Claimed to be the "end of the Earth" by Arctic Russia Tourism, this remote village sits on the shore of Kola Bay, with nothing but the vast Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean beyond. A place that even many Russians overlook, I found myself in Teriberka last September 2024 to celebrate my 18th birthday (lol, as if!). For just three 3 days, I squeezed a budget-friendly tour to Teriberka and a Northern Lights Hunting Tour from Murmansk, Russia!
๐ก Want more inspiration in Russia? Check out these posts:
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What's in Murmansk & Teriberka?
Murmansk, the world's largest city beyond the Arctic Circle, is a port city in Russia's extreme northwest. It has several landmarks, including the Lenin Icebreaker (now a museum ship), the Alyosha Monument, and the Memorial to the Soldiers and Seamen Who Died in Peaceful Time.
Camping and fishing are popular here due to the ice-free waters, and it's often the starting point for icebreaker cruises heading to the Arctic Sea and North Pole.
Teriberka, on the other hand, is one of the oldest fishing settlements located in the Kolsky District of Murmansk Oblast. Located just two to three hours away from Murmansk, it has gained popularity from the Russian film Leviathan. After the film's success, tourists (including me!) started visiting Teriberka to experience its Arctic landscape with the hopes of catching the mighty Aurora dancing in the sky.
How to visit Teriberka from Murmansk?
According to Arctic Russia Tourism, there's a regular bus from Murmansk to Teriberka, with a one-way ticket costing RUB 700. Unfortunately, I couldn't verify this information elsewhere.
For tourists short on time, joining a group tour is a more convenient and reliable option. Given Teriberka's remote location and the long drive from Murmansk, a guided tour ensures you won't get stranded in the Arctic wilderness.
Originally, I was not a fan of group tours due to their time constraints and lack of flexibility. But over the years, I've come to accept that some places, especially in remote areas, are best reached with a group. Mass tourism is another topic, though, and one we're not here to promote. ๐
Day Tour Costs & Logistics:
Initially inquired from Nordic Travel, I ended up going with Murmansk Tours because of their unbeatable pricing. Tours are conducted in Russian (of course), so an online translator will be your best friend! Although the whole tour couldn't be translated into English because there were places without any signal, it wasn't rocket science, and the experience was just as amazing.
One thing to note though is that tour costs in Russia (and even museum entrance fees) are always different for locals and foreigners. Murmansk is not an exception. Here's what I paid as a foreigner as of September 2024:
| Teriberka Tour (without the boat trip) | Northern Lights Hunting Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusions: | - Transfer from the hotel and back - Tour Guide Service - Lunch & Breakfast Stops (meal costs are not included) - Free disposable raincoat (because it rained on the day of the tour) | - Transfer from the hotel and back - Professional Photographer Guide Service - Hot Tea and sweets |
| Tour Cost: | RUB 7,500 (USD 82/AED 301) | RUB 5,000 (USD 55/AED 200) |
| Website Link (to tour): | One-Day Tour to Teriberka | Northern Lights Hunting Tour from Murmansk |
I paid a 20% deposit upfront, with the balance paid to the tour guide on the day of the tour. Unfortunately, my Northern Lights hunting tour was canceled due to bad weather, but my deposit was refunded immediately.
Highlights and What to Expect:
Northern Lights Hunting Tour from Murmansk, Russia
A rookie mistake I made (well, I do this all the time), I didn't check the weather forecast. I wasn't expecting rain and while it wasn't pouring, unfortunately, this is considered "bad weather" for Aurora hunting.
And I wasn't the only unlucky one. Other travelers in my group had been waiting for over four nights with no luck. They even insisted on paying and waiting for any possible sighting despite the poor conditions. And honestly, I was with themโalready there, so might as well try, right?
However, the tour operator refused to take our money unless they could guarantee a sighting. Imagine turning down five desperate travelers willing to pay (that's RUB 5,000 x 5 = RUB 25,000 for one night) and standing by their decision. Respect. I was in awe! Of course, road conditions could have been a factor too. But you get what I mean, right?
One-Day Tour to Teriberka from Murmansk, Russia
Our tour to Teriberka started earlier than planned since we were supposed to go on a Northern Lights hunting tour later. We were picked one by one at 6 AM, and the drive was mostly quiet since everyone was still sleepy after staying up late, hoping to be able to go to Aurora hunting the night before.
Wind Turbines, Mystical Seids & the Graveyard of Ships
Our first stop was at the Wind Turbines, where we savor the endlessness of the northern tundra or a frozen arctic plain. The only plants that thrive in these extreme conditions are mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.
Next, we visited the mystical seids or the stacked stone formations that hold sacred significance in Sami tradition. Often called the "Stone Guardians of the Gods", these are deeply connected to ancient Arctic spiritual practices.
Right by the road was our next stop, the Graveyard of the Ships. The skeletal remains of these vessels resembled the rib cages of giant whales, making it one of the most photographed spots in the entire village.
Before heading to the natural park, we made a short stop for breakfast. Given that we were in a coastal village, seafood was expected on the menu. But I was surprised to see borscht with moose meat! No one from our group ordered it (well I just want to see it first), so I just copied what they ordered: scallops and sea urchins.
And boy, they are as savory as you can imagine! Considering that the Philippines has an abundance of seafood, I couldn't recall ever having an opportunity to try these back home. So eating them in Russia is quite ironic, but I absolutely loved it!
Teriberka Natural Park
Another part of the tour was a 5-kilometer walk inside Teriberka's Natural Park. Inside the park, we were fully immersed in the Arctic landscape and one of its highlights was the "Beach of Dinosaur Eggs" named for its large, rounded stones that resembleโyou guessed itโdinosaur eggs.
A short hike took us to a viewpoint, overlooking the vast Barents Sea, stretching endlessly beyond the horizon. The waterfall we encountered, though somewhat dry, was framed by its striking red color.
Our guide pointed out the presence of kelp forests in the Arctic waters, and we found pieces of seaweed scattered throughout the park. There were also different types of berries growing everywhere, and we were free to pick them. Iโd only seen this in travel showsโmostly filmed in Finlandโso getting to pick my own Arctic berries was a little surreal!
Teriberka Beach
Our final stop is what the locals call the "New Teriberka", a developing area with establishments to accommodate more tourists.
There are a few restaurants by the beach, and of course, you should try seafood dishes! We also spotted several guest houses around the area, perfect for those who want to stay overnight.
Before wrapping up the tour, we took a leisurely walk at the shore toward the abandoned ship and explored a little bit. To maximize the last free time we had, we also visited the farm where huskies and reindeer were raised. Visitors could feed the reindeer by buying food on-site, but I wasn't sure if the same was applied to the Huskies.
A few years back, I would probably interact happily with the animals. However, after getting called out by a friend, I started becoming more conscious when traveling. As much as possible, I tried to make an effort to travel responsibly. So this time, I simply observed and took pictures from outside while others played around.
Looking back, the tour was long yet unforgettable. Just last year, I was only dreaming of this place after hearing it from Dilmuradโmy guide in Big Chimgan in Uzbekistan. Who would've thought that I would actually find myself on a tour in Teriberka and Murmansk, Russiaโon my birthday, no less? Definitely not me!
