Polar Bears & the Wildlife of Churchill, Canada

Photo © Patrick Endres.

TRIP CURRENTLY FULL - WAIT  LIST ONLY

Download the Polar Bears & the Wildlife of Churchill, Canada Brochure

From $4,895 per person, plus air fare, based on double occupancy.

Operated by Natural Habitat Adventures.

Every autumn, more than 1,000 polar bears congregate on the alpine tundra surrounding Hudson Bay, anticipating the winter freeze. Churchill's unique setting in this environment makes it the only place in the world where travelers can safely and comfortably view large numbers of wild polar bears in their natural habitat. This unique, small group tour is scheduled during the peak season, which begins in early October and lasts until late November or December, when the bay freezes over and the bears migrate onto the pack ice. A knowledgeable Expedition Leader will accompany the group on the daily wildlife viewing excursions aboard tundra vehicles. In addition to bears, travelers may see gyrfalcons, snowy owls, ptarmigans, and Arctic foxes. Over the years, this has proved to be a consistently popular itinerary – and with only 15 spaces available, it is sure to fill quickly. Be sure to make your reservations quickly, before space runs out!

Itinerary

Day 1:
ARRIVE WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

Upon arrival in Winnipeg, collect your luggage and proceed to the Natural Habitat Adventures shuttle booth (you will receive booth location instructions closer to your departure date). A Natural Habitat Adventures representative will meet passengers here every hour, on the hour, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. The shuttle will then transfer you to the Fort Garry Hotel downtown. After checking in, you will be free to relax until we gather at approximately 7 p.m. with our Natural Habitat Adventures representative for an informal welcome dinner and orientation at the hotel. 

Overnight Fort Garry Hotel (D)

Day 2:
FLY TO CHURCHILL / EVENING ON THE TUNDRA

After breakfast, we will fly to Churchill (about a two-hour flight). The exact time of departure is determined by airline schedules. Upon arrival in Churchill, we will take a brief tour of the town and settle into our accommodation in Churchill for the next three nights.

This evening, we will head out in our specially-designed polar rovers for our first visit to the tundra. We will enjoy dinner in our vehicle and see the Arctic animals in an atmosphere rarely experienced by most visitors. If we chance upon a clear night, the Northern Lights may appear and brighten the entire sky. We will return late in the evening.

Overnight Churchill Motel (B, L, D)

Days 3 & 4: 
CHURCHILL/BEAR VIEWING

These days, we will further explore the Arctic environment in our polar rovers. After a hearty breakfast, we will travel outside of town by bus to a special boarding site at the edge of the tundra to meet our vehicles. Our journey will take us to the icy coastline of the Hudson Bay, where the bears tend to gather.

This is the only time of year that the bears tolerate each other’s presence, and their interactions are intriguing. We may encounter young bears mock fighting, and although it is ferocious looking, this play activity actually helps prepare the young bears for the hostile environment of the pack ice. An adult male may turn his attention toward us, sometimes approaching within feet or even lifting his massive paws on the side of our vehicle to peer inside. While on the tundra, we may also see a variety of other northern wildlife, including Arctic fox, snowy owl, ptarmigan, and gyrfalcon.

We will return to town in the late afternoon and have a short time to relax before dinner. Depending on the activities of the day, our free evenings will include wildlife or cultural presentations, slide shows, or time to relax at your leisure.

Overnights Churchill Motel (B, L, D)

Day 5:
CHURCHILL/RETURN TO WINNIPEG

Depending on flight schedules, we may have some free time this morning to explore Churchill and shop for Arctic souvenirs, or to participate in an optional helicopter or dog sledding excursion before returning to Winnipeg.

Today, we will have either a farewell lunch in Churchill or dinner in Winnipeg. Our final night will be at the Fort Garry Hotel.

Overnight Fort Garry Hotel (B & L or D)

Day 6:
DEPARTURE

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

*Note: We highly recommend that you arrive a day early in case of inclement-weather delays. We offer an “Extra Day in Winnipeg” excursion, which includes hotel, meals, and a tour of the Winnipeg area, including a planetarium presentation on Northern Lights and the Manitoba Museum. Please contact the NAA Travel Program for further information on how to book the additional day.