serenity of the Kola Peninsula, where the Saami have herded reindeer for generations and the Northern Lights dance in the clear Arctic sky.

Painting the night sky with a dazzling display of shifting light and colour, the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights is one of the earth’s most spectacular natural phenomena. A bucket-list experience for countless travellers, certain places have become commercial tourist hotspots for seeing the Northern Lights.

The Kola Peninsula, in Russia’s far northwestern Arctic Region, has so far remained under the tourist radar, despite being one of the best destinations on earth to view the Aurora Borealis. Here in Kola, you’ll be perhaps one of a handful of visitors to witness the breathtaking spectacle of cosmic iridescence above the northern sky. At the same time, you’ll discover a little of the history and culture of the local Saami people and enjoy favourite winter pastimes such as dog sledding and snowmobiling.

Northern Lights in Russia Tour Highlights:

Moscow City Tour: Before we fly out for the Arctic, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the capital’s highlights. Admire the Red Square in its finest winter decorations, explore the Kremlin and Armory Museum and much more

Discover the hidden charms of Murmansk. Visit the Lenin, the world’s first nuclear ice-breaker, and now a Naval Museum. With any luck, you’ll catch the Northern Lights dancing above Murmansk’s night-time cityscape

Visit a Siberian husky farm. The local Saami will introduce you to their beautiful dogs and teach you how to navigate a dog sled through a specially prepared route through the forest

Carve it up on a snowmobile safari to the Khibiny Mountains. After 4 hours of adrenaline, we’ll arrive at a gorgeous clearing where you can enjoy the stunning winter landscapes and tranquillity of the mountains
Head to one of the largest Saami settlements in the Kola Peninsula. Meet their reindeer, try your hand at essential Saami survival techniques like lassoing and sledding and enjoy a traditional lunch with herbal tea

Also known as the northern lights, as it appears only near the earth’s northern pole, the Aurora Borealis is formed when charged particles in the atmosphere collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen, releasing energy in the form of visible light. The subject of countless legends and mysteries, witnessing the northern lights is an almost supernatural experience, never to be forgotten.

Our journey begins in Moscow, where you’ll have the opportunity to tour some of the capital’s most important sites, including the Kremlin, Red Square and St Basil Cathedral. Next, we’ll take a flight to Murmansk and get to know some of the city’s fascinating wartime naval history.

Murmansk is by far the largest city above the Arctic Circle and will be our base for the next few days. Each night, there’s a chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis as it materialises over the rooftops of the city, casting luminous streaks across the velvet black sky.

The Kola Peninsula is home to the Saami people, who also inhabit northern Scandinavia. These semi-nomadic reindeer herders traverse the tundra on husky-drawn sleds. This tour will also introduce us to indigenous Saami culture. At the Lovozero husky farm outside of Murmansk, we’ll partake in a traditional Saami meal, go on a dog sledding adventure in the tundra and perhaps even try our hands at commanding a reindeer crew.

Although sightings of Aurora Borealis are highly unpredictable, this one-week tour offers an outstanding opportunity to chase the lights against the unique natural and cultural backdrop of the Kola Peninsula, truly one of Russia’s most spectacular hidden gems.