Polar Bears at Legendary Cape Churchill

Day 01

Welcome to Winnipeg

We’ve arrived into Winnipeg for our Cape Churchill expedition and we can’t wait to start our adventure. After checking into the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, which is just across from the Winnipeg airport, we head downstairs and pick up our parka, snow pants and boots that we booked ahead of time for us to use on our adventure.

In the evening we meet our Frontiers North Interpretive Guide, Photo Specialist and the rest of our tour group during a welcome dinner, which gives us a to go over the itinerary and learn more about what our adventure holds.

Day 02

Churchill Adventure Begins

Today we are going to Churchill! After a very early breakfast with our Interpretive Guide at our hotel, our tour group boards a warm bus for the short ride to the private hangar from where our plane will depart for Churchill. The flight is two and a half hours.

Upon arrival, we head straight to the Tundra Buggy Dock for our first Tundra Buggy adventure! I made sure to bring my sealable, reusable travel mug with me after reading this blog. After a safety speech from our Tundra Buggy Driver, we hit the trails and travel into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA)! Our Tundra Buggy Driver navigates the bumpy trails of the CWMA in search of polar bears and other subarctic wildlife while our Interpretive Guide shares interesting facts about the area’s geology and history.

After an exciting first day on the tundra we go for dinner in town and then retire to our Churchill hotel for the evening. I can't wait to get to Cape Churchill tomorrow!

Day 03

Explore Churchill and the Tundra Buggy Lodge

Before heading to Cape Churchill we are given time to explore a little more of the town on a Churchill and area tour, which comprises of an exploratory drive past various points of interest in and surrounding Churchill. Our driver stopped briefly at Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility so we could get out and take photos.

We take a break for lunch and enjoy a warm, home-cooked meal at one of Churchill’s family-run restaurants – who knew Churchill had such incredible food? 

After lunch we head out to the Tundra Buggy Dock for our afternoon transfer to the Tundra Buggy Lodge at Cape Churchill. In the late afternoon we cross the Hudson Bay tidal flats and cross over into Wapusk National Park. Almost there!

As the sun's light begins to fade, we see the Tundra Buggy Lodge in the distance – it’s almost as if we’re approaching an isolated space station in the middle of nowhere.

Once boarding the Tundra Buggy Lodge, the feeling of isolation disappears. The welcoming staff greet us warmly and we are treated to an incredible home cooked meal before settling in to our cozy new home on the tundra. I can't wait to spend the rest of the trip here!

Day 04

Explore Wapusk National Park

Our day starts with a hearty buffet-style breakfast on the lodge. Next, we begin a Tundra Buggy adventure at Cape Churchill in Wapusk National Park!

We search the tundra for polar bears and other subarctic wildlife, spending time with all wildlife we see so we can take our best photos. At the end of the day, with our hundreds (or thousands) of pictures to look over, we head back to the lodge.

Back at the lodge, we enjoy a delicious meal and evening appetizers. It's the perfect time to socialize with my fellow travellers and share the photos we took today!

There is also an evening presentation in the lounge for us to listen to if we wish. Tonight, I choose to relax with a book in my bed to wind down after an adventure-packed day.

Photo © Eric Lindberg

Day 05

Explore Wapusk National Park

Similar to yesterday, we begin our day with a delicious buffet-style breakfast on the lodge. We embark on another Tundra Buggy adventure at Cape Churchill in Wapusk National Park. We didn't see as many bears today, but we still got some absolutely amazing photos! Our Tundra Buggy Driver says that every day on the tundra is different and you can never predict the wildlife out here; it's a good thing I did my research and learned not to get my expectations too high. After our Tundra Buggy excursion today we returned to the Tundra Buggy Lodge for another evening of wonderful food, visiting with travellers and presentations. 

Photo © Dmytro Cherkasov

Day 06

Explore Wapusk National Park

Last night at the lodge our Photo Resource gave a presentation about polar bear photography, so today I was excited to practice my "white on white" photo skills (although polar bears aren't technically white). Luckily, today was my Tundra Buggy's day to have the Photo Resource accompany us (she switches Buggies daily to ensure that everyone gets a chance to ask questions while on the tundra).

It was a perfect day for sharpening my photography skills as the wind was gusty and snow was blowing quickly across the flat landscape, masking everything in a haze of white. Most of the bears we saw today were hunkered down in the snow out of the wind, but one medium sized male that we came across was ambling along as though he didn't even notice the weather. 

Having a professional nature photographer on the tour has really helped me learn how to capture the best photos possible, and I know that my skills have vastly improved by taking full advantage of the knowledge of the guide while she's on our Tundra Buggy with us. 

Photo © Jessica Finn

Day 07

Explore Wapusk National Park

What an incredible day on the tundra!

Today we had the amazing luck of happening upon two young male bears as they began to play fight, or "spar". Our guide assured us that the two bears in question were in fact only play fighting and thus were not overly aggressive toward each other, but still, what an exciting display!

The sparring continued for quite a while, with a few short breaks during which the bears cooled down by rolling around in the snow. The excitement in the Tundra Buggy was palpable and the clicking of camera shutters was non-stop as my fellow guests and I captured the match on film. This was definitely something to check off the bucket list!

Photo © JP McCarthy

Day 08

Explore Wapusk National Park

The highlight of my Tundra Buggy adventure in Wapusk National Park today was spending time with a mom and cub. 

We had a couple of bear sightings in the morning, but as lunch time approached our Tundra Buggy Driver decided it was time to find us a polar bear to spend time with while we enjoyed our picnic lunch. Luckily, it didn't take long before we happened upon this mom and cub, curled up for a rest. At first wary, momma bear kept her eye on the Buggy as we slowly moved parallel to their position - our Tundra Buggy Driver knew how to get close enough to the bear for us to get some great photos, but without causing the bear any undo worry. 

Once we were in place, our driver served up a delicious meal prepared by the Tundra Buggy Lodge staff, while guests happily snapped photos of the small polar bear family. When everyone had captured their perfect photo, we enjoyed our furry company as we ate in companionable silence. What a wonderful treat!

Photo © Simon Gee/Canuk Images

Day 09

Explore Wapusk National Park

Today we had some great luck out on our Tundra Buggy adventure with a visit from a curious arctic fox!

Our Tundra Buggy Driver was the first to spot the little bundle of fur, who blended in so well with the surrounding snow. With the words, "arctic fox at three o'clock" the entire focus of the group collectively moved to right side of the Buggy in order to "ooh" and "aah" over the tiny carnivore, and of course take pictures. Lots of pictures. 

He stuck around for a little while, perhaps as curious about us as we were about him, before scampering off into the distance. 

Photo © JP McCarthy

Day 10

Explore Wapusk National Park

Our day on the Tundra Buggy was much like our previous days; the wind-swept beauty of the tundra created the perfect backdrop for photos of the incredible wildlife we saw throughout the day. My highlight for today however, didn't happen until the late hours of the night. 

After I had already gone to bed for the night I heard some excited whispering and shuffling in the lodge. I caught the words "northern lights" and looked out my window, only to be completely awe-struck by the incredible display that covered the night sky. I hurriedly dressed and grabbed my camera in order to catch the spectacle before the lights faded - which didn't happen for quite some time. 

As we were out in the middle of nowhere, there were no lights to compete with the night sky phenomenon, and the panoramic windows in the Thanadelthur Lounge and its roof-top observation deck allowed plenty of room for other excited guests to take photos or just to watch in awe. 

What an incredible end to our last night in Wapusk National Park. 

Photo © Mike Gere

Day 11

Farewell Churchill!

This morning we say good bye to the Tundra Buggy Lodge and are transferred to the Churchill airport for our return flight to Winnipeg. 

Once we arrive in Winnipeg, we check into the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel where we enjoy our final farewell dinner with our group. It has been an incredible adventure and I’ve enjoyed my time taking photos, making new friends and meeting such fascinating people from around the world.

Photo © JP McCarthy

Day 12

Depart Winnipeg

My adventure has come to an end and I’m all ready to head home today. I’m so excited to share my adventure – and all my incredible photos – with my family and friends.