Whales and Northern Lights on the Kola Peninsula

5% discount when booking 2 months before the start of the tour.

Two unique and exciting wonders of Kola in one tour — the northern lights and whales.

In three days you will visit the most beautiful places of the Murmansk region, see a nuclear icebreaker, get to know the capital of the Arctic region closer, walk along unexplored paths towards the ocean and feel the atmosphere of the famous movie "Leviathan".

But most importantly, you will go to surf the seas and try your luck in search of whales, and an evening photo hunt in search of the northern lights will complement the journey with bright colors and amazing emotions!

The cost of the tour without accommodation is 42,000 rubles.
The cost of a tour with accommodation starts from 50,500 rubles.

Location

Murmansk
from
$421
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
3 Days
2 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 22 – 24 November
    • 29 November – 1 December
    • 6 – 8 December
    • 13 – 15 December
    • Dates for next season
    • 10 – 12 January, 2025
    • 17 – 19 January, 2025
    • 24 – 26 January, 2025
    • 31 January – 2 February, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 18 people
Minimum age
5 years old
Group meet at
Murmansk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

A boat trip in search of whales
You will have a sea trip through the waters of the Barents Sea and a unique opportunity to see whales, killer whales and other marine life
The Hunt for the Northern Lights
You will have as many as 2 attempts to see and capture this unique natural phenomenon that makes your heart beat faster
Ethnic Park
You will visit an active recreation park, participate in Sami games and get acquainted with the charming inhabitants: huskies and reindeer
The Edge of the World
You will travel through the endless tundra to the legendary village of Teriberka, where you can ride on the northernmost swing and take photos overlooking the ocean
Polar Murmansk
You will learn the history of the world's first nuclear icebreaker Lenin, visit the Mayak memorial complex and see a fragment of the Kursk submarine cabin
The gastronomic side of the north
You will taste fish soup with tender fillet of sea fish, a meat or fish dish with a side dish and a morse of northern berries

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Getting to know Murmansk. Photo hunt for the Northern Lights

    You arrive in the hero city of Murmansk by air or railway transport on your own. 

    We recommend arrival before 13:00 so that you have time to get to the hotel and check in.

    Check-in at the hotel according to international standards starts at 14:00. Check-in time at the hotel may be changed/different, in case of postponement of check-in time, things can be left in the luggage room.

    A general gathering of the group for lunch and acquaintance.

    The meeting time of the group is 14:30 at the address: Five Corners square, 5/23 Vorovsky St., Meridian Hotel lobby (the exact time will be indicated by the guide the day before).

    We will go to one of the restaurants in the city for a multi-course set lunch, get to know each other and discuss plans for the day.

    You can order additional items from the menu (to be paid for yourself).

    We are going on a sightseeing tour of the hero city of Murmansk.

    You will learn the origin of the name, get acquainted with the significant architectural sights of Murmansk.

    The first point of the tour will be the Marine Station and the first ship on the planet with a nuclear installation, the nuclear icebreaker Lenin (external inspection, if tickets are available, a visit with an excursion).

    Sad pages of history, we will go to the Memorial "To the Sailors who died in peacetime": a tower stylized as a lighthouse, a ship's anchor and part of the cabin raised from the Kursk submarine, the Church of the Savior on Waters.

    Looking into the distance, you will definitely notice the snow-white figure of a soldier, more than 35 meters high, the next point of the tour will be the Green Cape Hill and the memorial to the "Defenders of the Soviet Arctic", popularly called "Alyosha".

    Not far from the defender of the Arctic, the "Waiting" stands and waits for its sailor, a touching and elegant monument, a collective image of all women who wait for the return of husbands, sons and fathers every minute of their lives.

    After the tour, you will have free time to relax or take a walk in the evening Murmansk. Buy souvenirs and have dinner at the restaurant.

    We're going on a photo hunt!

    The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and no one can guarantee its appearance.

    Important! Departure is carried out according to favorable forecasts, in the absence of minimal chances, departure can be canceled and postponed to the next day.

    This amazing natural phenomenon does not leave indifferent even those who,
    it would seem that he was used to the wonderful iridescence of color in the night sky. What can we say about those who saw it for the first time! It will not be possible to watch the flashes burning in the sky in the city. All the beauty is revealed far from the city lights, in the vastness of northern nature.

    • Gathering of the group at the Meridian Hotel. The guide will tell you the exact time the day before. Please do not be late and always stay in touch, as the northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, the departure time may change.
    • Hunting can take several hours, we kindly ask you to take care of warm clothes and shoes in advance! 
    • During the search, the guide will not only tell you the details and rules of shooting, but also tell you about the wonders that are associated with the northern lights, the nature of its origin, legends and secrets of the unique phenomenon.
    • Photography during the aurora is included in the price. During shooting, it is necessary to listen carefully to the guide, observe safety precautions, turn off the flash on the cameras.
    • Important! The photographer guide takes several general group shots, after each participant's photo. If the duration of the flash allows, you can take some additional pictures. 
    • We are returning to Murmansk, to the starting point. The next day will be no less fabulous.
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  • Day 2 - To the Edge of the World in Teriberka. A boat trip in search of whales. The second trip to the photo hunt for the Northern lights
  • Day 3 - Ethnic motives
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Tour organizer's comments

The tour is not suitable for persons with disabilities, because boarding a boat is very difficult and is not suitable for this category 

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
  • Premium

5% discount when booking 2 months before the start of the tour. The prices below are without discount.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, RUB.:

RateHabitationCost
StandardWithout accommodation42 000
Comfort
(on request)
Hotels: iTerra, Tundra, Needles50 500
Comfort+Hotels: Meridian, Azimut, Cosmos56 900

The cost for Comfort and Comfort+ tariffs is indicated for 1 person with double occupancy.

Single occupancy is possible for an additional fee:

  • Comfort hotels — 5,500 rubles.;
  • hotels 4* — 7 500 rub .
Iterra Hotel or Meridian 4* or 2 nights
Iterra Hotel

Iterra hotel is a hotel in Murmansk, located in Oktyabrsky district.

The rooms are presented in the "Standard" category, which can accommodate one or two guests. Each room has the necessary furniture for a relaxing stay in comfort, free Wi-Fi, an LCD TV, a refrigerator, an electric kettle and a private bathroom with a shower.

A continental breakfast is served in the morning. There is also a shared kitchen where you can cook yourself using household appliances and a set of dishes. Nearby there is a cafe "Sim-Sim" and a grocery hypermarket.

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Another option
Meridian 4*

Meridian Congress Hotel is located in Murmansk. There are good conditions for comfortable living and recreation.

The rooms are equipped with necessary appliances and furnished with upholstered furniture. All rooms have a telephone system with long-distance and international access.

You can have lunch or dinner at nearby cafes or restaurants. There are also grocery stores and stalls nearby.

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Another option
AZIMUT City Hotel Murmansk 4*

Offering a restaurant, Azimut Hotel is located in the center of Murmansk, right next to the Central Park and a 5-minute walk from the Central Stadium.

The rooms are decorated in bright colors and feature a minibar and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Blackout curtains are also provided. Each room has a private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries.

At Azimut Hotel you will find a 24-hour front desk and a bar. The hotel also offers conference rooms, a tour desk and luggage storage. 

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Another option
Park Inn by Radisson Poliarnie Zori, Murmansk 4*

Offering panoramic views of the Kola Bay, Park Inn by Radisson Poliarnie Zori is located in the center of Murmansk. The hotel has a fitness center with a sauna, a small pool and a hot tub.

The rooms at Park Inn by Radisson Poliarnie Zori feature a work desk and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. An electric kettle with tea and coffee is provided. The bathrooms come with underfloor heating, a hairdryer and free toiletries.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The Polar Dawns Restaurant serves Russian and European cuisine. There is also a nightclub and 2 bars where you can enjoy a variety of cocktails and drinks.

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Another option
Tundra Hotel

We invite you to relax in an extraordinary city on the edge of a deep-water bay on the Barents Sea.

24-hour front desk, airport shuttle, free parking and free Wi-Fi. Ironing services, as well as fax and photocopying services are available.

All rooms have a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom, and a wardrobe.

We have a dining area and a continental breakfast is served.

Convenient location in a quiet courtyard in the center of Murmansk:

  • Murmansk Airport is 30 km from the hotel.
  • It will take 5 minutes by car from the hotel to the Five Corners Square.
  • Murmansk Mall Shopping Mall, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the region, is a 5-minute walk away.
Another option
Needles

Mini-hotel Khvoya is located in the Oktyabrsky district in the city of Murmansk. The public transport stop "Akademika Knipovich Street" is 230 m away. Parking is available for guests by car.

The rooms have beds, bedside tables, a spacious wardrobe, a table with a chair, as well as Wi-Fi, a TV with cable TV and a safe, the bathroom has a hairdryer.

The shared kitchen has an electric kettle, stove, refrigerator and dining area. Cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops are within walking distance.

There is a shopping mall with children's playrooms and a cinema nearby. The distance to Murmansk International Airport. Nicholas II is 28 km away, and the train station is 1.5 km away.

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Tour conditions

Group
up to 18 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
3 days 2 nights
Group meets at
Murmansk

Included in price

All tariffs:

  • tour service:
    • city sightseeing tour;
    • Teriberka;
    • boat trip;
    • ethnic village;
  • 2 trips to the Northern Lights:
    • 1 required;
    • 1 bonus if the forecast is favorable (in case of failure in 1 day);
  • entrance tickets:
    • icebreaker Lenin;
    • Teriberka Nature Park;
    • Sami motives;
    • a place on the boat;
  • nutrition:
    • lunch on each day of the tour;
  • guide services;
  • transport support.

Comfort rate:

  • Accommodation: comfort hotels, standard rooms;
  • Meals: continental breakfasts.

Comfort+ rate:

  • Accommodation: 4* hotel, standard rooms;
  • Meals: breakfast buffet.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Murmansk and back;
  • accommodation, when choosing the Standard fare;
  • single accommodation at the hotel;
  • transfer:
    • airport — hotel — 1,500 rubles per line;
    • railway station — hotel — 500 rubles per line;
  • meals not included in the program and the tariff:
    • breakfast, when choosing the Standard fare;
    • dinners;
  • souvenir products.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Clothing and shoes:

  • Autumn: Windproof and waterproof clothing. Jackets preferably with a hood. The weather in the North is often changeable, precipitation is possible. A headdress. A set of thermal underwear and a fleece jacket. Comfortable waterproof shoes. Ideally, trekking boots or sneakers.
  • Winter: Thermal underwear, warm winter jacket and trousers, high warm winter shoes, hat, scarf, gloves (take spare things with you).

Documents, money, etc.:

  • passport;
  • MHI policy;
  • cash;
  • Portable charging;
  • personal hygiene items;
  • personal first aid kit;
  • a backpack for personal belongings.

Snack, water. It is possible to close restaurants due to weather conditions, rolling blackouts, etc., it is best to always have a snack, a bottle of water, a small travel thermos (optional).

What are the features of the tour?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
At what time are the chances of seeing the aurora higher?
Are there any guarantees to see the northern Lights?
Is it possible to see the northern Lights as in most photos?
What do you need to know about a boat trip?
What will be the program in Kirovsk if the road to Teriberka is closed?

Dates and Prices

Reviews

  • O
    Oksana
    13 Nov, 2024
    about provider
    Big thanks to our guide, Ruslan, and driver, Alexey! Ruslan shared fascinating facts, quickly resolved any questions, and always had a plan B ready for any unexpected changes. One such change was when we saw blasting work along the highway to Teriberka, which made us arrive back an hour later than planned, but it was totally worth it! A quick tip about clothing: bring not only warm clothes but also a swimsuit, T-shirts, and shorts (if you’re visiting in summer). The memo didn’t mention this, but you might want to take a dip in the Barents Sea or Seydozero, and the weather can be unpredictable, swinging from very hot to very cold. I’d also like to mention their flexibility. We were staying at the Cosmos Hotel, a 20-minute walk from the meeting point, and when we had excursions leaving at 7:30, and even 7:00 the next day, those 20 minutes made a big difference. They kindly picked us up directly from the hotel—special thanks for that!
    13 Nov, 2024
  • A
    Anna
    11 Nov, 2024
    about provider
    I joined the tour from July 19 to July 21, 2024, and came back completely captivated by the stunning beauty of the polar region and the flawless organization of the trip. Thanks to the tour managers, we were able to explore a wide variety of breathtaking spots, discover the history of the city and region and experience the northern magic—all within a short timeframe. The tour was extremely well-organized, from comfortable accommodations to well-planned excursions and reliable transport. The guides clearly love their region and their work, sharing information in a clear and engaging way. They are very attuned to the needs and preferences of tourists and adapt the itinerary with impressive flexibility. Despite the short duration and packed schedule, I felt fully rested, without any sense of fatigue or overload. The value for money is truly excellent. Special thanks to Evgeny, Alexey, and our driver (an exceptional professional who kept us feeling comfortable and safe, even on the most challenging routes) as well as to all the tour organizers for their professionalism and thoughtful approach. I’ll definitely return to explore this amazing place again. A few tips: 1. In addition to warm, waterproof clothing, be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and burn ointment—these weren’t mentioned in the information guide. The northern sun can be intense. 2. Staying at the Meridian Hotel is recommended as it also serves as a meeting point, which is convenient for early starts. 3. Note that pharmacies and malls close at 9:00 pm, so plan your shopping accordingly. Alcohol sales also end at 9:00 pm. However, there are 24-hour grocery stores like Perekrestok and Magnit.
    11 Nov, 2024
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  • S
    Stanislav
    21 Oct, 2024
    about provider
    The entire program matched the description and the providers answered all our questions 👍
    21 Oct, 2024