Churchill Polar Bear Photography

An Expert Photographer-Naturalist Leads You Into the Realm of the Polar Bear

Churchill Polar Bear Photography Expedition - Inc. Winnipeg Charter Flights

Prices From £9,519pp
October to November | 6 nights

Churchill Polar Bear Photography Expedition - Inc. Winnipeg Charter Flights

This immersive polar bear photography adventure takes you deep into the wild tundra landscapes of Churchill, one of the world’s most celebrated places to observe and photograph the King of the Arctic. Timed for the autumn gathering along the shores of Hudson Bay, the journey offers three full days in prime polar bear habitat, travelling aboard custom-designed Polar Rovers with generous space for camera equipment, clear sightlines and expert guidance throughout.

Led by an Expedition Leader who is both a professional photographer and experienced naturalist, this itinerary is carefully designed to help you make the most of every encounter. From mothers with cubs and sparring young males to Arctic fox, hare, birdlife, sweeping tundra scenery and, with luck, the northern lights, each day brings exceptional opportunities to capture the atmosphere, wildlife and raw beauty of Canada’s north.

Multiple departures available throughout October and November each year. From price shown is per person based on 2 people sharing. Solo places are available for a single supplement.

Please enquire for full dates and rates.

Highlights

  • Journey to Churchill, Canada, the polar bear capital of the world, for the ultimate Arctic wildlife adventure
  • Spend three full days photographing polar bears on the Churchill tundra
  • Benefit from expert guidance from a photographer-naturalist Expedition Leader
  • Come face-to-face with wild polar bears from exclusive, custom-built Polar Rovers with open-air viewing decks and access to areas other providers cannot reach
  • Experience the thrill of dog sledding through the snowy boreal forest with a local musher and their energetic team
  • Chance to witness the northern lights dance across the sky
  • Travel in small groups of just 16 guests for the most intimate and immersive experience possible
  • Learn from world-class naturalist guides and connect with Churchill’s rich Indigenous culture
  • Skip the crowds and delays with private charter flights that give you more time on the tundra with the bears 

What's Included

  • Round-trip private charter flights between Winnipeg and Churchill
  • Accommodation each night in Winnipeg and Churchill
  • All meals throughout the expedition
  • Services of professional Expedition Leader(s) and assistants
  • All Polar Rover excursions
  • Dog sledding excursion
  • Evening wildlife and cultural presentations
  • Rental of parka and winter boots throughout the expedition
  • Airport transfers on day 1 and final day
  • All activities and entrance fees, taxes, permits and service fees

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Winnipeg, Manitoba
1Day

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Your Churchill polar bear photography tour begins in Winnipeg, the vibrant capital of Manitoba. After arriving independently, head to the iconic Fort Garry Hotel, an elegant historic gem that blends old-world charm with modern comfort. This evening, join your fellow travellers and expedition leader for a welcome dinner, the perfect chance to connect and set the tone for the days ahead. Before turning in for a restful night, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the gear room to borrow a cosy parka and insulated boots, essential gear for your upcoming tundra adventure in Churchill.

Fly to Churchill
2Day

Fly to Churchill

This morning, fly north to Churchill, a remote and welcoming frontier town set on the edge of Hudson Bay. Originally established as a Hudson’s Bay Company fur-trading post, Churchill is now one of the world’s most celebrated places to observe polar bears in their natural environment.

After settling in, the anticipation builds with an evening presentation from your Expedition Leader. As both an accomplished photographer and expert naturalist, they will introduce you to the Arctic landscapes, wildlife and photographic possibilities that await in the days ahead.

Due to limited hotel space in Churchill, accommodations are provided across a range of small local properties, which vary in room size, amenities, and services, though all offer clean, comfortable stays with private bathrooms.

Polar Bear Photography
3 - 5Days

Polar Bear Photography

Over the next three days, the true magic of the tundra comes to light as we set out early each morning aboard the specially designed Polar Rover, an all-terrain vehicle built to navigate the frozen landscape in comfort and safety. Though capable of holding over 30 people, groups are limited to just 16 guests, ensuring everyone has a window seat, ample space for equipment and room to shoot without interruption, and an unforgettable front-row view of the Arctic wilderness.

For three full days, your daylight hours are spent exploring the wild, open landscapes along the edge of Hudson Bay, where polar bears gather each autumn as they wait for the sea ice to form. From the warmth of the Rover, you may photograph mothers with cubs, young males sparring in the snow, or a powerful adult bear approaching the vehicle at remarkably close range. The outdoor observation platform offers another excellent vantage point, allowing for striking images of bears moving through their vast Arctic environment.

The tundra is also home to a variety of other northern wildlife, and there may be opportunities to spot Arctic fox, Arctic hare, snowy owl, ptarmigan or gyrfalcon. Throughout each outing, your Expedition Leader will offer expert photographic guidance while also interpreting the behaviours, landscapes and natural events unfolding around you.

As the low northern light shifts through the afternoon, the tundra can become especially atmospheric, with lingering sunsets creating beautiful conditions for landscape and wildlife photography. Evenings are spent back in Churchill, with dinners and presentations focused on photography, wildlife and local culture. On clear nights, you may also have the chance to head away from the lights of town to photograph the aurora borealis dancing across the dark Arctic sky.

 Exploring Churchill / Dog Sledding
6Day

Exploring Churchill / Dog Sledding

Enjoy a final morning in Churchill before your scheduled mid- to late-afternoon flight back to Winnipeg. Today’s highlight is an authentic dog sledding experience just outside town, where you will meet a local musher and their energetic team before setting off on an exhilarating ride through the boreal forest.

There may also be time for a little more exploration before departure. You might choose to visit Cape Merry in search of Arctic fox, hare and birdlife, browse Churchill’s shops for local handicrafts, or take an optional helicopter flight over the tundra for sweeping aerial views and the chance to spot polar bears from above. After a final lunch in Churchill, fly back to Winnipeg, check back into the hotel, and gather for a farewell dinner this evening.

Winnipeg - End of Tour
7Day

Winnipeg - End of Tour

After breakfast, your Churchill polar bear photography adventure comes to an end. A transfer is included to Winnipeg airport, where you can board your onward flights home.

Depart with lasting memories of the Arctic tundra, expert-led photography sessions and unforgettable encounters with the polar bears of Hudson Bay.

A view from Above

Accommodation Options

Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg

The Fort Garry Hotel is Winnipeg’s most iconic and luxurious historic property, built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Just a block from Union Station, this French château–style landmark evokes a golden age of travel, combining timeless elegance with modern comfort. Rooms feature 10-foot ceilings, sumptuous beds with Italian linens, and upscale bathrooms with Turkish cotton towels, robes, and premium amenities. Guests also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs.

Start your day with breakfast in the refined Oval Room Brasserie or unwind in the classic Palm Lounge. After your journey north, or in preparation for it, rejuvenate at Ten Spa, a full-service Turkish-style hamam on the top floor. The hotel also offers a fitness centre with an indoor pool, steam room, jogging track, and whirlpool. Whether you're beginning your Arctic expedition or returning from the wild, the Fort Garry offers a grand and restorative stay in the heart of Winnipeg

Churchill Hotels

Due to high demand and limited availability, a variety of local hotels may be used for your tour. While room sizes, amenities, and services may differ slightly, all provide a cosy base for your Arctic adventure. Accommodations in Churchill are limited due to the town’s remote location and small size, with this subarctic frontier community being home to fewer than 1,000 residents. While hotels here are modest and unpretentious, they offer clean, comfortable lodging with ensuite bathrooms and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Properties are centrally located, making it easy to explore the town and surrounding wilderness. Commonly used accommodations include, but are not limited to, the Polar Inn, the Seaport Hotel, and the iconic Tundra Lodge

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Arctic, Canada adventure for you.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Sheena’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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