Classic Polar Bear Adventure
Classic Polar Bear Adventure
from £6,297 excluding flights
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Highlights
Watch polar bears close up on the shores of Hudson Bay
Watch out for the northern lights over the tundra
Travel on the Polar Rover for optimal viewing opportunities
Experience life in the remote, frontier town of Churchill
Why this trip...
Conservation/Eco-tourism
This itinerary has a strong focus on wildlife and natural habitat conservation, one of our pillars of sustainability
Transport used
This holiday includes transport that is ideally suited to the area you are visiting
Special interest
Leading experts from renowned scientists to professional photographers accompany select departures
Overview
The iconic polar bear experience, this small group adventure includes two full days and an evening excursion onto the Arctic tundra. Search for wildlife and hope for a display of the aurora borealis overhead. Travelling with a small group of just 16 passengers, enjoy unobstructed views over the Arctic tundra as you watch for majestic polar bears as well as other wildlife including Arctic hare, Arctic fox and even snowy owls.
This itinerary includes two full days on the tundra, plus an evening excursion during which you may be lucky enough to witness the northern lights. During your stay in the frontier settlement of Churchill you will also take a guided tour of the town and its surroundings, and learn more about the area and its incredible wildlife during some informative evening presentations. The wilderness of the far north contrasts with the modern city of Winnipeg, where you should have some free time available to explore.
These groups are the smallest in Churchill, making for a more personal experience with unobstructed views and a window seat for everyone.
Responsible Travel
This tour is operated by Natural Habitat. Since 2007 all Natural Habitat's trips and office operations have been completely carbon-neutral, making them the world's first 100% carbon-neutral travel company. In 2019 Natural Habitat started offsetting all guests' flights to and from the starting point of their adventures.
From the beginning of January 2007 through the end of 2018, Natural Habitat have offset 17,272 tons of carbon dioxide. According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) this is equivalent to 3,648 cars not on the road for a year; 2,551 homes not using electricity for one year or 447,624 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
Itinerary
Day 1 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Arrive in Winnipeg, once a fur-trading post and boomtown for the Canadian Pacific Railway, today Manitoba’s cultural and commercial capital at the eastern edge of Canada’s vast prairies. Transfer to the historic Fort Garry Hotel, one of the city’s most prestigious landmarks. Meet your Expedition Leader at an orientation dinner this evening.
Arrive in Winnipeg, once a fur-trading post and boomtown for the Canadian Pacific Railway, today Manitoba’s cultural and commercial capital at the eastern edge of Canada’s vast prairies. Transfer to the historic Fort Garry Hotel, one of the city’s most prestigious landmarks. Meet your Expedition Leader at an orientation dinner this evening.
Day 2 Winnipeg - Churchill
Fly to Churchill on a private charter flight. Originally a fur-trading post, Churchill is home to just under a thousand people and, every autumn, to hundreds of polar bears that congregate at the edge of Hudson Bay. After dinner enjoy an evening presentation on the Arctic’s wildlife and landscapes.
Fly to Churchill on a private charter flight. Originally a fur-trading post, Churchill is home to just under a thousand people and, every autumn, to hundreds of polar bears that congregate at the edge of Hudson Bay. After dinner enjoy an evening presentation on the Arctic’s wildlife and landscapes.
Days 3-4 search for polar bears on the tundra
Spend two full days on the Arctic tundra in search of the polar bears that gather here as they wait for the ice to solidify on Hudson Bay. You may see mothers with cubs, young males play-fighting, or a lone bear ambling over the tundra in solitary majesty. Your knowledgeable Expedition Leader will offer interpretation along the way, explaining the bears’ behaviour and how they thrive in such a harsh environment. Each evening travel back to town for dinner and presentations on the wildlife or cultural aspects of life in the North.
Spend two full days on the Arctic tundra in search of the polar bears that gather here as they wait for the ice to solidify on Hudson Bay. You may see mothers with cubs, young males play-fighting, or a lone bear ambling over the tundra in solitary majesty. Your knowledgeable Expedition Leader will offer interpretation along the way, explaining the bears’ behaviour and how they thrive in such a harsh environment. Each evening travel back to town for dinner and presentations on the wildlife or cultural aspects of life in the North.
Day 5 Churchill town and evening on the tundra
Tour historic Churchill with your Expedition Leader, perhaps visiting local sled dogs en route to Cape Merry, where Arctic fox and Arctic hare are often spotted. Later, head out to the tundra for an evening of bear viewing, with dinner aboard the Polar Rover. If the skies are clear this nightime tundra excursion might reveal another of nature’s most amazing sights – the aurora borealis.
Tour historic Churchill with your Expedition Leader, perhaps visiting local sled dogs en route to Cape Merry, where Arctic fox and Arctic hare are often spotted. Later, head out to the tundra for an evening of bear viewing, with dinner aboard the Polar Rover. If the skies are clear this nightime tundra excursion might reveal another of nature’s most amazing sights – the aurora borealis.
Day 6 Churchill - Winnipeg
A highlight this morning is an authentic dog sled ride. Meet a local musher and his team and spend time with the lively and affectionate dogs before taking turns riding behind them on an exhilarating trot through the boreal forest. If time permits, you may be able to pick up last-minute locally made handicrafts, relax over a hot chocolate in a local cafe, or even take an optional helicopter tour over the tundra before you fly back to Winnipeg.
A highlight this morning is an authentic dog sled ride. Meet a local musher and his team and spend time with the lively and affectionate dogs before taking turns riding behind them on an exhilarating trot through the boreal forest. If time permits, you may be able to pick up last-minute locally made handicrafts, relax over a hot chocolate in a local cafe, or even take an optional helicopter tour over the tundra before you fly back to Winnipeg.
How You Travel
The Polar Rover
Permitted to travel right into the protected Churchill Wildlife Management Area, the fully heated Polar Rover is a specially designed vehicle offering unique steel mesh-floored viewing platforms, an elite suspension system and on-board flush toilet facilities. With a capacity of 35 passengers, this trip is limited to just 16 to ensure maximum comfort and a guaranteed window seat for all guests. All emissions from this package are 100% carbon-offset. Find out more about polar rovers in our blog »
Special Departures
Please note that the dates for the following special departures are provisional and may shift once confirmed.
Climate Change Focus
17 October 2021
As you search for polar bears and explore the tundra, learn how climate change is affecting the wildlife, habitats and humanity of the far north. Discover some of the Arctic’s rarest treasures, and learn how you can make a lasting impact to protect them. Plus, when you join this ground breaking trip, Natural Habitat will offset the entire carbon output from your life for an entire year!
Photography Focus
26, 27, 28 October; 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10 November 2021
These special focus departures designed for photography enthusiasts include three full days on the tundra to allow the chance to capture polar bears in the wild. Travel with an expert naturalist-photographer for hands-on daytime coaching followed by evening lectures about how to capture the ethereal Arctic light and its wildlife. With just 16 guests on the Polar Rover there’s a window seat for everyone, plenty of space for camera equipment, and room to manoeuvre for unrivalled polar bear photos.
Women-Only Departure
9 November 2021
Embark upon an empowering adventure seen through a female lens, on this all-women expedition into the Arctic. With a female expedition leader and driver, head out onto the tundra in a Polar Rover in search of the mighty polar bear and other wildlife and discover the often-overlooked stories of women in Arctic exploration and science. Learn about the women who were lifelines for expeditions and entrepreneurship during Canada’s early days, and meet those who are the backbone of the settlement of Churchill today, home to generations of indigenous peoples and pioneers. You’ll come away not just awed by encounters with polar bears, but inspired by the exploits of the women who continue to play a crucial role in Canada’s remote north.
Prices and Departures
Price from £6,297 excluding flights
Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
What's Included
- Return flight from Winnipeg to Churchill
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- All meals
- Dog sledding excursion
- Services of a professional expedition leader
- Evening wildlife and cultural presentations
- Loan of cold-weather gear including parka and boots
- Permits and entrance fees
- All airport/hotel transfers
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
From prices per person
Based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom
| Departure Dates | Duration | Twin Price (pp) | Single Price (pp) | Special Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 30, 31 Oct 2022 | 5 nights | £6,297 | £7,051 | |
| 02, 03, 05, 6, 10, 12, 13 Nov 2022 | 5 nights | £6,297 | £7,051 | |
| 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 Oct 2022 | 6 nights | £6,827 | £7,657 | |
| 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 11 Nov 2022 | 6 nights | £6,827 | £7,657 | |
| 26, 27, 28 Oct 2022 | 6 nights | £7,585 | £8,415 | Photography |
| 01, 02, 03, 06, 09, 10 Nov 2022 | 6 nights | £7,585 | £8,415 | Photography |
There is limited availability for the 2021 polar bear season - please contact us for dates and prices.
Advertised dates for 2022 are tentative and may change. These are expected to be confirmed in late 2021.
Group Size
There is a minimum of 1 and a maximum group size of 16 passengersMeet our expert
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