DESCRIPTION:

Almost every person who is fortunate enough to see a polar bear does so with the bear in captivity. However, in the remote grain port of Churchill, located on the west coast of Canada’s Hudson Bay, a small group of people can experience the excitement of witnessing bears living freely in their own natural habitat!

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Every fall, the tundra surrounding Churchill becomes a stopover for more than 1,000 bears on their annual migration to hunt for food on the frozen ice of the Hudson Bay. Large numbers of these usually solitary bears can be found in Churchill at this time of year, making it the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” From the safety of tundra vehicles, we can view these majestic creatures within close range. It is also common to see gyrfalcons, snowy owls, ptarmigans and Arctic foxes. A knowledgeable Expedition Leader will be on hand to talk about polar bear behavior, natural history and adaptations to the Arctic way of life.

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During the day, young male bears play-fight, mothers cautiously explore with their cubs at their sides, and solitary adult bears lumber across the tundra. On this unique northern adventure, we will take a special evening trip in addition to our daytime excursions to observe nightfall on the pristine and isolated tundra landscape – an unforgettable experience. It is a rare opportunity to view the tundra at night, when the northern environs provide an eerie and remote adventure. If conditions are right, it may be possible to observe the aurora borealis, or northern lights, as radiating colors illuminate the night sky.

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CONSIDER: An increased awareness of the importance of protecting
the bears, along with growing tourist interest in their yearly migration, has brought about a sense of commitment by the people of Churchill to help these mighty animals migrate safely through their now famous town.

 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

Optional helicopter flight; dog-sledding excursion; and extra day in Winnipeg.