Churchill Belugas & Bears Photo Adventure

A thrilling Hudson Bay summer photography safari!

Churchill Belugas & Bears Photo Adventure – Inc. Winnipeg Charter Flights

Prices From £9,363pp
July to August | 6 nights

Churchill Belugas & Bears Photo Adventure – Inc. Winnipeg Charter Flights

Experience the vibrant energy of the Arctic summer on this one-of-a-kind northern photography safari in Churchill, Manitoba. As the frozen North awakens, the tundra turns green, wildflowers brighten the landscape, and Hudson Bay becomes a hotspot for wildlife encounters as thousands of beluga whales gather at the mouth of the Churchill River. You will spend your days in this wonderfully remote community photographing Arctic wildlife across river, coast and tundra, with expert guidance from a professional photographer Expedition Leader throughout.

The journey is designed to offer varied and exciting perspectives, from Zodiac outings, kayaking and floating beluga boards to tundra wildlife searches, meeting indigenous community members, and coastal walks rich in history. Alongside close encounters with belugas, you may photograph polar bears, Arctic and red fox, caribou, ptarmigan, vibrant summer wildflowers and, on later departures, even the northern lights, before ending with a memorable sled dog experience. With Churchill’s dramatic landscape as your backdrop and exclusive access to the region’s best wildlife viewing, this photographic adventure delivers the ultimate summer escape into Canada’s wild North.

Multiple departures available throughout July and August each year. From price shown is per person based on 2 people sharing. Low single supplements available.

Please enquire for full dates and rates.

Highlights

  • Journey to Churchill, Canada, the polar bear capital of the world, for the ultimate Arctic summer wildlife adventure
  • Benefit from expert photographic guidance throughout, with opportunities to capture belugas, polar bears, tundra wildlife, wildflower landscapes, coastal scenery and historic sites from a variety of perspectives
  • Come face-to-face with dozens of beluga whales as you enjoy immersive Zodiac rides and kayaking excursions armed with a hydrophone to hear their iconic songs and calls
  • Spot other enigmatic Arctic wildlife species on tundra safari walks
  • Experience the thrill of dog sledding through the boreal forest with a local musher and their energetic team
  • Chances of seeing the northern lights (season and weather dependent)
  • Travel in small groups of just 14 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
  • Zodiac, kayaking and "beluga boarding" excursions
  • Dog sledding excursion
  • 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 sumer wildlife 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. 

Fly to Churchill
2Day

Fly to Churchill

This morning, board your private charter flight north to Churchill, a remote subarctic town and gateway to the Canadian Arctic. Churchill sits at the edge of Hudson Bay near the ruins of Prince of Wales Fort, an 18th-century stronghold once central to the fur trade. As we explore this historic frontier, we will uncover stories of early European explorers, shifting empires, and the town’s role in opening the Canadian West.

Your day will include a visit to the Itsanitaq Museum, home to an exceptional collection of Indigenous artifacts that trace thousands of years of northern life. You will also meet local residents and hear firsthand accounts of living in this challenging yet vibrant environment. As we journey through Churchill’s surrounding boreal forest, where three major ecosystems meet, your Expedition Leader will introduce you to the region’s rich natural history, setting the stage for the magnificent wildlife encounters and photo opportunities to come. On later-season departures, there may even be a chance to photograph the northern lights if conditions allow.

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.

Belugas, Bears, Tundra & Coastal Photography
3 - 5Days

Belugas, Bears, Tundra & Coastal Photography

You will now spend three full days exploring the summer wilderness around Churchill, where the tundra, Churchill River and Hudson Bay coastline provide a rich variety of photographic opportunities. The undoubted highlight is time with the beluga whales, which gather in large numbers at the mouth of the Churchill River each July and August. Across four separate outings, photograph these inquisitive white whales from Zodiac boats, kayaks and floating beluga boards, with the chance to capture eye-level images, underwater perspectives and intimate moments as they move curiously around you. You can also listen to their extraordinary vocalisations through a hydrophone, adding another memorable dimension to the experience.

Your time on land is equally rewarding, as you search for Arctic and red fox, ptarmigan, caribou and, with luck, polar bears roaming the tundra and coastal areas. Summer brings a striking transformation to this northern landscape, with green tundra, bright wildflowers and long Arctic light creating beautiful conditions for wildlife and landscape photography.

The itinerary also includes a journey by Zodiac across the Churchill River to Sloop Cove, once used as a sheltered haven by Hudson’s Bay Company vessels. Here, remnants of the fur-trade era can still be seen in the rocks, from iron mooring rings to carved names left by Company men.

From Sloop Cove, follow the shoreline on a guided walk towards the exterior of Prince of Wales Fort, an important 18th-century trading stronghold and National Historic Site. Its weathered ruins, set against the wide northern seascape, offer a fascinating historical contrast to the wildlife-rich landscapes you have been photographing throughout your time in Churchill.

Dog Sledding / Fly to Winnipeg
6 - 7Days

Dog Sledding / Fly to Winnipeg

Before we bid farewell to the North, there’s still time to soak up a few last adventures in Churchill. One of the day’s highlights is an unforgettable dog sledding experience. After meeting a seasoned local musher and their enthusiastic team of sled dogs, you’ll have a chance to ride behind them through the serene boreal forest, offering an exhilarating nod to traditional northern travel.

Depending on timing, you may also wish to browse local shops for handmade Arctic crafts.

We’ll gather for a farewell lunch to reflect on our time together, sharing stories and memories before boarding your afternoon flight back to Winnipeg. There, a final reception marks the end of your northern adventure, one filled with awe, discovery, and unforgettable encounters with the wild.

Enjoy an overnight stay at the Fort Garry Hotel before checking out after breakfast on day 7 and transferring to the airport for your onward or homeward flight.

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.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

As Senior Travel Expert, Simon has an absolute wealth of experience in adventure travel in some of the most fascinating places in the world. With in-depth knowledge and fantastic organizational skills, Simon’s first-hand experience and genuine passion drive him to work to create your perfect itinerary.

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.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike lives and breathes adventure travel and has a wealth of experience in some of the most exciting and inspirational destinations in the world. His expertise and first-hand experience afford him the skills to help build holidays to remember.

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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