Churchill Polar Bear Experience

A visit to the shore of the vast Hudson Bay to spot polar bears is the trip of a lifetime. You’ll start with a couple of nights in Toronto before travelling to Winnipeg, Manitoba which sits right at the heart of the country. Then fly north to Churchill and set off in search of one of Earth’s most majestic creatures.

8nights INDEPENDENT TOUR

Suggested route & duration

Suggested route 8 nights from Toronto

  • Toronto: 2 nights
  • Winnipeg: 1 night
  • Churchill: 3 nights
  • Winnipeg: 1 night
  • Toronto: 1 night

About this independent tour

Why you’ll love this itinerary

  • Head out into the wilderness surrounding Churchill on a Tundra Buggy® where you can see polar bears in safety

  • Dine in Churchill’s family-run restaurants, browse it’s unique shops and visit the Itsanitaq Museum

  • On your final morning in Churchill, experience the thrill of dog sledding

When to go

  • This suggested itinerary only departs on set dates in October and November; this is when the bears congregate to wait for the sea ice to form

  • There’s an alternative package which runs in July and August. During this time you might be able to see a few bears but the main draw is the beluga whales in Churchill River

Suggested itinerary details
Day 1: Toronto Start your holiday with some time in Toronto. During your time in this multicultural city you can head up to the viewing platform of the CN Tower, drink and dine at the Saint Lawrence Market or even visit Niagara Falls. Stay 2 nights at the Chelsea Hotel.

Day 3: Winnipeg Fly westwards to Winnipeg where you will join the ‘Churchill Town and Tundra – Enthusiast’ itinerary. Stay at Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg Airport.

Day 4: Churchill Travel northwards to the town of Churchill where your polar bear-seeking adventure will begin. You’ll spend your time here on cultural excursions, travelling out onto the tundra in an ice-going truck in search of bears and on a thrilling dog-sledding trip.

Day 7: Winnipeg Return to the Manitoba capital for a further night. Stay at Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg Airport.

Day 8: Toronto Spend your final night back in Toronto. Stay at the Chelsea Hotel.

Recommended highlights

Autumn departures

The polar bear-watching season is very short with departures in October and November

Tundra Buggy®
This purpose-made truck gives you an elevated position to see the bears

Itsanitaq Museum
This small but impressive museum showcases the history and culture of the region’s indigenous people

Dog sledding
Feel the power of a pack of dogs as you fly through the boreal forest on a sled

Tailor your tour

Make it your own

We’ve crafted this suggested itinerary based on our own experiences and customers’ feedback. The Churchill Town and Tundra package is fixed but the Toronto stay is fully flexible, so talk to us and we can create your perfect trip.

Where to stay

In Toronto, choose from a variety of hotels of different standards. We suggest starting off your experience in style at the Fairmont Royal York. The accommodation in Winnipeg and Churchill is part of the package. Churchill hotels are very simple but you won’t be spending much time in your room.

Unique experiences

Your time in Churchill is packed with included trips. There are both cultural and natural adventures which will be shared with 20 to 30 people and led by hugely knowledgeable guides. The highlight is your time on the Tundra Buggy® searching for bears, but keep an eye out for other Arctic wildlife too.

How long

We’ve chosen to add the five-night Churchill Town & Tundra package to this itinerary so you’ll have longer to spot polar bears and explore the town. There’s also a four-night trip with two nights spent in Churchill. You can easily increase the time you spend in Toronto as there’s plenty to do.

Another stop

This is a great trip to add to a longer Canada itinerary. If you’re travelling in early October, you could head to the Rockies or go east to Atlantic Canada to see the vivid colours of the autumn leaves. If you would like a bit more city time, add a stay in Montreal or Québec City.