What are the best months to see polar bears?

The peak bear viewing months in Churchill are October and November as the bears wait for the ice to freeze on the Hudson Bay. But you can see the bears and other wildlife (like beluga whales) throughout the summer.

How cold will it be in Churchill during the fall?

Temperatures range from 24-35 degrees Fahrenheit in October, and about 3-16 degrees in November. In October, the snow is just starting to accumulate.

Are the polar bear tours suitable for children?

Family friendly tours geared towards kids and adults are available. Ask your vacation advisor for more information on these special trips.

Is a polar bear sighting guaranteed?

The polar bear migration is a special occasion, and it offers visitors a high probability of seeing the bears in the wild. Our specialized tour operators know the landscape extremely well, and will take you to places where bears are commonly spotted. There is no guarantee of a sighting, however.

Are grizzly bear tours safe?

The safest way to see a grizzly bear in the wild is on a guided tour . Most times you will see the bears from a boat, not on land. Our guides understand bear behaviour and are equipped to keep you safe, which usually means maintaining a respectful distance (so, no bear selfies — bring a good camera with a telephoto lens) and making sure the bears know you are there. Guides also carry bear spray, VHF radios in case of an emergency, and they are trained in first aid. Always listen to your guide's expert advice for a safe and memorable experience.

What kinds of activities can I do while at a wilderness lodge?

Most wilderness lodge accommodations also provide activities such as hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, helicopter tours and more. Some of these can be pre-booked through Fresh Tracks, and some are arranged directly at the lodge.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated on the VIA Rail train, at the wilderness lodge, and in Churchill?

This trip itinerary includes meals on the train, as well as meals at Knight Inlet Lodge and in Churchill. Most dietary restrictions, food allergies, and other preferences can be accommodated with advance notice. Sleeper Plus Class include meals on VIA Rail’s Canadian train. As you travel from Vancouver to Winnipeg, you will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the train’s dining car. These meals are cooked by onboard chefs and are made using fresh ingredients. Lunch and dinner are three courses (starter, main, dessert). The menu options usually include a meat dish, fish dish, and vegetarian dish. Meals at Knight Inlet Lodge are from a set menu but can be customized for dietary needs if this information is provided far enough in advance.

What level of fitness is required for grizzly bear viewing and polar bear viewing?

A moderate level of fitness is required for grizzly bear viewing at Knight Inlet Lodge. You may need to walk on uneven ground, including muddy or rocky shorelines for approximately 200 metres. Most of the polar bear viewing is operated from the Tundra Buggy, so is suitable for guests who are less active. To access the Tundra Buggy, you will need to go up 12 steps. For other activity details, please see the full trip itinerary or speak to one of our Vacation Advisors.

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Lords of the Wilderness Bear Viewing

5.0

1 review

Length

15 days / 14 nights

Where it goes

When to go

September – October

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Go bear watching in Churchill and the Great Bear Rainforest

Witness polar bears and grizzly bears in their natural habitat and travel across Canada on VIA Rail’s The Canadian train. From the lush, abundant Great Bear Rainforest to the barren arctic tundra of Churchill – no safari better represents Canada’s immense diversity. Space is limited, so be sure to book early!

Highlights of your trip

See grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest

Remote wilderness lodge experience

Sleep on board the iconic VIA Rail ‘Canadian Train’

Witness Churchill’s polar bears up close from a Tundra Buggy

Top experiences and features

Visit Campbell River on Vancouver Island

Travel from Vancouver to Campbell River, located on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is often called the Salmon Capital of the World.

A mother grizzly and two cubs walk a long a gravel bank by the ocean

View grizzly bears in the wild

Fly to a remote lodge to watch grizzly bears as they congregate by rivers to feed on salmon.

VIA Rail's Canadian Train traveling around the rocky mountains with water in the foreground.

Ride The Canadian train through the Rockies

Your VIA Rail train journey takes you through the spectacular Canadian Rockies.

The interior of one of the cabins on the VIA train

Relax in your private cabin onboard The Canadian

Your private cabin in Sleeper Plus Class includes a comfortable armchair next to a large window during the day. By night, settle into a cozy upper or lower bed.

Witness polar bears in the wild

Spend plenty of time on the Tundra watching majestic polar bears, and other arctic wildlife, in their natural habitat.

Person photographing a polar bear from a vehicle

Experience the Tundra

Get the perfect picture, from a safe distance, on the one-of-a-kind Tundra Buggy.

Your Questions Answered

Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.

What’s Included

Hotel accommodation

Meals onboard the train

Unique guided activities such as dogsledding, cultural tours and more

Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights

Electronic travel documentation package

Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Frequently Asked Questions

Sample Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip. Some of our trips can be done in the reverse direction.

Indicates featured inclusions

Arrive in Vancouver

Welcome to our hometown — a famously lovely west coast city surrounded by mountains and the ocean.

Fly to Campbell River

Fly from Vancouver to Campbell River, a busy oceanside community on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Flight from Vancouver to Campbell River
Knight Inlet Lodge Package
Arrive in Campbell River
Upon arrival in Campbell River, check into your downtown hotel. Campbell River is a launching point for wilderness adventures in the surrounding rainforest and mountains. It also offers an excellent local museum and kilometers of paved oceanside walking trails.

Float plane to the Great Bear Rainforest

A thrilling, 30-minute float plane flight takes you to Glendale Cove and Knight Inlet Lodge. After a welcome orientation at the lodge, head out for your first guided activity.

View grizzly bears

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for another day of guided adventures. Activity options include kayaking, hiking, or a scenic boat tour of Knight Inlet, in addition to more guided grizzly bear viewing.

Knight Inlet Lodge to Vancouver

Get up early to soak in the fresh wilderness air, perhaps spotting a grazing deer as you sip your coffee. Today, you fly back to Campbell River and Vancouver.

Flight from Campbell River to Vancouver Airport
Private Transfer from Airport

Explore Vancouver

Explore Vancouver, a coastal city on the mainland of British Columbia. The city’s modern, high-rise buildings sit between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, in a truly picturesque setting of soaring peaks, ancient forests, and sandy beaches.

You have 3 options to choose from today:

Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour
Begin your day with a scenic ferry sailing between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Enjoy leisure time in Victoria, then visit world-renowned Butchart Gardens.
Whistler Day Tour
Explore the Sea to Sky highway with a guide — pass stunning mountain ranges, the world's second-largest granite monolith and Shannon Falls, then discover the beauty of Howe Sound from the Sea to Sky Gondola and Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.
Vancouver and the North Shore Tour
Visit Vancouver's main attractions and neighbourhoods. Highlights include Stanley Park, Granville Island, Vancouver Lookout and Capilano Suspension Bridge.

VIA Rail - Depart Vancouver

Board The Canadian train in Vancouver and begin your journey east. Travel through the varied landscape of British Columbia's Fraser Valley. See lush farmland and berry fields, winding river canyons, and pristine forests.

You have 2 options to choose from today:

Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing (48-Hour Pass)
Sightsee at your own pace as you hop on and off at over 14 of Vancouver’s premier attractions, parks, gardens and neighbourhoods.
FlyOver Canada Admission
During your free time today, see Canada from coast to coast at FlyOver Canada. Take a seat in front of a 20-metre-wide spherical screen and enjoy a breathtaking flight simulation.

Private Transfer to Train Station
The Canadian Train - Onboard Service
Watch the changing scenery from the train's viewing cars and enjoy hot meals in the dining car. Ask your Vacation Advisor about the differences between Sleeper Plus Class and Prestige Class.

VIA Rail – Canadian Rockies

As you head northeast through the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta, keep your eyes peeled for bears and elk! See Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, then pass by the small town of Jasper. In the evening, the train winds towards Edmonton, Alberta's capital city.

VIA Rail - Arrive in Winnipeg

Make your way across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces — Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Arrive in Winnipeg, Manitoba's bustling capital city, late this evening.

Private Transfer from Train Station
A friendly driver will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel in Winnipeg.

Explore Winnipeg

Explore Winnipeg at your leisure before checking in for your polar bear adventure.

Winnipeg Highlights Tour
Join a half day, private tour to explore Winnipeg. Visit "The Forks", Winnipeg’s French Quarter, Exchange District and 393-acre Assiniboine Park.
Meet Your Group and Guides
This evening, meet your host and group of fellow polar bear enthusiasts for a Q&A session. On your trip, you'll enjoy a small group experience (max. 22 guests) led by a knowledgeable guide.
Suggested Winter Clothing Rental (extra cost)
To ensure you are comfortable in Churchill's cold temperatures, ask us about how you can book winter clothing rentals. Options include Canada Goose parkas and snow pants, plus Baffin snow boots.

Fly north into polar bear territory

The excitement begins as you travel from Winnipeg to the remote town of Churchill. Situated on the Hudson Bay, Churchill is one of the best places in the world to view polar bears in the wild.

Fly to Churchill
Churchill Town and Area Tour
On this Churchill interpretive tour, view and photograph the Polar Bear Holding Facility, historical Cape Merry, and an impressive Inukshuk.
Polar Bears International House
Visit Polar Bears International House, hear from a PBI representative, and learn about ongoing polar bear research in the region.
Parks Canada Centre Visit
Discover Churchill's intriguing history through Parks Canada Centre's wildlife dioramas and interactive exhibits.

View polar bears up close

The moment has finally come — after a pick up from your hotel, board a Tundra Buggy and start searching for polar bears.

Tundra Buggy Adventure
Your journey takes you through Churchill Wildlife Management Area's extensive trail network in search of polar bears.
The Tundra Buggy Experience
You'll travel in comfort throughout the Churchill Wildlife Management Area onboard a large, specialized Tundra Buggy vehicle. While a Tundra Buggy can hold up to 40 passengers, your smaller group size means you'll enjoy plenty of room. A hearty picnic lunch will be served onboard.
Evening Cultural Presentation
Hear the stories of a Churchill resident, such as a local trapper, and learn what it's like to live in the Northern reaches of Canada.

Dogsledding in Churchill

Go dogsledding today. Enjoy this uniquely northern way of getting around.

Dogsledding Adventure
Meet a local Métis musher for an authentic dogsledding experience. Hear incredible tales of Arctic racing before embarking on your own race through the boreal forest.
Itsanitaq Museum Visit
Learn about Inuit culture at the Itsanitaq Museum. The museum's collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts are among the finest and oldest in the world.

Another Tundra Buggy adventure

Head out for another exciting day on the Tundra, searching for polar bears.

Tundra Buggy Adventure
Enjoy another extraordinary day on board the Tundra Buggy. As well as polar bears, you may see arctic fox, ptarmigan, and snowy owl.
Fly back to Winnipeg

Depart with fond memories

Much too soon, you bid farewell to the Canadian North as you depart from Winnipeg.

Sample Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip. Some of our trips can be done in the reverse direction.

Indicates featured inclusions

Day 1
Arrive in Vancouver...
Arrive in Vancouver
Day 2
Fly to Campbell Riv...
Fly to Campbell River
Day 3
Float plane to the ...
Float plane to the Great Bear Rainforest
Day 4
View grizzly bears
View grizzly bears

Arrive in Vancouver

Welcome to our hometown — a famously lovely west coast city surrounded by mountains and the ocean.

Fly to Campbell River

Fly from Vancouver to Campbell River, a busy oceanside community on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Flight from Vancouver to Campbell River
Knight Inlet Lodge Package
Arrive in Campbell River
Upon arrival in Campbell River, check into your downtown hotel. Campbell River is a launching point for wilderness adventures in the surrounding rainforest and mountains. It also offers an excellent local museum and kilometers of paved oceanside walking trails.

Float plane to the Great Bear Rainforest

A thrilling, 30-minute float plane flight takes you to Glendale Cove and Knight Inlet Lodge. After a welcome orientation at the lodge, head out for your first guided activity.

View grizzly bears

Knight Inlet Lodge to Vancouver

Get up early to soak in the fresh wilderness air, perhaps spotting a grazing deer as you sip your coffee. Today, you fly back to Campbell River and Vancouver.

Flight from Campbell River to Vancouver Airport
Private Transfer from Airport

Explore Vancouver

You have 3 options to choose from today:

Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour
Begin your day with a scenic ferry sailing between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Enjoy leisure time in Victoria, then visit world-renowned Butchart Gardens.
Whistler Day Tour
Explore the Sea to Sky highway with a guide — pass stunning mountain ranges, the world's second-largest granite monolith and Shannon Falls, then discover the beauty of Howe Sound from the Sea to Sky Gondola and Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.
Vancouver and the North Shore Tour
Visit Vancouver's main attractions and neighbourhoods. Highlights include Stanley Park, Granville Island, Vancouver Lookout and Capilano Suspension Bridge.

VIA Rail - Depart Vancouver

You have 2 options to choose from today:

Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing (48-Hour Pass)
Sightsee at your own pace as you hop on and off at over 14 of Vancouver’s premier attractions, parks, gardens and neighbourhoods.
FlyOver Canada Admission
During your free time today, see Canada from coast to coast at FlyOver Canada. Take a seat in front of a 20-metre-wide spherical screen and enjoy a breathtaking flight simulation.

Private Transfer to Train Station
The Canadian Train - Onboard Service
Watch the changing scenery from the train's viewing cars and enjoy hot meals in the dining car. Ask your Vacation Advisor about the differences between Sleeper Plus Class and Prestige Class.

VIA Rail – Canadian Rockies

VIA Rail - Arrive in Winnipeg

Make your way across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces — Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Arrive in Winnipeg, Manitoba's bustling capital city, late this evening.

Private Transfer from Train Station
A friendly driver will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel in Winnipeg.

Explore Winnipeg

Explore Winnipeg at your leisure before checking in for your polar bear adventure.

Winnipeg Highlights Tour
Join a half day, private tour to explore Winnipeg. Visit "The Forks", Winnipeg’s French Quarter, Exchange District and 393-acre Assiniboine Park.
Meet Your Group and Guides
This evening, meet your host and group of fellow polar bear enthusiasts for a Q&A session. On your trip, you'll enjoy a small group experience (max. 22 guests) led by a knowledgeable guide.
Suggested Winter Clothing Rental (extra cost)
To ensure you are comfortable in Churchill's cold temperatures, ask us about how you can book winter clothing rentals. Options include Canada Goose parkas and snow pants, plus Baffin snow boots.

Fly north into polar bear territory

The excitement begins as you travel from Winnipeg to the remote town of Churchill. Situated on the Hudson Bay, Churchill is one of the best places in the world to view polar bears in the wild.

Fly to Churchill
Churchill Town and Area Tour
On this Churchill interpretive tour, view and photograph the Polar Bear Holding Facility, historical Cape Merry, and an impressive Inukshuk.
Polar Bears International House
Visit Polar Bears International House, hear from a PBI representative, and learn about ongoing polar bear research in the region.
Parks Canada Centre Visit
Discover Churchill's intriguing history through Parks Canada Centre's wildlife dioramas and interactive exhibits.

View polar bears up close

The moment has finally come — after a pick up from your hotel, board a Tundra Buggy and start searching for polar bears.

Tundra Buggy Adventure
Your journey takes you through Churchill Wildlife Management Area's extensive trail network in search of polar bears.
The Tundra Buggy Experience
You'll travel in comfort throughout the Churchill Wildlife Management Area onboard a large, specialized Tundra Buggy vehicle. While a Tundra Buggy can hold up to 40 passengers, your smaller group size means you'll enjoy plenty of room. A hearty picnic lunch will be served onboard.
Evening Cultural Presentation
Hear the stories of a Churchill resident, such as a local trapper, and learn what it's like to live in the Northern reaches of Canada.

Dogsledding in Churchill

Go dogsledding today. Enjoy this uniquely northern way of getting around.

Dogsledding Adventure
Meet a local Métis musher for an authentic dogsledding experience. Hear incredible tales of Arctic racing before embarking on your own race through the boreal forest.
Itsanitaq Museum Visit
Learn about Inuit culture at the Itsanitaq Museum. The museum's collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts are among the finest and oldest in the world.

Another Tundra Buggy adventure

Head out for another exciting day on the Tundra, searching for polar bears.

Tundra Buggy Adventure
Enjoy another extraordinary day on board the Tundra Buggy. As well as polar bears, you may see arctic fox, ptarmigan, and snowy owl.
Fly back to Winnipeg

Depart with fond memories

Much too soon, you bid farewell to the Canadian North as you depart from Winnipeg.

Download Itinerary

Get more details in a sample itinerary that includes day-tour options and descriptions, departure dates, and suggestions for personalizing your trip

Prices

Get your personalized quote as prices vary by departure date, train-service level and hotel class. Prices shown are our lowest rates per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude taxes.

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Accommodations

These are examples of the places you can stay on this trip. Please get in touch to discuss your options and to check availability.

Tundra Inn

Example of a Comfort hotel in Churchill

The Tundra Inn is a charming, family-run hotel located in the northern town of Churchill. With comfortable accommodation and complimentary amenities, this is the perfect place to relax after each day of outdoor adventures.

Lakeview Signature Hotel

Example of a Comfort hotel in Winnipeg

Just one kilometre away from Winnipeg Airport, the Lakeview Signature hotel offers comfortable accommodation and thoughtful amenities. Enjoy on-site dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and the 24/7 fitness centre.

Knight Inlet Lodge

Example of Wilderness lodge accommodation

Knight Inlet Lodge is an Indigenous-owned floating lodge that lies within the coastal wilderness of British Columbia. After an exciting day of wildlife viewing, feast on local food and relax in one of the lodge's cozy guest rooms.

Personalize This Itinerary

Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.

Visit Victoria, BC

Add a night or two to explore the old-world charm of Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Visit the famed Butchart Gardens, go whale watching, or explore the seafront parks and museums. We recommend a stay at the Fairmont Empress - Victoria's stately crown jewel. Photo credit: Destination BC

Upgrade to Prestige Class

Prestige Class is a luxury experience. Available on VIA Rail’s The Canadian Train between Vancouver and Toronto, this spacious double cabin includes a special concierge service throughout your journey. This is one of our most popular upgrade options.

Spend time in Jasper

Step off the train in Jasper and stay for a few nights. This small alpine town is the perfect base for exploring Jasper National Park, the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. Stroll the charming downtown, relax during a spa treatment, snowshoe through pristine wilderness, and soak up spectacular scenery.

What Our Customers Say

Excellent overall rating based on 1 reviews

The venues for the Grizzly Bears and Polar Bears were awesome

Our trip was very well coordinated. The venues for the Grizzly Bears and Polar Bears was awesome.

Pam and Steve

GA, USA

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