Tundra Lodge Photo Expedition

A very important feature of our polar bear trips is the limited group size. Nature and wildlife are always best experienced in smaller groups, and this is particularly important on our photography expeditions, to enhance our access to the best photography opportunities and personalized attention from our Expedition Leaders. We limit our group to approximately 29 travelers, and on tundra wildlife drives aboard the Polar Rovers, we generally accommodate 16 guests, leaving plenty of room for you to spread out, store your gear, and move around the Rover to get the best perspectives on the polar bears.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations in Winnipeg and on our private Tundra Lodge, services of Nat Hab's professional Photography Expedition Leaders and assistants, Polar Rover excursions, dog sledding excursion, evening wildlife and cultural presentations, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some alcoholic beverages, cold-weather gear including a parka and boots during your trip, most gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.
  

• Internal air cost includes: Round-trip private charter flights from Winnipeg to Churchill.

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), optional travel protection and medical evacuation insurance.

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.

Our Tundra Lodge polar bear photo tour is designed specifically for avid photographers who want to spend their days shooting. Our Expedition Leaders will impart their expertise in both nature interpretation and photography techniques, helping guests capture outstanding images of the Arctic environment and its resident wildlife, with a focus, of course, on polar bears. 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.

Regarding polar bears in general: Polar bears are typically found in the Churchill area year-round. The highest concentration occurs in October and November as the bears gather on the shores of Hudson Bay awaiting the annual freeze-up. Sometimes the best bear viewing is at the beginning of the season, sometimes it happens in the middle, and sometimes at the end—we never know for sure. Once Hudson Bay freezes, many of them depart. Historically, this has occurred in early December, but an unusually early cold spell sometimes happens, hastening their departure.

Meals
Please understand that the meals in Churchill are specially planned and prepared for well in advance. With ample notice, dietary requirements due to serious medical conditions or strict personal restrictions can be met, but must be adhered to while on the adventure. If you have a very restricted diet, we recommend bringing some of your preferred snacks along with the appreciation that certain foods are limited in this part of the world.

In case of flight or weather delays, we recommend that you arrive a day early. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 5 pm in order to attend a 7 pm orientation dinner on Day 1 of your program. You are free to depart at any time on the final day.