Experience true Nordic winter with these Iceland and Canada tours!

Polar bear viewing tour - Along the Hudson Bay

| CA-CW701

View polar bears from a coastal lodge along the Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba

Overview

In late fall these magnificent creatures draw a viewing audience from around the globe. Animal lovers and photographers, both professional and amateur, venture out daily on foot to watch the great ice bears entertain as they interact on the shores of Hudson Bay.

Highlights

  • Hudson Bay
  • Polar bears
  • Manitoba Wildlife
  • Tundra buggy
  • Historic Churchill River
  • Aurora Borealis

This polar bear viewing adventure takes place in prime polar bear season in October and November.  This is the time when polar bears congregate in large numbers on the coast of the Hudson Bay as they wait for the Bay to freeze so that they can begin their annual hunt. 

This tour is the most diverse fall wildlife viewing package offered anywhere in the world for wildlife viewers.  It combines 4 days at a wilderness lodge where many of the Arctic's most famous residents are seen and photographed on foot or from the lodge, with one day in Churchill on a buggy tour.

Strategically located amidst the natural habitat of many Arctic creatures besides the bears you may see caribou, Arctic and red fox, Arctic hare, wolves, and moose along with numerous bird species such as snowy owls, ptarmigan and gyrfalcons while out on a walk. The time spent at the lodge involves mostly terrestrial travel in order to reduce the impact on climate change as much as is possible.  Out of respect for both the wildlife and the sensitive ecosystem, they depend on, the use of motorized vehicles is kept to a strict minimum.  

This tour also includes some time in the town of Churchill on the more traditional tundra buggy tours. The day in Churchill on a buggy is chartered so you have far fewer guests per buggy and more viewing opportunities than would be possible any other way.  You will have one of the most beautiful animals in the world just outside your window and plenty of space to watch and photograph.

  • Personal Experience
  • Local Guides
  • Trusted Tour Operator
  • Small group
Availability OCT - NOV
Duration 7 days
Departs From Winnipeg, MB
Minimum age 8 years
Difficulty Easy / Moderate Suitable for most people in fair condition.
Group maximum 16 people
Meet on Location Yes
Pick Up No

From

11 125
Per
Adult
  • Best Price Guarantee
  • International number: +1 778 348 1676

Availability (2024):
Based on double occupancy.
Price: $15,195 CAD
Private single room: $28,095 CAD

  • October 23-29
  • October 26-November 1
  • October 29-November 4
  • November 1-7
  • November 4-10
  • November 7-13
  • November 10-16

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

What's Included

Find out what is included and what to bring.

Included

  • Delicious meals are prepared daily and the menu may include authentic northern cuisine
  • Bedding and towels
  • Use of lodge facilities
  • Tundra vehicle tour in Churchill

Suggested Clothing

  • Warm down-type Parka and insulated wind pants
  • Insulated hat, mitts and light gloves
  • Heavy duty footwear
  • Layers underneath work best starting with polypro underwear (or similar)
  • Sweaters
  • Fleece pants
  • Avoid use of cotton when possible

Suggested Items

  • Camera
  • Daypack
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Binoculars

Contact us for more Information about this tour

INTERNATIONAL NUMBER: +1 778 348 1676

You can also send an email to info@adventures.com, or use the contact form here below.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Itinerary

Find out more details about the tour and its highlights

Information

sleeping polar bear in canada

Guide information: The tour is guided by professional naturalists.

Restrictions: Suggested minimum age is 8 years old.

Transportation: Trips originate and end in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Package includes return flight from Winnipeg to Churchill and from Churchill to the lodge.

Weather: Fall temperatures will range from -15 to 10 degrees Celsius.

three polar bears behind bushes in canada

Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel the “Four Points Sheraton”.  You’ll need your rest for your early morning departure to Churchill.  At 7:00 pm a dinner will be held at the hotel where you will meet your group and your adventure specialist.

two polar bears in canada

Arrive in Churchill by air. One of our expert staff will meet you upon arrival in and will provide you an orientation to the tour including a clothing check.

You will be transferred by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft to the lodge  This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River, and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast to Canada’s most exclusive polar bear viewing the property. Keep a sharp eye out en route for caribou, moose, seals, wolves and of course the great Ice Bears.

Upon your arrival at the Lodge, your hosts will provide a tour of the facilities and get you settled into your room.  A thorough orientation about being in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. This day includes a guided hike on our rugged and starkly beautiful coastline, an interpretive slide show featuring the wildlife of Hudson Bay, and hopefully a clear night for viewing the Aurora Borealis! All this will be topped off with a lunch and dinner where your hosts and guides will regale you with tales of life and adventures in Canada’s Arctic.

large polar bear near a flowery shore

In the coming days, your breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. and the first walking tour generally leaves at 9:30 a.m. Should there be a polar bear in camp, the walking tour is delayed for picture taking but no one ever seems to mind!

Once you’ve fueled up with one of our legendary full course breakfasts, you’ll be eager to bundle up and head out into the snow. The walks are comfortably paced as they are geared towards plenty of viewing and photo opportunities. They are guided by our professional and knowledgeable tour leaders and so you’ll do a lot of learning along the way as well. Obviously, we cannot allow the bears to approach too closely, and your guides are expert in keeping bears at a safe distance without sacrificing exciting viewing.

Polar bears are also known to saunter by our Lodge on a regular basis so you can often view them from the warmth and comfort of one of our lounges through the massive picture windows. This opportunity is all too welcome when a squall blows in! We have a variety of other activities to take part in as well should the weather prevent us from exploring the outdoors though such is rarely the case.

Lunches are served at the Lodge.  We are generally back at the Lodge by 4:00 p.m.for hot or cold drinks and appetizers. Your full course delectable dinners are served at 7:00 p.m. after which, the fireplace is almost always central. Your guide team will give informative lectures and beautiful slide presentations as well as initiate a discussion about the activities for the following day. Bedtime is at your leisure. The entire Lodge area is patrolled for polar bears all night by one of our night watchmen so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit by one of the great Ice Bears (or by one of our dazzling displays of northern lights!)

polar bear resting on a rock in canada

After another hearty breakfast, it is time to pack for the flight back to Churchill, say good-byes and snap a few more pictures! After another exciting aerial tour, you’ll arrive in Churchill where your bags will be stored for you until you can check into your hotel later in the day. You are then free to explore and wine and dine in this frontier community at your leisure. We recommend local places such as Cape Merry, the Port of Churchill, the Eskimo Museum, the Polar Bear Holding Compound (otherwise known as the Polar Bear Jail), as well as the Parks Canada exhibit which are all of the great interest. Dog sledding and helicopter charters fit nicely into this afternoon if you’re so inclined. If you are interested in a dog sledding tour or aerial tours they can be arranged through our office.

You will have a choice of Churchill restaurants for dinner and will be provided with a $30.00 dinner voucher.  Participating restaurants will be listed on the voucher. Then it will be back to your hotel or B&B so you can rest up for your 6th and final day with the bears.

two playing polar bears at seaside

Today you will travel across the tundra in a “tundra vehicle” for more polar bear viewing.  Transportation by bus to and from the station is provided at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. respectively so remember to grab some breakfast beforehand.  Lunch “with the bears” will be prepared and served to you on the tour.  Your flight south to Winnipeg is scheduled for this evening and thus we wish you safe travels back to reality.  You will check into the Four Points Sheraton upon your return to Winnipeg.

After a restful sleep, you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home. You will also enjoy breakfast before your trip back to reality.

Accommodations are at a deluxe wilderness lodge.  Rooms are double occupancy with private washrooms, electricity, and wood heat. The lodge has picture windows, common area with fireplace, viewing tower, library, gift shop, radio/telephone.

This lodge maximizes viewing potential by giving guests the opportunities to see bears from a variety of locations.  Whether it is from one of the nature trails, the lodge's viewing tower, or right from the lodge windows, a trip to this lodge means guests will see polar bears like no one on a town-only package can.

This tour includes 3 nights at the lodge, 1 hotel night in Churchill and 2 hotel nights in Winnipeg.

Payment Details

Deposit and Taxes

  • Pricing does not include 5.00% GST. 4.00% PST.
  • A $3000.00 deposit is required to hold your reservation.
  • Balance of payment is due 90 days before trip commencement.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY & DETAILS

Deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Balance is due 90 days prior to departure and non-refundable at this time.