Autumn comes early to the Canadian North, and it's a magical time in Churchill, where seasonal shifts bring a chance to spot polar bears, beluga whales and the northern lights on the same adventure. By late August, the subarctic air turns crisp. The emerald green of high summer on the tundra has become a tapestry of burgundy, russet and gold—and a photogenic backdrop for a creamy white polar bears in the foreground. We may see roaming mothers and cubs, anticipating the freeze-up of Hudson Bay in late fall when they will move onto the sea ice for hunting season. Hundreds of friendly white beluga whales still crowd the Churchill River until mid-September, when they start to migrate north out of the bay and into the Arctic Ocean. And with daylight diminishing and darkness returning, the aurora makes her appearance again, dancing among the stars when night skies are clear.
Look for Bears & Belugas amid the Colors of Autumn
As early fall turns the tundra to red and gold, roving polar bears stand out, and white whales are still on view before returning to open waters for the winter
Watch for the Northern Lights from a Remote Lodge
By late August, nights darken, making the aurora visible again when it appears in clear skies—enjoy unimpeded viewing from our lodge outside town
Take a Scenic Helicopter Flight to a Polar Bear Den
Survey tundra, taiga and Hudson Bay from on high as we fly over the subarctic terrain and land at a vacant polar bear den to peek inside
An All-Encompassing Churchill Adventure
This in-depth itinerary takes place at an unusual time of year, when summer visitors have headed home and the fall focus on polar bears hasn't yet ramped up. It's an appealing season for varied activities in and around Churchill, and no one brings them together as fully and seamlessly as we do. Read more about what makes this trip special:
See More When You Straddle the Seasons
For a brief time, as late summer gives way to early autumn, it's possible to have the widest variety of experiences available in Churchill at the same time. During this transition, polar bears roam the region, not yet massing on the edge of Hudson Bay by late fall as they await freeze-up. Beluga whales still crowd the Churchill River, not yet heading out on their fall migration to the open ocean. And with the return of dark night skies, it's possible to see the northern lights again when they make their appearance.Stay in Town and on the Tundra for the Fullest Experience
Spend three nights in the town of Churchill, enjoying proximity to local life, plus two nights at White Whale Lodge, located in solitude on the tundra near the edge of Hudson Bay. In this remote spot, we are well away from any artificial light, making for optimal aurora-viewing conditions should the northern lights make an appearance.Look for the Northern Lights from Two Exclusive Locations
At White Whale Lodge, where we spend two nights, we have access to aurora viewing all night long. It's never possible to predict when the lights will show up, but if they do, we'll watch them from an optimal location, far from the glow of town. We also visit Nat Hab's new Boreal Lounge, an exclusive two-story structure with huge windows and a curved glass roof for a 360° view on the heavens in heated comfort.Find Good Chances to See Both Belugas & Polar Bears
At this transitional time of year, both beluga whales and polar bears are present in the Churchill region. Polar bears have been waiting out the summer, eager for cold temperatures to freeze Hudson Bay so they can hunt seals in winter. Belugas are still in the Churchill River where they spend the latter half of the summer feeding before returning to the open ocean later in the fall. Our odds are good for multiple sightings of both.Fly by Helicopter to Explore a Vacant Polar Bear Den
There's nothing like surveying the landscape from the air to get a more vivid understanding of an ecosystem, and on a scenic helicopter flight, we look down on three that converge around Churchill: tundra, taiga (boreal forest) and the marine environment of Hudson Bay. During our excursion, we'll land on the tundra to check out a vacant polar bear denning site—a rare experience few visitors to Churchill get!Explore the Tundra and Look for Wildlife by Polar Rover
One day we'll head onto the tundra in a private Polar Rover, a custom-built vehicle designed for navigating this uneven terrain and maximizing wildlife viewing, with big plate-glass windows and an open observation platform on the back. Keep an eye out for occasional polar bears and other tundra wildlife, including Arctic fox, Arctic hare and ptarmigan.Photograph Wildlife Against a Colorful Autumn Backdrop
Fall comes early to the North, and colder temperatures by mid-August signal plants that a seasonal change is afoot. Wildflowers fade and the once-green tundra becomes a variegated palette of red, rust, burgundy and gold, a gorgeous mix of shades behind wildlife subjects in the foreground.Enjoy Varied Activities & Exploration Modes
This is our longest Churchill trip, and we make the most of it, with a mix of activities and conveyances. You'll explore our environs via Polar Rover, helicopter, Zodiac excursions on the Churchill River among the belugas, optional kayaking with whales, and a cart ride with a team of sled dogs. Meet the musher who trains and runs them, and connect with other Churchill locals who share their northern lifestyles with us.Learn About Churchill’s Rich Cultural Heritage
The Churchill region has been home to varied Indigenous cultures for thousands of years, including Inuit, Cree, Dene and Metis, and we'll meet representatives during our visit who bring their history and contemporary traditions alive. Churchill is also shaped by European influence, starting in the 17th century with the arrival of Danish and British explorers and fur traders who established a fort and trading post for the Hudson Bay Company, the legacy of which remains.Travel with the Finest Naturalist Guides on the Planet
Natural Habitat Adventures is known for employing the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Polar Bear Expedition Leaders—who have been guiding bear tours for an average of more than 10 years each—receive additional training and resources from WWF’s top scientists, ensuring a superlative interpretive experience. Expedition Leaders meet you in Winnipeg and travel with the group the entire way, sharing their wealth of 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 with traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.|Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Churchill Adventure
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.
