Tundra Lodge & Town Adventure

R/T flights to and from Winnipeg and Churchill, accommodations, all meals, beer and wine on the Tundra Lodge, cold-weather gear including a parka and boots during your trip, services of NHA's professional Expedition Leaders and assistants, some gratuities, all activities/entrance fees, sled dog excursion, evening wildlife and cultural presentations, all taxes and service charges.

Travel to and from Winnipeg, distilled and alcoholic beverages on the Tundra Lodge, some gratuities, travel insurance, items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, etc.).

Easy
A polar bear expedition with Natural Habitat Adventures requires very little walking. Travelers must be able to walk up/down stairs. Our Polar Rover vehicles, designed to travel over the tundra for polar bear observation, can sometimes offer a bumpy ride. Travelers must be prepared for below-freezing temperatures and slippery surfaces.

A stay at our exclusive Tundra Lodge offers guests the true feel of the Far North, with polar bears ambling across the tundra right outside the windows. Despite its isolation, the facility is remarkably comfortable, with private bedrooms and a common living room. The onboard kitchen staff prepare delectable meals served in the spacious dining room. The specialized Polar Rover vehicle located on site provides transportation for half-day excursions over the tundra. Each Tundra Lodge guest will travel on the Polar Rover for one half-day excursion each day; the second half of each day is spent viewing the bears from the comfort of the Tundra Lodge. As the bears approach us, we are able to observe their interactions in the natural environment surrounding the lodge. An important feature of our polar bear trips is the limited group size. Nature is always best experienced in smaller groups, a particularly important element of this trip. The Tundra Lodge holds 32 guests plus staff, but we limit our group to 29 guests or fewer. Tundra drives in the Polar Rover generally accommodate no more than 15 guests, ensuring a window seat for everyone and plenty of room for moving about the vehicle.

On this unique combination itinerary, we will depart the Tundra Lodge on Day 4 and travel into the town of Churchill to spend two nights, for a chance to experience the culture of this rugged and remote frontier town. Our polar bear viewing opportunities continue even after we depart the Tundra Lodge, when we return to the tundra from town for an additional full-day Polar Rover excursion on Day 5.

Regarding polar bears in general: Polar bears are typically in the Churchill area year-round, though the highest concentration occurs in October and November, as the bears congregate along Hudson Bay waiting for the ice to freeze. Sometimes the best bear viewing happens in the beginning of the season, sometimes it's in the middle, and sometimes at the end—we never know for sure. Once the bay freezes, many of the bears depart. Historically, this typically happens in early December, but an unusually early cold spell can occur to hasten their departure. Check out more details on the ebbs and flows of the Churchill polar bear viewing season.

In case of flight or weather delays, we recommend that you arrive a day early and either participate in our Extra Day in Winnipeg program or stay on your own. Our expedition begins with a 7 pm welcome dinner on Day 1. You are free to depart at any time on the final day.