1 departure: November 2025 tba - advance early bookings recommended
The Arctic's most magnificent animals gather along the western shores of Hudson's Bay from mid-October to early November, near the town of Churchill, Manitoba. Here, they await the freezing of the ice to begin their annual seal hunt. They are viewed from the safety and comfort of specially designed Tundra Buggies that travel through sub-Arctic terrain. Open your windows or stand above the bears on an outdoor observation deck to photograph females with cubs, young bears sparring and majestic mature males. *Prices in your Cart are listed in CAD.
Highlights
- View polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area during their annual seal hunt via a six-wheel tundra buggy.
- Visit the Itsanitaq Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Inuit art in the world.
- Embark on a dog sledding excursion led by a local Churchill resident, learning about the history of dog sledding.
- Soak in the history of Churchill, encountering Cape Merry and Fort Churchill, the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, and famous town landmarks.
- Discover the region’s other unique wildlife, such as arctic foxes, lemmings, ptarmigans, and gyrfalcons.
- If you're lucky - observe the Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky.
6 Day Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 | Winnipeg | Our small group tour arrives in Winnipeg for our first step of the journey. Depending what time you arrive, there may be time to enjoy some of Winnipeg’s attractions such as the museum, the Forks historic area and the Exchange district. Overnight accommodation will be provided in Winnipeg. There will be an evening meet-up with the tour group for an orientation. |
Day 2 | Winnipeg to Churchill | Breakfast will be enjoyed at a local restaurant (included). After breakfast, we’ll catch an early morning flight from Winnipeg to Churchill. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a Churchill tour visiting local and historical points of interest such as the Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility and the Inukshuk at town beach. Afterwards, we’ll experience a breathtaking panoramic view of the Churchill River, Hudson Bay, and Prince of Wales Fort. Other areas of interest include the Hudson's Bay shoreline, where Pre-Cambrian rocks and fossils scatter the beaches. We will observe plenty of Arctic birds and wildlife enroute. Lunch and dinner are included. Following dinner, the evening can be spent exploring Churchill’s authentic shops, enjoying a beverage at the local pub or relaxing at the hotel. We’ll be spending the next 3 nights at the Tundra Inn. Aurora Borealis alert: Churchill is one of the best places in the world to observe the Aurora Borealis. Should this occur during our stay, we’ll drive out of town to experience this incredible phenomena. |
Day 3 | Polar Bear Viewing in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area | Breakfast will be included at a local restaurant. We’ll depart in the morning to the fascinating tundra, where we’ll board the specially designed six-wheel-drive Tundra Buggy. We’ll spend this full day out via tundra buggy exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management area on an established network of trails. Often, curious polar bears will approach the vehicles providing wonderful close range encounters and excellent photographic opportunities. We will also look for Arctic foxes, caribou, lemmings, ptarmigans and white-phase Gyrfalcons. Lunch and refreshments will be served on board. At night, we will return to Churchill for dinner, included on this day. . |
Day 4 | Dog Sledding and exploring the Town of Churchill | After our included breakfast this morning, we will be transferred just outside of town to Churchill’s boreal forests. Here, we will enjoy an interpretive program paired with an exciting dog sled excursion. Hosted by a local Churchill resident and dog sledding expert, guests will learn about the history associated with dog sledding, paired with a mile-long ride on a custom-built sled behind a strong team of huskies. Lunch will be included in town, which will precede a visit to the Parks Canada Centre, located in Churchill’s historic train station. Step back in time during this interpretive program as you learn about Churchill’s history - both man-made and natural. Next, we’ll visit the Itsanitaq Museum, home to one of the most extensive collections of Inuit art in the world. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant followed by a visit to Polar Bears International (PBI) House, an innovative public space allowing visitors to learn about polar bears, polar bear conservation and research. Here, we’ll enjoy an exclusive tour of the facilities followed by a private presentation hosted by PBI species experts. |
Day 5 | Polar Bear Viewing in the Tundra | Breakfast will be included at a local restaurant, after which we will depart for the tundra in the morning for a second full day of our tundra buggy adventure. Today, we will be accompanied by a Polar Bear International species expert who will share their wildlife expertise in the Churchill Wildlife Management area. A field lunch and refreshments will be served on board. After our adventure, we’ll return to town for a group dinner included with your tour. In the evening, we will board our flight to Winnipeg, where we will spend our final tour night. Note: Ask us about returning to Churchill by VIA Rail instead of air, at a trip discount! |
Day 6 | Departure from Winnipeg | On our final day, we will say our goodbyes and depart Winnipeg. We also have the option of extending our stay to check out some of Winnipeg’s attractions, such as the Oak Hammond Marsh or the museum. Unfortunately, our adventure comes to a close here, but we’ve made memories and seen wildlife sightings that will be etched into our minds for a lifetime. |
Pricing $8,125 CAD / $5,990 USD per adult based on twin sharing.
Single Supplement: +$1,400 CAD for private room
Additional Information
Included:
- 2 nights on the VIA Rail train with a sleeping compartment
- 1 night in Winnipeg, 3 nights in Churchill
- Airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill
- All meals indicated in the itinerary
- 2 full days in comfortable, heated Tundra Buggies
- Escorted roads and trail excursion by a local naturalist
- Dog sledding
- Hotel taxes
Excluded:
- Any meals that are not explicitly mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance
- Optional gratuities
- Personal items
- Any additional excursions not listed in the detailed itinerary
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation in Churchill will be in a comfortable three-star hotel with a private bathroom and facilities. The tour price is based on twin occupancy in the rooms. On request, single travellers may be matched with a suitable roommate. Only a limited number of single rooms are available. The single supplement cost is not included in the tour cost.
MEALS:
Breakfasts and dinners will be served at local restaurants in town. Lunches are served both as field style and in restaurants.
SIGHTSEEING:
A variety of sightseeing tours are included in the price to enhance your Arctic experience. Local guides will provide insight to the history and wildlife of the area.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This program should not present any difficulty to those in reasonable physical condition. There will be some walking on rocky terrain. Proper outdoor clothing should be carried at all times. The trip is suitable for families although not recommended for children under 8.
