Frozen Tundra, Boreal Forests, and Tales of the Hudson Bay
Churchill Polar Bear Expedition
Note: This adventure is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the operator.
Overview
Lying on the edge of Hudson Bay, Churchill, Manitoba, is one of the best places in the world to see polar bears in the wild. Aboard a specially designed Tundra Buggy®, this hotel-based adventure allows you to experience the excitement of polar bear viewing in safety and comfort. Expert guides and researchers from Polar Bears International (PBI)—the world's leading polar bear conservation group—will join you on the buggies and at the headquarters, and you'll not only see polar bears but also learn about these majestic animals. As a bonus, you can race through the boreal forest in the traditional northern sport of dog sledding.
Arrive: Winnipeg, Canada
Depart: Winnipeg, Canada
Highlights
- Experience the thrill of polar-bear-viewing on two full-day Tundra Buggy excursions
- Learn about polar bears and their habitat from Polar Bear International's expert guides
- Take a dog sledding excursion through the boreal forest
- Enjoy a cultural presentation by a local trapper who shares his way of life in the far north
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Arrive in Winnipeg and fly to the tiny town of Churchill, Manitoba. Explore the town, including the Manitoba Polar Bear Holding Facility and the Parks Canada Visitor Centre to learn about the remarkable history of Churchill, which dates back to the fur trade era.
Churchill is famed as one of the few human settlements in the world where polar bears can be observed in the wild. Between July and November, about a thousand polar bears migrate here, spending the summer and awaiting winter, when they can hunt for ringed seals on the ice. Head out for two full days of polar bear viewing aboard a specially built Tundra Buggy, which allows you to follow bumpy trails in search of polar bears and other subarctic wildlife with your expert guides. You’ll learn about the geology and history of the area as well as how the bear’s physique allows it to dominate the Arctic. Picnic lunches are served aboard the buggy, and evenings are back in Churchill at a comfortable hotel. One evening, enjoy an after-dinner cultural presentation by a local trapper who shares his way of life in the north through the full four seasons of Churchill.
Visit with a professional musher to learn about this famed Arctic winter sport, then enjoy a short but exciting ride through the boreal forest—pulled by some of the best sled dogs in Manitoba! Later, visit the Itsanitaq Museum, with its collection of Inuit artifacts that honor Churchill’s indigenous culture. Fly to Winnipeg on Day 5 and depart on Day 6.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 1+, Easy, according to our trip grading system, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Tundra Buggy vehicles are used to explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in search of polar bears and there is an optional dog sled ride. Some agility is required for getting in and out of vehicles and exploring towns where walkways may be icy or snowy, so you must feel confident and stable on your feet.
The weather in Churchill varies greatly from season to season, and the wind coming off of Hudson Bay can often make temperatures feel even cooler than reported. Temperatures can vary from -20°C to 0°C (-4°F to 32°F), but strong winds can make the temperature colder (the "wind chill" factor). The Buggies are heated; however, when we see bears, windows go down and the interior quickly cools. Dressing in warm layers is the best way to stay comfortable. There is a service to rent arctic clothing ahead of time and pick it up upon arrival. Please ask our Area Specialist for details.
Daylight in Churchill During your adventure you can expect approximately 9 hours of daylight. The later in the season, the fewer hours of daylight there are.
Weather patterns over Hudson Bay in autumn can make the sky quite overcast. Please keep in mind that any Northern Lights are considered a bonus instead of a guarantee during these departures.
The Tundra Buggy® is specially designed for the northern landscape, these all-terrain vehicles enable you to safely experience wildlife. Venturing on a network of established trails in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, the Tundra Buggy takes you to the best locations in Churchill to view and photograph wildlife. You'll be out for most of the day—6 to 8 hours—so bring everything you need to be comfortable for the day. You'll enjoy lunch aboard the buggy—soup, sandwiches, cookies, and both hot and cold drinks. There is a single-use bathroom at the back of the buggy. The vehicles have a maximum of 40 passengers, but this trip is capped at 22 guests, allowing maximum spacing and window access for viewing and photography.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.