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Churchill Polar Bear Trips - Top 3 Operators
A Churchill polar bear trip is on many people's wish list. It's a typical once-in-a-lifetime holiday and Churchill is certainly the easiest destination for it.
There's more to do in this small Canadian town situated on the shores of Hudson Lake. However, polar bear watching takes priority for the months of October and November (only) each year.
You can go for a dog sledding ride, visit a museum and if you're lucky you might also see the northern lights.
Churchill is an isolated town that can't be reached by road - only by air or a 2-day rail journey.
The easiest way to arrange a Churchill polar bear trip, is to contact a tour operator and let them worry about how to get there, where to stay (the town fills up quickly), where to eat, and who to contact to get a seat on one of the tundra buggies so that you can view as many bears as possible.
Tour and accommodation bookings fill up about a year in advance so if you want to go,
book ahead!
After having read many Churchill polar bear trip reports, articles and forums, I have been able to establish the best of the bunch through previous travelers' experiences.
Top Three Churchill Polar Bear Tour Operators List
Here they are, in no particular order:
- International Wildlife Adventures
- The folks at International Wildlife Adventures understand wildlife enthusiasts, which is why they offer polar bear and other wildlife tours. The guides are said to take really good care of their groups. Their tours cover different styles for different budget classes and levels of interest - over 30 packages to choose from. You can even overnight on the tundra for 24 hrs bear viewing.
- Frontiers North/The Tundra Buggy Adventure
- I have read numerous Churchill polar bear trip reports of travelers who used Frontiers North and they are one of the best. They know what it's all about and offer as much time on the tundra as is possible. You can photograph the bears to your heart's content and enjoy happy hour at the end of the day at the Tundra Buggy Lodge, where you can also overnight. They are also the main sponsor of Polar Bear International's Adventure Learning Program.
- Churchill Wild
- For those who want something a bit more exclusive away from the crowds, Churchill Wild offers a package which includes accommodation at their lodge (30km north of Churchill), walking tours and time on the Tundra Buggy. It's a great all-round polar bear experience and bears often walk right past the lodge on their way to the sea ice. The groups are kept small and the food, accommodation and service are of a very high standard.
Churchill Polar Bear Trips - Cost
Going on a polar bear Canada holiday is not cheap. But judging by the journals and trip reports, it's worth every cent. That is why polar bear tours rank in the top 10 adventure trips worldwide.
Although not the only place to see them (Svalbard, Norway is another option for instance), planning to see the polar bears in Churchill provides your best chance of seeing the bears. As long as you pick the date right (end October to mid November) and plan long enough in advance you can be assured of the trip of a lifetime!
Tour prices are for the 2008 season, quoted in USD per person, starting and finishing in Winnipeg. They include travel from and to Winnipeg and vary from 3-day to 8-day packages. Accommodation ranges with overnighting on the tundra costing more than hotels in Churchill town. The level of knowledge of your guide also has a big impact on the price, with self-guided being the cheapest.
- Budget: $2,000 - $4,000
- Midrange: $4,001 - $5,500
- Deluxe: $5,501 +
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