Arctic Safari, Churchill, Canada takes you into a unique kingdom of wild and stunning tundra at the edge of the Arctic, in the northern part of Manitoba, at Churchill. At first, the town may seem too simple for you, but once you start exploring it, you will discover that it has a lot more to give. The surroundings will take you through ice-covered, snow-laden houses and tundra to its Inuit culture.
Things to do in Churchill, Canada
Dog sledding
Address: 110 Button St, Churchill, MB, Canada
Dog sledding in Churchill, Canada is the perfect opportunity to learn all about the practice. You will not only stand on your sled and enjoy the ride; here, you get the opportunity to take part in everything that happens before and after. The tours are offered by Bluesky Bed & Sled, and your host will teach you how to take care of the dogs and prepare them for the journey. Meanwhile, they tell you the history of dog-sledding and give all sorts of interesting facts. Besides, you get to play with all the friendly dogs!
Cost: $90 per person or $400 per person, depending on the tour.
Websites:
- Official Website – Blue Sky Expeditions
- TripAdvisor – Bluesky Bed & Sled
Boating
Address: 22 Franklin St, Churchill, MB, Canada.
Opening and Closing Hours: Times depend on tide level
Boating companies in Churchill take you on a magical journey in whale-friendly boats that attract belugas. Sea North Tours is one of them, and they offer their subarctic beluga whale safari. Besides, you can choose between kayaking or paddle-boarding with whales swimming next to you or hiking through the history of Churchill.
Cost: $120/$170/$400 depending on the tour
Websites:
- Official Website – Sea North Tours
- TripAdvisor – Sea North Tours
Helicopter tour
Address: 290 Kelsey Blvd, Churchill, MB, Canada
From polar bears to stunning historic sites, Hudson Bay Helicopters give you a new point of view, showing you the best sides of Churchill. Flying over tundra, taiga, and boreal forests, you get to spot rare polar bears and their cubs. Since they adapt their tours to the migration of some animals, you may be able to see arctic foxes, moose, and seals.
Websites:
- Official Website – Hudson Bay Helicopters
- TripAdvisor – Hudson Bay Helicopters
Tours in Churchill, Canada
Tundra vehicles
Touring on Tundra vehicles is a favorite activity on Churchill, and most people spend up to 2 days on them. Their tours include guides, and you will be offered delicious food like sandwiches, soup, and hot chocolate to keep you warm.
Great White Bear Tours
Your tour starts once you leave your hotel and travel 23 miles out of town; on this short journey you may spot your first polar bears. On the launch site, the Polar Rover awaits, the vehicles that will take you on tour. These vehicles are wheelchair accessible and a heating system keeps it warm even with the windows open.
Cost: $500 CDN per person per day. (Visa and MasterCard only)
Departure Point: You will be picked up at your hotel.
Duration: The tour starts at 7:00-7:15 AM and ends at 3:00 PM when you are taken back to your hotel. Package tours take from 6 to 9 days.
Inclusions: Lunch and beverage (you can bring extra water and snacks)
Exclusions: Accommodation
Websites:
- Official Website – Great White Bear Tours
- TripAdvisor – Great White Bear Tours
Lazy Bear Arctic Crawler
This tour is organized by Lazy Bear Lodge, an incredible and cozy lodge with a friendly staff that will make your experience more than amazing. Polar bears, beluga whales, and northern lights; whichever tour you choose, your experience will definitely be unforgettable. The Ultimate Polar Bear Adventure, aside from having an awesome name, is a tourist favorite. Once your journey ends, staying in a Northern Lodge is the last part of your adventure. The tour is suitable for most fitness levels, including only light hiking.
Cost: $6,000.00 CAD
Departure Point: Lazy Bear Lodge
Duration: 5 days
Inclusions: All breakfasts, lunch on each Tundra tour, shuttle service to and from Churchill, accommodation at Lazy Bear Lodge (3 nights) and Winnipeg (2 nights)
Websites:
- Official Website – Lazy Bear Expeditions
- TripAdvisor – Lazy Bear Expeditions
Tundra Buggy Adventures
Cost:
Departure Point:
Duration:
Inclusions:
Exclusions:
Websites:
- Official Website – Frontiers North Adventures
- TripAdvisor – Frontiers North Adventures
Patience is required in this type of journeys because it’s possible that you won’t see any type of wild-life at the beginning. Eventually, you will get to see not only the polar bears but also some Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, snowy owls, and caribou.
As Hudson Bay starts to freeze, the bears begin to find their way out to the vast expanse of ice in search of seals, which are their favorite meal. After driving around the tundra, you will discover that after all, it isn’t a lifeless place as you might have thought at the beginning of your journey, but in fact, it’s full of life and beauty.
How to get to Churcill, Canada
When to go
Traveling to Churchill from early October to mid-November gives you the best opportunity to see the polar bears.
How long do I go for
Planning
Several companies organize trips to Churchill not only to explore the land but also to see the polar bears. I recommend you book in advance because this is a short-term journey, and that means it is always in high demand. Also, accommodation is limited but one of the best is the Churchill Motel.
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