Fly-in to a remote polar bear cabin camp set along the coast of Hudson Bay for an almost private polar bear viewing and photography experience like none other. Join this unique opportunity to photograph one of the world’s most magnificent predators from ground level in the Canadian Arctic! This is not just a polar bear trip – it’s an immersive experience in the land of the polar bears, the Inuit people and the intricacies of the tundra. This program gets you as close to polar bears in their natural environment as possible. It’s an experience that will leave lifelong memories.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Depart Winnipeg for Churchill. On arrival transfer to a waiting private charter aircraft for a 40 min flight to the Arviat Polar Bear Cabins situated halfway between Churchill, MB and Arviat, NU on the Hudson Bay Coast, only a couple of miles south of the mighty Gellini River. The cabin placement is very strategic for reliable polar bear encounters and amazing photography. As the river to the north of the cabins is 5km wide, polar bears traveling north along the Hudson Bay coastline are prevented from moving any further due to the river. This is where the cabins have been placed, directly in ‘polar bear alley’. Live with them, observe, and photograph them while they wait for both the river and the Hudson Bay coast to freeze up.
Polar bear observation, trekking and eye-to-eye photography: Observe polar bears when they come right into the complex (there is a four foot high protective perimeter fence around the camp to provide a more natural experience of interaction). Your Inuit guides know these polar bears intimately and understand their behavior after years of living amongst them. With your Inuit guides, go on day hikes outside of the Arviat Polar Bear Cabin complex. Knowing that your guides will keep you safe, you’ll be able to approach polar bears from the ground for up close photographic opportunities (generally up to 100 ft/30 m). In many instances, the polar bears are friendly, in good spirits and will not approach. At times there will be a curious polar bear who will come towards you, yet, your guides will keep you a safe distance at all times. This is the most authentic, safe and up close method of approaching polar bears and seeing them eye to eye anywhere.
This time of year is the best to view the northern lights. Situated directly in the prime viewing band, where the most intense and reliable northern lights occur, eagerly await sunset each evening and the first hints of the northern lights to appear in the darkening night sky.
Photograph in the morning. Depart the cabins shortly after noon for the charter flight returning to Churchill, where the trip concludes (participants can either fly back to Winnipeg that evening, or stay on in Churchill).
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Notes
Select a Date
Please add 5% sales tax from Winnipeg.
2015 rates based on current exchange rate CAD/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is $2200, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
4 Nights Accommodations
Services of Inuit Guides and expedition staff
Airport pick up and drop-off in Churchill
Private aircraft charter from Churchill to the Polar Bear Cabins
If there is a weather delay that prevents the plane from reaching camp on Day 1, 1 night hotel accommodation in Churchill will be included
Excluded
International Flights
Flights to/from Churchill
Accommodation in Winnipeg (or Churchill for those extending their stay)
Tips, gratuities, personal expenses
Travel, medical and evacuation insurance coverage
Additional costs associated with weather/flight delays and/or layovers beyond Day 2 in Churchill, Polar Bear Cabins, and Winnipeg including flight changes, additional hotels and meals
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
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Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.