Itinerary

You won’t find another Churchill-based polar bear tour with this much proximity and time among the King of the Arctic, coupled with our intensive focus on helping you gain superlative photos. With our Classic Polar Bear Photo Adventure, you'll start from our base in Churchill, where will we head out for three full days on the tundra at the edge of Hudson Bay, where polar bears congregate each fall awaiting freeze-up and the winter hunting season.

Specially designed Polar Rovers take us into the heart of their wild habitat, with plenty of space for equipment and spreading out to get just the right shots. On-site guidance from our expert photographer guide is complemented by evening lectures on how best to capture the wonder of Arctic wildlife, most notably the famed Churchill polar bears, through the camera’s lens

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Arrive in Winnipeg. Meet your expert photographer-guide and fellow travellers at an orientation dinner this evening. Overnight at the historic Fort Garry Hotel, a prestigious Winnipeg landmark that dates to the opening of the Canadian West.

Day 2: Winnipeg / Churchill
Fly to Churchill this morning. This hospitable outpost town, originally a fur-trading post, is our base for adventure. This evening we enjoy a lecture on Arctic photography and the northern environs by our Expedition Leader, who is both an expert photographer and naturalist.

Days 3 - 5: Polar Bear Photography
Unique polar rovers allow us to get within prime photographic range of the polar bears. Although they accommodate up to 35 passengers, we take just 15, ensuring everyone a window seat, space for camera gear, and plenty of room to shoot. For three full days, we spend our daylight hours on the tundra, photographing bears as they roam the shores of the Hudson Bay waiting for the ice to freeze. From the warmth of our rover, we may see mothers with cubs and young adult males play-fighting. A large adult male may turn his attention toward us, sometimes approaching within feet or even lifting his massive paws on the side of our vehicle to peer inside.

Out on the white expanse of the tundra we may also spot other northern wildlife, including Arctic fox, snowy owl, ptarmigan and gyrfalcon. Meanwhile, in addition to sharing photography advice, our Expedition Leader provides a captivating interpretation of the animal behaviour and natural phenomena we are observing. Each evening, as dusk descends to envelop the wild northern landscape, we meet for dinner, followed by presentations on wildlife or local native cultures. If the night skies are clear and we’re fortunate enough to see the dancing colors of the Aurora Borealis, we’ll head for a place away from the lights of town to capture this magical event on camera.

Day 6: Churchill / Winnipeg
Our return flights are scheduled to depart in the mid- to late afternoon to offer as much time as possible to explore Churchill today. Those who wish may opt to visit nearby Cape Merry, a promising spot for photographing fox, hare, and Arctic bird life.

Or, stay in town for some last-minute shopping to pick up native handcrafts and souvenirs.

Other optional adventures available this morning include a dog-sled excursion and helicopter flight over the tundra. We enjoy a farewell lunch in Churchill or dinner together in Winnipeg, depending on our flight schedule.

Day 7: Winnipeg / Return Home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home