Itinerary

This expedition offers a total immersion into the world of the polar bear and the Canadian Far North. The warm, self-contained Polar Rovers take us into the icy wild to watch the bears hunt, play and interact, entertaining us just feet away from our windows. But our adventure doesn’t end there: We’ll also helicopter to the bears’ denning area and experience the northern boreal wilderness by dogsled. When night falls, watch for the swirling colors of the aurora borealis, as vivid here as any place on earth. “Ultimate Churchill” is the ultimate North.

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba


Arrive in Winnipeg and enjoy an orientation dinner this evening. 



Day 2: Churchill / Night Tundra 


Fly to Churchill and explore this remote community before heading to the tundra for an evening with the bears. Originally a fur-trading post, Churchill is home to just under 1,000 people and, in late fall, to hundreds of polar bears that congregate at the edge of Hudson Bay. We head to the tundra this evening for our first glimpse of the bears. Dinner is served aboard our enclosed Polar Rover. 



Day 3: Polar Bear Viewing


Unique Polar Rovers are our mobile means for a day among the polar bears. Although they accommodate an average of 35 passengers, we take just 15, ensuring everyone a window seat. Our Expedition Leaders know the best places to view bears, which are waiting for the ice to solidify on Hudson Bay so they may begin the winter seal-hunting season. As we watch them interact, we're delighted by their antics and rugged beauty. After dinner in Churchill, we’ll enjoy a wildlife or cultural presentation on life in the North.



Day 4: Helicopter Journey / Dogsledding / Northern Lights 


Today we soar high above the tundra in helicopters, drinking in amazing aerial views of the frozen landscape below. From the air we may see bears, caribou and arctic fox. We disembark to explore on foot and perhaps even crawl inside an unoccupied polar bear den. We also sample an age-old means of Arctic transportation on a dogsledding excursion, during which we learn about the life of a musher, visit with the dogs, observe the team as they prepare for the run, and, finally, head out for an unforgettable ride behind an eager team of pure canine power!

If skies are clear, we’ll visit a heated aurora dome to experience the natural wonder of the northern lights. The lights often begin slowly, as a faint white glow, then intensify in scope and color as they undulate across the sky, shimmering curtains of electric green, waves of blue or even red. The Hudson Bay Inuit see the lights as the magical display of their ancestors’ souls dancing in the sky. Though we now know the aurora borealis is caused by the interaction of the solar wind with the earth’s magnetic field, they are no less entrancing. 



Day 5: Polar Bears / Northern Culture


We will once again board our unique Polar Rovers and embark on a half-day excursion to explore the scenery and wildlife of the Arctic. Our pace is leisurely as we move through the tundra, and we will pause in view of the bears to witness their behavior and snap photos. Our immersion into the nature and culture of the North continues, as native hosts tell us about life near the top of the world. These captivating storytellers share tales from their personal history and offer insight on the rich and vibrant nations that have flourished against incredible adversities in this harsh, Arctic environment for thousands of years. We also visit the Eskimo Museum, with artifacts collected from centuries of local habitation.



Day 6: Churchill / Winnipeg 


After time to pick up some last-minute native crafts, we board our return flight to Winnipeg.



Day 7: Winnipeg / Home 


After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home. 



Please Note: 
Itineraries may vary slightly but all inclusions are the same.