Come Eye to Eye with Friendly Belugas on a Northern Canada Adventure
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE!
Few of nature’s marvels match the intense aliveness of an Arctic summer. In a region that's frozen, still and dark for much of the year, the Northland awakens with a burst of energy during these long days when the tundra turns green, wildflowers appear, animals come forth in great flocks and herds, and belugas return for their summer feasting. More than 3,000 of these amiable white whales congregate at the mouth of the Churchill River, and our motorized rafts and kayaks put us at eye level with these often-curious cetaceans. On the surrounding tundra, look for terrestrial wildlife—we may even spot polar bears, their creamy coats contrasting with the rocky shoreline and dark boreal forest. With the remote yet accessible town of Churchill as our base on Hudson Bay, we are surrounded by the flurry of natural wonders a northern summer provides.
Click here to learn about our special photo departures.
Click here to learn about our special photo departures.
Trip Highlights
- See & Hear Dozens of Belugas Up CloseMore than 3,000 beluga whales enter the Churchill River each summer—come within arm's reach by Zodiac and kayak, and listen to their songs via hydrophone
- Search for Polar Bears by HelicopterLook for roving polar bears on a scenic flight over the tundra and taiga forest—the only way to survey this roadless wilderness terrain
- Take a Tundra Safari & Ride Behind Sled DogsBy Polar Rover, search for caribou, Arctic and red fox, Arctic hare, snowy owl and ptarmigan, and meet a local musher and his dog team for a cart ride
WWF In Action
Why Choose Us for Your Churchill Summer Adventure?
More than one operator offers summer tours in the Churchill area. We’re confident our northern nature adventure is a cut above the rest, with elements and inclusions you won't find elsewhere. Here’s what you can expect when you discover a Churchill summer with Nat Hab:
- Small Groups for Better Wildlife Viewing
With no more than 14 guests, you can expect low-impact wildlife encounters and plenty of personal interaction with our Expedition Leader. And we split our small group in half when we travel by Zodiac to see the belugas, for the most intimate encounters. - Private Zodiac Excursions Among the Whales
We use our own private motorized rafts, chartered from Churchill’s highest-quality and most reliable boat company, to visit belugas in the mouth of the Churchill River—with no more than seven passengers per boat. This ensures clear viewing, easy photography accessand a flexible timetable. - Listen to the Belugas by Hydrophone
Belugas are delightfully vocal whales. And while it is thrilling to see them up close, our experience is enhanced further by the chance to hear them as well. Most boat excursions don’t offer the opportunity to listen in with hydrophones—but we do! - Kayak with the Pod
When the tides are right, we offer the chance to kayak among the belugas—an up-close encounter in solitude that's broken only by the splash of your paddle and the whales' inquisitive interactions as they approach your boat. - Take a Ride with Local Sled Dogs
Just because it's not winter doesn't mean you can't have an authentic sled dog encounter! We meet with a local musher to learn all about this historic form of northern transportation and recreation, then take a ride behind his enthusiastic team as they pull us in a wheeled cart. - Exclusive Summer Access to the Churchill Wildlife Management Area
We're one of just two tour operators in Churchill with an exclusive permit to access the full range of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) via Polar Rover tundra vehicle during the summer. This is where we may see polar bears, Arctic fox and other northern wildlife. Other operators use school-bus vehicles and can only drive along the road to Halfway Point, which is, as the name implies, just halfway to the best wildlife-viewing area. You’ve come all the way to Churchill to see wildlife…why not make sure you have the best chance to do so? - Northern Lights? The Odds May Be Good!
Located directly beneath the Van Allen Belt, a band of energy-charged particles that wraps the earth's polar regions, Churchill is one of the best places on Earth to see the aurora borealis. Originating in solar flares, these particles are carried by solar wind, becoming trapped in Earth’s magnetic field to create the phenomenon of the northern lights. As days get shorter toward summer's end, our chances increase to witness the lights in a darkening night sky. - Cultural Interactions with Local Residents
Through years of developing close relationships with local people, we are able to offer our guests the exclusive opportunity to meet revered elders of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultures in Churchill. These storytellers are some of the last of their generation in their communities, sharing their knowledge of past and present with our travelers. - The Finest Naturalist Guides on the Planet
Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for employing the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Churchill Expedition Leaders have been guiding tours in this region for an average of more than 10 years. And they receive additional training and resources from WWF’s top scientists, ensuring the best interpretive experience available. Expedition Leaders meet each guest in Winnipeg and travel with the group the entire way, sharing their knowledge and insight at every turn. Our philosophy is pretty simple: a nature adventure is only as good as the guide, so we simply must provide the best! See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders. - Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Superior North Country Experience
Natural Habitat Adventures offers an exclusive guarantee, clearly stating that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise. - Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007. - Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world's leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
