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.

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.

What is a Tundra Buggy?

A tundra buggy is a large, heated, all-terrain safari vehicle specially designed to travel over taiga and tundra landscape where polar bears live.

How cold does it get in Churchill?

Polar bear viewing season is October and November, and temperatures vary widely, from daytime highs of 6°C (43°F) in October to nightime lows of -11°C (12°F) or colder in November. With windchill it can feel more like -20°C (-4°F). Guests can rent winter gear including boots and warm jackets. Also, keep in mind that on the Tundra Buggy tours you’ll be inside the heated safari vehicle all day.

What else can I do on a polar bear trip?

When you’re not out looking for polar bears, there are opportunities to learn about northern Manitoba’s Indigenous culture, history and wildlife by visiting the Itsanitaq Museum, the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre and joining evening talks with a local expert. There’s also a chance to go dogsledding.

What if I don't want to bring winter clothing?

No problem! We can arrange for clothing rentals to be waiting for you when you arrive.

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.

Overview

FAQs

Itinerary

Prices

Accommodations

Start Planning

Tundra Buggy Lodge Polar Bear Viewing

5.0

1 review

Length

7 days / 6 nights

Where it goes

When to go

October - November

Price from

Loading...pp

Your itinerary is personalized to suit your dreams and needs:

Decide your desired budget
Choose your own activities and experiences
Have all the details of your trip arranged for you

Start Planning

Stay at Tundra Buggy Lodge surrounded by polar bears

Travel to the heart of polar bear country and stay in specially designed accommodations at the Tundra Buggy Lodge. This immersive experience allows guests to wake up and see bears right from their window, interact with onboard researchers in the evenings, and gaze at the winter night sky, away from the lights of town.

Highlights of your trip

Stay on the tundra in the Tundra Buggy Lodge

See polar bears in their natural environment

Two full-day Tundra Buggy adventures

A 20 person maximum on your Tundra Buggy day tours

Fantastic wildlife viewing photography opportunities

Top experiences and features

Aerial view of the Tundra Buggy Lodge on the snow

Three nights at the Tundra Buggy Lodge

The Tundra Buggy Lodge, situated in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, consists of two sleeping units, a lounge, and dining hall. It's the perfect place to view bears from morning till night.

Polar bears walk by a Tundra Buggy vehicle for going over ice

Explore in a specially designed Tundra Buggy

With your interpretive guide, navigate the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in search of polar bears and other subarctic wildlife.

Person photographing a polar bear from a vehicle

Enjoy amazing photo opportunities

You'll have the chance to capture incredible, up-close photographs of polar bears.

View of seating and large windows in Thanadelthur Lounge with snowy landscape outside

Relax after a day of polar bear viewing

Socialize and relax in the panoramic lounge, before enjoying evening presentations by staff and wildlife experts, including researchers from Polar Bears International.

Large metal sheds painted with a sleeping polar bear

Explore Churchill and the surrounding area

During the day, see Churchill's top sights: Polar Bears International House, the Polar Bear Holding Facility, Itsanitaq Museum and more.

Three people on a dogsledding ride through the snowy forest in Churchill

Go dogsledding in Churchill

Enjoy an authentic dogsledding experience with a local Métis musher. Hear tales of Arctic racing, meet the pack of lovingly cared-for sled dogs, then feel the exhilaration of racing a team.

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

Three nights at the Tundra Buggy Lodge

Wildlife viewing from a specialized Tundra Buggy

Unique guided activities such as dogsledding, cultural tours and more

Train station transfers

Flights between Winnipeg and Churchill

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 Winnipeg

Your trip begins in Winnipeg, central Canada's largest city. Get excited for your polar bear adventure at an information session led by your hosts.

Meet Your Group and Guides
This evening at your Winnipeg hotel, meet your group of fellow polar bear enthusiasts for a Q&A session. For the duration of your trip, you'll be led by a knowledgeable naturalist 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.

Winnipeg to Churchill

Enjoy a scenic flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, over the tundra and plains of the North.

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.
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.

Journey to the Tundra Buggy Lodge

Two exciting activities fill your day, before a transfer takes you to the Tundra Buggy Lodge for your first night stay.

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.
Parks Canada Centre Visit
Discover Churchill's intriguing history through Parks Canada Centre's wildlife dioramas and interactive exhibits.

Onboard the Tundra Buggy

Today is your first full day 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.

Onboard the Tundra Buggy

Head out for another exciting day on the tundra looking for 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.

View polar bears, then return to Winnipeg

Take your final photographs of Churchill's wildlife, before heading south.

Tundra Buggy Adventure
Take in the beauty of the north as you enjoy one final Tundra Buggy adventure.
Fly back to Winnipeg

Depart Winnipeg

After checking out of your hotel, depart Winnipeg at your leisure.

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 Winnipeg
Arrive in Winnipeg
Day 2
Winnipeg to Churchi...
Winnipeg to Churchill
Day 3
Journey to the Tund...
Journey to the Tundra Buggy Lodge
Day 4
Onboard the Tundra ...
Onboard the Tundra Buggy

Arrive in Winnipeg

Your trip begins in Winnipeg, central Canada's largest city. Get excited for your polar bear adventure at an information session led by your hosts.

Meet Your Group and Guides
This evening at your Winnipeg hotel, meet your group of fellow polar bear enthusiasts for a Q&A session. For the duration of your trip, you'll be led by a knowledgeable naturalist 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.

Winnipeg to Churchill

Enjoy a scenic flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, over the tundra and plains of the North.

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.
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.

Journey to the Tundra Buggy Lodge

Two exciting activities fill your day, before a transfer takes you to the Tundra Buggy Lodge for your first night stay.

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.
Parks Canada Centre Visit
Discover Churchill's intriguing history through Parks Canada Centre's wildlife dioramas and interactive exhibits.

Onboard the Tundra Buggy

Today is your first full day 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.

Onboard the Tundra Buggy

Head out for another exciting day on the tundra looking for 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.

View polar bears, then return to Winnipeg

Take your final photographs of Churchill's wildlife, before heading south.

Tundra Buggy Adventure
Take in the beauty of the north as you enjoy one final Tundra Buggy adventure.
Fly back to Winnipeg

Depart Winnipeg

After checking out of your hotel, depart Winnipeg at your leisure.

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, activities, and hotel class. Prices shown are our lowest rates per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude taxes.

Polar Bear Safari

Hotel Accommodations

3 Star

Activities and Wildlife Viewing

Fully Guided

Meals

Most meals included

From

Loading...pp

Start Planning

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.

Tundra Buggy Lodge

The Tundra Buggy Lodge is a truly unique experience where guests can wake up to the site of polar bears wandering past their window. Climb aboard and immerse yourself in the arctic wildlife on your doorstep, all the while enjoying warm, comfortable accommodation and delicious home cooked meals.

Personalize This Itinerary

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

Add nights in Winnipeg

Spend more time in Winnipeg at the beginning or end of your trip and discover this city's hidden gems. Highlights include the Assiniboine Park Zoo (and its 'Journey to Churchill'), the Museum of Human Rights, the Royal Canadian Mint, and the Inuit Art Centre — the first of its kind in the world.

Great Bear Rainforest

Ask us to arrange a visit to one of British Columbia's most unique treasures - the Great Bear Rainforest. Stay in remote yet luxurious accommodations and witness eagles, grizzly bears, sea otters, dolphins, whales, wolves, and more in the wild.

What Our Customers Say

Excellent overall rating based on 1 reviews

It was amazing to see Polar Bears up close

It was amazing to see Polar Bears up close and personal in their environment. The frosting on the trip was seeing the Northern Lights. Amazing!

Jean

CA, USA

See more customer testimonials

Discuss your polar-bear tour with a Canadian travel expert

Cartoon polar bear speaking on the phone

Schedule a call Send us a message

Or call us toll free

1 877 395 5671

Sign up for travel inspiration

Our newsletter is full of local tips and insights for an unforgettable Canadian vacation.

By submitting this form, you agree to our collection and use of your personal data as detailed in our Privacy Policy. Your information will be used to process your request and improve our services.