Photo Tour to the Polar Bears in Churchill
Available for individual booking
Every autumn, when the ice in Hudson Bay in the Canadian province of Manitoba slowly begins to freeze, the town of Churchill becomes a mecca for polar bear photographers.
The polar bears migrate from the inland to the coast, where they wait for the ice to freeze in order to hunt seals. This is the perfect time to observe the bears in the wild. Once the ice is fully frozen by mid to late November, the polar bears move far out, and observation becomes impossible.
My partner is a locally-based photographer. His company is one of the few licensed to work independently in the Wildlife Management Area. We travel in 4×4 vehicles, each with 3 guests and a guide. The guides are all familiar with the surroundings and the needs of photographers and filmmakers. They are in constant radio contact with each other, which allows us to explore a larger area.
The lengthening autumn nights provide the perfect conditions for an extraordinary natural show. The Aurora Borealis—also known as the Northern Lights—creates beautiful green patterns across the black night sky, making every photographer excited.
Trip Details
Dates
on request / end of October / (11 days including travel)
Destination
Canada, Churchill
Number of Participants
minimum 3 people
Cost
CHF 9’250 per person (in a double room)
Questions
WhatsApp +41 79 772 49 93
Day 1
- We fly to Winnipeg, Canada (independently).
- Overnight at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Winnipeg.
Day 2
- On the second day, we fly from Winnipeg to Churchill. Depending on the arrival time of our flight, we will take a short tour of the town and then embark on our first half-day tour with the 4×4 vehicles. With our vehicles, we are very flexible and can stop wherever we want. If we spot bears, we can photograph them from the car or have the option to get out. Our guide will constantly monitor the surroundings and inform us immediately in case of danger, so we can retreat to the vehicle.
- Dinner together and overnight at the hotel in Churchill.
Day 3-8
- The following days will follow the same pattern. After breakfast at the accommodation, we head out with our vehicles in search of bears or other tundra inhabitants. For lunch, we have lunch boxes that give us the flexibility to continue our photo session without interruption if we discover something exciting. Besides animal photography, we also want to explore the surrounding landscape. Stranded ships or crashed airplanes provide interesting photo backdrops that are worth investigating.
- For two days, we will have the opportunity to explore with a tundra buggy. The buggy can travel different routes than the vehicles, allowing us a unique perspective of the bears and their surroundings.
- For those who wish, another day offers the chance to see the Churchill region from the air. The helicopter flight is optional.
- Every evening, we will keep an eye out for the magical light show – the Aurora.
- Overnight in Churchill.
Day 9
- Today, we’ll have one more tour with our vehicles. Depending on the flight connection, it will be a half- or full-day tour.
- Flight to Winnipeg.
- Overnight at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Winnipeg.
Day 10
- Today we have our flight back.
Looking forward to an incredible journey!
You can see more pictures of this unique area in my Portfolio.
Tour Leader
- Rolf Gemperle and local guides
Included
- Flight Winnipeg – Churchill – Winnipeg
- 2 nights hotel stay in Winnipeg in a double room
- 7 nights hotel stay in Churchill in a double room
- Airport transfers in Winnipeg and Churchill
- 2 full-day tours with the tundra buggy
- 4 full-day tours with 4×4 cars (3 guests per vehicle)
- 2 half-day tours with 4×4 cars (3 guests per vehicle) on arrival/departure depending on flight connections
- Aurora photography if the aurora is visible before midnight
- Breakfast, dinner in Churchill
- Photo coaching and tour guidance by Rolf Gemperle
Not included
- International flights to and from Winnipeg (via Montreal or Toronto. We can help you book your flight)
- Cancellation insurance
- Travel accident insurance
- Dinner in Winnipeg and lunch in Churchill
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips for guides
- Single room additional charge CHF 800
Is this the tour for you?
- Yes, if you appreciate nature and photography
- Temperatures in Churchill change quickly in the fall, ranging from +5 to -15 degrees
- You have winter equipment with which you can stay outside for longer periods of time
- A focal length of 400mm or more is recommended for bear photography
- On my trips, guests with all camera brands are welcome (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus, …)
