Authentic Polar Bear Wildlife Tours

Experience a Polar Bear Tour in Churchill, Canada

Polar bears are a unique and iconic feature of the Arctic region. Not much on this earth compares to the experience of seeing the world’s largest land carnivore in its natural environment. Churchill, Canada known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” due to its strategic location on the western shore of Hudson Bay, provides an ideal vantage point for observing these magnificent creatures.  And a Churchill polar bear tour with Cregor Adventures gives you the unique opportunity to do just that!

Seeing the Polar Bears of Churchill is truly a trip of a lifetime!

Select Your Own Polar Bear Adventure

Cregor Adventures offers adventurous and curious travelers several options for seeing this majestic predator as it prepares for the annual trek north. Itineraries range from three, four, five, six, and seven day tours. Whether you’re an individual, a couple, a family, or a senior, there are tour options suitable for everyone!

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    Classic Polar Bear Adventure
  • Details
    Conservation Polar Bear Adventure
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    Family Polar Bear Adventure
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    Photography Polar Bear Adventure
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    Tundra Buggy Lodge Polar Bear Adventure

We’re currently developing 2023-2024 Polar Bear adventures, itineraries and pricing.
More adventures are available than shown below. Please contact us for complete information about available trips.

Our classic Polar Bear Adventure is our most well-rounded itinerary, offering two or three days on the tundra viewing polar bears along with a mix of additional cultural activities. At the end of the day, return to the comfort of your hotel in town.  

  • Limited to 22 Travelers
  • 4 & 5 Night Adventures
  • From $5,350 CAD

Our immersive Conservation Adventures offer up-close wildlife encounters with a strong focus on conservation and education. You will have the benefit of exploring Churchill with an accomplished wildlife scientist and gain exclusive access to important research infrastructure. 

  • Limited to 20 Travelers
  • 6 Night Adventure
  • From $8,200 CAD

Our Family Learning Adventures are purposefully designed for families with children ages 8 – 12 years old that value the cultural teachings and unique bonding experiences that come with traveling together. 

  • Limited to 22 Travelers
  • 6 Night Adventure
  • From $4,700 (child), $5,300 (youth) and $5,900 (adult) CAD

Maximize your viewing time to capture the perfect image. Led by a Photo Specialist Guide, these all-inclusive tours are generally longer in duration, include photography guidance and workshops and present an opportunity to connect with other photographers.  

  • Limited to 20 Travelers
  • 6 Night Adventure
  • From $8,300 CAD

Our most immersive tundra experience – a stay at the Tundra Buggy Lodge at Polar Bear Point. Located in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, home to the largest concentration of polar bears in the Churchill area, it is truly the best location for possible “round the clock” polar bear viewing! 

  • Limited to 20 Travelers
  • 4, 5 & 6 Night Adventures
  • From $6,300 CAD

Why Churchill, Canada?

Churchill is situated on the western shore of Hudson Bay, which serves as an important hunting ground for polar bears during the winter months. As the sea ice forms, polar bears venture out onto the ice to hunt for ringed seals, their primary prey. They will live on this sea ice all winter, hunting seals. Then, as the sea ice melts and drifts southerly in late Spring and early Summer, the bears are forced to come ashore and wait for the ice to reform. It is during this time of the year that the polar bears find themselves in the Churchill area, only to repeat the cycle in the Fall.

Over 1,000 polar bears migrate through the Churchill region each year waiting for the ice to reform. Because of the high concentration of polar bears, Churchill, Manitoba is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.”

During this time, typically from October to November, the town of Churchill becomes a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, wildlife photographers and researchers from around the world to observe and study these magnificent creatures.

There’s so much more to Churchill than polar bears!

Those who want to see the North in a unique way can go on an exciting dog sledding adventure or get a birds-eye view of the tundra on a one-hour helicopter tour. When you’re not out touring the tundra, you can take in the sights of historic Churchill — an important 18th and 19th century outpost of the North American fur trade. Both the Itsanitaq Museum and the Parks Canada Interpretive Center offer unique cultural exhibits and programming that provides insight into the past, present and future of Canada’s indigenous people.

The “Tundra Buggy” Experience!

In the late 1970’s, several pioneering individuals developed Churchill’s tourist industry. They designed and built the first tundra vehicle, the “Tundra Buggy” on a fire engine chassis. This allowed tourists to see these magnificent creatures up close, in safety, while in their natural habitat. And a new industry was born!

The technology has changed a bit over the years – today, we even operate EV tundra buggies!  Yet, the Tundra Buggy remains a remarkable vehicle. With its all-terrain capabilities, it allows guests to venture onto the tundra safely while minimizing disturbance to the environment and the wildlife.

A Tundra Buggy tour takes guests on a 20-mile network of established trails within the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. This area is in the heart of polar bear country, providing a prime location for observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

As guests journey through the wilderness, they have the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Churchill region. The subarctic terrain, with its vast stretches of tundra, frozen lakes, and boreal forests, offers a captivating backdrop for the wildlife encounters.

In addition to polar bears, the Tundra Buggy experience may also provide sightings of other wildlife such as Arctic foxes, ptarmigans, snowshoe hares, and various bird species. As you travel along, your expert will provide valuable insights into the local flora and fauna.

Experience a Polar Bear Adventure with Cregor Adventures!

A visit to Churchill, Canada provides a remarkable opportunity to explore the wonders of the Arctic, observe polar bears in their natural habitat, and learn about the unique ecosystems and cultures of the region. It’s an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of the Arctic environment.

Churchill, Canada, offers a remarkable opportunity for visitors and researchers from around the world to experience the wonders of the Arctic. All our tours are suitable for individuals, couples, families, seniors – anyone willing to brave the cold to experience one of the world’s most majestic creatures and learn about one of the most fascinating regions!

Why a Cregor Adventures Tour to Churchill?

Our partners in Churchill are a family-owned and operated business, specializing in adventures to Canada’s North since 1988.

Their programs are designed for guests with specific interests in experiential travel, photography, wildlife, culture and adventure. They have built their business on the principle of working closely with the local communities. It is these relationships that make the difference between a “cool” vacation and an amazing, authentic and intimate adventure.

Far too many companies offer numerous destinations and itineraries to places that they themselves have never been to but have only read about. You deserve better – you deserve a company that offers first-hand knowledge and “value added.”  We have personally been traveling to Churchill for over 25 years with these same partners.

Our polar bear programs meet the standards set by Manitoba Sustainable Development and Parks Canada, which allows us to take guests into places where only a few can go, offering unparalleled experiences. 

We realize most people visit Churchill to experience its magic just once in their lives. For that reason, we recommend you know the company you will be traveling with and what kind of “authentic” experience they offer. We’re one of only two companies that have permits to access the full range of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Companies who don’t have the proper permits, offer trips aboard school-bus type vehicles that can travel along the road to Halfway Point. Which, as the name implies, is only half-way to the prime polar bear viewing area.

Our world-class guides and drivers offer a wealth of knowledge and experience. Chosen for their expertise, our enthusiastic and engaging team will make sure you leave having had the adventure of a lifetime.

We believe that our responsibility includes not only a focus on conservation, but also on supporting the communities in which we travel. Through support of Polar Bears International and the northern communities where tours take place, we are able to provide an enriched experience for our guests and, at the same time, enrich the wildlife, people and places where we operate.

Our approach to social responsibility involves three core areas: Environmental Stewardship, Caring for People and Community Involvement, and Educational Outreach. 

As part of that commitment:

The Tundra Buggy Fleet is being converted from diesel-powered vehicles to electric propulsion. Converting to electric power not only provides a less-intrusive, silent touring experience for our guests and wildlife, but will also reduce each vehicles operating emissions by approximately 99%!  (50 KM or 31 miles is the average range of our newest EV Tundra Buggy when fully charged – more than enough for a full day out in the Churchill Wildlife Management area!)

A purchasing policy ensures we source local, working with indigenous vendors and suppliers that support social and environmental responsibility.

As a travel company, we bring guests to incredible places to experience first-hand the history, culture and wildlife of an area of the world that not many people will have the chance to see.

We realize that we also have a responsibility to not only ensure we are traveling sustainably in these fragile ecosystems, but also to inspire and educate people around the world to be passionate about the regions they are traveling and everyone – and everything – who live there.

It is this responsibility that has fueled a partnership with Polar Bears International (PBI). Their mission is to conserve polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. They also work to inspire people to care about the Arctic, the threats to its future, and the connection of this fragile ecosystem to our global climate.

PBI is the world’s leading polar bear conservation group, dedicated to sustaining a future for saving polar bears by saving their habitat.

Through this exclusive partnership with PBI, our guests learn first-hand from experts who join us on our Tundra Buggies and at our Tundra Buggy Lodge to share their knowledge about Arctic wildlife and climate change.

Tundra Buggy One

Tundra Buggy One is a mobile broadcast and research center created exclusively for Polar Bears International’s use. Tundra Buggy One is outfitted with tools and equipment that enable polar bear scientists to study bears and broadcast live webcasts and video from the remote tundra, sharing up-to-date information on Churchill’s polar bears with audiences around the world. 

Every fall, Polar Bears International conducts live, free broadcasts, webcasts and live chats from Tundra Buggy One during the polar bear migration in Churchill. Each week focuses on a different theme, tapping into the expertise of guest panelists. Viewers are able to see wild polar bears, meet experts, ask questions and receive answers in real time. 

Tundra Connections 

During the polar bear season, you can watch live video of polar bears in Churchill from Tundra Buggy One at explore.org. 

Our Churchill partner is an award-winning and internationally known leader in Canada’s eco-tourism industry and has been recognized by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada as one of the top three sustainable tourism operators.

A Note from Peggy…

Sometime in the early 1980’s I watched National Geographic’s documentary Polar Bear Alert! It focused on the small frontier town of Churchill, Manitoba and how it co-exists alongside these magnificent (and dangerous) creatures. You may recall that documentary…remember the children Trick or Treating while polar bears were near the town?

I was fascinated by the opportunity to visit polar bears in their natural habitat. I guess you could say it was the first item on my bucket list – before I knew what a bucket list was!

Several years later, I discovered a family-owned business pioneering tourism in the Churchill area. I jumped at the chance, along with my mother, to travel up to the Canadian Arctic to see these “Kings of the Arctic” up-close and personal.

We were not disappointed. Imagine a polar bear, having no fear of us, slowly and curiously, walking up to our Tundra Buggy. Then, standing up on its hind legs, looking at me, almost eye-to-eye.

It was their creation of the original tundra vehicle, the Tundra Buggy, that allowed this incredible experience to happen and ignited adventuring amongst polar bears in Churchill. Today, thirty years later, this same family-owned and operated business is our partner as we offer programs for guests with an adventurous spirit and specific interests in experiential travel, photography, wildlife, and indigenous culture.