Classic Churchill Polar Bear Safari - 6/7 - $6,995
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- Choice of 6 or 7 day long trips
- Wide choice of departures mid-October to late 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
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.
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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$895/995 (2020/2021) 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.
- 2020 Departures: 26-Oct, 27-Oct, 01-Nov, 02-Nov and 03-Nov
- 2021 Departures: 26-Oct, 27-Oct, 01-Nov, 02-Nov, 03-Nov, 08-Nov, 09-Nov and 12-Nov
The 14-Oct-2021 departure is a special departure focussing on the effects of climate change
The 09-Nov-2021 departure is a speical women-only departure
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 $895/995 (2020/2021) on 6-day trips or $995/1095 (2020/2021) 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
