Majestic Polar Bear Encounter

Below is a sample itinerary. The actual itinerary may vary based on weather conditions and wildlife activity.

Prepare to be utterly wowed! You'll spend two full days on the tundra, tracking the coastline in our touring-permit zone of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Each day you’ll explore the extraordinary Hudson Bay coastline observing the majestic polar bear up close and personal. Along the way, look for arctic fox, arctic hare, camouflaged ptarmigan and other wildlife. You’ll also have a Dog Mushing experience and a Cultural and Heritage Tour of historic Churchill, Manitoba. After your day’s adventures, you’ll return home to a cozy wood-fire-heated log lodge, sumptuous local cuisine at our Lazy Bear Café, and your warm room with comfortable beds and all the modern amenities.

Arctic Crawlers, the custom-built tundra vehicles, will take you into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. You will head to where polar bears gather to wait for the winter icepack to freeze on the Hudson Bay. Curious and far from shy, the bears will sometimes come right alongside the vehicles to sneak a peek at their visitors. During your stay at the Lodge, the Cultural and Heritage Tour takes you to Churchill and the surrounding area. You will explore the various significant sites including Cape Merry, the Polar Bear Holding Facility, the famous plane crash site of “Miss Piggy”, and many other memorable spots that make Churchill the town it is today.

Your Dog Mushing experience includes an approximate 1-2 mile experiential ride. The ride will be on sleds if there is snow, and on wheels, if it is too early in the season. Since the dogs love to run, either ride will be absolutely exhilarating! Inside a warm tent with fresh bannock, local berry jam, coffee, hot chocolate and tea, you will learn how the dogs are trained and hear many an entertaining tale.

We recommend bringing warm and layered clothing to prepare for wind, snow, and freezing temperatures. (Even though the tour vehicles are heated, you will need to stay warm when on the viewing deck and while the windows are open.)

• Long underwear, snug but comfortable fitting outerwear, and a fleece jacket or sweater. Outer clothing should consist of windproof material, with an attached hood or a very warm, well-insulated hat.
• We highly recommend a pair of ski or wind pants to keep the heat in around your torso and lower body. A jacket alone will not be sufficient.
• Gloves should have ample insulation. Gloves may look like ski gloves and should have an upper extension to cover your wrist as well as your hands.
• Warm boots with thick insulation and good grips, such as Sorel and Kamik, are a must.
• Spare batteries for each camera type you bring.
• Charging cords for laptops, cell phones, tablets.
• We also recommend bringing along a small carry-on bag with your absolute necessities just in case your luggage makes it to Churchill after you do.