Birds Bears & Belugas

Birds, Bears & Belugas

Churchill Wild - 7 Nights

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Daily, guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-closeand-personal, in their natural habitat.
Indulging your taste buds with our tundra-inspired cuisine, complemented by select Canadian wines.
Educational evening presentations by our lodge managers or naturalist guides about our Arctic ecosystems, landscape and lifestyle.
Travelling further afield on one of our half or full-day ATV tours. Our low-impact tundra vehicles give you access to areas up and down the coast.
Viewing beluga whales near the mouth of the Seal River estuary where they congregate by the thousands in the summer months.

Fly from the UK to Winnipeg. There are a number of indirect flight options. Ask us for competitive fares.

Included:

Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba
Roundtrip airfare between Churchill and Seal River Heritage Lodge
Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
Five nights’ lodge accommodations
All meals, excursions and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
All alcoholic beverages – Canadian wines and beers
Winter gear*

Not Included:

International flights
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance

Accommodations are eight, double guest rooms each with an en-suite bathroom. The guest wing is away from the lounge and dining room allowing you to enjoy quiet time as needed.

LENGTH: 8 days / 7 nights

DATES: July & August

2026 Departures -

6, 11, 16 & 31 July

5 & 10 August

2027 Departures -

9, 19, 24 & 29 July

8 August

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Polar Bears

This tour enables you to get up close with polar bears in their natural habitat.

Photography

This tour offers incredible photography opportunities. Our guides are knowledgeable and patient, giving you the time and space to capture unforgettable moments.

Hiking

Daily, guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-close-and-personal, in their natural habitat.

Beluga Whales

Zodiac excursion into the Seal River estuary, where thousands of beluga whales gather in nature’s version of a grand summer salon.

Overview

On the Birds, Bears & Belugas Safari at Seal River Heritage Lodge in July and August, such moments arrive with startling intimacy. Here, uniquely in the Arctic, we meet polar bears at ground level – no elevated platforms, no barriers between you and the raw reality of the North.

A polar bear, fresh from its hunting season on the ice, moves through the morning light a hundred meters away. Time suspends. The bear lifts its head, ancient eyes scanning the horizon, while our small group stands in reverent silence, witnesses to a scene unchanged since the last ice age.

Guided excursions venture out twice daily, perfectly timed to nature’s rhythms. Whether on foot or in specialized tundra vehicles, you’ll experience these magnificent creatures as they were meant to be seen – sharing their terrain, walking their ancient paths. Magnificent sandhill cranes step with aristocratic poise through the tundra, which in late July might be dotted with purple fireweed. Snow geese paint the sky in elegant formations, while Arctic foxes, curious hares, and ever-vigilant sik-siks add their own chapters to each day’s unfolding narrative.

The afternoon might find you gliding by zodiac into the Seal River estuary, where thousands of beluga whales gather in nature’s version of a grand summer salon. Their songs, carried through hydrophones, provide a haunting soundtrack as they feed and molt in the tidal flow, curious eyes meeting yours with startling intelligence.

As evening approaches – though darkness never quite arrives in these endless summer days – return to the lodge where Arctic comfort awaits. Over delicious tundra-inspired cuisine paired with Canadian wines, watch the golden light paint the tundra while bears continue their ancient patrols. For photographers, our specialized Summer Polar Bear Photo Safari version of Birds, Bears & Belugas orchestrates a perfect harmony of light, wildlife, and opportunity.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Anticipation builds during your overnight stay in Winnipeg

Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport.

Your winter gear fitting and collection will take place at 5 pm prior to meeting the rest of your group at an orientation dinner hosted by a Churchill Wild representative.

Overnight at Winnipeg hotel.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 | Winnipeg to Churchill to the Lodge

Arrive in Churchill by air where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and provide you with instructions for the morning transfers. Your adventure begins with an aerial flight over the winding Hudson Bay coast en-route to your home for the next six days, Seal River Heritage Lodge. Watch out for pods of whales, birds, and of course, the magnificent Ice Bears. The Seal River Estuary is a summer favorite for these goliaths, and they are seen swimming or basking near the water’s edge.

Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travel in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings.

After lunch, you’ll experience the coast for the first time. Ensure your camera batteries are charged!

Back at the lodge, enjoy appetizer hour followed by another of our signature meals. Evenings typically include an informative lecture or slide show presentation narrated by one of Churchill Wild’s knowledgeable guides or staff.

Overnight Seal River Heritage Lodge.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 3-6 | Tundra Trekking, Polar Bears & Priceless Photography

After breakfast, head out for either a marine tour or hike. Lunch will typically be back at the lodge, unless your guides take you on an ATV excursion further down the coast. Marine tours are tide-dependent, so scheduled mealtimes may be adjusted to accommodate whale watching.

Relive the excitement of the day during daily appetizer hour before sitting down to dinner, then top up your glass of wine and settle in for the evening’s presentation.

Polar bears and guests on the tundra. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Didrik Johnck photo.

Bedtime is at your leisure. We monitor the Lodge area all night so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit from one of the great ice bears (or by one of our dazzling displays of northern lights!)

Overnight Seal River Heritage Lodge.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 7 | Churchill Time!

After one last hearty Lodge breakfast, we will begin air transfers back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.

Back in Churchill, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring the town and surrounding area, learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military base. Your tour will include stops such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Along the way, your guide will point out murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival. Before a group dinner, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.

Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place this evening. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and back to The Grand Hotel.

Overnight at Winnipeg hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 8 | Depart Adventure

Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure.