Subarctic Discovery: Churchill Polar Bears
Length
5 days / 4 nights
Where it goes
When to go
October - November
Price from
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See polar bears in Churchill
On this Subarctic adventure, spend two full days searching Churchill's Wildlife Management Area for polar bears in a purpose-built Tundra Buggy. There's time to discover the history and culture of Churchill, too. For those short on time, this is the perfect polar bear safari!
Top experiences and features
Explore Churchill and the surrounding area
Your Questions Answered
Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.
What’s Included
Frequently Asked Questions
The peak bear viewing months in Churchill are October and November as the bears wait for the ice to freeze on the Hudson Bay. But you can see the bears and other wildlife (like beluga whales) throughout the summer.
The polar bear migration is a special occasion, and it offers visitors a high probability of seeing the bears in the wild. Our specialized tour operators know the landscape extremely well, and will take you to places where bears are commonly spotted. There is no guarantee of a sighting, however.
A tundra buggy is a large, heated, all-terrain safari vehicle specially designed to travel over taiga and tundra landscape where polar bears live.
Polar bear viewing season is October and November, and temperatures vary widely, from daytime highs of 6°C (43°F) in October to nightime lows of -11°C (12°F) or colder in November. With windchill it can feel more like -20°C (-4°F). Guests can rent winter gear including boots and warm jackets. Also, keep in mind that on the Tundra Buggy tours you’ll be inside the heated safari vehicle all day.
When you’re not out looking for polar bears there are opportunities to learn about northern Manitoba’s Indigenous culture, history and wildlife by visiting the Itsanitaq Museum, the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre and joining evening talks with a local expert. There’s also a chance to go dogsledding.
No problem! We can arrange for clothing rentals to be waiting for you when you arrive.
Family friendly tours geared towards kids and adults are available. Ask your vacation advisor for more information on these special trips.
Sample Itinerary
Arrive in Winnipeg
Your polar bear adventure begins! Time permitting, we recommend you head over to Winnipeg's Manitoba Museum or to the Forks, one of the city's most popular gathering places and a great place to purchase souvenirs from local Canadian artisans.
- Meet Your Group and Guides
This evening, meet your host and group of fellow polar bear enthusiasts for a Q&A session. On your trip, you'll enjoy a small group experience (max. 22 guests) led by a knowledgeable guide.
Fly north to Churchill
Today the excitement begins as you travel from Winnipeg to the remote town of Churchill. Situated on the Hudson Bay, Churchill is one of the best places in the world to view polar bears in the wild.
- Fly to Churchill
- Churchill Town and Area Tour
On this Churchill interpretive tour, view and photograph the Polar Bear Holding Facility, historical Cape Merry, and an impressive Inukshuk.
- Parks Canada Centre Visit
Discover Churchill's intriguing history through Parks Canada Centre's wildlife dioramas and interactive exhibits.
- Polar Bears International House
Visit Polar Bears International House, hear from a PBI representative, and learn about ongoing polar bear research in the region.
View polar bears up close
The moment has finally come - after a hotel pick up, board a Tundra Buggy and start your search for polar bears.
- Tundra Buggy Adventure
Your journey takes you through Churchill Wildlife Management Area's extensive trail network in search of polar bears.
- The Tundra Buggy Experience
You'll travel in comfort throughout the Churchill Wildlife Management Area onboard a large, specialized Tundra Buggy vehicle. While a Tundra Buggy can hold up to 40 passengers, your smaller group size means you'll enjoy plenty of room. A hearty picnic lunch will be served onboard.
Another Tundra Buggy adventure
Head out for another exciting day out on the Tundra searching for polar bears.
- Tundra Buggy Adventure
Enjoy another extraordinary day on board the Tundra Buggy. As well as polar bears, you may see arctic fox, ptarmigan, and snowy owl.
- Fly back to Winnipeg
Depart Winnipeg
Much too soon, you bid farewell to the Canadian North as you depart from Winnipeg.
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Accommodations
Tundra Inn
The Tundra Inn is a charming, family-run hotel located in the northern town of Churchill. With comfortable accommodation and complimentary amenities, this is the perfect place to relax after each day of outdoor adventures.
Personalize This Itinerary
Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.
Add nights in Winnipeg
Spend more time in Winnipeg at the beginning or end of your trip and discover this city's hidden gems. Highlights include the Assiniboine Park Zoo (and its 'Journey to Churchill'), the Museum of Human Rights, the Royal Canadian Mint, and the Inuit Art Centre — the first of its kind in the world.
Great Bear Rainforest
Ask us to arrange a visit to one of British Columbia's most unique treasures - the Great Bear Rainforest. Stay in remote yet luxurious accommodations and witness eagles, grizzly bears, sea otters, dolphins, whales, wolves, and more in the wild.
What Our Customers Say
In a word brilliant
Our trip was, in a word brilliant. We think the organization was excellent, and everything ran very smoothly. The guide was great and looked after everyone very efficiently. Indeed...
![Dave and Jill review of their [object Object] trip](https://cdn.bfldr.com/UAHFH8T4/as/5ttwk3xk64xbqb4644ms2m/Dave_Jill_382?auto=webp&format=webp&width=75)
Dave and Jill
Hertford, UK
The trip was terrific!
Everything was handled very well and trip was terrific! We saw polar bears , had a great adventure.
![Charlie and Carol Ann review of their [object Object] trip](https://cdn.bfldr.com/UAHFH8T4/as/m39xrxszj4vnq7jshws4hh8s/Charlie_Carol_Ann_379?auto=webp&format=webp&width=75)
Charlie and Carol Ann
MD, USA
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