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Your next great adventure starts here

Looking for all inclusive Travel to Churchill?

Booking your entire trip just got easier

We are proud to be partnered with Heartland Travel, another family run, Manitoba company. We now offer packages through Heartland for all of Churchill’s sights and seasons. Contact Heartland travel to start booking your multi-day Churchill adventure now.

When To Visit

Churchill is an adventurer’s paradise.

With each change of season comes new wildlife and new sites to experience. Choosing the right season for your visit is important; whether you’re hoping for a once in a lifetime wildlife encounter, a cultural immersion, or to experience the barren beauty of the Arctic winter, there is a perfect time of year for your visit.

There are three main seasons to travel to Churchill: Polar Bear Season (October & November), Northern Lights Season (January & February), and Beluga Whale Season (Late June, July, & August). If you’re still not sure when is best for you to visit, scroll down to the FAQ section of this page, or contact us for personal advice.

Wildlife

Churchill is not only known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World", but also the "Beluga Whale Capital of World" giving it some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet.

With as many as 1000 polar bears in the fall, and the Churchill River bubbling with nearly 4000 belugas in the summer, it's easy to see why this frontier town has become a destination for adventurers from around the globe. With over 270 species of birds, Churchill is a birder's paradise. The area is teeming with other wildlife too: red, silver and arctic foxes, caribou, wolverine, arctic hare, wolves and seals.  If you are hoping for a trip packed with exciting polar bear sightings and beautiful foxes, the best season for you is fall. If you want to interact with playful beluga whales, watch migratory birds, and see a wildflower covered Tundra, the best season for your visit is summer.

  • “This exceeded my expectations. The icing on the cake included viewing two species of animals that I never thought I'd see in my life, much less have the chance to photograph.”

    -Richard P. (Private Photography Group)

  • "I had the pleasure of touring with North Star multiple times during my trip. Both guides had a deep knowledge of Churchill and the surrounding area. Our trip was made special by them sharing personal stories of growing up in such a wild and vibrant place."

    -Liz W. (Town & Area Tour)

  • "We can't recommend North Star Tours enough. We spent nearly a week in Churchill, touring with multiple companies, and North Star definitely stood out to us. The guides are skilled, knowledgeable, and fun to tour with."

    -Suzanne V. (Coastal Roads & Hidden Trails Tour)

  • "Our Guide had great knowledge of the area and the history of Churchill. The vehicles are comfortable and can get you on all the side roads. Touring with North Star has been absolutely incredible. Book the Full Day Coastal Tour and you'll have a blast."

    -Rohit V. (Coastal Roads & Hidden Trails Tour)

  • "We toured in a group with Kenny, the shotgun toting driver of our mini-bus. He informed us about the scope of the US Military involvement in Churchill after WWII, and took us to places that we would have never ventured to, like the abandoned radar station and “Miss Piggy” at the far edge of town. It was a wonderful experience. We are SO delighted we ventured that far north, and look forward to doing it again in the near future."

    -Shawna C. (Town & Area Tour)

  • "The trip was amazing! We had a great group of riders, and the guides completely hit it out of the park. Everything completely exceeded any expectation I might have had; the organization and communication from the staff was flawless and on point. Remi was diligent in making sure we were informed about any possible problems in the upcoming portion of the ride each day and made sure we understood what we were to do in every situation. The accommodations and meals were also better than I expected, especially considering the remoteness of the area. I've been to a few top end hunting ranches in the states that have nothing on these offerings."

    - Ken H. (Quest For The Bay Snowmobile Trip)

  • “We were blown away by this company. Remi and his staff did an outstanding job looking after us. Our guide was so knowledgeable about everything Churchill; the wildlife, flora, history and local legends, which really added to the whole experience. And the best part, we saw polar bears on both days— spectacular!”

    -Michelle W. (Town & Area and Half Day Coastal Roads Tour)

History, Heritage, & Culture

The history and heritage of Churchill, Manitoba is rich and deep, dating back thousands of years.

Starting with the first explorers who set out in search of the notorious North West Passage, continuing to develop with the bustling fur trade, flourishing with a massive military presence during the Cold War, and now continuing with its new step into tourism. Churchill's history has always been an integral part of Canada's.

If the history and heritage of our frontier town is going to be the focus of your trip, we recommend visiting in the summer when historical sites are easiest to reach and the weather is mild. We also highly recommend the Town And Area Tour, which covers history and heritage and is offered during all travel seasons.

Churchill also has a very unique cultural background. The indigenous population of Inuit, Dene, Cree, and Métis people bring unique art, craftsmanship, music, and sacred traditions to the North. There is much to learn from the people here, as their language and their way of life contribute greatly to the areas history.

VIP, Private, & Custom Experiences

We offer completely customizable tours.

Whether you’re a serious photographer looking for amazing photo opportunities, seeking the knowledge that comes from one-on-one time with an experienced local guide, or loking to plan the most incredible trip including features such as private jets and ground transport, musicians, Service staff on site, and Private Chefs— We can help you out. Let us create a Churchill Experience like no other:

  • Photography Tours

  • Exclusive VIP All-Inclusive Packages

  • Private Guiding

  • Luggage Transfer and Service

  • Custom Camera Rigged Vehicles

  • Remote Area Services and Specialized Terrain Vehicles

  • Polar Bear Security

  • Private Shuttles and Transport

Our Tours: Choose Your Adventure

Churchill FAQ

  • When should I visit Churchill?

    It depends on what you would like to see! The Fall (October & November) is best for wildlife like polar bears, foxes, arctic hares, and ptarmigan. Summer (July & August) is best for beluga whales, flora, and historic sites. Lastly, Winter (February & March) are great for Northern Lights and learning about Churchills rich cultural background.

  • Why are wildlife tours (Polar Bears) not listed for July, August and September?

    Though we will occasionally run wildlife tours during these months, we do not generally recommend it as the best time for viewing polar bears. We are willing to book a tour for groups of three or more , as long as all participants have full understanding that it is the "Shoulder Season" and that we do not guarantee wildlife sightings on any of our tours. The time of year we recommend coming to see bears and other wildlife is beginning in October. A better tour to do in this shoulder season is our Town and Area Tour, which focuses on the cultural and historical sites in and around town rather than wildlife (But we always keep a lookout for it of course!)

  • How do I book my tours?

    All of your tours can be booked over the phone, or via email. Just visit our contact page and reach out. We will happily book you for the tour of your dreams.

  • Can I see Polar Bears, Belugas, and Northern Lights all in one trip?

    Though it could technically be possible, the different natural attractions of Churchill are rarely seen all in one trip. Churchill has different wildlife viewing opportunities with each season and we highly recommend planning your trip timing around the type you most want to see. Want to see polar bears and whales on the same trip in the summer? Sure, maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of a bear sleeping on shore during a beluga whale tour, but to see bears at their most active, plentiful, and for closer encounters, the only time to go is in the fall. Are you a Photographer who’s priority is to get stunning northern lights photos? You will likely see the Aurora during Bear Season but the brightest and best lights are during the winter months. The same goes for all natural wonders in the area; you may see them during different seasons, but to see them at their best is something entirely different.

  • How do the Aurora Tours really work? What is the "Call List"?

    To sign up for an Aurora Tour, we take a $25.00 non refundable deposit for each guest to be placed on what we refer to as "The Call List" this is the list given to our Guide who stays on duty until 10pm watching for the lights. If the lights come out, the Guide calls you, picks you up and takes you out on tour and you pay the remaining tour price in the morning. If the lights do not come out by 10pm, the guide will not contact you and you do not pay the remaining tour price of $200.00, but you will not.be refunded the $25.00. If you sign up for multiple nights, and for example, the lights come out on the first night and you do not wish to go again, you only forfeit your $25 for each night you signed up for, not the whole tour amount.

  • Where is the North Star Tours Office?

    Our tour desk is located inside the lobby of the Polar Inn & Suites Hotel. This is also the meeting place for all of our tours and the spot to visit if you have any questions while you’re in Churchill.

  • How do I get to Churchill? Can I drive?

    The short answer is no! There are actually no roads in and out of Churchill Manitoba. The only ways to travel here are by Train or by plane, which we thinks makes it an even more exciting destination. See www.viarail.ca for train travel options, and www.calmair.com for flights.

  • Can children come on these tours?

    Yes! We love when little ones can appreciate wildlife sightings too! All children must be accompanied by an adult who assumes full control and responsibility for them. They also must be able to abide by the safety rules put in place by the guide at the start of the trip. If your child requires special items such as a booster seat, you must provide it yourself.

  • What kind of vehicles do you tours use?

    Our Full Day and Half Day Coastal Roads Wildlife Tours use large 4x4 vans— after many years of operation, we’ve found this is the best vehicle for navigating the tough trails and roads of the Tundra to get to the best spots for wildlife viewing. Our vans also have the perk of doors on both sides, providing easy entry and exit for all passengers. We also never fill our vehicles to max capacity, keeping passenger comfort and safety a top priority.

  • What should I pack?

    During Bear Season or Northern Lights season, warm clothing is priority! We recommend layers, long underwear, a neck warmer, beanie, gloves, & mitts (We suggest having thin gloves under mitts so you can remove your hands to manipulate a camera without exposing your skin). Luckily, parkas, snow pants and boots are available for rent at the Polar Inn Botique & Suites if you don’t own cold weather gear (be sure to call ahead of your trip to check availability of rentals). Along with proper clothing, we also highly recommend bringing extra batteries! The cold will drain your devices batteries at a rate you might not expect. If you have USB power banks to charge your phone, and a USB charger for your camera batteries, we suggest packing these so you’ll never miss out on a photo opportunity during long, chilly tours on the Tundra. In the warmer summer months, we recommend packing for a range of weather. Temperatures can be high during the day and low at night, meaning you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of layers you can pile on or peel off according to the weather. A waterproof jacket is the best outer layer. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and bug repellent are a must to keep you as comfortable as possible during your stay.

  • Why is Churchill called “The Polar Bear Capital of the World?"

    There are just under 20 places on Earth to see Polar Bears in the Wild. Thirteen of those places are in Canada, and Churchill is the most accessible place of them. The Western part of the Hudson Bay where Churchill is situated is the perfect spot for the bears to come ashore when the ice melts in the summer, and wait for it to freeze again in the winter. With a large bear population, easy accessibility, and amazing hospitality, it’s no wonder that the town draws an estimated 10,000 visitors every year during this time.

  • How cold will Churchill be in October and November?

    Weather can vary greatly in the North during any season, which is why we recommend coming prepared for anything. Typically during Polar Bear season in October and November it can be mild enough for a light jacket, or could be -30 Celsius, in which case you’d want full winter gear with no exposed skin. Unpredictable weather is a predictable part of adventuring this far north, and we hope you’ll embrace it as much as we do.

  • What is included/not included in my tour with North Star?

    Each of our tours has different add on options and includes different things. We recommend reading the tour description very carefully before booking. If you still have questions after reading, just contact us and we will be happy to clarify on anything. None of our tours include insurance, so we always recommend you purchase this before coming, making sure your coverage includes Remote Area Travel and Trip Cancellation.

  • Am I guaranteed to see a polar bear on my tour?

    Although it is rare to not see a polar bear during peak season, unfortunately it can sometimes happen. Having a great guide exponentially increases your chance of seeing polar bears, but at the end of the day, we are all at the mercy of nature which can be unpredictable for even the best guides in the world. For this reason we can never make a guarantee about viewing animals.

  • What if I book my Northern Lights Tour and don’t see the lights?

    Just like with all of our nature tours, the lights are a natural phenomenon and we can not guarantee you will see them. We use your non-refundable deposit money to pay our guides to stay up late and look for the lights every night you sign up. Our guides are working around the clock to provide you with the best Churchill experience possible (Even the ones that happen late at night), and we hope you understand the non refundable nature of our deposits.

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