Churchill Polar Bears - Photo Tour Safari

A unique opportunity to photograph the King of the Arctic in its natural habitat with an expert photographic guide on hand.

This Churchill-based photo tour gives you plenty of time in close proximity to the King of the Arctic, coupled with an intensive focus to help you make the most of the opportunity to get some incredible photos. You’ll start in Churchill, where we will head out for three full days on the tundra at the edge of Hudson Bay, where polar bears congregate each autumn waiting for the 'big freeze' and the winter hunting season. Specially-designed tundra buggies take us into the heart of their natural world, with plenty of space for equipment and to spread out to get just the right shots. On-site guidance from our expert photographer guide is complemented by evening lectures on how best to capture the wonder of Arctic wildlife, most notably the famed Churchill polar bears, through the camera’s lens.

Day 1 - Arrive Winnipeg

Arrive in Winnipeg and get ready to start your adventure. Meet your expert photographer guide and fellow travellers at an orientation dinner before getting some rest.

Day 2 - Winnipeg - Churchill

Fly to Churchill this morning. This hospitable outpost town, originally a fur-trading post, is the base for your adventure. This evening we enjoy a lecture on Arctic photography and the northern environs by our Expedition Leader, who is both an expert photographer and naturalist.

Days 3 - 5 - Churchill

Rise early for breakfast, then board the custom Polar Rovers, specialty vehicles that get us within prime photography range of polar bears on the open tundra. Although each vehicle can accommodate more than 30 passengers, we take a maximum of 16, ensuring that everyone has a window seat, plenty of space for camera gear, and room to shoot comfortably without interference. For three full days, we spend our daylight hours on the tundra, photographing polar bears roaming the edge of Hudson Bay as they waiting for the ice to freeze and seal-hunting season to begin. Sometimes large adult males may turn their attention toward us, approaching within feet or even lifting their massive paws on the side of the vehicle to peer inside.Out on the white expanse of the tundra you may also spot other northern wildlife, including Arctic fox, snowy owl, ptarmigan and gyrfalcon. Meanwhile, in addition to sharing photography advice, your Expedition Leader will provide a captivating interpretation of the animal behaviour and natural phenomena you are observing. Each evening, as dusk descends to envelop the wild northern landscape, you meet for dinner, followed by presentations on wildlife or local native cultures.If the night skies are clear and you’re fortunate enough to see the dancing colours of the Aurora Borealis, you’ll head for a place away from the lights of town to capture this magical event on camera.

Day 6 - Churchill - Winnipeg

Your return flight is scheduled to depart in the mid- to late afternoon, in order to provide as much time as possible to explore more of Churchill today. A highlight this morning is an authentic dog sled excursion. Meet a local musher and his team and spend time with the frisky dogs before riding in a sled behind them on an exhilarating dash through the boreal forest. If you wish, you may opt to visit nearby Cape Merry, a promising spot for photographing fox, hare and Arctic birdlife. Alternatively, stay in town for some last-minute shopping to pick up native handcrafts and souvenirs. Other optional adventures available this morning include a helicopter flight over the tundra. You enjoy a farewell lunch in Churchill or dinner together in Winnipeg, depending on your flight schedule.

Day 7 - Depart Winnipeg

After breakfast, it's time to depart Arctic Canada and say goodbye to the polar bears of the north. Transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.