Canada's Polar Bears: A Tailor-Made Journey

7 days from $11,275

Journey deep into Canada’s Arctic wilderness on an unforgettable search for polar bears, along with a small group of fellow travelers (max 16). Traverse the frozen expanse of Hudson Bay in heated tundra vehicles, watching for wildlife beneath vast northern skies by day and the aurora’s glow by night. Explore Churchill’s cultural treasures, including the Itsanitaq Museum, and feel the exhilaration of guiding your own husky team across the snow.

Tailor-Made Journeys

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Highlights

Experience the remote beauty of Hudson Bay’s frozen wilderness from the comfort of heated tundra vehicles.
Join a small group in search for the region’s iconic polar bears, with opportunities for daytime wildlife viewing and nighttime outings under the glow of the aurora borealis.
Explore Churchill’s cultural highlights, including the Itsanitaq Museum and a behind‑the‑scenes look at the polar bear holding facility.
Feel the exhilaration of driving your own team of huskies on a guided dog‑sledding adventure across the snow.

The following itinerary is a sampling of the experiences that we offer on a tailor-made journey to Canada. Working with our country specialists, you can customize your itinerary to fit your timing, your budget, and your interests, including accommodations, activities, and the places you visit.

Sample Itinerary

To see itinerary, please click on an option below.

The following itinerary is a sampling of the experiences that we offer on a Tailor-Made Journey. Working with our country specialists, you can customize your itinerary to fit your timing, your budget, and your interests, including accommodations, activities, and the places you visit.

Day 1 — Winnipeg

Arrive in Winnipeg and meet your guide for a smooth transfer to your centrally located hotel, just steps from Union Station. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, with time to unwind or discover one of the city’s excellent restaurants at your own pace.

Fort Garry Hotel

Day 2 — Winnipeg

After breakfast, meet up with a small group (max 16) of fellow travelers and your guide for a deeper look at Winnipeg. Begin at FortWhyte Alive, a natural reserve where bison roam the prairie and boardwalk trails weave through wetlands—an ideal introduction to the region’s landscapes and wildlife. Continue to the acclaimed Manitoba Museum, exploring the natural and cultural heritage of the province, from Indigenous traditions to Arctic ecosystems.This evening, gather for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers and expedition leader, and pick up your parka and boots in preparation for the days ahead on the tundra. (B,D)

Fort Garry Hotel

Day 3 — Churchill and Northern Manitoba

Fly north by charter to Churchill, a historic Hudson’s Bay Company outpost perched on the edge of the Arctic. On arrival, take a brief town tour—including essential bear‑safety insights—before heading out for your first evening on the tundra. Board a heated Polar Rover and venture into the vast, frozen wilderness in search of your first polar bears. With luck, the night sky may also reveal the shimmering ribbons of the aurora. All meals are included during your stay in Churchill. (B,L,D)

Lazy Bear Lodge

Day 4 — Churchill and Northern Manitoba

Spend a full day exploring the tundra in search of wildlife. Though the rovers seat up to 30 passengers, your group travels with no more than 16, ensuring ample space and exceptional views from every window. Your expert expedition leader knows the seasonal patterns of the bears as they gather along Hudson Bay, sharing insights into their behavior, ecology, and the rhythms of life in the north. (B,L,D)

Lazy Bear Lodge

Day 5 — Churchill and Northern Manitoba

Another day on the tundra offers more opportunities to observe these remarkable animals in their natural environment. Watch as bears approach the vehicles with curious confidence or witness mothers guiding cubs across the ice. Young males may spar in playful bouts—a signature scene of northern autumn.
(B,L,D)

Lazy Bear Lodge

Day 6 — Winnipeg

Begin your final morning in Churchill with an introduction to dog sledding. Learn about the tradition from an expert musher as your own husky team carries you through the boreal forest. Before your return flight to Winnipeg, enjoy free time to explore Churchill’s small but vibrant community or opt for a helicopter tour over the tundra. Back in Winnipeg, gather for a final reception and dinner—your last chance to toast this remarkable Arctic adventure. (B,D)

Fort Garry Hotel

Day 7 — Return home

After breakfast, meet your group for your transfer to the airport to begin your journey home, carrying unforgettable memories of the Arctic and its extraordinary wildlife. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

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Occupancy	Double
Estimated Price	$11,275

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Prices shown are per person based on double occupancy, and do not include international air. Reduced pricing may be available for triple or quad accommodations, or for parties of six or more travelers.

Starting price reflects the itinerary shown here, and are intended as a broad indication of how much you should budget for your trip. We can tailor your trip to match your budget by adjusting the trip duration or departure date, and choosing accommodations and activities that suit your needs and interests.

Prices are based on rates of exchange, airfare & fuel (where applicable), tariffs, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.

Tour Details

Accommodations

Fort Garry Hotel
Winnipeg, Canada

The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre, an iconic century-old landmark in downtown Winnipeg, is a premier urban resort. As Choice Hotels, Ascend Collection member, it seamlessly blends historic charm with modern elegance. Offering exceptional meeting and ballroom spaces for corporate gatherings and special events, the hotel also features the renowned Ten Spa for ultimate relaxation. Guests can indulge in an array of incredible dining experiences, from casual bites to fine dining, available from breakfast through late night.

Lazy Bear Lodge

The Lazy Bear Lodge offers one of the friendliest accommodations in Churchill, Manitoba. The lodge is family owned and handcrafted with logs to provide a true authentic experience. The Lodge has 33 handcrafted log cabin rooms all with two double beds. Each room has a private bath and shower with wireless internet, 24-hour phone system and cable TV. There is also a Lazy Bear Cafe on site and the lodge is also located next door to the Wapusk General Store and dog sled rides.

Gift Membership - Friends of Smithsonian

When you travel on a Tailor-Made Journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership*. Benefits include:

An annual Smithsonian calendar with full-color images of exceptional art and artifacts, mailed in the fall.
Subscription to Smithsonian, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences, and history.
Invitations to four exclusive virtual programs for Friends of the Smithsonian members with Smithsonian experts.
Access to special members‑only hours at select Smithsonian venues.
10% discount in Smithsonian Museum Stores (good on purchases up to $200); 10% discount with the SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings
Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium.
Free admission to the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
A complimentary copy of the Smithsonian annual pocket guide profiling exhibitions and work across the Institution.
Invitation to a special welcome members-only tour at a Smithsonian Museum (offered one time to Archivists upon joining at this level).

*Offer only available for first-time Smithsonian members.

Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.