Classic Churchill Polar Bear Safari

Encounter the King of The Arctic up close, with an exceptionally high chance of sightings in October and November. Small groups explore the tundra in exclusive vehicles with a specialist guide when the bear migration reaches its peak. You will also learn about Inuit culture and have a go at dog sledding.
6/7 Days
$7,295

Classic Churchill Polar Bear Safari - 6/7 Days - $7,295

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

  • Choice of 6 or 7 day long trips
  • Wide choice of departures mid-October to mid-November only
  • Maximum group size of 16 people
  • Bear viewing from specially designed vehicles with an outdoor observation platform
  • Dog sledding with a local musher and his team included
  • No hassle charter flights - transfer from hotel direct to private hanger
  • Hotel accommodation on full board
  • Optional helicopter flight over the tundra
  • Loan of cold-weather gear and boots during your trip
  • Carbon impact of all departures is offset

Start from Winnipeg and end at Winnipeg

Landmarks potentially visited on Classic Churchill Polar Bear Safari

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Churchill polar bear tour begins in Winnipeg. Once a fur-trading post and boomtown for the Canadian Pacific Railway, today Manitoba's capital is its cultural and commercial centre at the eastern edge of Canada's vast prairies.

Transfer to the historic Fort Garry Hotel, grande dame of Winnipeg hospitality and one of the city's most prestigious landmarks. Meet your Expedition Leader at a welcome dinner and orientation this evening.


Day 2: Winnipeg/Churchill

Fly by chartered plane to Churchill this morning. This hospitable frontier town, originally a Hudson Bay Company fur-trading post, is your base for adventure.

  • On the 6-day trip you head to the tundra this evening for your first glimpse of the bears, though you may see them from the bus as you leave the airport, even before boarding the Polar Rover.
  • The 7-day trip opens with an evening presentation on polar bears and the northern environs by the professional staff of naturalists and scientists.

Days 3-4: Polar Bear Viewing

Uniquely designed Polar Rovers are your mobile means for spending time among the bears. Though they are built to accommodate up to 35 passengers, there will be a maximum of just 16, ensuring everyone a window seat. The Expedition Leaders know the best places to observe polar bears, which congregate in the region each fall as they wait for Hudson Bay to freeze, signalling the start of the winter seal-hunting season. As you watch them interact, you'll be delighted by their antics and rugged beauty. From the warmth of the vehicle, you may see mothers with cubs, young males play-fighting, or a lone bear ambling over the tundra in solitary majesty.

The knowledgeable Expedition Leader offers interpretation along the way, explaining the bears' behaviour and how they thrive in such a harsh environment. In the evenings, you'll meet for dinner and presentations on wildlife or local culture.


Day 5: Explore Churchill/Evening on the Tundra

On the 6-day trip (your night time tundra journey takes place on Day 2), there's time for a dog sled ride and then free time in Churchill or an opportunity for an optional helicopter excursion over the vast expanse of frozen tundra before boarding your flight back to Winnipeg.

On the 7-day trip you tour historic Churchill, then head out to the tundra for evening bear viewing and dinner aboard the vehicle. During the day you may explore the coast road en route to Cape Merry, where Arctic fox and Arctic hare are often seen. If the skies are clear, the nighttime tundra excursion might reveal one of nature's most exhilarating experiences, a chance to view the Northern Lights away from the glare of town. Though they are never predictable or promised, the auroral display often starts as a white glow in the northern sky, then begins to flicker and dance in shimmering curtains of colour.


Day 6: Churchill/Winnipeg

The return flights are scheduled to depart in the mid- to late afternoon, to offer as much time as possible for exploring Churchill today. Pick up last-minute native-made handicrafts and souvenirs or, if time permits, take a authentic dog sled excursion or an optional helicopter tour over the tundra. Enjoy a farewell lunch in Churchill before flying back to Winnipeg, where you have a final reception before the adventure concludes


Day 7: Depart from Winnipeg

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home.

Customer review background image

What our customers think of Classic Churchill Polar Bear Safari

Beyond my expectations, and I would recommend unreservedly.

Travelled: November 2018

Val Chiswell - United Kingdom

Wonderful experience. We had been to Svalbard, but this was extra special.

Travelled: November 2018

Evan & Jean Siegel - United States Of America

Great trip, but limited outdoor or walking activities on some days but for obvious reasons. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wanted to see polar bears, great guides, nice food and be safety conscious at all times.

Travelled: October 2018

Richard Newman - New Zealand

On our first full day on the tundra we got very close to a mother and her two cubs, and on the second day we got very close to a big male bear. It was a wonderful trip and I would definitely recommend it to everyone. Thanks again for all your help!

Travelled: October 2017

JW - Wyoming, USA

Review:

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information. Please note there is an additional charge for domestic charter flights.

Additional Notes

Charter flights between Winnipeg and Churchill are an additional cost of USD $995 per person.

Departure dates are confirmed approx. 10 months in advance. This means that they could move by a few days in either direction. To secure your place(s) we strongly recommend that you book ahead now, but that no concrete pre- and post- arrangements involving flights, hotels or other adjacent plans are booked until we confirm the exact dates.


Please note: Special photo departures - spend three full days photographing polar bears in their wild tundra habitat with an intensive focus on helping you make outstanding images. Travel with an expert naturalist-photographer for hands-on daytime coaching followed by evening lectures about how to capture northern light and Arctic wildlife. 

  • Departures: 25-Oct28-Oct29-Oct, 03-Nov04-Nov05-Nov, 10-Nov, 11-Nov and 12-Nov  

The 09-Nov departure is a special departure focussing on the effects of climate change

The 18-Oct and 09-Nov departures are special women-only departures


Physical Requirements

The physical requirements for this trip are very easy and there is little walking required, although travellers must be able to walk up/ down short flights of stairs to get on and off the Polar Rover.

Travellers must be prepared for below-freezing temperatures and slippery surfaces.

Single Supplement And Child Policy

Single travellers may choose to share with others or have a room to themselves this adds USD $995 on 6-day trips or USD $1095 on 7-day trips. Single rooms are limited however so early booking is essential.


There is a lower age limit for this trip of 12 for this trip - if you are looking to travel with younger children please ask us as there are specific family departures with specially designed excursions.

Includes

  • Hotel accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals as per itinerary
  • Airport transfers on day 1 and final day
  • Most gratuities
  • Loan of cold-weather gear and boots
  • Guided by Expedition Leaders & assistants
  • All activities & entrance fees
  • Evening presentations
  • All taxes & service charges

Excludes

  • Charter flights Winnipeg/ Churchill return
  • Air travel to and from Winnipeg
  • Any trip pre or post extensions
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Items of a personal nature (laundry, beverages, etc.)
  • Some gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional activities 
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses

Questions about this Trip?