Winter Tours | Canada Holidays | Polar Bear Watching 

Kingdom of the Ice Bear

For a short time each year, the remote Canadian town of Churchill, Manitoba is transformed into the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’. This curious place, with its long main street, low rise buildings and distinctly ‘pioneer’ feel, becomes the centre of attention – for bears and visitors alike.

In October and November, as many as 1200 bears gather here on the icy tundra, waiting for the sea to freeze so they can wander out onto the ice in search of seals. After fasting for the summer, the bears are particularly hungry. Churchill is perched on a spit of land between the western shore of Hudson Bay and the Churchill River. For centuries, this peninsula has been the bear’s natural access point into the bay.

Polar bears have the ability to detect scent from as far away as 20 miles, and unsurprisingly Churchill proves irresistible. But don’t be concerned, the resident Polar Bear Police operate an effective procedure for relocating ‘strays’ that occasionally wander through the town, which works well for the bears and townsfolk.

Our trips to Churchill get you out into the frozen wilderness in an outsized ‘Tundra Buggy’ which allows you to observe the bears, at a safe distance. With their huge special tyres, the buggies easily navigate the uneven terrain and offer an elevated position, giving a clear view of the animals outside. The buggies are heated, and there is a basic restroom onboard as well as an outside rear viewing platform that provides outstanding photographic opportunities. The bears aren't at all bothered by such a powerful all-terrain vehicle in their midst and will often come right up and stand on their hind legs to investigate! Or they may simply ignore the Buggy and roll around in the snow nearby and play-fight with one another.

Temperatures can range from -10ºC (20ºF) to 9ºC (48ºF) and although there is likely to be snow and possibly rain, there is also a good chance of having bright, clear days. The combination of dark nights and absence of artificial light create the ideal conditions for an appearance of the northern lights. So keep your fingers crossed!

When not out on the tundra, Churchill’s hub is the famous Gipsy Bakery in the centre of town. Serving good wholesome meals and wonderfully over the top cakes, this is where locals meet and visitors can perhaps listen to their tales of derring-do with the latest bear to wander into town.

The Eskimo Museum, if you have the time, is worth a visit. There is a quaint wooden church, a small cinema, bowling alley and a few shops and restaurants in town but the bears are what people come for – including the odd camera crew making the latest wildlife documentary. And if you like to collect interesting stamps in your Passport, don’t forget to visit the Post Office.

We operate a hand-picked selection of polar bear trips – either based in Winnipeg with a full day in Churchill, or two-centre tours, which give you more time to explore Churchill as well as a second day out in a Tundra Buggy. Transfer to and from Churchill is by charter plane from Winnipeg.

Polar Bear Watching Holidays Enjoy watching Polar Bears in their natural enviroment on one of our Polar Bear watchng weekends (4 nights) or longer holidays (6, 7 or 8 nights), departing in October and November. Get up close and personal from the safety of a Tundra Buggy... For all our Polar Bear watching holidays click here >>

Explore the modern city of Winnipeg, the fourth largest in the country and set in the mid-point between the east and west coasts. Its location, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, made it an important trading post for First Nation people, thousands of years ago. Its rich and varied history can be investigated at the Museum of Man & Nature.

Winnipeg has a good selection of restaurants and cafes, architecture old and new and many shops. The Forks Market area on the riverfront, a collection of restored stables, warehouses and an old railway terminus, now houses an indoor market, similar in feel to Covent Garden. Interesting craft shops, food stalls and the odd street performer, make for an entertaining afternoon.

Your stay in Winnipeg may be at the grand and elegant Fort Garry built in 1913. This landmark hotel is one of Winnipeg’s finest with facilities to match, and the breakfasts are legendary. For shorter tours accommodation is at a comfortable airport hotel, convenient for the early morning flight north. Churchill’s motels and inns provide a warm base particularly welcoming after a day out on the tundra and serve hearty home-cooked breakfasts.

Travellers on our Kingdom of the Ice Bear itinerary can look forward to being guided by naturalist David Hatch. David was raised on a cattle farm at Oak Lake in southwestern Manitoba, an area famous for its rich diversity of bird and plant life. He was eight years old when he received his first bird book and grew up to have a great love for the outdoors. At university David specialised in the study of plants and wildlife. He has travelled extensively in Canada's North, and has been guiding tours to Churchill for many years. His excellent sense of humour and an in-depth knowledge of natural history leave a lasting impression on our clients and really enhances this wonderful holiday.

Note David only guides on our Kingdom of the Ice Bear tour, subject to change.