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
Mar
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May
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Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
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.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 135 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 135 reviews on
8 hours ago
The agent had great response to questions and coordinated well to create an itinerary that met our expectations.
Bob Sunshine
1 day ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
2 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
2 days ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
3 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.