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Murmansk region

Murmansk region – Between two seas.

Almost all of the territory of the Murmansk region is located above the Arctic Circle. The polar region is created as if specially for those who dream of watching the Northern lights at least once in a lifetime. The northern lights shift magically across the dark winter sky, often blue-green, sometimes red or violet. Throughout the ages the glorious northern lights have spellbound, terrified and fascinated people. Many say they have heard the sound of the northern lights, at times like the crackling of sparks, at others like a keening sound.

Kola Peninsula, where the Murmansk region is located, is called the region of a midnight sun. Two of the most interesting features of the local environs are the polar day, which lasts for 61 astronomical days, and polar night, during which the sun stays under the horizon for 44 astronomical days.

Here are forests, endless tundra, rivers, and unruffled surfaces of lakes. This region is for real romantics, who dream of setting off to the Northern Pole on an icebreaker; catching the tsar-fish of the northern rivers – salmon; of skiing down snow covered slopes of the Khibini; watching the beauty of underwater world of the White and Barents Seas. This region is for strong in spirit people, no matter if it is a man or a woman, who are lured by the severe climate and challenge of the northern modest mystery.

Practically all kinds of tourism are possible in Murman, except for “beach” ones: sport fishing, hunting, water and mountain tourism, mountaineering, ski touring, kiting, hiking, and cycling. One can rest in wild corners of taiga and tundra and on banks of very clean rivers. The main attraction of the subarctic area is the Khibini Mountains. It is the most visited region of the Kola Peninsula. The Khibini Tundra is located in the central part of the peninsula about 1200m above sea level. The highest peak of the peninsula is located there as well. Its name is the Chasnochorr Mountain (1191m). To see the true austere beauty of the North, you will go to Khibini either on foot or by snowmobile and skis.

The Kola peninsula is unique, interesting and unusual in all. There is a famous geological museum in Apatity. Tourists come to a town Zapolyarnyi (Transpolar) especially to watch the Kola extremely deepest cleft that was holed for studying the most ancients rocks of the planet. The main property of Murmansk is surely its port. One of its parts is available for visiting. You can see legendary icebreakers here and go on a trip to the Kola Bay in summer. Another attraction of the region is Russian Lapland where Father Frost lives; its manor is located in the timber reserve, on the bank of Chunozero (ChunLake). He leads his guests through an ecological path, showing squirrels and birds, which can’t be seen in a city park, to them. During the walk you can learn snow building techniques and sledging with a snowmobile.

If come to Murmansk in the 20s of January, than happen to attend an international snow and ice sculpture festival “Northern fantasy”, and if come in March – then become a witness of the main sport event in the Murmansk region – the North Festival.

The following kinds of tourism have a wide distribution in Murmansk region and Kola peninsula: Culture and history tours, culture events, sea and river cruises, winter products, outdoor adventures and nature activities, nature-based products in national parks, Health and recreation, Snowmobile and ski tours to historical and cultural heritage sites.