Photo by Dan Harper
Northern Lights and Winter Nights by Train
Witness Churchill's iconic northern lights!
Duration
7 Nights
Departure city
Winnipeg
Season
Feb - Mar
Starting from
$9,091
Single Supplement
-$0
All aboard for an aurora borealis adventure to Churchill by train, and witness spectacular light displays ignite the night sky.
Our Northern Lights and Winter Nights by Train adventure offers one of the world’s best destinations for viewing the beauty of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. On this northern lights adventure you get to experience the scenic journey of watching the prairies change to the tundra landscape as you travel by train to Churchill. It also features iconic winter activities during the day, and three unforgettable nights of prime northern lights viewing opportunities in Churchill, Manitoba.
Traveling by train allows you to experience the beauty of Canada’s northern landscapes, arriving in Churchill ready for adventure. After you arrive, immerse yourself in this charming remote town during the day and spend evenings viewing the northern lights from different locations. Located directly beneath the auroral oval, Churchill’s clear, crisp, winter skies provide the perfect conditions for witnessing this breathtaking natural phenomenon.
Your true Canadian winter adventure awaits: travel on a Tundra Buggy® across the frozen Churchill River through looming ice hummocks, race through the boreal forest on a dog sled, snowshoe through pristine landscapes, and spend evenings watching the auroras light up and dance across the night sky.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Travel by train to Churchill
- Watch the prairie landscape transition into the tundra
- Three nights of northern lights viewing
- A different location to view the aurora borealis each night
- Popular outdoor Canadian winter activities
An Interpretive-Guided Adventure!
Day 1
Welcome to Winnipeg!
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into their hotel; Welcome reception hosted by a Frontiers North Interpretive Guide; Overnight at Winnipeg hotel.
Winnipeg
Day 2-3
Train Adventure To Churchill
Board the VIA Rail train and start making your way to Churchill taking in the scenic views for the next two days. Two nights aboard the train.
Photo by Dan Harper
Day 4
Your Churchill Adventure Begins
Morning arrival into Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Cultural Presentation from a local Indigenous person; Dan’s Diner Culinary Experience and northern lights viewing; Overnight at Churchill hotel.
Welcome to Churchill
Day 5
Polar Bears International and Thanadelthur Lounge
Parks Canada Visitor Centre; Itsanitaq Museum; Polar Bears International House; Evening visit to Thanadelthur Lounge for northern lights viewing; Overnight at Churchill hotel.
Day 6
Snowshoeing and Dan's Diner Culinary Experience
Interpretive Snowshoe Trek and optional Fat Biking; Tundra Buggy® Adventure; Evening Forest Excursion to view the northern lights; Overnight at Churchill hotel.
UNTOUCHED SNOWY LANDSCAPES
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through snow-covered trees, spotting animal tracks along the way. End your adventure at a scenic lookout point, taking in the breathtaking winter views.
FOREST EXCURSION
View the dancing aurora borealis from a secluded yurt in the boreal forest. Enjoy snacks and refreshments inside while you wait for the northern lights to make their appearance.
MULTIPLE VIEWING LOCATIONS
Experience a new aurora borealis viewing location each evening, with fresh scenery, new hosts, and captivating stories to discover. Each location offers warm indoor seating and extraordinary views of the northern lights outside.
Day 7
Last Day In Churchill
Dog Sledding and Interpretive Program; Evening flight to Winnipeg; Check in and overnight at Winnipeg hotel.
Last Day
Day 8
Depart Adventure
Guests depart Winnipeg at their leisure.
Full Trip Details
Northern Lights and Winter Nights By Train
What to Expect:
Frequently Asked Questions
The train journey to Churchill is part of the adventure! From Winnipeg, the ride takes approximately 48 hours, with overnight travel through remote and beautiful landscapes. It’s a unique and scenic way to reach the North.
Guests typically travel in Sleeper Plus Class, which includes a cozy private cabin with seats that convert into beds, access to shared washrooms and showers, and all meals served onboard.
Each night, you’ll head to a unique viewing location, well away from the lights of town. The amount of time spent at each site depends on the activity of the aurora—and we make a collective decision as a group when we’re ready to call it a night!
Itinerary
Day 1
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into their hotel; Welcome reception hosted by a Frontiers North Interpretive Guide; Overnight at Winnipeg hotel.
Day 2
Board VIA Rail train early afternoon; Begin first leg of journey to Churchill; Overnight on train.
Day 3
Continue on journey from Winnipeg to Churchilll; Overnight on train.
Day 4
Morning arrival into Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Cultural Presentation from a local Indigenous person; Dan’s Diner Culinary Experience and northern lights viewing; Overnight at Churchill hotel.
Day 5
Parks Canada Visitor Centre; Itsanitaq Museum; Polar Bears International House; Evening visit to Thanadelthur Lounge for northern lights viewing; Overnight at Churchill hotel.
Day 6
Interpretive Snowshoe Trek and optional Fat Biking; Tundra Buggy® Adventure; Evening Forest Excursion to view the northern lights; Overnight at Churchill hotel.
Day 7
Dog Sledding and Interpretive Program; Evening flight to Winnipeg; Check in and overnight at Winnipeg hotel.
Day 8
Guests depart Winnipeg at their leisure.
Accommodations
- Winnipeg Hotel
- Churchill Hotel
- Train Sleeper Cabin
Overview of accommodations on this trip, including accessibility info, amenities, and other details - Link to Accommodations page
Meals and Snacks
ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED
While in Churchill, enjoy meals at restaurants like the Ptarmigan, a local favourite.
*Any special dietary needs can be accommodated, please notify our team in advance.
Activities
Churchill and Area Tour
A guided bus tour of Churchill’s most notable sites, including the Polar Bear Holding Facility, and Inukshuk.
Activity Level:Moderate
Dog Sledding
Learn about Métis culture, the history of dog sledding, and enjoy an exhilarating dog sled ride.
Activity Level:High
Itsanataq Museum
Tour one of Canada’s finest Inuit collections dating from pre-Dorset, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit times.
Activity Level:Low
Cultural Presentation
An evening presentation from a local resident about the culture, history, wildlife, and/or lifestyle of Churchill.
Activity Level:Low
Snowshoe Trek
Enjoy the solace of an interpretive snowshoeing adventure through the boreal forest.
Activity Level:High
Dan’s Diner
Journey by official Tundra Buggy® across the frozen Churchill River to Dan’s Diner and experience regional cuisine in a pop-up restaurant, complete with skylights and panoramic windows, for the best northern lights viewing opportunities.
Activity Level:Low
Thanadelthur Lounge
Travel by Tundra Buggy® to our secluded northern lights viewing lounge, far away from the lights of town.
Activity Level:Moderate
Forest Excursion
Escape the lights of town for aurora borealis viewing opportunities from the boreal forest.
Activity Level:Moderate
Polar Bears International Interpretive Presentation
Hear from a Polar Bear International representative and tour the centre to learn about polar bear research and climate change.
Activity Level:Low
Parks Canada
Walk back in time at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre viewing detailed and exciting wildlife dioramas and fur trade exhibits. Leave chock-full of natural and historical information about the Churchill region.
Activity Level:Low
On the Tundra Buggy®
Info about safety & comfort on the Tundra Buggy®, as well as the experience aboard—how many guides, what’s provided, and where you’ll go.
Getting to Churchill
Return airfare; direct from Winnipeg to Churchill.
*Guests are responsible for their own travel to Winnipeg.