Polar Bears in Churchill

Arctic, Canada - Trip code CHPB Polar
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478Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
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We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Take a journey to the welcoming outpost town of Churchill to view polar bear up-close. Each day you will head out on a bespoke vehicle known as a Polar Rover, to watch the bear interact. Take photographs as they walk across the ice in front of you and learn about 'bear behaviour' via the in-depth knowledge of your expert guides, further enhancing your adventure.

Why we love this trip
  • See the world's greatest concentration of polar bear - in a small group of like minded people
  • Enjoy the comfort of our specially designed Polar Rover - with it's outdoor observation platform, enabling you to safely get up close to the bear
  • Meet a local dog musher and his team - experience an authentic dog sled ride through the boreal forest
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 5

    Lunch: 4

    Dinner: 4

  • Trip staff

    Naturalist(s)

  • Transport

    Polar Rover

  • i

    Accommodation

    5 nights hotel

  • i

    Trip pace:

    Relaxed

Itinerary

Day 1 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Our tour begins in Winnipeg. You will meet your Expedition leader in the evening at your orientation dinner.

Accommodation:

Grade: Hotel

Meals Provided : Dinner

Day 2 - Winnipeg to Churchill - evening on the Tundra

Fly to Churchill in the morning, our base for our polar bear adventure. We head to the tundra this evening for our first glimpse of the bears. If we are lucky, our night time excursion might reveal one of nature's most exhilarating experiences - a chance to view the Northern Lights!

Accommodation:

Grade: Hotel

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Polar Bear Viewing

Uniquely designed Polar Rovers are our mobile means for spending time amongst the bears. We take a maximum of sixteen, ensuring everyone has a window seat. Our Expedition leaders know the best places to see polar bears, as these majestic creatures congregate to the region each fall.

Accommodation:

Grade: Hotel

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Polar Bear Viewing

You will be delighted by their rugged beauty and playful antics, as we watch the bears interact. From the warmth of our vehicle, we may see mothers with cubs, young males play-fighting, or a lone bear ambling over the tundra in solitary grandeur.

Accommodation:

Grade: Hotel

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 - Explore Churchill / fly to Winnipeg

You will have time to explore historic Churchill before boarding our afternoon flight back to Winnipeg. A highlight this morning is an authentic dog sled ride. We meet a local musher and his team, spending time with the lively and affectionate dogs before taking turns riding behind them on an exhilarating trot through the boreal forest. We enjoy a farewell lunch in Churchill and will have a final dinner reception before our adventure concludes in Winnipeg.

Accommodation:

Grade: Hotel

Meals Provided: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Depart Winnipeg

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Arctic

Canada

Climate

May-Sep is the best time to visit, when the weather is usually warm, dry and pleasant. Temperatures can be a little cooler on the coast and in the mountains; rain can be expected at any time. Early in the season, there can be snow in some areas which may limit walking possibilities.

Time difference to GMT

-7

Plugs

2 Pin Flat

Religion

Roman Catholic, Protestant

Language

English and French

Budgeting and packing

Clothing

Warm gloves or mittens and glove liners
Warm hat - make sure it covers your ears
Scarf or neck gaiter
Warm trousers - Ski pants alopettes are good if you have them
Warm socks and sock liners (several pairs)
Silk or polypropylene long underwear for layering (tops & bottoms)
Turtleneck tops for layering
Warm sweaters or fleece tops
Comfortable warm trousers for wearing in the evenings
Underwear and sleepwear
Swimsuit if you wish to use the pool at the Fort Garry Hotel
Down parka and boots will be supplied for use on the trip when you arrive in Winnipeg. Please pack a Warm jacket and footwear for arrival into Winnipeg. Sizes for the loaned jacket and boots will be taken in advance, once you have booked onto the tour.

Footwear

Boots will be supplied for use on the trip when you arrive into Winnipeg on Day 1. Sizes will be taken in advance once you have booked onto the tour.

Luggage: On tour

The weight limit for checked-in baggage on our charter flight between Churchill and Winnipeg is 50 lbs. per person.
As luggage space on our transfer vehicles is limited, we ask that you limit your luggage to ONE piece of checked baggage per person. We suggest one water-resistant or waterproof bag and one carry-on or daypack per person. We highly recommend packing light - take only the essentials you will need during your adventure.

Equipment

Photography equipment and chargers
Binoculars - these are a must on the tundra. For optimal viewing, we suggest those with specs between 10x42 and 8x42. You may even try 8x35, but only if they contain high quality glass. Practice using your binoculars before your adventure to make sure they are not too powerful or you do not have trouble holding them steady. Couples should consider bringing two pairs of binoculars, so both people can view wildlife simultaneously.
Water-resistant daypack for use during outings
Hand/foot warmers (highly recommended)
Sunglasses (with UV protection)
Prescription glasses/contact lenses
Yaktrax (optional.) Yaktrax can be extremely helpful to prevent slipping in snowy or icy conditions. Other popular brands of traction devices include DueNorth, Kahtoola, and Stabilicer. (There are a limited number of Yaktrax available for guest use in Churchill.)
Small flashlight or headlamp (with spare batteries) - recommended for the evening tundra excursion
Toiletries
Dry skin lotion
Sunscreen & lip balm (SPF15+) Bring protection for your hands, face, and lips, as the reflection off of the snow and ice can be intense.
Small medical kit
Battery-operated alarm clock or wristwatch
Zip-lock bags are great for protecting camera equipment.


Tipping

Local crew
Our Expedition leaders guide nature trips because they love to view wildlife and to educate people about the splendors of the world in which we live. They are not motivated by gratuities. Rather, they take great pride in making your trip an experience of a lifetime. If you feel your Expedition crew have done an outstanding job and wish to offer a gratuity, we recommend approx. $15-$25 USD per person, per day. A portion of this gratuity is shared with local Natural Habitat Adventures staff for their assistance on your adventure. Please note, Canadian dollars is also acceptable.

Arctic

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Foreign Exchange

Canada

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£13.00
Dinner price
£20.00
Beer price
£3.00
Water price
£1.10
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Canadian Dollars.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Bring your money in Canadian Dollars or US Dollars cash which can be used almost everywhere, although local stores are not keen to change anything over $50.
Where To Exchange
Banks or 'Forex' offices in main towns/cities. Your tour leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability
There are ATMs in the towns.
Credit Card Acceptance
Widely accepted just about everywhere.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Polar Rover

Canada

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
It is generally possible to drink the local tap water, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day. 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.

Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry. Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for the latest advice on entry requirements. Information can change at any time.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information


Canada Visas are not required for UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian citizens.

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

From March 2016 any visitor travelling to Canada, including those who don't currently need a visa to visit, will have to get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to enter Canada. From 1 August 2015, travellers will have the opportunity to go online and apply for their eTA ahead of time. For more information see the official Canadian government website.

USA (If flights transit): you will need to apply for an ESTA if you are transiting the USA as you will have to disembark and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.

Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel.
Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. When completing an application for transit you should enter the words 'In Transit' with your final destination location in the address line

You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover.

If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan in the past five years or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Programme. Instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel.

For further information please check out the US embassy website.
Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Arctic

Canada

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Polar information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
Find out more
Price Guarantee Promise
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Airport Transfers
Find out more
Print Trip Notes

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