Join Polar Bears International for up-close wildlife encounters with a strong focus on conservation and education. You will have the benefit of exploring Churchill, Manitoba with an accomplished wildlife scientist and gain exclusive access to important research infrastructure.
Beluga & Tundra Adventure
Trip Overview
This exclusive tour combines adventure and immersive education with Polar Bears International to create a unique opportunity to experience Churchill’s coastal waters and the subarctic.
Venture into the Churchill River estuary, where thousands of beluga whales migrate into the warm, shallow waters each summer to give birth and feed. Learn about beluga whale biology and ocean health, come face-to-face with beluga whales in their natural habitat as you view these magnificent creatures.
Engage and interact with Polar Bears International through an exclusive visit and private function at PBI House and behind-the-scene tour of their Beluga Boat.
This adventure is specially designed to provide you with an epic experience and a meaningful opportunity to experience Churchill as a summer destination. Take home unforgettable memories and new insights after this trip to the subarctic.
Interpretive-Guided: Our most well-rounded adventures, these tours include lodging and transportation with a mix of cultural and wildlife or northern lights viewing activities built in. Interpretive-guided tours are medium-capacity, escorted departures so you can sit back and relax while we take care of all the details.
Contact us to book a trip, or view the itinerary to learn more.
The Experience
every summer, our beloved Churchill becomes the "Beluga Capital of the World" - A time when the "canaries of the sea" return to the warm, shallow waters of Churchill River to give birth to their calves
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests arrive in Winnipeg where they will transfer and check in to the Grand Hotel, located at the Winnipeg International Airport.
In the evening guests will be invited to a welcome dinner where the will have the chance to meet fellow travelers and their guide. Their guide will provide a brief orientation to review the trip itinerary details.
Overnight at the Grand Hotel.
Photo © Emilie St. Pierre
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Today we depart on a flight from Winnipeg to Churchill. Upon arrival, the group will set out for a Churchill and Area Tour visiting local and historical points of interest such as Miss Piggy, Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility and the Inukshuk at Town Beach, weather permitting.
This afternoon, guests will board a Zodiac and embark on a guided excursion of the Churchill River and estuary. Experience the largest beluga whale population in the world at surface level, so close you could almost reach out and touch them.
This evening guests will enjoy mingling with fellow group members and Polar Bears International (PBI) species experts at a private cocktail reception hosted at Polar Bears International House.
Overnight at a Churchill hotel.
Photo © Zhang Yongpeng
Day 03
Parks Canada, Itsanitaq Museum and a Behind-the-Scenes-Tour of the Beluga Boat
Following an early morning breakfast, the group will step back in time at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre while viewing detailed wildlife dioramas and learning the remarkable history of the fur-trade.
Guests will then head to the Itsanitaq Museum which houses one of the most extensive Inuit Art collections in the world.
Following lunch at Polar Bears International’s Mars House, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Polar Bears International Beluga Boat. Every summer, in partnership with Explore.org, Polar Bear International offers live streaming of the belugas from the Churchill River and Hudson Bay through two Beluga Cams. Viewers from around the world can experience a bit of the beluga's world and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of their experience through these live cams.
This evening tuck into dinner at a local restaurant before enjoying a cultural presentation hosted by a local Indigenous resident who shares their way of life in the north.
Overnight at a Churchill hotel.
Photo © Alex Cupeiro
Day 04
Morning Hike, Kayaking or Paddleboarding with the belugas Tundra Buggy Adventure
After an early morning breakfast, the group will meet with a friendly local guide to set out on a relaxed hike along the coast of the Hudson Bay. Learn about Churchill’s different flora and fauna along the way, and spot the MV Ithaca shipwreck from the shoreline.
After lunch, head back out on the waters of the Churchill River estuary to kayak or paddleboard with the whales.
This evening the group will transfer to the Tundra Buggy® Dock to board an official Tundra Buggy to explore the trails of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in search of polar bears and other wildlife. Guests will enjoy dinner on the tundra while watching the beautiful sunset over the horizon.
Overnight in Churchill.
Photo © Alex Cupeiro
Day 05
Dog Carting in the Boreal Forest and Free Time to Explore Churchill
This morning, guests will partake in an exhilarating dog carting excursion hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert. Guests will have a chance to meet the team of friendly dogs, hear stories and enjoy a mile-long ride on a custom-made dog cart through the northern boreal forest.
Enjoy some free time exploring the community before today’s flight back to Winnipeg. Upon arrival in Winnipeg guests will check in for the night at the Grand Hotel located at Winnipeg’s International Airport.
Overnight in Winnipeg.
Photo © Abby Matheson
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
After breakfast, guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure.
Itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into the Grand Hotel at the Winnipeg airport; Evening welcome dinner. Meals: D
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Early morning flight to Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Beluga Zodiac; Cocktail Reception at Polar Bears International House Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L
Day 03
Parks Canada, Itsanitaq Museum and a Behind-the-Scenes-Tour of the Beluga Boat
Dog carting and interpretive program; Itsanitaq Museum; Behind-the-Scenes-Tour of the Beluga Boat; Cultural Presentation; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 04
Morning Hike, Kayaking or Paddleboarding with the belugas Tundra Buggy Adventure
Morning Hike; Kayaking or Paddleboarding with the Belugas; Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 05
Dog Carting in the Boreal Forest and Free Time to Explore Churchill
Dog Carting; Free Time to Explore Churchill; Evening flight to Winnipeg; Guests will check into their Winnipeg hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure. Meals: B
Join the Adventure
There are currently no dates available. Please contact us to join the waitlist.
Call To Reserve Your Spot Today
1 800 663 9832 (toll free)
1 204 949 2050 (international)
All prices USD plus applicable taxes.
All prices, inclusions, and dates may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
All prices based on double occupancy. True North Deposit eligible. Gratuities included for 2024 and later travel dates only. Applicable taxes and mandatory comprehensive travel insurance are extra. See booking terms and conditions for more info.