Embark on an immersive adventure and learn about the ecosystems, wildlife, and history of southern Hudson Bay and iconic York Factory with our Arctic Discovery safari. Your trip will include a tour of the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg where you’ll be introduced to the wildlife and history of the Arctic region during a private tour. Then, you’ll spend two days exploring Churchill, enjoying marine tours, and beluga encounters before boarding a plane for the flight to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Exploring the historic port of Churchill, meeting local characters, and uncovering its charms.
- Sky gazing! Our location beneath the auroral oval offers nearly 300 nights of aurora viewing each year. If conditions permit, you will be able to enjoy the greatest light show on earth from within the lodge or out in our secure compound. There is a low to moderate chance of seeing the lights on this safari.
- Four days of guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-close-and-personal, in their natural habitat.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Anticipation Builds During Your Overnight Stay
- Day 2 and 3: Historical and Marine Excursions
- Day 4 to 7: Nature Trekking and Polar Bears!
- Day 8: Last Minute Wildlife Viewing
- Day 9: Homeward Bound
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Anticipation Builds During Your Overnight Stay
Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg airport. To start off your northern Manitoba experience, you’ll be shuttled to the Manitoba Museum for a tour of the Arctic Gallery. Dinner will be served back at the hotel followed by a short orientation.
Day 2 and 3: Historical and Marine Excursions
You will depart for Churchill this morning and be greeted there by our expediter who will take you to one of our preferred hotels, your home base for the next couple of days. After settling in, you will enjoy a hearty brunch while your local guide introduces you to the itinerary for your time in Churchill.
During your two days in this historic port town, you will be scheduled for multiple marine excursions. These will include a combination of kayaking with beluga whales in the Churchill River, estuary tours and touring the Prince of Wales Fort while beluga watching from the boat. Excursion times for your Churchill adventures will vary with the tides to maximize your time with the belugas.
Day 4 to 7: Nature Trekking and Polar Bears!
Day four begins with a scenic flight from Churchill over the coastal flats of the Bay before arriving at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Hot breakfasts will be served daily, and your outings will begin soon after. Lunch will either be served at the Lodge or enjoyed out on the land. Daily outings may include the following, depending on weather and ground conditions:
Coastal exploration to the tidal flats and Hudson Bay shoreline using a combination of people power (walking!) and our specially outfitted all-terrain vehicles. Routes will vary but ample time will be provided to photograph polar bears and the other wildlife that live in this unique environment.
An exploration of the river deltas and vast beach ridges of this pristine area or staying close to the Lodge to take advantage of opportunities to photograph the polar bears and other wildlife.
Wind down from the day’s excitement during appetizer hour and after one of our signature dinners enjoy an informative lecture, slide show presentation, or free time.
A staff will monitor Aurora Borealis after dark and will provide a gentle wake-up call to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities to witness and photograph this spectacular Arctic phenomenon.
Day 8: Last Minute Wildlife Viewing
After another hearty Lodge breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.
Back in town, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring Churchill and surrounding area and learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military town. Your tour will include stops such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Along the way, your guide will point out murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival. Before a group dinner, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.
Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place this evening. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and back to The Grand Hotel.
Day 9: Homeward Bound
After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home.
| Dates | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jul 2025 - 06 Aug 2025 | AUD$20335pp | Contact us |
| 02 Aug 2025 - 10 Aug 2025 | AUD$20335pp | Contact us |
| 16 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025 | AUD$20335pp | Contact us |
** Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
** Single supplements may apply
Suggested Accommodation
| City | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Winnipeg | The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel or similar |
| Churchill | Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge or similar |
Whats included?
- Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba
- Roundtrip airfare between Churchill and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
- Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
- Two nights’ accommodations in Churchill
- Four nights’ accommodation at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
- All meals, excursions, and guide services while in Churchill and at Nanuk Lodge
What’s not included?
- Taxes and gratuities
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Arctic
Viking history, Inuit villages and an abundance of wildlife are just some of the wonders you’ll discover in the Arctic. You’ll be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds you. Search for Polar Bears while cruising through breathtaking fjords or around the nature lovers dream, Spitsbergen.
Downloadable travel guide
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