Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Polar Bear Photo Safari
LODGE
DURATION
6 – 7 Nights
WEATHER
Average: -20C to -5C (-4F to 23F)
Safari Overview
In the austere beauty of late October and November, where the boreal forest edges against Hudson Bay’s wild coast, an extraordinary convergence occurs. The Polar Bear Photo Safari at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge offers seven days at the crossroads of multiple worlds, where polar bears patrol the threshold between forest and sea ice, and every day authors its own story in light and shadow.
Your journey to the lodge begins with a flight from Churchill over Wapusk National Park and the historic York Factory, where bears might appear below like brushstrokes against the landscape. But it’s at Nanuk, our most remote lodge, where the true scope of this wilderness reveals itself. Here, the interplay of ecosystems creates a photographer’s paradise – polar bears moving along the coast, wolves ghosting through forest edges, and moose carefully navigating away from their enemies.
Each day combines two guided excursions, utilizing our custom “Tundra Rhinos,” snowmobiles, and komatiks, and walks that position you for ground-level encounters with the Arctic’s most magnificent creatures. This is not a safari for the faint of heart – the conditions demand dedication, but reward perseverance with portfolio-defining moments. Our expert guides read this landscape like a familiar book, understanding both wildlife behaviour and the technical requirements of professional photography.
As evening embraces the lodge, gather in our cozy lounge to review the day’s work beside the fireplace, share techniques with fellow photographers, and savour tundra-inspired cuisine. Clear nights might reveal the aurora borealis painting its own stories across the stars – a final challenge for cameras and creativity alike.
This is wilderness photography in its purest form – where untamed nature meets technical mastery, and every frame captures the raw elegance of a land where apex predators still rule the horizon.
Lodge + Location
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
250 KM SOUTH OF CHURCHILL BY PLANE
57° 07’ 22.4” N / 91° 39’ 52.0” W
Situated next to pristine Arctic waters on Hudson Bay with Canada’s Boreal Forest as its backyard sits Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. The diverse ecosystem surrounding Nanuk is home to Canadian icons such as polar bears, black bears, wolves, and moose.
From the safety of the fence surrounding the Lodge, view the northern lights or get up-close-and-personal with the polar bears and other wildlife that meander past, as curious about you as you are about them.
The eight guestrooms with en-suite bathrooms are housed in two guest wings connected to the main dining room/lounge area, each with cozy sitting areas overlooking the Bay. After a long day trekking the tundra, kick back in our lounge and enjoy an informative presentation by our guides or simply relax and enjoy conversations with new friends.
Itinerary
Days 1 - 2
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.
Includes: dinner
Day 2
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!
Arrive in Churchill by air where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and provide you with instructions of the morning transfer. You will then be transferred by fixed wing aircraft to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. This exciting one-hour flight takes you over Wapusk National Park as well as the historic York Factory. Keep a sharp eye en-route for wildlife including the ‘Great Ice Bears’.
Upon arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. Then it’s time to assemble your cameras, hard drives, and tripods and start shooting.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Days 3 - 5
NATURE TREKKING, POLAR BEARS AND MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPHY!
Each morning after a hot breakfast, your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions. Note that to maximize photography time and opportunities, your daily schedule may be adjusted.
Our Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is a wildly rugged and remote location catering to the photographer willing to spend long hours in the field getting up close and personal, at ground level, with Arctic wildlife. The shoreline location of the lodge is ideal for photographing bears on snow and ice, and on clear nights offers excellent chances for northern lights photography.
After appetizers and another one of our signature meals, evenings are spent near the fireplace downloading images, sharing the day’s adventures, or taking in an informative lecture or slide show.
Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. Our staff monitor the compound and skies and will rouse you if the aurora or a nocturnal polar bear make an appearance.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
LAST MINUTE WILDLIFE VIEWING
After another 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 and 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.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7
HOMEWARD BOUND
After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home.
*NOTE FOR 8 DAY ITINERARY
The above itinerary reflects a 7-day package as that is the majority of our Nanuk Lodge departures. We are offering a couple departure as an 8-day package. Essentially, the itinerary is the same but as you will have five nights at the Lodge and your days would be numbered slightly different. Day 3-6 are your days at the Lodge, Day 7 is the day you transfer back to Churchill/Winnipeg and Day 8 would be the day you fly home.
Churchill Wild reserves the right to make changes to this itinerary due to weather and logistical complications that can arise from traveling in the north and to remote locations.
Dates & Rates
2025 Dates
Dates
Lodge
Availability
Inquire
October 25 - November 1, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
SOLD OUT
October 30 - November 5, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
SOLD OUT
November 3 - 9, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
SOLD OUT
November 7 - 13, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
SOLD OUT
November 11 - 18, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
SOLD OUT
* 8 DAY TRIPS: October 25 – November 1 and November 11 – 18, 2024
2025 Rates
2025
7-Day Itinerary - Price Per Person (Double Occupancy)
$16,795 CAD
2025
7-Day Itinerary - Single Private Room
$31,095 CAD
2025
8-Day Itinerary - Price Per Person (Double Occupancy)
$18,395 CAD
2025
8-Day Itinerary - Single Private Room
$34,095 CAD
Download 2025 7 Day PDF ItineraryDownload 2025 8 Day PDF Itinerary
2026 Dates
Dates
Lodge
Availability
Inquire
* 8 DAY TRIPS: October 24 – 31, October 29 – November 5, and November 11 – 18, 2026
2026 Rates
2026
7-Day Itinerary - Price Per Person (Double Occupancy)
$18,395 CAD
2026
7-Day Itinerary - Single Private Room
$33,995 CAD
2026
8-Day Itinerary - Price Per Person (Double Occupancy)
$20,395 CAD
2026
8-Day Itinerary - Single Private Room
$37,695 CAD
Download 2026 7 Day PDF ItineraryDownload 2026 8 Day PDF Itinerary
Prices are subject to taxes of 8.5%. Children from ages 8 to 12 qualify for the child rate.
* Single guests can sign up to share a room with another person of the same gender at the regular rate per person based on double occupancy. If a single guest prefers to have a private room option we also have a single private room rate as listed above. This rate guarantees a private room at the Lodge as well as at the hotels required within the package.
Inclusions
- Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba
- Roundtrip airfare between Churchill and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
- Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
- Four/five nights’ lodge accommodations
- All meals, excursions and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
- Winter gear*
*The winter gear we provide is designed to fit guests from child to adult. Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 or a very small child are customized sizes that we do not provide. Additionally, guests over 6’4” may be required to bring their own gear as we may not have clothing sizes to fit.
Not Included
- Taxes and Gratuities
For questions or booking inquiries, call 1-866-UGO-WILD (846-9453) or contact us.
Download 7-Day PDF ItineraryDownload 8-Day PDF Itinerary
For questions or booking inquiries, call 1-866-UGO-WILD (846-9453) or contact us.
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