Churchill – 2027/28

Tours

Photographing Polar Bears at Eye Level

Churchill is globally renowned as the Polar Bear capital of the world. This remote arctic port town, situated on the shores of Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba, Canada, is one of the most secluded outposts on the planet. Located 1,000 kilometres north of Winnipeg, Churchill feels like stepping into another world where wildlife enthusiasts gather to witness the raw power of the Arctic.

Our expedition is precisely timed to coincide with the peak gathering of these majestic predators. As winter takes hold, up to 700 Polar Bears converge on the shores of the bay waiting for the pack ice to freeze so they can begin their hunt for seals. While most tours observe these animals from the height of large tundra buggies – forcing photographers to shoot down at their subjects – we do things differently. By utilising heated 4×4 vehicles, we ensure you photograph at eye level, resulting in the intimate, high-impact imagery that only a ground-level perspective can provide. (For those wanting a more remote, off-grid experience living directly on the sea ice, our Baffin Island expedition offers a different side to Canada’s Polar Bears.)

Beyond the bears, the region offers a wealth of subjects, from Arctic Hares and Red Foxes to the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights on clear nights. The town itself adds a layer of rich culture, featuring cosy restaurants and a world-class Eskimo museum boasting one of the largest collections of Inuit artefacts in existence.

This tour is perfect for those who want the full Arctic experience and a professional-grade portfolio without the need for a hardcore, extreme-cold expedition. Join us for a unique vantage point on the Arctic’s greatest icon to capture the imagery that few other photographers will ever achieve.

Tour Info

  • Key Locations: Churchill
  • Start/End Point: The trip starts and ends in Churchill, located in northern Manitoba, Canada, on the western shore of Hudson Bay
  • Photography Targets:
  • Arctic Hare
  • Cross Fox
  • Northern Lights
  • Polar Bear
  • Red Fox
  • Tundra
  • Target Audience: Beginner and Pro Photographers, Non Photographers, Adventurers
  • Fitness Level: Very little required – most of the time is spent in transport
  • Coolest Temperature Rating: -10°C to -20°C (night)
  • Clothing: We will advise you on what clothing you need for this tour – from a down jacket to Baffin boots
  • Group Size: Max 5 clients (plus 2 leaders and 1 fully trained guide)
A polar bear mother and her cub rest on a dark, rocky slope scattered with patches of snow. The mother bear is facing left with her mouth wide open in a yawn. The cub sits in front of her, looking directly toward the camera, its thick white fur illuminated by soft, low-angled light.

Your Accommodation

You will be staying at a charming and rustic inn in Churchill. Each of the 24 bedrooms provides a cosy, private sanctuary, complete with an en-suite bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, a coffee maker and an in-room mini-fridge. While the rooms are simple and comfortable, their central location is a significant advantage, placing you near the town’s local attractions and renowned Itsanitaq Museum. The dining experience is a key part of the Churchill adventure. For your evening meals, we visit the town’s local restaurants, offering you the chance to immerse yourself in the authentic culture of the Arctic. These establishments are famous for their hearty, homemade hospitality, serving regional specialities inspired by the land and sea. This approach allows you to enjoy high-quality, diverse menus each night while relaxing in the warm, communal atmosphere of one of the world’s most remote outposts.

Pricing Overview

  • Price: £5,699 per person
  • What’s Included:
  • All accommodation, transport and meals (all dietary requirements can be catered for)
  • Airport transfers
  • Photography tuition
  • Use of a professional guide, should you need any assistance
  • From November 8th to November 12th (5 full days), you will be picked up in a 4×4 to find and photograph Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife
  • During the 5 days of photography, you will be picked up at 8.30am, then visit a local place for lunch at 12pm and then out again at 1pm until 4pm
  • What’s Not Included:
  • Personal expenses
  • Alcohol and snacks
  • Photography gear
  • Travel insurance (you must take this out before travelling with us)
  • Tour Date: November 7 – November 13, 2027 (Spaces Left: Sold Out)
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  • Tour Date 2: November 7 – November 13, 2028 (Spaces Left: 4)
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A polar bear looks directly toward the camera, its face filling most of the frame. Its thick, cream-colored fur is shown in sharp detail, contrasting with its dark eyes and large black nose.
A polar bear walks directly toward the camera across a snow-covered landscape. Its head is turned to the side as it moves, looking away from the camera's path.
A Willow Ptarmigan in its pure white winter plumage stands in a snowy landscape. The bird is looking toward the viewer and slightly upward, its small black beak and dark eye contrasting sharply with its feathers.

Secure Your Place in the Wild Today

With spaces extremely limited, don’t miss your chance to capture iconic wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.

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Experience Your Own Close Encounter with a Polar Bear

Most polar bear tours shoot down from a raised buggy platform. This one puts you at eye level, close enough to a bear crossing the open tundra to shoot without a lens change.

Play video: Close-up, eye-level view of a polar bear in Churchill.
Play

Tour Leader: David Gibbon

David Gibbon, owner of Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd., brings extensive High Arctic experience, having ventured to Ellesmere Island twice – the closest landmass to the North Pole – living in temperatures below -50 degrees to photograph iconic Arctic wildlife. His dream has always been to run wildlife tours to Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world.

An acclaimed photographer, David has been awarded twice in the prestigious Nature Photographer of the Year and in Travel Photographer of the Year. He was invited to have a solo exhibition of his Arctic Fox images at the Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah (near Dubai) in 2025.

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Tour leader David Gibbon, wearing a white knitted beanie, a black neck warmer, a brown puffer jacket, and a black backpack on his shoulders, stands in a snowy mountain valley, looking to the left. The sun casts shadows on the rocky slopes behind him.

Churchill – 2027/28 Gallery

  • A polar bear walks forward with its head lowered toward the snow. Bright light catches its thick white fur, making its dark eyes and nose stand out, while a large front paw with dark claws is visible at the bottom of the frame.
  • A mother polar bear and her cub sitting together on snow-dusted rocks in Churchill, bathed in warm, golden sunlight. The mother is licking her cub's mouth.
  • A polar bear walks across a snowy landscape, turning its head to look back over its shoulder. Its thick, cream-colored fur is shown in sharp detail, contrasting with its dark eyes and black nose. One large, fur-covered paw is captured mid-step on a patch of snow in the foreground.
  • A white Arctic hare with textured fur and long ears tipped in black, looking directly forward.
  • A polar bear sitting on snow mixed with dark vegetation in Churchill, turning to look up and back over its shoulder against a bright, overcast sky.

Tour FAQs

We work with a guide who was born in and has lived all of his life in Churchill. He has been watching Polar Bears there since he was a child. Most guides in Churchill are not even from Churchill. Our guide knows every place where these bears hang out.

The chances are very high - Churchill is known as the Polar Bear capital of the world and for good reason. Our guide knows every nook and cranny of this place and where the bears are likely to be. And he is a photographer himself so understands how to get us into position for great images.

We have a maximum of 3 people in each truck - one in the front and two in the back. This means everyone is guaranteed a window seat so if a bear is close they can wind down their window - if it is safe to do so - and take a fantastic shot.

When the guide deems it safe, we can get out of the truck and lay on the ground to capture breathtaking images of Polar Bears at eye level.

Yes, our guide will stand with a rifle and watch out for any approaching bears as we get our shots.

Absolutely. We work with the conservation group Polar Bears International and will arrange for you to enjoy a talk by one of their leading experts. They will give a fascinating lecture about Polar Bears and their conservation. This will take place on your first day in Churchill.

Yes, breakfast is served daily in the guesthouse. And during the tour each day, we will call for lunch staying close to the area the bears are. This means we don’t waste time going all the way back to the main town. And during the evening, we will all go out for dinner at one of the many fantastic restaurants in Churchill. We try to mix it up by visiting a different restaurant each evening.

It can be very cold in Churchill during winter, so you need a good down jacket that is preferably waterproof, along with insulated waterproof trousers. You also need insulated waterproof boots built for extreme cold such as Arctic Muck Boots.

You need a tripod and a wide angle lens if you would like to photograph the Northern Lights, which are seen regularly. For wildlife, I would take a prime lens such as a 500mm or 600mm lens and extenders inc the 14x and 2.0x.

Yes, we book a guesthouse right in the centre of town so it’s just a short walk to the local restaurants, souvenir shops and also a grocery store if you want to buy snacks.

The guesthouse is basic - as is most accommodation in this high arctic town - but it is clean, warm and serves a good breakfast.

Yes, all rooms are on a shared basis if booking as a solo traveller. Couples will get a room to themselves. If you want a single room, there is a single supplement to pay. Please let us know at the time of booking.

We have arranged for you to be picked up on arrival and taken to the guesthouse. At the end of the tour, you will also be taken back to the airport for your flight/train.

Our tour is very ethical. Our guide puts the Polar Bears first at all times which is exactly how it should be.

Yes, there’s lots of Ptarmigan in Churchill, as well as Arctic Hares and Cross Fox. Arctic Fox can also be seen sometimes.

After checking into the guesthouse, you have a free day to explore the town. There’s a fantastic inuit museum worth visiting and also lots of Polar Bear souvenir stores. Churchill is like Disneyland for Polar Bear lovers.

We will be picked up at our guesthouse at 8.30am and we will stay out all day until sunset.

Your Money is in Safe Hands

Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd. safeguards your trip deposits and balances in a dedicated trust account with Protected Trust Services (PTS), a leading provider of financial protection for UK travel companies.

Additionally, our comprehensive supplier failure insurance protects your investment if any of the ground agents or service providers we partner with fail to deliver the services you’ve paid for.

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Protected Trust Services logo for Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd, Member No 6239.
Read reviews for Wild Lens Nature Tours on Trustpilot.
  • “The scenery, wildlife and company were all exceptional and without doubt has been one of the highlights of my photography journey. It was a tour I will never forget and would thoroughly recommend.”
    Miles
    Mongolia Tour

See what our clients are saying

  • “Overall, an excellent holiday which we shared with an amazing group of fellow photographers – well organised and very enjoyable. We have returned home with a wealth of photographs and many happy memories.”
    Peter Wyles
    Iceland Tour
  • “I came back home with lots of incredible shots, lots of great memories and new friends. I would definitely recommend everyone to join Wild Lens Nature Tours for any of their very well tailored trips for nature photographers.”
    Mohammad Murad
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  • “You truly are in the hands of a professional world class team who take zero short cuts and always look after the group. I would not trust anyone else with my safety and security on an epic adventure expedition like this.”
    Brian Brooking
    Greenland Tour
  • “It was a truly special experience. We saw Arctic foxes regularly, and importantly there is no baiting, so we observed and photographed natural behaviours which made the experience far more authentic and rewarding.”
    F Stevens
    Iceland Tour
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Booking & Logistics FAQs

To secure your place on any of our expeditions, please get in touch via our Book Tour page or email us directly. We require a 25% non-refundable deposit to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour departure date.

Yes, completely. In strict accordance with UK travel law, all client payments are securely held in a dedicated trust account. Furthermore, all bookings are protected by supplier failure insurance. Should any of our partners be unable to fulfil their obligations due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be reimbursed for all prepaid services.

Wildlife photography often requires operating in unpredictable environments. If severe weather or transport disruptions alter our itinerary, our guides are highly experienced at adapting logistics on the fly to ensure your safety and maximise your photographic opportunities. We always recommend reviewing our booking terms for specific policy details regarding major weather events.

Not at all. Our expeditions are designed for beginner and professional photographers alike, as well as adventurous non-photographers. You will have access to highly tailored, one-to-one tuition in the field regardless of your current skill level.

No, travel insurance is not included. Due to the remote nature of our destinations, it is a mandatory condition of booking that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy before departing with us.

Simply visit our Contact page and follow the instructions. You can also contact us directly by phone or email, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

A black camera backpack is open on a rocky, snow-covered ground, revealing a professional camera body and telephoto lens inside. The background is a rocky mountain valley under a partly cloudy blue sky.

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