Optimally located in prime polar bear habitat, this distinctive, customized rolling hotel offers unmatched close-up polar bear viewing opportunities and a full, supremely comfortable Arctic immersion.
Photo by: Brad Josephs
Tundra Lodge Adventure
You won't find a more comfortable way to observe polar bears than from the Tundra Lodge. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to polar bears and perhaps even witness arctic foxes and hares and the magical northern lights.
Oct
Nov
FROM
$12,595
USD
PER PERSON
/
Tundra Lodge Adventure is a 6- or 7-day experience based in Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world. Experience polar bear viewing day and night in the subarctic tundra aboard the Tundra Lodge, a custom-designed rolling hotel that offers unparalleled seclusion and proximity to wild bears.
By day, explore aboard comfortable all-terrain tundra vehicles called Polar Rovers and perhaps be inches away from a polar bear below the corrugated steel mesh floors, where the more curious bears often walk. By night, be immersed in the Hudson Bay polar bear migration from inside the Tundra Lodge, where each guest has a private sleeping berth with window through which to watch polar bears and perhaps even the northern lights.
Stay two nights in the town of Churchill for cultural activities and a chance to meet the hardy locals who call this subarctic outpost home. Learn about the historic frontier, once a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, and its distinctive northern identity through cultural presentations. Meet a local dog musher and his team to learn all about working sled dogs, and ride behind the enthusiastic huskies as they race through the boreal forest.
In addition to the main 6-day itinerary, there’s a 7-day Photography Adventure that focuses on photographing polar bears, with an accomplished photographer as your guide. And the 7-day Ultimate Churchill: Tundra Lodge & Town adds the unique opportunity to explore the historic town of Churchill.
You won’t find a more comfortable way to leisurely observe polar bears than from the Tundra Lodge. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in warmth and comfort. Don’t miss this chance to possibly check polar bears and the northern lights off your bucket list!
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic tours, Arctic trips, Canada adventure travel and northern lights tours.
6-Day Tundra Lodge Adventure Itinerary
Winnipeg, CanadaWinnipeg, Canada
The 6-day Tundra Lodge Adventure trip is aboard a custom Polar Rover that sits directly on the tundra, offering round-the-clock proximity to polar bears. This trip offers optimal polar bear viewing, begins and ends in Winnipeg, Canada, and includes a charter flight to and from Churchill.
Arrive in Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba. Once a fur-trading post and boomtown for the Canadian Pacific
Railway, today Winnipeg is the cultural and commercial center of the province, lying on the eastern edge of the vast Canadian prairie. Transfer to the historic Fort Garry Hotel, grande dame of Winnipeg hospitality and one of the city’s most prestigious landmarks. Once you arrive, visit the gear room in the hotel to pick up your heavy arctic parka and winter boots to use while you are in Churchill. This evening, join the expedition leader at a welcome dinner.
Fly to Churchill and transfer by Polar Rover to the Tundra Lodge, watching for arctic wildlife against the expansive backdrop along the way. On arrival, a presentation on polar bears by the expedition leader provides an enlightening introduction to your northern adventure. Dinner this evening is prepared by a professional chef who resides at the lodge during the season. Don’t be surprised, though, if your meal is interrupted by a mad dash to the windows to watch a polar bear lumbering over the tundra around the lodge.
The Tundra Lodge is strategically positioned at the beginning of each season in a spot that attracts the greatest number of polar bears in the Churchill area. Inquisitive bears often approach the lodge, which features rows of windows and raised observation decks to accommodate your curiosity. Find Ursus maritimus even more majestic up close than you could have imagined. Yet these giant bears, the largest land carnivores in the world, are charming and whimsical. It is a rare treasure to see them in their wild habitat. As you watch them interact, you’ll be delighted by their antics and rugged beauty. You may see mothers protecting and teaching their cubs, young males play-fighting, or massive adults patrolling the shore as they wait for the bay to freeze, which signals the start of their winter seal-hunting season.
The unique location of the Tundra Lodge, combined with excursions in the special all-terrain tundra vehicles (Polar Rovers), affords the best possible wildlife encounters in the region. The small spit of land where the lodge is located often attracts the greatest number of bears in the entire area. The group will typically split time between a half-day Rover excursion trip and viewing bears from the lodge, in order to split the group of 29 into smaller groups. In addition to polar bears, you may see caribou, arctic fox, arctic hare, ptarmigan and snowy owls. At the end of each exhilarating day, retire to your cozy accommodations for dinner and presentations. In the light cast by the lodge across the frozen tundra, look for the illuminated eyes of animals. And with luck, enjoy a rare clear fall night when the northern lights may appear after darkness descends—Churchill has some of the world’s most concentrated auroral activity.
This morning, board the Polar Rover, leaving the frosty coastline of Hudson Bay in the distance as you make your way back to Churchill. Your return flight to Winnipeg is scheduled to depart in the mid- to late afternoon, to offer as much time as possible for exploring Churchill today. This rough-and-tumble town was once a historic Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post, and even today it retains much of its frontier character. A special highlight this morning is a traditional dog sled ride. Meet a local musher and his team, spending time with the enthusiastic huskies before taking turns riding behind them on a thrilling excursion through the boreal forest. If time permits, you may be able to pick up a few northern handicrafts and souvenirs or take an optional helicopter tour over the tundra before you depart. Enjoy a farewell lunch together before flying back to Winnipeg, where there is a final reception before your adventure concludes.
After breakfast, a transfer to the airport is provided for homeward flights.
Included
Accommodations in Winnipeg and on private Tundra Lodge; services of professional 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 the trip; most gratuities; airport transfers (not including internal air); all activities and entrance fees; all taxes, permits and service fees.
Exclusions
Travel to and from the start and end point of the 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 (strongly recommended); insurance of any kind; cost of internal air, which includes round-trip private charter flights from Winnipeg to Churchill ($1,689 in 2026 to be added to your invoice).
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $500 is required per person at time of booking. Deposit may be transferred to a new departure date of this trip anytime before the balance of the trip price is due, 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days – $100 cancellation fee
120 to 61 days – 50% of total trip cost
60 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
The Tundra Lodge Adventure begins and ends in Winnipeg, Manitoba (YWG). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Winnipeg no later than 5:30pm on Day 1 of the itinerary in order to participate in a mandatory group welcome briefing and dinner beginning at 7pm. Plan flights to depart Winnipeg anytime on the final day of the trip. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.
Internal Flights
Required internal group flights on Day 2 and the second-to-last day of your itinerary, between Winnipeg and Churchill, are not included in the rate; see the mandatory transfer package information listed in this trip’s Exclusions.
Activities
The Tundra Lodge Adventure is a genuine wilderness experience, located in an exceptionally remote and rugged area that is accessed via a charter flight. Activities take place in this remote and rugged environment with unpredictable weather, so be prepared for a true wilderness adventure. Active days revolve around watching for bears from the Tundra Lodge and possible excursions in polar rovers. A night may be spent watching for the aurora borealis. Other daytime activities may include free time in Churchill, dog sledding or an opportunity for an optional hour-long helicopter excursion for up to 5 guests over the tundra (inquire for pricing & details).
Room Configuration
Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy room may do so at a $195 (2026) supplement, in addition to the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Solo travelers willing to share, please ask your Adventure Specialist about the possibility of matching with a roommate; this program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found.
Families & Children
Due to the expedition nature of this program, children must be 16 years old at time of departure.
Travel Insurance
Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $250,000 per person. If you decline the operator’s insurance, then you must provide proof of third-party insurance. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.
Itinerary Notes
Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the guides’ discretion. Remember that flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition. This itinerary has been run over 1,500 times and there have only been a handful of occasions where the polar bears have been missed. Some sightings are up close, other are far away or even from helicopter. It is important to remember that visiting the Churchill area is one of the best opportunities to see polar bears in the wild; however, the experience is weather dependent, which means that viewing polar bears, and the distance at which one may be seen, is unpredictable and not guaranteed.
Polar Bear Season
Polar bears are typically found in the Churchill area year-round with the highest concentration 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. 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.
Variable Departure Details
Rates and dates are tentative and will be allocated to guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your Adventure Specialist will confirm details at time of booking.
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The Tundra Lodge is located on the subarctic tundra outside the small Canadian frontier town of Churchill, Manitoba near the edge of Hudson Bay. This unique, custom-built rolling hotel is strategically positioned in an area of high polar bear density at the beginning of each polar bear season, which runs from October through November.
Exclusive permits allow the Tundra Lodge access to the best bear-viewing area in a private and remote location. This location sits where the ice first begins to form on the bay, attracting polar bears at the very beginning of the bear-viewing season. Tundra Lodge offers an immersive and personalized Arctic wilderness experience, putting guests in prime polar bear habitat around the clock without sacrificing comfort. There is simply nothing else like it.
Tundra Lodge Review
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Tundra Lodge review includes a detailed description and photo gallery. Our adventure travel experts can help compare the Tundra Lodge with other Arctic land adventure lodges on Arctic tours and Canada adventure travel.
Choose the Tundra Lodge for a unique and authentic Canadian Arctic experience with unmatched polar bear viewing opportunities while enjoying the comforts of the lodge and the expertise of the expedition leaders. For wildlife photographers and enthusiasts, no place offers a better spot for coveted close-up shots of polar bears in their natural habitat.
Common Areas at Tundra Lodge
This custom “train” with two sleeping cars, a lounge and a dining car, is built on wheels, allowing it to be stationed for optimal bear viewing each season. The lounge car has plenty of couches and seating with sliding windows for easy viewing and photography access. There is a television with a DVD player in the lounge, as well as a projector for presentations.
The separate dining car has several communal tables all next to sliding windows, so you never miss the wildlife encounters. The professional chef prepares all meals in the open kitchen next to the spacious dining area. Coffee, tea and snacks are always available in the dining room. The bar provides beer and wine, but those wishing to drink other alcohol are allowed to bring their own.
To optimize up-close and safe polar bear encounters, there are raised outdoor viewing platforms with see-through steel mesh, allowing for a unique perspective to see below. The outdoor viewing platforms are also ideal for aurora watching when the northern lights are visible.
Activities at Tundra Lodge
Although polar bears often come directly up to the Tundra Lodge, specially designed all-terrain tundra Polar Rover vehicles are used on daily excursions to get up close to the largest concentrations of wildlife. In addition to polar bears, other arctic wildlife may include caribou, arctic fox, arctic hare, ptarmigan and snowy owls. The Polar Rover can accommodate 30 guests, but excursions are limited to 16 at a time, guaranteeing everyone has plenty of space to enjoy a window seat, angle for the best photos and enjoy a personal experience with the polar bears.
These vehicles raise guests safely above the bears without sacrificing viewing opportunities: the windows open for unencumbered photography, and there is a back viewing deck for an open-air experience of the tundra. The vehicles, utilitarian in design, are heated and equipped with toilets. Hot and cold beverages, along with picnic meals and snacks will keep you comfortable throughout the excursion.
During the evening, the expedition guides will give enlightening wildlife and cultural presentations in the lounge. On fortunate clear nights, the spectacular auroral borealis can often be seen while far out on the tundra, away from the lights of town.
Guides at Tundra Lodge
Ensuring the richest interpretive experience and exceptional personal attention, two expedition leaders guide this trip. Their in-depth knowledge and experience mean better, closer and more inspiring encounters with the northern landscape and its Arctic wildlife. These expedition leaders have been guiding polar bear trips for an average of 10 years each. They also receive additional training from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) scientists.
Accommodations at Tundra Lodge
This custom “train” offers two sleeping cars with a total of 32 rooms for guests. Each 4' x 8' room is a single compartment similar to sleeping quarters on a train, with either a single upper or lower berth. Each room also has a private window, storage area for luggage, small light, charging outlets and a winter parka and boots for each guest. There are six shared bathrooms, each with a flush toilet and sink. Four showers are also shared amongst the guests with shampoo, conditioner, soap and towels provided. These facilities are located between the two sleeper cars.
The Fort Garry Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg and is a mix of Old World elegance and modern style. One of Canada's lavish railway hotels built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in 1913, the property has long been a symbol of the prairie city's importance as a transportation and commerce hub. Located downtown one block from Union Station, this historic landmark and gracious accommodation built in French chateau style is Winnipeg's finest hotel, exuding an atmosphere of the opulence that prevailed during the glory days of the development of the Canadian West.
Dining at Fort Garry Hotel
The Fort Garry's famous buffet breakfast is served in the elegant Broadway dining room, and guests can enjoy a relaxing drink in the Palm Lounge with its antique bar. The Oval Room Brasserie is an architectural gem and the only restaurant in Winnipeg serving fresh Canadian brasserie cuisine crafted by an expert culinary team, with an extensive wine list.
Amenities at Fort Garry Hotel
The hotel offers a fully equipped fitness center with a yoga room, indoor pool, whirlpool, jogging track and steam room. A visit to the 10th floor Ten Spa, an authentic Turkish-style bath and spa located on the top floor of the hotel, is a reward after a week in the Arctic chill. Select from advanced treatments curated from the world’s finest spas and relax in thermal suites featuring experiential showers, light and aroma therapy steam rooms.
Accommodations at Fort Garry Hotel
There are 240 spacious, non-smoking guest rooms and suites with a range of bed options: 1 double, 2 doubles, 1 queen, 2 queens or 1 king. No accoutrement is spared to ensure that guests enjoy an exceptionally comfortable stay. Guest rooms feature 10-foot ceilings; exquisite beds with premium Italian linens, down duvets and feather pillows; beautifully appointed bathrooms with Turkish cotton towels, bathrobes and deluxe L'Occitane beauty products; Nespresso coffee; TV with in-room movies; and free local phone calls and WiFi.
Lodging in the Arctic town of Churchill is scarce, and to accommodate demand there are a variety of local properties used for the Classic Polar Bear Adventure. The limited options means the hotels used are small and simple. While they would certainly not be considered fancy by any means, they are clean, comfortable and conveniently located in the center of town. Every room reserved on a polar bear tour has its own private bathroom with a shower. Room size, amenities and range of services may vary among hotels despite comparable pricing. Below are noted on possible Churchill hotels.
Polar Boutique Inn & Suites
This locally owned and family run property offers 21 rooms and 4 suites, all with ensuite facilities and beds sized in king, queen or double. Amenities include a hairdryer, cable TV, in-room coffee maker, mini fridge, phone and WiFi. Enjoy a complimentary self-serve continental breakfast each day, with options such as belgian waffles, bagels, egg sandwiches, yogurt, fresh fruit, juices, coffee and tea. Relax in a beautiful green courtyard with flowers and a timber framed deck. Or share stories of the day and enjoy the books and games available in the main lobby. An onsite gift shop features unique local and hand-made goods.
Aurora Inn
This family-friendly, centrally located hotel offers 18 spacious apartment-style rooms with a loft bedroom, private bathroom, living room, dining area and kitchenette. The kitchenette provides a refrigerator, oven, range and coffee marker. An onsite laundry room with washers and dryers provides convenience. And the property is wheel chair accessible.
Churchill Hotel
The Churchill Hotel features 25 comfortable rooms with either two double beds or one queen bed, 2 of which are designed for guests with reduced mobility. Gather with fellow travelers for a daily complimentary continental breakfast of pastries, cereal and hot drinks in a clean, no-frills lounge. The lounge offers coffee, tea and snacks throughout the day. Enjoy WiFi throughout the hotel, and cable TV in every room.
Seaport Hotel
The Seaport Hotel offers 21 spacious, well-appointed guest rooms with comfortable, cozy accommodations and decor. Each guest room comes equipped with WiFi. An eclectically themed bar and lounge provides a place to swap stories of the day. And the café-styled dining room offers seasonal fare.
Learn About the Lodges & Hotels on Your Itinerary
This historic downtown hotel in Winnipeg provides a lavish place to relax before heading to explore Churchill and the special polar bear migration.
Hotels vary on the Classic Polar Bear Adventure, but all are clean, comfortable and centrally located in the Arctic town of Churchill.
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