9 Days Northern Lights Aurora | Russia | Moscow | St. Petersburg
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Pickup & Drop
Airport - Airport
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Duration
9D/8N
MyTourMakers Assured
Top-Notch Support
Best Price
Package Overview
This itinerary takes travelers beyond Russia's classic city circuit into the Arctic Circle — combining the grandeur of Moscow and the imperial elegance of St. Petersburg with a rare journey to Murmansk, one of the best places on earth to witness the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The trip opens in Moscow with an evening exploration of VDNKh's Soviet-era pavilions, followed by a focused city tour covering the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and Christ the Saviour Cathedral. From here, travelers fly north to Murmansk, the largest city.....
This itinerary takes travelers beyond Russia's classic city circuit into the Arctic Circle — combining the grandeur of Moscow and the imperial elegance of St. Petersburg with a rare journey to Murmansk, one of the best places on earth to witness the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The trip opens in Moscow with an evening exploration of VDNKh's Soviet-era pavilions, followed by a focused city tour covering the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and Christ the Saviour Cathedral. From here, travelers fly north to Murmansk, the largest city above the Arctic Circle, for a night-time hunt for the Aurora, a visit to a traditional Sami village — complete with reindeer sledding and hand-feeding — and a city tour featuring the world's first nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Lenin. The Arctic experience deepens with overnight stays at a genuine igloo hotel and a wooden cottage, offering a rare chance to sleep under snow and stars far from city lights.
The journey closes in St. Petersburg, where the Hermitage Museum, the Church on Spilled Blood, and the city's canal-lined boulevards provide a graceful, imperial finish to an itinerary that spans from Red Square to the Arctic tundra.
Ideal for: Northern Lights chasers, honeymooners seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, adventure travelers, photographers, and repeat visitors to Russia looking for something beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Itinerary
- Private airport pickup in Moscow
- Transfer to hotel
- Evening Moscow night tour (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM) with visit to VDNKh Park and Pavilions of the former Soviet States.
- Overnight in Moscow
- Breakfast at hotel
- Moscow Kremlin, Red Square, Park Zaryadye & Sky Bridge
- Alexandrovsky Garden, St. Basil's Cathedral & Lenin Mausoleum
- Nikolskaya Street, GUM Mall & KGB Building
- Christ the Saviour Cathedral
- Overnight in Moscow
- Breakfast at hotel
- Check-out & transfer to airport for onward flight to Murmansk
- Arrive Murmansk & transfer to hotel
- Night excursion to hunt the Northern Lights
- Overnight in Murmansk
- Breakfast at hotel
- Sami Village visit — traditional dwellings, national utensils, the Alley of Idols, and Sami wildlife (reindeer, elk, husky dogs, foxes)
- Reindeer sledge ride
- Hand-feeding reindeer
- Murmansk city tour with the icebreaker Lenin (exterior view)
- Overnight in Murmansk
- Breakfast at hotel
- Check-out & transfer to Igloo Hotel
- Overnight at Igloo Hotel
- Transfer to Teriberka - one of the smallest settlements in Murmansk Region
- Polar wind park & rock garden
- Ancient ship cemetery
- Dragon Egg Beach & Dragon’s Lair
- Giant swing & seashore, the famous traveler’s Bench
- Return back to Murmansk and overnight stay
- The time is approximate (depends on weather conditions, road conditions, group pace, etc.)
- The road to Teriberka is sometimes closed due to strong winds and snowfall. In such cases, we reschedule the trip to another day or change the destination. Sea trips can also be canceled due to wind, high waves, and severe storms.
- After breakfast, complete the checkout process.
- Transfer to Airport for the onward journey to St. Petersburg
- Arrival & pickup from Airport, drop to Hotel.
- You may opt to explore the city and markets.
- Overnight stay at St. Petersburg.
- Breakfast at hotel
- Hermitage Museum (entrance included)
- Admiralty, Bronze Horseman & Kazan Cathedral
- Church on Spilled Blood
- Overnight in Saint Petersburg
- After breakfast, checkout from Hotel
- Transfer to Railway Station
- Board the bullet train and head to Moscow
- Upon arrival get transferred to Moscow Airport.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 2 Nights in Moscow
- 2 Nights in Murmansk
- 1 Night at an Igloo Hotel
- 1 Night at a Wooden Cottage
- 2 Nights in Saint Petersburg
- Daily breakfast at hotel (from Day 2)
Meals
- 8 Breakfasts (Day 2 to Day 9)
Visa
- Russia Tourist e-Visa processing assistance
Transfers
- Airport pickup on arrival in Moscow
- Airport drop-off on departure from Moscow
- Moscow–Murmansk domestic flight transfer (airport-to-hotel both ends)
- Murmansk–St. Petersburg flight transfer
- St. Petersburg–Moscow train transfer (return journey)
- All local transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle
Sightseeing & Experiences
Moscow
- Evening Moscow night tour (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
- VDNKh Park & Pavilions of the Former Soviet States
- Moscow Kremlin, Red Square, Park Zaryadye & Sky Bridge
- Alexandrovsky Garden, St. Basil's Cathedral & Lenin Mausoleum (exterior)
- Nikolskaya Street, GUM Mall & KGB Building (exterior)
- Christ the Saviour Cathedral
Murmansk & the Arctic
- Night excursion to hunt the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
- Sami Village visit — traditional dwellings (Plague, Kuvaksy), national utensils, the Alley of Idols
- Meeting with Sami wildlife — reindeer, elk, husky dogs, and foxes
- Reindeer sledge ride
- Hand-feeding reindeer
- Murmansk city tour with the icebreaker Lenin (exterior view)
- Overnight stay at an Igloo Hotel
- Overnight stay at a Wooden Cottage with leisure time
Saint Petersburg
- Hermitage Museum (entrance included)
- City tour — Admiralty, Bronze Horseman, Kazan Cathedral
- Church on Spilled Blood
Also Included
- All applicable hotel taxes
- Local representative assistance throughout
Exclusions
- International and domestic airfare (unless otherwise specified as included transfers)
- Lunches and dinners on all days
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides/drivers
- Personal expenses (shopping, laundry, phone/Wi-Fi charges)
- Any entry fees not explicitly listed as "included"
- Special Arctic gear/clothing rental (thermal suits, boots), if required beyond personal wear
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Visa rejection charges, if any
- Cost escalation due to fuel price hikes, taxes, or currency fluctuation
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Inclusions
Other Info
Visa & Documentation
- Passport with minimum 6 months validity from date of return, mandatory.
- Russia e-Visa is subject to government approval; MyTourMakers assists with processing but cannot guarantee approval.
- Submit documents at least 15–20 days prior to departure.
Northern Lights Viewing — Setting Expectations
- The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon dependent on solar activity, cloud cover, and darkness levels; sightings cannot be guaranteed on any specific night, including the scheduled excursion.
- Best viewing season is generally late September to early April; travel outside this window significantly reduces sighting chances and should be discussed with clients before booking.
- Multiple viewing attempts, extended tour duration, or advanced photography equipment do not guarantee a sighting — this should be communicated clearly to manage client expectations.
Arctic Climate & Packing
- Murmansk and the Arctic Circle region experience extreme cold, especially at night (often well below -15°C to -25°C in peak winter).
- Clients must carry proper thermal clothing, insulated boots, gloves, and headwear; certain excursions (Northern Lights hunt, Sami village, igloo hotel) involve extended outdoor exposure.
- The igloo hotel and wooden cottage stays offer basic/rustic facilities by design — clients seeking standard hotel luxury should be advised accordingly before booking.
Domestic Flights & Train
- Moscow–Murmansk and Murmansk–St. Petersburg sectors are covered by domestic flights; baggage allowance follows the respective airline's policy, separate from international allowance.
- The St. Petersburg–Moscow return sector is by train; seat/class allocation is subject to availability at time of booking.
- Flight/train schedules may cause minor itinerary timing adjustments, particularly around Days 3, 7, and 9.
Currency
- Foreign-issued cards (Visa/Mastercard) do not work in Russia due to international sanctions. Carry sufficient cash (USD/EUR) for exchange.
Itinerary Flexibility
- The Northern Lights excursion, Sami village visit, and outdoor activities are weather-dependent and may be rescheduled or adjusted by the local operator for safety reasons.
- Sightseeing sequence in Moscow and St. Petersburg may be adjusted due to monument closures or public holidays, without compromising overall inclusions.
General Advisory
- Check current travel advisories from your home country before booking, given the prevailing geopolitical situation.
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended and not included — particularly important given the remote Arctic leg of this itinerary.
- Local SIM/eSIM recommended; connectivity may be limited in Murmansk's rural/Arctic areas (Sami village, igloo hotel).
Starting from:
INR 1,10,099/- P.P
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Hear from Travellers like you
Since our journey began, travelers to explore breathtaking destinations.
Devendra Nagpal
23-Nov-2025Russia was honestly better than I expected. From Moscow to St. Petersburg, everything was planned quite well and we never felt lost or confused about what was happening next. The team was always available whenever we had a question. Overall, a very comfortable experience with MyTourMakers. Thank you Rahul for his special efforts.
Digvijay Kumar
24-Apr-2026Moscow was best experience for me, especially seeing Red Square and the Kremlin in person. The whole trip was much more enjoyable because we didn’t have to worry about the planning and transfers. There were a few small things here and there, but overall the experience was really good. Would definitely consider travelling with MyTourMakers again.
Jyothi
27-Feb-2026We travelled to Russia with our family and were initially a little unsure because it was our first time there. Everything turned out quite smoothly. The hotels, sightseeing and transfers were properly coordinated, and the support from the MyTourMakers team made a big difference. The kids especially enjoyed the trip. And we are really thankful for the best pricing and service on ground.
Shipra Singh
04-Apr-2026The combination of Moscow and St. Petersburg was perfect. Both cities felt completely different and there was so much to see. We particularly enjoyed St. Petersburg. MyTourMakers handled the arrangements well and we could enjoy the destination instead of constantly worrying about logistics.
Yangju
05-May-2026Had a really nice Russia trip with MyTourMakers. What I liked most was that someone was always available when we needed help. The itinerary was also not unnecessarily hectic, so we got enough time to actually enjoy the places. Overall, a memorable holiday.
Kamlesh
12-Dec-2025We travelled to Russia during winter and it was completely different from anything we had experienced before. The snow, architecture and overall atmosphere were beautiful. Yes, the cold was something we had to get used to! 😄 The trip was well organised and the team was helpful throughout. If you book trip in winter for Russia be ready to feel the extreme level of situation.
Dinesh Kothi
04-Jan-2024Honestly, seeing the Northern Lights in Russia was the highlight of our entire trip. We had seen pictures before, but watching them appear in the sky was something completely different. The experience was well organised and the MyTourMakers team guided us throughout. We were lucky with the weather and got a beautiful view of the lights. Definitely an experience we’ll remember for a long time! ✨, if you are planning to visit - must plan for the Murmansk