2026 Mar Polar Bear Brochure

Discover Churchill's POLAR BEARS

Meet Wild Polar Bears in Their Arctic Realm

Dear Nature Traveler,

It’s been nearly four decades since I first traveled to Churchill and locked eyes with a wild polar bear. I can still recall the frozen silence of the Arctic landscape and the power of seeing the world’s largest land carnivore in its natural habitat. If you join us in Churchill, I believe you’ll feel that same sense of awe.

Polar bears are icons of North and sentinels for a rapidly warming Arctic. As sea ice forms later and melts earlier, their window to hunt narrows, and their future grows more uncertain. Witnessing them in the wild is thrilling, but it’s also a reminder of what is at stake.

We've spent years refining our Churchill polar bear adventures to give you the richest possible encounters. Travel in small groups aboard our custom Polar Rovers, stay at our Tundra Lodge, or join a Photo Expedition to capture powerful portraits. You’ll be guided by passionate Expedition Leaders and supported by local experts who know this Arctic realm intimately.

Your journey does more than bring you up close to polar bears. It supports the community of Churchill, advances conservation research, and strengthens our shared commitment to protecting the Arctic. When you travel with Nat Hab, you become part of that effort— and you're certain to return home inspired.

I hope to see you in Churchill this fall!

Ben Bressler Explorer, Founder, Conservationist Natural Habitat Adventures

The Polar Bears of Churchill & the Canadian North

There's no better place to see polar bears in their natural habitat than Churchill, Manitoba, which lies at the heart of the annual fall polar bear migration route. And our itineraries, crafted with decades of experience, maximize your chances to see them while immersing you in northern culture. Every trip includes bear viewing from our Polar Rovers and a sled dog ride through the forest—and some itineraries feature a stay among the bears at the Tundra Lodge or an aerial view by helicopter, with a landing to explore a vacant polar bear den!

FLY BY PRIVATE CHARTERED AIRCRAFT

To maximize our time with polar bears, we don't waste time dealing with airline schedules and airport security screenings—we charter our own plane to fly you directly between Winnipeg and Churchill.

STAY IN HISTORIC WINNIPEG

Once a fur-trading post and railway boomtown, Manitoba’s vibrant capital on the eastern edge of Canada’s vast prairie is the cultural and commercial center of the province. Stay in the heart of it at the venerable Fort Garry Hotel.

CHURCHILL

This remote town on Hudson Bay is globally renowned as the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Each fall, hundreds of bears migrate to the area to await freeze-up and the start of seal-hunting season.

CHURCHILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

This controlled zone was established to protect polar bear denning habitat. Importantly, Nat Hab is a permit holder for this restricted area where the best polar bear viewing takes place.

PRIVATE TUNDRA LODGE

Set directly on the tundra near the edge of Hudson Bay, with roundthe-clock proximity to polar bears, the Tundra Lodge offers the most exclusive setting for bear viewing in the Churchill region.

DOG SLEDDING

Every polar bear journey includes a sled dog adventure with famed Churchill musher Dave Daley, founder of the Hudson Bay Quest race. Meet Dave and his dogs, then ride behind the team through the boreal forest.

PRIVATE AURORA VIEWING LOCATIONS

On select itineraries, when skies are clear, look for the northern lights from the comfort of a private heated viewing spot well away from the lights of town.

Churchill, Manitoba: The Polar Bear Capital of the World

Set on the western edge of Hudson Bay just below the Arctic Circle, tiny Churchill— population 900—is one of Canada’s most remote towns, inaccessible by road. Each autumn, several hundred polar bears roam the tundra around Churchill, whose location is key to their annual migration: Hudson Bay begins to freeze here first, drawing bears as they wait for the sea ice to form their winter seal-hunting platform. Hardy people have lived among them for centuries, and Churchill’s heritage is shaped by its Inuit, Métis, Dene and Cree cultures—a presence that long predates European contact in the 17th century. In 1717, the Hudson's Bay Company established the first permanent settlement, a fur-trading post on the Churchill River. In 1929, a port was built, linked by a rail line, to move grain from Manitoba’s prairies. Today, Churchill’s economy relies heavily on tourism that revolves around its most famous residents, as visitors flock to see polar bears in October and November—and no one offers a better encounter with them, and with the people of Churchill, than Nat Hab.

Nat Hab's Naturalist Expedition Leaders Make a Great Trip Phenomenal

When you come to see polar bears in the wild, you’re likely fulfilling a once-in-a-lifetime dream. So, shouldn’t you travel with a guide who can help create the richest and most meaningful experience? That’s where our Expedition Leaders come in. They are Canadian naturalists, many with a strong personal connection to Churchill. They're experts in natural history— not just every facet of polar bear biology and behavior, but other northern wildlife, too, plus flora, polar ecosystems, and the dramatic impact of climate change on the Arctic. They’re also well versed in Churchill’s cultural history, enlightening you as they intertwine science and ecology with the region’s important human heritage. Our guides provide a superlative education for our guests—and they care about you personally.

Small Groups Make Big Difference

Nat Hab's small groups ensure you'll have a more personalized and comfortable experience. Our Polar Rover vehicles are built to hold 30 or more, but we never fill them to capacity—each guest gets a window seat and plenty of room to angle for photographs. In a small group, you get uninterrupted time with our Expedition Leader, so you can ask all your questions and gain more insight into polar bears and Arctic nature. Given our decades of connections, we're able to offer intimate visits with local Churchill residents who share their stories and cultural heritage with us. You’ll also get to know your fellow travelers better, building bonds around your shared love of wildlife and commitment to conservation. Come with us to discover the difference a small group makes!

Our Exclusive Polar Rovers Elevate Your Experience

Safely Observe Bears

Large rear viewing platforms allow us to watch polar bears in their natural habitat. They sometimes even lift their paws onto the sides to check us out!

Warm On Board

Each Polar Rover features an interior heating system designed to keep the entire vehicle at a comfortable temperature as we open and close the windows and doors for wildlife viewing.

See-through steel mesh decking on the outside platform allows us to come within inches of bears if they wander beneath—a feature of our vehicles alone.

No smelly drop bucket that needs emptying—we have installed flush toilets on board to ensure your comfort when you need to heed nature’s call.

High Over the Tundra

Huge 6-foot tundra tires lift us safely above the bears while providing a comfortable ride over the uneven tundra terrain.

Oversized windows slide downward, allowing ample access for photography and polar bear viewing from the vehicle’s heated interior.

Our vehicles are designed to hold 30 or more, but for comfort, we limit our groups to approximately 16. All guests get their own window seat and room to spread out.

Our unique tundra vehicles are key to the best polar bear viewing experience. These custom-designed Polar Rovers offer maximum comfort and safety while providing the closest and most exciting polar bear encounters you'll find.

Learn More with Two Guides

Our trips include both a professional Nat Hab naturalist Expedition Leader and a highly experienced driver/guide to interpret every wildlife encounter.

Close Communication

Our dual radio system keeps our drivers in constant contact with our Rover base and other drivers while our Expedition Leaders maintain contact with other guides and our Churchill office— facilitating the safest and best polar bear viewing.

Get Closer to Bears

An angled front windshield—exclusive to our vehicles—allows you to peer forward for closer viewing when the action is right in front of us.

Sit Back in Comfort

Our reclining cushioned motorcoach seats offer lumbar support and side bolsters, providing the most comfortable ride available.

A Comfortable Journey Speed When We Need It

Our custom-designed suspension system (leaf spring front with walking beam

enhances the glide of our vehicle and provides a

are

Stay Among Wild Polar Bears At the Tundra Lodge

Located on the subarctic plain along Hudson Bay outside Churchill, Manitoba, the worldfamous Tundra Lodge is a one-of-a-kind hotel stationed in an area of high polar bear density. Each of its 29 guest rooms is a single compartment similar to sleeping quarters on a train, with either an upper or lower berth. With six shared toilets and four showers, as well as a lounge area for viewing bears and a dining car with sliding windows for easy photography access, the Tundra Lodge offers an immersive Arctic wilderness experience without sacrificing comfort. Outdoor viewing platforms facilitate close-up polar bear observation and photography opportunities, as well as aurora watching when the northern lights are visible. There’s no opportunity anywhere else that affords this chance to be in prime polar bear habitat around the clock!

Look For the Northern Lights From Our Private Viewing Locations

When skies are clear over Churchill, the odds are good to see the northern lights. Churchill sits directly beneath the auroral oval, the electromagnetic band that circles the polar region where aurora borealis activity is strongest. This mystical phenomenon in the dark night sky is a highlight for those fortunate enough to observe it on a visit to Churchill. While the aurora can be elusive during polar bear season, since autumn skies are often overcast until Hudson Bay freezes solid, we keep watch when it's clear and take you well outside town to view the northern lights if they make an appearance.

Adventure Canada's Premier Polar Bear

When you're standing on the outdoor platform of our Polar Rover, the Arctic air feels invigorating. But not as much as the sight of the huge polar bear ambling toward us. Sometimes they are silhouetted against the horizon, slowly moving shadows on the tundra. Other times, we'll see a mother with cubs, or young males play-fighting. Occasionally, one wanders up directly below us. Safely elevated, you're nonetheless just feet away as you look down on his shaggy bulk. The big bear rises on his haunches to peer up at us. We watch with awe, savoring one of nature's most wondrous wildlife encounters.

The World’s Most Coveted Small-Group Polar Bear Expedition!

• The Most Intimate Polar Bear Encounters

• Churchill's Best Tundra Vehicles Get You Closer

• Search for the Aurora on the Tundra at Night

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba • Days 2–5: Private flight to Churchill / Polar bear viewing in Nat Hab's custom Polar Rovers / Exploring Churchill & environs / Evening aurora activities (weather permitting) • Day 6: Dog sledding & free time in Churchill / Private flight to Winnipeg • Day 7: Winnipeg / Depart • Extend your trip: Northern Tundra Helicopter Adventure

6 or 7 Days / Sep—Nov

2026 Price: $8495–$9495 (+Internal Air: $1689)

Limited to 16 Travelers

See nathab.com/premier26 or calendar in back pages for trip dates 7-day itinerary shown—see the 6-day itinerary on our website Women's Journeys available

Special Photo Expedition

7 Days / Oct & Nov

2026 Price: $10495

Internal Air: $1689

Limited to 16 Travelers

nathab.com/polar-photo26

Churchill Tundra Lodge & Town Ultimate

Combine the best of both worlds: Spend two nights at our exclusive Tundra Lodge, set on the edge of Hudson Bay in an area of high bear activity—for Nat Hab guests alone. Relish unparalleled proximity to polar bears, in total seclusion—then add two nights in historic Churchill to enjoy cultural activities and northern traditions. Search for polar bears, Arctic fox, Arctic hare and ptarmigan during Polar Rover excursions on the tundra, learn about Churchill’s colorful past and present, and fly through the boreal forest behind a team of sled dogs. This multifaceted northern adventure does it all!

Stay Among the Bears on the Tundra & in the Northern Frontier Town of Churchill

• Stay with Polar Bears 24/7 at the Tundra Lodge

• Experience Authentic Local Cultural Activities

• Take an Arctic Safari in Search of Northern Wildlife

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba • Days 2 & 3: Private flight to Churchill / Nat Hab's private Tundra Lodge / Polar bear excursions in private Polar Rovers / Aurora viewing (weather permitting) • Days 4 & 5: Town of Churchill / Polar bear viewing in Polar Rovers / Exploring Churchill & environs / Evening aurora viewing (weather permitting) • Day 6: Dog sledding & free time in Churchill / Private flight to Winnipeg • Day 7: Winnipeg / Depart • Extend your trip: Northern Tundra Helicopter Adventure

7 Days / Sep—Nov

2026 Price: $12595 (+Internal Air: $1689) Limited to 29 Travelers

See nathab.com/tundra-town26 or calendar in back pages for trip dates

Quest & Helicopter Safari Polar Bear

This expedition offers our most comprehensive encounter with the world of the polar bear and the Canadian North. Heated Polar Rovers take us onto the tundra in search of bears, where we watch them roam, play and interact. They may entertain us at close range through large picture windows or from the outdoor viewing platform. But this epic adventure doesn't end there: We also take a helicopter to a polar bear denning area, enjoy an exhilarating dog sled ride through the boreal forest, and explore the historic town of Churchill, meeting local residents as we learn about life on the Arctic frontier.

A Total Northern Immersion! Scout for Bears, Go Dog Sledding & Helicopter to a Polar Bear Den

• Explore by Polar Rover & Helicopter in to a Vacant Den

• View Bears from the Finest Custom Tundra Vehicles

• Search for the Northern Lights in Heated Comfort

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba • Days 2–5: Private flight to Churchill / Polar bear viewing in Nat Hab's private Polar Rovers / Helicopter to a vacant polar bear den / Exploring Churchill & environs / Cultural encounters / Dog sledding / Evening aurora viewing at domes (weather permitting) • Day 6: Churchill / Private flight to Winnipeg • Day 7: Winnipeg / Depart

7 Days / Oct–Nov

2026 Price: $11495 (+Internal Air: $1689) Limited to 15 Travelers

See nathab.com/polar-quest26 or calendar in back pages for trip dates

Nat Hab's Aurora Experience on the Tundra Spend an evening on our custom Polar Rover with dinner on board, possible polar bear sightings, and, if skies are clear, a chance to witness the wonder of the northern lights far from the glow of town. nathab.com/aurora-tundra26

Lodge Adventure Tundra

Churchill’s most exclusive polar bear adventure! A stay at the Tundra Lodge, situated outside town on the vast expanse of tundra along Hudson Bay, puts you in the domain of the polar bear around the clock. Safe inside or on the elevated outdoor observation platform, enjoy matchless access to bear viewing. Our custom lodge on wheels features train-style “cars” of individual bedrooms, a dining room, and a lounge with large windows. Excursions in specialized Polar Rover vehicles take you farther afield for even more wildlife viewing. You won’t find a deeper immersion in the world of the polar bear!

Stay on the Tundra Among the Bears in the World's Most Remarkable Hotel

• Be with Polar Bears in the Wild Around the Clock

• Scout for Bears from Private Custom Polar Rovers

• Search for Arctic Wildlife on a Northern Safari

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba • Days 2–4: Private flight to Churchill / Nat Hab's private Tundra Lodge / Polar bear viewing in private Polar Rovers / Aurora viewing (weather permitting) • Day 5: Dog sledding & free time in Churchill / Private flight to Winnipeg • Day 6: Winnipeg / Depart • Extend your trip: Northern Tundra Helicopter Adventure

6 Days / Oct & Nov

2026 Price: $14595 (+Internal Air: $1689)

Limited to 29 Travelers

See nathab.com/tundra-lodge26 or calendar in back pages for trip dates

Special Photo Expedition

7 Days / Oct & Nov

2026 Price: $15595 Internal Air: $1689

Limited to 29 Travelers

nathab.com/tundra-photo26

Go Dog Sledding With a Local Churchill Musher

On every polar bear adventure, Nat Hab travelers get to experience a distinctly northern pursuit: a brisk ride behind a team of energetic huskies. Our host is Churchill native Dave Daley, who has been mushing dogs here since the late 1990s. Dave grew up enamored with his grandfather’s two Samoyeds, hooking them up to his small sled as a boy. He went on to race his own dog team, then founded Wapusk Adventures in 2001 to share his love of dog sledding with Churchill visitors. Guests are invited to come out to the kennel, meet the team, learn about the history of dog mushing, then hop into a sled for a bracing ride through the boreal forest. Early-season visitors don’t miss out: if snowfall is low, Dave’s dogs pull a wheeled cart. Wapusk Adventures is also an award-winning long-distance racing kennel. Dave founded the famous Hudson Bay Quest, a 200-mile race over the wilds of northern Manitoba, often in severe winter weather conditions. Of Metis heritage, Dave has been recognized for Indigenous tourism leadership, encouraging young people from Indigenous backgrounds to discover the age-old northern tradition of dog sledding.

Local Partners, Lasting Impact: Celebrating Our Churchill Community

Local communities are central to Nat Hab’s mission of conservation through exploration. As the people of Churchill have graciously hosted our guests and staff for more than 35 years, we’ve built a mutually beneficial relationship around the shared goal of protecting their environment, wildlife and cultures.

Nat Hab partners with town leaders to support Churchill residents, including hosting community meals (more than 1,100 recipients in 2025!); providing fresh produce and milk for the school breakfast program; donating to the Churchill Volunteer Fire Department, Junior Canadian Rangers and Duke of Marlborough School sports and music programs; and contributing to the Christmas Cheer Board that provides food baskets for elders.

In 2025, Nat Hab worked alongside Indigenous Tourism Manitoba to host a practicum in Churchill for the organization’s first-ever Indigenous Guide Training Program.

Each fall, I return to Churchill to marvel at the powerful presence of polar bears, strengthen our meaningful relationships with the local people, and witness our mission of conservation through exploration in action. I hope you’ll join us to support the protection of polar bears and experience the wild wonders of the Canadian North for yourself.

Ben Bressler • Founder • Natural Habitat Adventures

2026 TRIPS

2027 TRIPS