
Know Before You Go: Polar Bear Tours


Where Will I Stay on a Polar Bear Tour in Churchill?
Your polar bear adventure includes accommodations designed to keep you close to the action. Whether you stay in a cozy hotel in town, overnight at Nat Hab’s exclusive Tundra Lodge, or split your time between both, each option offers a distinct way to experience Churchill—the Polar Bear Capital of the World.
What Are the Accommodations Like in Churchill?
Tundra Lodge: A custom-designed “rolling hotel” stationed in prime polar bear habitat. Guests enjoy heated private cabins, flush toilets, a dining car, and a lounge with panoramic windows. The observation decks and sliding windows keep you immersed in the landscape, with bears often just steps away.
Churchill Hotels: Comfortable, modest hotels located in town. Expect warm hospitality, clean rooms, and easy access to restaurants, shops, and cultural experiences. Perfect for travelers who want balance—wildlife excursions by day and local culture in the evenings.
What Is Nat Hab's Tundra Lodge Like?
Nat Hab’s private custom-built Tundra Lodge is one of the most unique accommodations in the world: a mobile lodge set right on the tundra, modeled after train-style cars. It offers individual bedrooms, a dining car, and a lounge where guests gather for meals, talks, and wildlife watching.
Highlights include:
Elevated outdoor platforms and sliding windows for quick access to photography
A prime location on Hudson Bay, where polar bear density is highest
Round-the-clock wildlife immersion—you may see bears, Arctic foxes, or even northern lights without leaving the lodge
Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who want to wake up and fall asleep in polar bear country. a rolling hotel set near the shore of Hudson Bay where polar bear density is highest.
In Churchill, Canada, you can watch the lights dance over a family of polar bears from the comfort of your sleeper car. The Manitoba town, which experiences auroral activity more than 300 nights a year, is a top destination for seeing the majestic animals in the wild. Operated by Natural Habitat Adventures, a conservation-focused travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund, the Tundra Lodge offers accommodations inspired by train cars in prime bear-spotting territory. —Travel + Leisure
Should I Stay at the Tundra Lodge or In Town?
Both options offer exceptional polar bear viewing—the choice depends on your travel style:
Stay at the Tundra Lodge if you want 24/7 immersion in polar bear country. It’s one of the world’s most distinctive wildlife lodges, perfect for those who prioritize close encounters with nature over convenience.
Stay in Town Hotels if you prefer more amenities, cultural access, and flexibility. Town-based stays pair daily tundra excursions with opportunities to enjoy dog sledding, local museums, and Churchill’s welcoming community.
Whichever you choose, all itineraries include guided daily Polar Rover expeditions onto the tundra for incredible wildlife encounters.
Feature | Tundra Lodge | Churchill Hotels |
---|---|---|
Immersion | Very High – bears all day, right outside the lodge | Medium – day tours provide sightings |
Comfort | Cozy and purpose-built for wildlife immersion | Simple, clean and centrally located |
Cultural Access | Limited | High – close to town tours, shops, museums, dog sledding |
Aurora Viewing (Not Guaranteed) | Excellent – wide-open tundra views | Good – some light pollution in town |
Accessibility | Limited (stairs, not ideal for children) | More accessible for a wider range of travelers |
Churchill Accommodations
Why Should I Stay at the Tundra Lodge?
The Tundra Lodge is one of the most unique accommodations on Earth—exclusively for Nat Hab guests. Stationed on the subarctic plains near Hudson Bay, just outside the town of Churchill, Manitoba, the lodge sits in an area of exceptionally high polar bear density. This location offers some of the best polar bear viewing in the world during October and November, when bears gather to wait for the sea ice to form. For wildlife lovers and photographers, the Tundra Lodge offers an unparalleled Arctic wilderness experience.
What Makes the Tundra Lodge Unique?
24/7 Immersion in Polar Bear Habitat: Unlike town hotels, the lodge places you directly in the bears’ environment, offering round-the-clock chances to spot wildlife.
Train-Style Sleeping Quarters: The lodge has cozy rooms, each like a train compartment with either an upper or lower berth.
Shared Facilities: Six toilets and four showers are shared among guests, balancing comfort with the adventure of being on the tundra.
Wildlife Viewing Spaces: A lounge car with panoramic windows, a dining car with sliding photography windows, and outdoor observation platforms all allow close-up bear encounters.
Northern Lights Viewing: With no town lights nearby, the lodge is an excellent location for aurora watching when skies are clear.
Is the Tundra Lodge Safe and Comfortable?
Guests remain inside the lodge or on elevated decks for safety—walking outside on the ground is not permitted, as polar bears roam freely around the site. The lodge is built to provide safe, comfortable immersion in the wild, with warm interiors, hearty meals, and expert guides on hand.
What are the Hotels Like in Winnipeg and Churchill?
Accommodations for Churchill polar bear tours feature Winnipeg’s historic Fort Garry Hotel, a grand railway landmark with modern amenities, and Churchill hotels that are clean, comfortable and centrally located. These lodging options balance luxury and convenience, ensuring travelers experience both iconic heritage in Winnipeg and practical comfort in Churchill, Manitoba.
Winnipeg: The Historic Fort Garry Hotel
In Winnipeg, guests stay at the Fort Garry Hotel, one of Canada’s iconic grand railway hotels. Built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, this French château–style landmark is the city’s finest hotel and a symbol of its heritage as a hub of commerce and culture. Located just one block from Union Station, the Fort Garry blends historic grandeur with modern comforts.
Highlights include:
Elegant rooms with classic style
A cozy lounge and antique bar for unwinding
Ten Spa, a full-service spa on the top floor featuring authentic Turkish-style baths and luxurious treatments
Churchill: Simple, Comfortable Local Hotels
Churchill is a frontier outpost with a population of fewer than 1,000 residents. Accommodations here are small, modest, and functional, reflecting the remote Arctic setting. While you won’t find luxury hotels, you can expect:
Clean, comfortable rooms, each with en suite bathroom and shower
Central locations close to shops, restaurants, and cultural sites
A warm welcome from local hosts who embody northern hospitality
Because hotel space in Churchill is extremely limited, Nat Hab partners with several local properties. Room size, amenities, and services may vary, but all provide the essentials for a comfortable stay during your polar bear adventure.
Accommodation FAQs
Can I combine stays between the Tundra Lodge and Town?
Yes. Some polar bear trips are designed to give you the best of both worlds. Spend nights at the Tundra Lodge for 24/7 immersion among polar bears, then transition to a hotel in Churchill for access to cultural sites, town tours, and a taste of local life. It’s an excellent way to maximize both wildlife encounters and community experiences.
Are Churchill accommodations family-friendly?
Churchill Hotels: Best suited for families, with private rooms, en suite bathrooms, and easy access to town activities like dog sledding and museums.
Tundra Lodge: Better for older kids and teens. Facilities are shared, space is limited, and the immersive tundra setting appeals to adventurous families.
Do rooms have private bathrooms?
Town Hotels: Yes, all hotel rooms include private en suite bathrooms with showers.
Tundra Lodge: Shared toilets and showers, similar to train sleeper-style accommodations.
What are the dining options?
In Town: Meals are served at local restaurants. Expect hearty, simple fare—soups, roasts, pastas, and fresh-baked bread—that warms you after a day on the tundra.
At the Tundra Lodge: Gourmet-style meals prepared daily by an on-site chef. Enjoy hot soups, baked entrées, fresh salads, and homemade desserts in the cozy dining car.
On Polar Rovers: Packed lunches are served aboard, typically including homemade soups, sandwiches, and cookies.
Dietary Needs: Most restrictions can be accommodated with advanced notice.
How do we look for polar bears from our accommodations?
From Town Hotels: Guests head out daily on Polar Rover excursions. These vehicles are heated and feature rooftop viewing platforms for safe, elevated perspectives of the tundra.
From the Tundra Lodge: Bears often wander right past the lodge. Guests watch from lounge windows, outdoor observation decks, or elevated platforms. Lodge-based itineraries also include outings aboard Polar Rovers for wider exploration.
Is there Wi-Fi or cell service in the Churchill accommodations?
Town Hotels: Limited Wi-Fi is usually available, though speeds are slower than in major cities. Cell service is available but can be inconsistent.
Tundra Lodge: No Wi-Fi or cell service. The experience is designed as a digital disconnect so you can fully immerse yourself in the Arctic environment.
What should I pack for staying in Churchill hotels or the Tundra Lodge?
Warm indoor layers—both town hotels and the lodge are heated, but you’ll want comfort clothing inside.
Slippers or cozy socks—handy for walking between lodge cars.
A headlamp or small flashlight—useful for lodge stays when moving between shared facilities at night.
Will I see the northern lights from my accommodation?
Although Churchill sits beneath the aurora oval, northern lights sightings in October and November are sporadic due to cloud cover and snow squalls.
Tundra Lodge: Excellent chances, with wide-open tundra views and no light pollution.
Town Hotels: Good potential, though lights from town can limit visibility. Many tours drive outside Churchill for darker skies when aurora activity is high.
Nat Hab's Churchill Polar Bear Tours

Canada's Premier Polar Bear Adventure
Meet the King of the Arctic! Our flagship polar bear tour is an expertly guided small-group adventure to see the world's largest concentration of polar bears in their wild tundra home on Hudson Bay.

Polar Bear Quest & Helicopter Safari
A total immersion in the world of the polar bear! View bears from our custom Polar Rover, visit a polar bear den, survey the tundra by helicopter, and learn about the history and culture of the Canadian North.

Ultimate Churchill: Tundra Lodge & Town
Stay at our exclusive Tundra Lodge, situated for unparalleled proximity to roving polar bears—then add two nights in the frontier town of Churchill to experience the culture of the Canadian North.

Tundra Lodge Adventure
Watch polar bears around the clock from our private Tundra Lodge, stationed in an area of high bear density. This is arguably the most extraordinary polar bear encounter in the world!

Churchill’s Belugas, Polar Bears & Arctic Wildlife
Meet hundreds of friendly beluga whales up close via Zodiac and kayak, and look for caribou, polar bears, Arctic fox and more on this exhilarating summer adventure in the Canadian subarctic.

Churchill Polar Bear Photo Expedition
Our flagship polar bear photo safari is an exhilarating small-group adventure among the world's largest concentration of polar bears along Hudson Bay, guided by top naturalists who are photography pros.

Tundra Lodge Photo Expedition
The ultimate polar bear photography adventure! Stay at our private lodge in the bears’ domain 24/7 on this immersive Arctic photo safari, led by top photographers who are also expert naturalists.

Beluga Whales & Polar Bears: Churchill Summer Photo Expedition
Photograph hundreds of beluga whales in the Churchill River, take a private helicopter flight for aerial shots of roving polar bears, look for Arctic fox and hare, and capture close-ups of brilliant tundra wildflowers.