Polar Bears of Churchill
Oct 30 - Nov 04, 2025
6 days | Canada | Quest Nature Tours
We're putting the finishing touches on this exciting expedition. Click here to make sure you're among the first to get the Detailed Itinerary.
Every autumn, a large number of Polar Bears gather on the shores of Hudson Bay waiting for the ice to form, impatiently milling about like passengers stranded at an airport. Many of them end up in the Cape Churchill area, about 25 kilometres from the northern town of Churchill. As soon as the bay freezes, the bears leave the tundra and move out onto the ice to hunt Ringed Seals — but until the bears go back to their solitary ways, it is possible for groups of people, protected by specially designed all-terrain vehicles, to get safely within a few metres of these mammoth white creatures.
Our Polar Bears tour is based in Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear Capital of the World. We have reserved a Tundra Buggy® for two full days so that we can observe and photograph these great bears in safety and comfort as they interact with one another. We get to visit the town of Churchill and explore the adjacent boreal forest where we hope to see Red and Arctic Foxes, Arctic Hares, Canada Jays, and snow-white Willow Ptarmigans in their winter garb. We are lodging at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, which has recently completed a major state-of-the-art renovation in celebration of 35 years of research and education. The Centre conveys a warm community feel and is located just a stone’s throw from our Tundra Buggy® launch site! During our stay, we can interact with scientists working on a wide variety of projects and enjoy informative presentations on the fascinating scientific research being conducted in Churchill. Your tour leader and host Bonnie Chartier provides context for our observations and a local’s insights into the Polar Bear phenomenon here and the Hudson Bay coast more generally.
This tour is a fantastic introduction to Canada’s north and its wildlife. Please call us for more information and to join!
Tour Cost (per person):
Approx C$7195 + 5% GST (Including gratuities)
Group Size:
10 - 18 participants
What’s included: Hotel accommodation in Winnipeg for two nights based on double occupancy,
Single-sex quadruple rooms in Churchill at Churchill Northern Studies Centre*,
Ground transportation in Churchill, All activities as described in the detailed itinerary, Entrance fees in Churchill, Roundtrip airfare from Winnipeg to Churchill, Meals as specified in the detailed itinerary, Gratuities for services provided by Quest, Services of Quest naturalist leader Bonnie Chartier
FEATURED ON THE BLOG
Front row seats to a sparring match
By: Dr. Martyn Obbard
Itinerary at a Glance
Day | Activity |
1 | Meet in Winnipeg, Manitoba |
2 | Arrive in Churchill / Explore Churchill / Dog sledding |
3 | Tundra Buggy® / Polar Bears |
4 | Town visit and museums |
5 | Tundra Buggy® / Polar Bears / Return to Winnipeg |
6 | Depart |
Your Tour Leader
Bonnie Chartier was born and raised in Churchill, Manitoba. She has been involved in Churchill’s tourism industry since its inception and was instrumental in introducing the world to Churchill’s Polar Bears, Belugas, birds, and natural history. Bonnie’s familiarity with the Churchill region is boundless and guests quickly appreciate her tremendous wealth of knowledge!
Tour Cost (per person):
Approx C$7195 + 5% GST (Including gratuities)
Group Size:
10 - 18 participants
What’s included: Hotel accommodation in Winnipeg for two nights based on double occupancy,
Single-sex quadruple rooms in Churchill at Churchill Northern Studies Centre*,
Ground transportation in Churchill, All activities as described in the detailed itinerary, Entrance fees in Churchill, Roundtrip airfare from Winnipeg to Churchill, Meals as specified in the detailed itinerary, Gratuities for services provided by Quest, Services of Quest naturalist leader Bonnie Chartier
FEATURED ON THE BLOG
Front row seats to a sparring match
By: Dr. Martyn Obbard
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