November 3rd, 2024 - November 8th, 2021
You asked for it…let’s go!!
Many of you know Dan and I met up in Churchill years ago, and the rest is history. We also met many of YOU up there! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a reunion trip out on the tundra among the bears? Or, for some of you, see this famous “little gem of the north” we have been talking about for years?
The first week of November is considered prime time for polar bear viewing in Churchill. In the fall, polar bears migrate to the Churchill area and wait for Hudson Bay to freeze, conserving energy so they can go out to hunt seals, their main food source. We are fortunate to be able to observe the bears on land during this time.
We’ll start the trip in Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital city and gather for a special, private group welcome dinner event at Assiniboine Park’s Gateway to the Arctic polar bear exhibit.
The following day, we’ll fly together to the small town of Churchill, Manitoba, considered Polar Bear Capital of the World. We’ll spend a little time in Churchill, visit historic sites, and take part in the longstanding tradition of dogsledding before heading out by buggy to our remote lodge.
Our stay on the tundra will be at the newly renovated Tundra Buggy Lodge at Polar Bear Point. We’ll tour daily on a private 40-seat Tundra Buggy. Often wildlife is most active in the mornings and evenings. Staying on the tundra lodge versus in town offers us more opportunities to be in the field—24/7—where the bears reside. The new lodge is beautiful, and the chef is top notch! We’ll roam the tundra during the day on the buggy and sleep at the tundra lodge at night.
The new lounge has been revamped with skylight windows. If we’re blessed with clear skies, we may have opportunities to see the northern lights in warmth and comfort, possibly with a polar cocktail in hand 🙂 The lodge also has spotlights to watch any wildlife that might visit in the dark. Along with polar bears, there may be opportunities to photograph other Arctic animals including arctic hare, arctic fox, snowy owl, gyrfalcon, and willow ptarmigan.
Optional helicopter tours and winter gear rental are available. Since we have secured prime dates and the polar bear viewing season is short, space is limited. We hope you can join us in November 2024!
2024 Churchill Polar Bear Tour Travel Plans
Sunday, November 3 (D)
Arrive in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada by 3:00pm if possible. Take the complimentary airport shuttle to the Courtyard Winnipeg Airport. Tonight we’ll gather for a special group welcome dinner at Assiniboine Park’s Gateway to the Arctic polar bear exhibit.
Monday, November 4 (B, L, D)
This morning we’ll meet in the lobby and head to the airport for an early morning flight to Churchill.
Upon arrival, we’ll begin our adventure and get familiar with the small town of Churchill. We’ll visit local and historical points of interest such as Cape Merry, the Port of Churchill, and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (weather permitting). We’ll also visit Polar Bears International’s new Interpretive Center, a dedicated hub for critical conservation efforts to save polar bears and the sea ice they call home. If there is time and the weather permits, take a one-hour helicopter tour over Churchill and the surrounding area (additional fees apply).
After lunch, it’s time for an exhilarating dog sledding excursion hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert. Here we’ll learn about the historical significance of dog sledding in the north as well as enjoy a mile-long ride on a custom-built sled behind a strong team of huskies. In the late afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Tundra Buggy dock to board an official Tundra Buggy to make the journey to the Tundra Buggy Lodge. Meet the Tundra Buggy Lodge staff who will give us a safety briefing followed by a delicious meal prepared by the lodge chef. Overnight at the Tundra Buggy Lodge.
Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6 (B, L, D)
After breakfast each morning, we’ll depart the Lodge for a full day Tundra Buggy adventure, exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in search of polar bears, arctic fox, ptarmigan, and other subarctic wildlife. Lunch and refreshments will be served onboard. Return to the Tundra Buggy Lodge each evening in time for cocktails and appetizers followed by an extraordinary dinner. Spend the remainder of the evenings relaxing in the lounge, enjoying presentations, and visiting with fellow travelers. When darkness falls, look to the skies for a spectacular northern lights show. Overnight at the Tundra Buggy Lodge.
Thursday, November 7 (B, L, D)
We’ll bid farewell to the Tundra Buggy Lodge this morning and then board a Tundra Buggy to enjoy one more full day on the tundra before we had back to the town of Churchill. Upon arrival in Churchill, we’ll transfer to the airport for an evening flight back to Winnipeg. A light dinner will be served during the flight.
Arrive in Winnipeg, and transfer to the Courtyard Winnipeg Airport to prepare for our flights home tomorrow.
Friday, November 8
Fly home today. Complimentary airport shuttle provided by the hotel. Checkout time from the hotel is at noon.
Guest Limits
20 Guests Maximum
Trip Cost
EXPLORER RATE: TBA
NON-EXPLORER RATE: ADD TBA
Single sup (Winnipeg): TBA
Pricing in US Dollars
Deposit
$2000 Per person due at time of booking
Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, or check acceptedDeposits are non-refundable. If cancellations are necessary, we require this request in writing. We will do our best to resell your space. Only if we can resell your space, we will refund (minus deposit and discounts given to sell your space). No partial refunds are possible for unused services.
Installments
June 1, 2023: $3,000 per person first installment
April 1, 2024: Final installmentCheck only for first and final installments.
Please make checks payable to Natural Exposures and mail to:Natural Exposures
810 N. Wallace, Suite E
Bozeman, MT 59715Included
- Airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill
- Accommodations for 2 nights in Winnipeg
- Private dinner event with the polar bears at Assiniboine Park
- Churchill and area tour
- Dogsled excursion
- Visit to Polar Bears International Interpretive Center
- Accommodations for 3 nights on the Tundra Buggy Lodge®
- Three days touring on private 40-seat Tundra Buggy (20 guests per buggy)
- All meals where indicated in itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Transfers in Churchill as noted in itinerary
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and juices at the Tundra Buggy Lodge
Not Included
- Flights to and from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Travel/emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Additional nights in Winnipeg pre/post tour
- Gratuities for Tundra Buggy Lodge® staff and daily driver
- Alcoholic beverages (we can purchase at the liquor store in Churchill)
- Any unforeseen expenses due to weather or mechanical issues
Flights to Book
November 3, 2024
Arrive in Winnipeg (YWG), Manitoba, Canada by 3:00pm, if possible.November 8, 2024
Depart Winnipeg (YWG) any time of dayTravel Insurance
Travel/emergency medical evacuation insurance is not required for this photo tour, but we always recommend purchasing it for any trip. We recommend one or more of the following, depending on your needs:
Global Rescue
(use code natexp)Allianz Global Assistance
(use travel agency ID F203564)Terms & Conditions
Natural Exposures cannot control nor is responsible for abnormal weather, natural disasters, or any other disaster that might affect the trip. Travel insurance should be purchased to cover any missed flights or medical problems that may affect/delay your travel. National Parks have the right to change our itinerary.
By booking a trip with Natural Exposures, you agree to the following CANCELLATION AND LIABILITY POLICY
Accommodations for 2024 Churchill Polar Bear Tour
November 3 and 7, 2 Nights
Courtyard Winnipeg Airport
Unparalleled comfort and ultimate convenience await your arrival at Courtyard Winnipeg Airport. From the moment you arrive in Manitoba, you’ll be delighted with amenities including complimentary airport shuttle, onsite restaurant, and 24-hour fitness center.November 4-6, 3 Nights
Tundra Buggy Lodge®
The Lodge consists of two accommodation units that can sleep up to 40 guests, a lounge, a dining hall, and staff quarters. Outdoor viewing platforms connect each unit and allow for outdoor photography. Situated far from the lights of town, the Tundra Buggy® Lodge is the perfect place to view bears all day long and have optimal northern lights viewing at night (weather permitting). The Lodge is also equipped with exterior field lights that enable us to continue watching the bears even after the sun goes down!The accommodations, named Hearne and La Perouse after two important figures in Churchill’s history, consist of ten upper and ten lower sleeping berths, each with a window, a reading light, and four 110-volt electrical outlets. Each berth houses a standard twin-sized coil mattress 190 cm long by 98 cm wide (74.5 in long by 38.5 in wide).
A sound-dampening curtain provides privacy by separating the berths from the aisle. To combat the naturally arid conditions on the tundra, the accommodations are humidity controlled. Each berth is also equipped with a thermostat controlled heating unit, giving guests the ability to adjust the berth temperature.
Bedding, towels, and even earplugs are provided for your comfort. In addition, each 20-person accommodation unit has three bathrooms, two of which are equipped with showers.
Helpful Information for 2024 Churchill Polar Bear Tour
General Info
Fly in and out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (airport code YWG).
As with any wild animals, we cannot guarantee polar bears. However, October and November are prime months for polar bears in this area. Being mobile on the tundra buggy daily will give us the most opportunities to search the area for the bears. Often they are near the Tundra Buggy Lodge, which will give us even more opportunities of observing them in the early mornings and in the evenings.
We will do our best to stay on schedule with the itinerary. However, weather and unforeseen circumstances out of our control can occur, especially in the North. All guests must be flexible and adaptable to changes.
Passport and Visa
A visa is not required for US citizens for stays of under 180 days. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry. One blank passport page is required for the entry stamp. Please visit the US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs for the most up to date entry requirements.
Camera Gear
Closer to trip time, a list of camera gear suggestions will be sent to each guest along with a “goodie box” to get you prepared for the trip. Dan will also call you to say hello and answer any camera gear questions you may have.
Please Note: Since we’re booking this tour in advance, exchange rates may fluctuate. If there is a dramatic change in US/CDN dollar, we may have to add a foreign currency fee to the package rate. We don’t anticipate this happening and have never had to charge this but wanted to make a note of this possibility.
Have a question?
Have a question about this tour? We're happy to answer any queries you may have.
Testimonials from Natural Exposures' Explorers
"This is my fifth trip with you, as always, great photo opportunities,accomodations, food, transportation and instruction. What more can I say? Thank you for the fun and for taking such good care of me."
Dorothy Murray, Iowa
"Tanya and Dan’s logistic skills provide a seamless photo tour where one can truly enjoy the experience. With unlimited photographic opportunities Dan’s instruction has taken my photography to a higher level."
Linda Henry, Oregon
"I just wanted to again thank you for a wonderful week of photography and relaxation away from the office. It was a really a good group."
Sue Wolfe, Texas
"What a trip
What a group
What a fabulous everything
To our next encounters with nature"Maud and Leon Soriano, Florida
"Wonderful. You guys are awesome and it's a real pleasure traveling with you!"
Omar Hikal, Dubai
