Great Ice Bear Adventure

Highlights

Sky gazing! Opportunity to enjoy the Aurora Borealis

Exploring the historic port of Churchill, meeting local characters, and uncovering its charms

Indulging your taste buds with tundra-inspired cuisine, complemented by select Canadian wines while at the Lodge

Educational evening presentations by naturalist guides

Daily guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-close and-personal, in their natural habitat

Enjoy a chartered Tundra Buggy® tour as you explore a different part of the Hudson Bay coastline

7 days

From

NZD 22,641

per person, twin share

Download PDF Make an enquiry

Travelling with kids? Read more

All services are subject to availability.

Overview

The traditional polar bear season encompasses the months of October and November. During this time, the polar bears congregate on the coast in large numbers while waiting for the Hudson Bay to freeze. This allows them passage onto the Bay where they will feast on seals until the spring. Our Great Ice Bear Adventure takes place during this period of abundance.

You will fly 30 km north of Churchill to this exclusive polar bear lodge along the Hudson Bay coastline. The remote location allows for a much wider range of wildlife viewing than would be possible in the town-based tours. Beyond the majestic ice bears, you may also see wolves, moose, Arctic foxes, ptarmigans (a furry footed grouse), and snowy owls, to name a few. After your time at the Lodge you will be transferred back to Churchill to for a private Tundra Buggy® tour where you’ll enjoy more time with the beautiful white bears.

Inclusions

2 nights in Winnipeg

3 nights at Dymond Lake Ecolodge

1 night in Churchill

Return airfare from Winnipeg to Churchill

Return airfare from Churchill to Dymond Lake Lodge

All meals while in Churchill and at the Lodge

All excursions while in Churchill and at the Lodge

Guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge

Winter clothing rental while at the Lodge

Itinerary

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Day 1 Winnipeg

Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel. Your winter gear fitting and collection will take place at 5:00pm prior to meeting the rest of your group at an orientation dinner hosted by a Churchill Wild representative.

Overnight in Winnipeg at The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel.

Dinner

Winnipeg | Credit: Travel Manitoba

Day 2 Winnipeg Churchill Dymond Lake Ecolodge

Arrive in Churchill by air where expert staff will meet you at the airport and will provide you with instructions of the morning transfers. You will then be transferred by fixed wing aircraft to Dymond Lake Ecolodge. This short flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast. Keep a sharp eye en route for possible sightings of moose, wolves, and of course, the ‘Great Ice Bears’.

Upon arrival, your hosts will provide a tour and show you to your room. Lunch will be served soon after, and before heading out on your first excursion, you’ll be thoroughly debriefed regarding your stay in polar bear country. This day includes a guided hike on our rugged and starkly beautiful coastline, an interpretive slide show featuring the wildlife of Hudson Bay, and hopefully a clear night for viewing the Aurora Borealis.

Dymond Lake Ecoloodge features an Aurora viewing tower for northern lights observation. All this will be topped off with a lunch and dinner where your hosts and guides will regale you with tales of life and adventures in Canada’s Arctic.

Overnight stay at the Dymond Lake Ecolodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Winnipeg → Churchill → Dymond Lake Ecolodge

Dymond Lake Ecolodge | Credit: Dennis Fast Churchill Wild

Day 3 - 4 Dymond Lake Ecolodge

Each morning after a hot breakfast, your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions. If there are bears near the Lodge, your morning tour may be delayed to take advantage of these photo and observation opportunities. The walks are comfortably paced as they are geared towards plenty of viewing and photo opportunities.

Back at the lodge, enjoy appetizer hour followed by one of our signature tundra-inspired meals. Evenings typically include an informative lecture or slide show presentation narrated by one of Churchill Wild’s knowledgeable guides or staff. On clear nights, you may also have a chance to view one of the spectacular aurora borealis displays common at this latitude.

Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. The staff monitor the compound and skies and will rouse you if the aurora or a nocturnal polar bear make an appearance.

Overnights at Dymond Lake Ecolodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Credit: D. Tippell Churchill Wild

Day 5 Dymond Lake Ecolodge Churchill

After another hearty Lodge breakfast, we will begin air transfers back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.

Back in Churchill, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring Churchill and area and learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military town. Your tour will include stops such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Along the way, your guide will point out murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival. Before a group dinner, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.

Overnight in Churchill at one of the hotels or B&B's

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Churchill | Credit: Travel Manitoba

Day 6 Churchill Winnipeg

Today you will travel across the tundra in a Tundra Buggy® for more polar bear viewing. Transportation by bus to and from the launch site is provided pre- and post-tour. You’ll have lunch out on the tundra during your tour.

Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place this evening. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head
out of the arrivals doors and back to The Grand Hotel.

Overnight in Winnipeg at The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch

Tundra Buggy® | Credit: Jessica Burtnick Frontiers North

Day 7 Winnipeg

After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home.

Accommodation

The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel

Winnipeg
Just steps away, we’re across the street and to the right of the airport terminal James A. Richardson International Airport – YWG.
Every room features a Keurig coffee machine with complimentary Starbucks coffee pods, a 46 inch LED Samsung Smart TV with 20 HD Channels, mini-fridge, complimentary Vivreau water in a designer glass bottle, and washrooms designed with a day at the spa in mind. The Blue Marble is the in-house restaurant and it is opened for lunch and dinner.

Dymond Lake Ecolodge

Churchill
The location of Dymond Lake Lodge, nestled near the treeline of the Boreal Forest, gives it a true wilderness feeling. Being close to both the coast and the forest means the variety of wildlife is unparalleled. Polar bears, moose, fox, pine marten, snowy owls, and even the elusive wolverine are known visitors of this unique destination.
This property has eight double occupancy rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. Stay in one of our cozy guest cabins and indulge in Arctic gourmet cuisine in the main lodge.
The fenced-in compound keeps you safe as you move about and allows you to get within mere feet of the wildlife that stop by to check things out. It’s also great when you want to lie on the tundra, watching the northern lights dance across the sky!
In the evenings, gather together in the main building for fellowship or enjoy some quiet time in the small common areas located in each guest cabin.

Dymond Lake Ecolodge, lounge | Credit: Scott Zielke

Additional information

2025 Departures

October - 20, 23, 26 & 29
November - 1, 4, 7 & 10

Please note that this product is not part of our flexible booking policy as the supplier terms and conditions apply. Our team will advise of the exact booking conditions at the time of booking.
The winter gear is sized and issued in Winnipeg and the clients will wear or pack their gear in their own luggage. The winter gear is cold weather rated to the requirements to maximize guest comfort. The gear package includes a winter parka, insulated pants and insulated winter boots. If your clients opt to fly privately to Churchill, the supplier will not be able to provide winter gear as the inventory is only available in Winnipeg.

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

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Great Ice Bear Adventure

Canada

From NZD 21,159

From NZD 22,641

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