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Polar Bears in Churchill Canada Regional Event (Nov 6-11, 2025)

November 6, 2025 - November 11, 2025

Leader | Travel and lodging | What to expect | Preliminary schedule

 

Registration is now open

Dates:

  • September 25, 2025 7-8 pm (Eastern Time) Pre-Event Webinar for Participants (optional)
  • Thursday November 6, 2025 to Tuesday November 11, 2025
  • December 3, 2025 7-9 pm (Eastern Time) (optional) Post event Image Sharing and Feedback Webinar for participants
  • Last date to register: July 9, 2025

Price:

  • Early Bird Rate: (double occupancy rate) $16,417 CAD (~$12,034 USD) by December 1, 2024
  • After by December 1, 2024 (double occupancy rate) $16,817* CAD (~$12,327 USD)
  • Single Supplement $1,180 CAD (~$865 USD)
  • $1,500 CAD (~$1,100 USD) initial non-refundable deposit due at time of registration. Final balance and proof of travel insurance coverage due 120 days prior to departure (July 9, 2025).
  • All payments are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
  • This is a NANPA/ASMP member-only event. If you are not currently a member, you can join NANPA as part of your event registration. (1 year membership $100)

Rates are subject to change based on currency fluctuations and/or other factors.  Prices do not include applicable taxes, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, add-on programming like helicopter tours, gratuities for the NANPA photo tour leader, or items of a personal nature.

A minimum of 9 paid participants must be achieved by 120 days prior to departure (July 9, 2025) in order for this trip to operate.

Maximum number of attendees: 13

INCLUDES:

  • Two night accommodations in Winnipeg at The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel
  • Round trip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill
  • Three night accommodations at the Tundra Hotel in Churchill
  • Led by a Frontiers North Interpretive Guide and NANPA photo leader
  • Pre-event preparatory webinar by the NANPA photo leader
  • Churchill and area photography tour
  • Three full-day trips on the official Tundra Buggy® adventure
  • Photography workshop sessions in Winnipeg and Churchill
  • Interpretive dog-sled excursion
  • Post-event image sharing/feedback webinar by the NANPA photo leader
  • All meals and transfers as indicated
  • Gratuities included unless otherwise stated, for example, excludes any gratuity for the NANPA photo leader.

Event Overview

One of the best places in the world to see polar bears in the wild is in Churchill. In fact, it is nicknamed the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”! Located on the Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada, the small frontier town of Churchill is where the bears gather along the coast while they wait for the water in the bay to freeze over so they can head out onto the ice where they hunt for seals.

Explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area by Tundra Buggy to photograph wild polar bears and other wildlife that call the subarctic home. When not out on the tundra viewing wildlife, enjoy the eclectic charm of the town including various museums and presentations to learn about the diverse history and culture of the area.

What to expect

This event is timed to be during the prime time to see polar bears in their natural habitat when the polar bear population around Churchill is at its highest. In addition to polar bears, we may see arctic fox, red fox, ptarmigan, snow geese, gyrfalcons, snowy owls and a plethora of other birds and wildlife that call the Churchill Wildlife Management Area home.

Our partner for this event, Frontiers North Adventures, led the way enabling adventuring amongst the polar bears in Churchill over 30 years ago when they pioneered the use of the original tundra vehicle, the Tundra Buggy. Specially designed for the northern landscape, these all-terrain vehicles transport guests to the best locations in the Churchill area to safely experience wildlife in their natural environment. Frontiers North Adventures is one of the only companies authorized to transport visitors to Churchill Wildlife Management Area and they hold the most permits in these protected areas.

Participants can photograph from the windows of the Tundra Buggy (the windows open) or outside on the back deck of the Tundra Buggy. A Tundra Buggy can hold up to 40-passengers, however this NANPA photography event is limited to a maximum of 13 participants.  This will allow each participant access to either a window or the back deck for photographing the wildlife, and gives each photographer ample space to keep their gear handy next to them.

Frontiers North Adventures

View a Virtual Tour of a Tundra Buggy

 

©Frontiers North Adventures

NANPA Photo Leader

Richard Day

Richard Day is full-time professional nature photographer who’s been in the business of marketing and licensing photos and teaching photo workshops since 1985. He specializes in birdsbutterflies, gardens, flowers, and dragonflies;  as well as aerial, agriculture, mammals, travel, panoramic, and other outdoor images. His images have appeared in hundreds of major national and international publications including Audubon, Sierra Club, National Geographic, National Wildlife, and others. He also contributes hundreds of images a year to calendars, greeting cards, puzzles, paper products and advertising clients.

Richard has been teaching people how to improve their photography and to be a responsible, ethical photographer since the early 90s.  He’s led workshops and taught seminars throughout North America and was a guide for Frontiers North Adventures to photograph polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba for 14 years.

Richard is an Adjunct Research Associate in Zoology with the Illinois State Museum and an Associate Research Scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey. He has conducted Odonata and Lepidoptera research since 2005 for the states of Illinois and Missouri, including research work on the Hines emerald dragonfly, a Federally Endangered species.

He’s an active member of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas, Illinois Audubon Society,North American Nature Photography Association. Richard is a FAA remote drone pilot.

He lives in the country on 63 acres in south central Illinois. The property is landscaped to attract wildlife with improvements including a 5-acre native grass and wildflower prairie and 2 shallow water wetlands.

 

©Richard Day

Lodging

  • Two nights accommodations in Winnipeg at The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel (included)For the first and last nights of the tour we will be staying at The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel, located across from the Winnipeg airport.The hotel has 101 rooms and includes an elevator and a reception desk. Amenities include a baggage storage service, safe, ATM and drinks machine. Wireless internet access is provided in public areas. The tour desk offers assistance with booking excursions. The hotel has a range of facilities for guests with disabilities. The hotel has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Other services include room service and a laundry service. Complimentary newspapers are available. To assist guests with their business and communication needs, the business center offers a fax machine.
  • Three nights accommodations in the Churchill hotel: The Tundra Inn (included)

The Tundra Inn
34 Franklin Street, Churchill, Canada
This hotel is centrally located in Churchill, Manitoba close to all of the town’s shops, museums and amenities.
31 rooms are available to guests. To ensure guests a comfortable and relaxing stay, the hotel provides wireless internet access and is near two of Churchill’s most popular restaurants.

Event Transportation:

Participants are responsible for getting to Winnipeg and need to transfer on their own to the hotel (The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel) for check in.

NEAREST AIRPORT: 

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Transportation between the hotel in Winnipeg and Churchill (including round trip charter flights between Winnipeg and Churchill) is included. Ground transportation in Churchill is also included. The group will view and photograph polar bears from the safety of a Tundra Buggy. 

MEALS:

All meals as indicated in the itinerary are included.

©Richard Day

 

 

©Alex Cupeiro/Frontiers North Adventures

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE

Please note schedules are fluid due to weather conditions, recent wildlife sightings and other variables.

Thursday, November 6

  • Participants will arrive into Winnipeg by their own arrangements and transfer on own to The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel for check-in.
  • Welcome Dinner and introductory photo workshop

This evening, participants will be invited to a welcome dinner hosted by their Frontiers North guide at which time they will inform participants of their travel itinerary and answer any questions participants may have.

  • Participants will enjoy an introductory photo workshop session by Richard Day ensuring they are set up for success when they arrive into Churchill.

Friday, November 7

  • Early morning breakfast
  • Check out from The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel
  • Today we depart on a morning flight from Winnipeg to Churchill. (included).
  • Churchill and Area Photography Tour
  • A guided bus tour of local and historical points of interest surrounding Churchill, including the Polar Bear Holding Facility and Inukshuk.
  • Lunch at local restaurant
  • Dog sledding excursion with local musher

Hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert, you will learn about Métis culture and the history of dog sledding in northern Canada. Enjoy an exhilarating ride behind a strong team of sled dogs on a custom-made sled or cart. Photograph the sled dog team in action.

  • Check in at The Tundra Inn
  • Dinner at local restaurant

Saturday, November 8

  • Breakfast at local restaurant
  • Tundra Buggy® adventure

Experience an intimate encounter with a wild polar bear from an authentic Tundra Buggy. Tundra Buggies are furnished with dual-pane frost-free windows. Each day, we depart early and board our Tundra Buggies looking for polar bears and other wildlife out on the tundra. Enjoy picnic style lunches and refreshments while you are bear watching.

  • Dinner at local restaurant
  • Return to The Tundra Inn

Sunday, November 9

  • Breakfast at local restaurant
  • Tundra Buggy® adventure

Once again participants will enjoy a full day Tundra Buggy adventure exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in search of polar bears and other subarctic wildlife.  Enjoy picnic style lunches and refreshments while you are bear watching.

  • Dinner at local restaurant
  • Return to The Tundra Inn
  • Photography workshop

Partake in a photo workshop session led by Richard Day.

Monday, November 10

  • Breakfast at local restaurant
  • Full day Tundra Buggy® adventure

Participants will once again have the opportunity to view wild polar bears from a Tundra Buggy on their final full-day adventure. Today participants will be accompanied by a Polar Bears International species expert who will join participants on board for an in-depth discussion on polar bears and their habitat.  Enjoy picnic style lunches and refreshments while you are bear watching.

  • Return flight to Winnipeg (included)

After a day of exploring the tundra, the group will be transferred directly to the Churchill Airport for an evening flight back to Winnipeg. A light meal will be served onboard.

  • Check in at The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel

 

RESOURCES:

Health and fitness

There will be walking from your hotel to restaurants but it’s level ground and not very far.  It will be an easy walk.

WEATHER

By November it will be anywhere from single digits to low 20s Fahrenheit.  There will always be wind, sometimes gusty winds.  Make sure you have a windproof layer.

GEAR-CLOTHING

Recommendations from your photo leader Richard Day:

Obviously since we are in the sub-arctic, the weather could be cold so you’ll be more comfortable if you’re prepared.  I dress in layers so I can easily add or remove clothing depending on the weather.  I start with a base layer of long underwear, then a layer of fleece, followed by a windproof layer.  Windy conditions are the norm on the tundra in October and November, and a windproof parka or shell over a heavy fleece layer will be your best friend on your trip.  Down is the best for parkas. There’s nothing worse than cold feet in winter, so I always wear insulated boots and layer my socks—a thin liner topped by heavy wool/poly blend socks.  Hats keep more than your head warm, so bring a wind-proof hat that you can see out of when using your camera.

 

The Tundra Buggies are heated and comfortable, however when we stop to photograph, we’ll be opening the windows so you can get the best photos.  I wear two layers of gloves—a thin liner under a heavier wind-proof fleece-lined layer.  The metal on your camera can get quite cold, and you’ll need to keep your fingers warm and flexible to operate the buttons and dials.  I also pack a pair of wool fingerless gloves that I wear over a pair of thin liners.

Check this link for recommendations from Frontiers North Adventures What to wear in Churchill

  • (Optional add on) To make packing for the adventure to Churchill a little bit easier, we are happy to offer our participants outstanding Canada Goose parkas and snow pants, and Baffin boots through Frontiers North’s Gear Rental Program. Advance booking recommended.

CAMERA GEAR:

  • Digital Camera. Preferably a DSLR/mirrorless because it has interchangeable lenses.
  • The lens Richard uses the most on polar bear tours is a medium telephoto lens such as 100-300mm, 100-400mm, or 200-400mm.  Wide angle or wide angle zoom lenses come in handy for scenic and overview shots–such as 17-40mm, 28-135mm, 24-105mm.  If you have a longer lens such as 400mm, 500mm, or 600mm, bring those along, however we do get close enough to the bears to get great shots with a medium telephoto lens.
  • Memory cards
  • Media storage device or laptop
  • Spare batteries and/or charger
  • Camera Manual
  • Lens wipes or cloth
  • Bean bag or monopod. Tripods are not practical on the buggy so a bean bag, window mount, or monopod is easier to use and move around in the buggy.  Richard uses a bean bag and that works better than a window mount.  Because if the action changes and you want to go to the other side of the buggy it’s easier to pick up your beanbag and move rather than removing your window mount device.  Keeping your camera stable is very important for in-focus photos—an image stabilization lens will improve your results dramatically.

Bag or daypack for camera equipment and personal items you may need during the day.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

  • Passports are required to travel between the US and Canada.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON:

One-hour helicopter tour

Experience the majesty of Canada’s largest ecosystem from above the ground on a one-hour helicopter tour over the vast desert-like tundra and northern sections of the boreal forest on the coast of Hudson Bay. Set out from the town of Churchill with an experienced interpretive pilot in search of wildlife, including polar bears, moose, ringed-seals, caribou and Arctic fox.

Once we are in Winnipeg we’ll be able to determine if helicopter tours will be available and this optional add-on can be purchased at that time.

©Alex Cupeiro/Frontiers North Adventures

INSURANCE:  

Frontiers North Adventures requires participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. It is the responsibility of the traveler to secure adequate insurance coverage for the level of protection they desire.

NANPA members can receive a special travel insurance rate through USI Affinity/Travel Insurance Services.

GENERAL:

We will be based in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada during this regional event.

This event is designed for nature photographers at all levels of experience. For the best experience, please know your camera before you arrive, and bring your manual in case we need to look up something.

Assistance will be available in the field for those who wish to improve their photographic skills. If you already have plenty of photography experience, Richard will ensure you get to the best locations at the best times to capture those perfect shots.

Your photo leader, Richard, has experience as a photography workshop leader and is available to answer questions and give you guidance. If you need help, please advocate for yourself and speak up and ask for help – Richard is happy to help. Be aware that many of your fellow participants may also be accomplished photographers and may be able to help you too.  Part of the regional event experience is the camaraderie that comes from sharing experiences and lessons learned among participants. If you notice someone with the same or similar camera, perhaps they can help you with an issue you’ve been wondering about, and maybe you can return the favor.

Attendance and participation at NANPA Regional Events is limited to registered attendees only.  Anyone wishing to participate in any portion of, or travel with a registered attendee during the group event must contact the NANPA office and pay the full registration fee.

Cancellation Policy:  

In the event that reservations must be cancelled, refunds will be made according to the following schedule:

  • Booking-121 days prior to departure: $1,500 CAD per person, non-refundable
  • 120-61 days prior to departure: 50% of total invoice, non-refundable
  • 60-0 days prior to departure: 100% of total invoice, non-refundable

No refunds are available for charter flights that are included in the itineraries. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. As many advance logistical arrangements have been made prior to the operation of these trips, we must adhere to the cancellation policies.

Frontiers North Inc. reserves the right to cancel any booking in the rare event of insufficient enrollment. In that event, booked participants will be notified no later than thirty (30) days prior to the booking start date and a refund of any payments made by the participant to Frontiers North Inc. will be issued.

Details

Start:
November 6, 2025
End:
November 11, 2025
Event Category:

Other

Region
Alaska, Canada and Arctic
USA States/Territories
Montana
Type of event
On Location

Venue

Churchill, Manitoba
Manitoba Canada + Google Map