Discover Churchill, Manitoba, home to incredible wildlife from polar bears to beluga whales and where the Northern Lights light up the skies 300 days a year!
Only accessible by plane or train, the town of Churchill in Manitoba, Canada, offers travellers the chance to discover some of the province’s most serene and remote landscapes.
Located in Canada’s subarctic, it is one of the few human settlements where polar bears can be observed in the wild and the Northern Lights light up the skies 300 days a year. So for those looking to get off the beaten track, here are Travel Manitoba’s top five ways to experience Churchill throughout the seasons…
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Discover Churchill’s dancing skies at Dan’s Diner
Over 80% of all accessible land beneath the Aurora Oval is in Canada and the peak viewing time for seeing the Northern Lights in Churchill is between February and March when clearer skies and some of the most intense displays illuminate the night sky. Dan’s Diner provides an unforgettable way to view the Northern lights and delight the taste buds. Guests can embark on an official Tundra Buggy® from Churchill and travel across the frozen Churchill River to Dan’s Diner. The heated mobile restaurant lodge has panoramic windows and skylights offering unparalleled views of the sky whilst the cuisine is inspired by regional delicacies.
Book now: Frontiers North offers a 5 night experience from £3,380 per person, based on two adults sharing. The package includes 3 nights accommodation in Churchill and 2 nights accommodation in Winnipeg, return flights from Winnipeg to Churchill, excursions including a culinary experience at Dan’s Diner, breakfast, lunch and dinner in Churchill. Prices are based on dates between 2nd and 7th March 2022. For reservations visit frontiersnorth.com
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Witness the great polar bear migration
One of the few human settlements where polar bears can be observed in the wild, Manitoba’s northernmost town provides a stunning backdrop to witness this incredible spectacle where close to 1,000 polar bears congregate and wait for the ice to freeze on Hudson Bay before embarking on one of nature’s greatest migrations. Each year between October and November, the polar bears return for the return of the sea ice and access to their preferred prey – the ringed seal. Deep in the heart of polar bear country is an authentic wilderness lodge–Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is ideally situated on the shores of Hudson Bay for those wanting to witness this spectacle. This particular location is close to known polar bear denning territory so those visiting in March have the rare opportunity to view mothers and cubs.
Book now: Wexas Travel offers a five night escorted tour from £4,675 per person, based on two adults sharing. The package includes return flights between London and Winnipeg, and return flights between Winnipeg and Churchill, UK airport departure lounge access, two nights accommodation in Winnipeg and three nights in Churchill, two full day Tundra Buggy adventure in Churchill Wildlife Management Area, most meals and activities. For reservations visit churchillwild.com
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Observe beautiful Beluga Whales
Every July and August, thousands of curious beluga whales gather in the warm, shallow waters of the Churchill River estuary to feed, mate and give birth. It is common to see large pods in the thousands, providing plenty of opportunity to get up close and personal with these friendly mammals. Enthusiasts can join these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat on a stand up paddle board safari, aqua gliding (whilst lying on the surface of a floating mat), kayaking or on a boat trip where you can hear their whistles and chirps on a hydrophone.
Book now: Lazy Bear Lodge offers a six night experience starting at £3,486 per person, based on two sharing and travelling on select dates in July and August 2022. The package includes return flights between Winnipeg and Churchill, two nights accommodation in Winnipeg, four nights accommodation at Lazy Bear Lodge Churchill, a Beluga Whaleboat tour, excursions and some meals. For more information visit lazybearlodge.com
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Explore the Tundra on a wildlife & photography tour
One of Churchill’s most diverse ecosystems is where three ecozones intertwine, the boreal forest, the tundra and the marine life of Hudson Bay. Travellers can embark on a photography and wildlife tour with Natural Habitat Adventures, led by a professional naturalist and accomplished photographer to help budding photographers capture the perfect shot.
In summer, the tundra area around Churchill bursts into life and is dotted with exuberant Arctic wildflowers. There are ample walking trails that weave through the boreal forest and southern tundra edge, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna including over 200 species of migratory birds such as the grey owl, yellow warbler, willow ptarmigan, snow goose and the rare Ross’ gull.
Book now: Natural Habitat Adventures offers a Summer Wildlife and Photography Tour between 21-27 July 2022. The price starts from £4,395 per person based on two adults sharing and includes internal flights, accommodation, expedition leader and assistants, zodiac and polar rover excursions, a helicopter excursion, meals, most gratuities, airport transfers, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fee. To book visit nathab.com
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Mysterious mirages on arctic adventures
The floe edge is where landfast ice meets the open waters of Hudson Bay offering an unparalleled opportunity to witness the evolution of the sea ice as the tide ebbs and flows, shifting and breaking down towering ridges. Lucky visitors may also have the opportunity to experience the rare visual phenomenon known as ‘Fata Morgana’ where light rays bend when passing though the space where cold ocean air meets the warmer air above it creating an unusual mirage. Visitors can explore the ice waters by sea in kayaks, navigating around the floes and ridges, or by land on a fat-bike ride or husky sled along the floe edge. The area is also home to bearded, ringed and harbour seals which can be seen bobbing in the water or napping on the ice.
Book now: Churchill Wild offers a nine-night small-group expedition to the Floe Edge for £9,592, based on two people sharing and travelling between 17th – 26th April 2022. The price includes two nights’ accommodation in Winnipeg, four nights’ lodge accommodation in Churchill, all meals, excursions, winter gear, guide services and round trip flights between Winnipeg and Churchill, and Churchill and the Seal River Heritage Lodge. To book visit churchillwild.com