Muir's Tours - polar bears


Specialist Polar Bear Tours

If you are a keen naturalist or photographer then these tours give you more time to observe polar bears on the tundra near Churchill (south west Hudson Bay) and the leader is either an expert naturalist or a professional photographer.

"it's been a long season watching those tundra buggies,
I don't think I am going to look for any today"

On these Specialist Polar Bear Tours you are staying overnight on the tundra in a movable lodge (the Tundra Buggy Lodge) that is positioned in one of the best locations at Gordon Point or other currently favoured place for the bears or in a Churchill hotel. The Churchill hotels / guest houses are adequate, but do not expect anything fancy, this is the frontier. There are various dates available and all of them give a great chance to see bears.

If you choose the Tundra Buggy Lodge based versions, you will take Tundra Buggy rides to seek out the bears as they shift around the tundra. The benefit of the being at the Tundra Buggy Lodge, is a) more time on the tundra and b) you get to see the different moods of the tundra and maybe the northern lights.  The northern lights are not so easy to see from Churchill because of the light pollution.

On the Tundra Buggy Lodge there are limited toilet and shower facilities as water and waste transportation is a real problem out here from an environmental angle.  You will share 3 or 4 toilets and 2 showers with 38 people. 99% of our guests feel the small inconvenience is more than made up by the extra time on the tundra. More about the tundra lodge

The Specialist Tour group size is smaller and the tours are longer. The packages are All-Inclusive, with most meals provided. There are fewer people in the group so there is extra room during the days on the Tundra Buggy for your photographic equipment or more time to ask the professional leader those questions you have been pondering over.
 

There are 5 types of Specialist Tours

1 - Photographic
These tours are for amateurs as well as professional photographers who want to learn from the experienced professional photographic guides. They will help you with information about the bears as well as tips to get the best out of your camera in the unusual light conditions here on the tundra. Choose to stay overnight in a Churchill hotel or in the Tundra Lodge.
 

2 - Focus on Nature
These tours provide in-depth lectures and observation lead by a Naturalist Guide. If your desire is to learn the most you can about the bears and their habitat, this is for you. Choose to stay overnight in a Churchill hotel or in the Tundra Lodge.
3 - The Cape Churchill Polar Bear Tour
Staying in the Tundra Buggy Lodge at Cape Churchill - the best place to photograph bears late in the season, as they prepare to go onto the ice. Many of the polar bear documentaries you have seen on TV or photographs of the bears in print have been shot on this very trip.  Itinerary

The Cape Churchill trips are the longest tours giving you the most time on the tundra to observe and photograph these awesome creatures. There are limited toilet and shower facilities as water and waste transportation is a real problem out here from an environmental angle.  You will share 3 or 4 toilets and 2 showers. 99% of our guests feel the small inconvenience is more than made up by the extra time on the tundra. More about the tundra lodge

4 - Black and White Bears - Both in One Tour
Two Locations in one package - see the black bears and other wildlife in the wooded hills of south Manitoba and also see the great white bears around Churchill.  Itinerary

5 - Classic Polar Bear Tours (6 or 7 days)
Watching polar bears for 2 days and 1 evening on the tundra for a very good price. Operational since 1989 the Classic is a Specialist tour with all the extras like its more expensive stablemates, but only a medium price. Itinerary and Prices

ViaRail Option 
A very interesting 36 hour train journey is available on any of the above for an extra cost, subject to availability. Unless you are booking certain Enthusiast Tours the only way to get a cabin on the train is to book your train ticket at www.viarail.com in December or early January - otherwise all the cabins are likely to be fully booked.    Rail Travel


 

A Tundra Buggy Driver's Diary        What gear do I need ?        Feedback from our travellers


Specialist Hotel Based Tours

2008 Prices

Please note that exchange rates affect the prices shown,
except Canadian Dollars, which is the base currency.

Taxes of 6.5% net are included

The prices below were calculated when CAD 1 = GBP 0.4928, AUD 1.1156 & USD 0.989
 (delete stored web pages and refresh this page to get recent updates)
 

Code

HP72PS

HP73NS

HP74PS

Available

12 Places

12 Places

10 Places

Dates

29th Oct - 05th Nov

29th Oct - 05th Nov

06th - 13th Nov

Winnipeg

2 nights

2 nights

2 nights

Churchill

5 nights

5 nights

5 nights

Time out on the Tundra

4 full days

4 full days

4 full days

Leader

Pro Naturalist

Pro Photographer

Pro Photographer

Local Flights

Return from Winnipeg

Return from Winnipeg

Return from Winnipeg

Price US

USD6008

USD6008

USD6008
Price AU AUD6766 AUD6766 AUD6766

Base Currency

CAD6069

CAD6069

CAD6069

Price UK

GBP2946

GBP2946

GBP2946

Single Supplement

CAD935

CAD935

CAD935

Activities

Town Orientation

Town Orientation

Town Orientation

Ask questions about this option

What is Included
 * Return airfare from Winnipeg *
* A Hotel in Winnipeg (normally the Sheraton) *
* Transport to & from Churchill Airport *
* Transport to & from the tundra and the Tundra Buggy *
* Most meals at your hotel and lunches on the Tundra Buggy *

Full details will be provided in a personalised quotation.

Specialist Tundra Buggy Lodge Based Tours

2008 Prices

Please note that exchange rates affect the prices shown,
except Canadian Dollars, which is the base currency.

Taxes of 6.5% net are included

The prices below were calculated when CAD 1 = GBP 0.4928, AUD 1.1156 & USD 0.989
 (delete stored web pages and refresh this page to get recent updates)
 

Code

PB76NS

PB77PS

PB78NS

PB79PS

Available

12 Places

16 Places

14 Places

11 Places

Dates

07-14 Nov

07-14 Nov

12-19 Nov

12-19 Nov

Winnipeg

2 nights

2 nights

2 nights

2 nights

Tundra Lodge

5 nights

5 nights

5 nights

5 nights

Time out on the Tundra

4+ days
only 18 seats of 38 filled

4+ days
only 18 seats of 38 filled

4+ days
only 18 seats of 38 filled

4+ days
only 18 seats of 38 filled

Leader

Pro Naturalist

Pro Photographer

Pro Naturalist

Pro Photographer

Local Flights

Round Trip Winnipeg / Churchill

Round Trip Winnipeg / Churchill

Round Trip Winnipeg / Churchill

Round Trip Winnipeg / Churchill

Price US

USD7268

USD7268

USD7268

USD7268

Price AU

AUD8196

AUD8196

AUD8196

AUD8196

Base Currency CAD

CAD7347

CAD7347

CAD7347

CAD7347

Price UK

GBP3565

GBP3565

GBP3565

GBP3565

Single Supplement

CAD180

CAD180

CAD180

CAD180

Activities

Town Orientation

Town Orientation

Town Orientation

Town Orientation

There are limited toilet and shower facilities as water and waste transportation is a real problem out here from an environmental angle.  You will share 3 or 4 toilets and 2 showers. 99% of our guests feel the small inconvenience is more than made up by the extra time on the tundra. More about the tundra lodge

Ask questions about these options

What is Included
 * Return airfare from Winnipeg *
* A Hotel in Winnipeg (normally the Sheraton) *
* Transport to & from Churchill Airport *
* Transport to & from the tundra *
* all meals on the Tundra Lodge and some at your hotel *

Full details will be provided in a personalised quotation.
 

Feedback from our travellers

Terms & Conditions     Reservation Form
 

The Cape Churchill Polar Bear Tour

2008 Prices

Please note that exchange rates affect the prices shown,
except Canadian Dollars, which is the base currency.

Taxes of 6.5% net are included

The prices below were calculated when CAD 1 = GBP 0.4928, AUD 1.1156 & USD 0.989
 (delete stored web pages and refresh this page to get recent updates)
 

Code

CA01S

CA02S
Available

9 Places

 Not this year

Dates

17 - 28th Nov

-

Winnipeg

2 nights

2 nights

Churchill

1 night

1 night

Tundra Buggy Lodge 

 8 nights

7 nights 

Time out on the Tundra

7 full days

6 full days

Leader

Pro Photographer - Daniel J. Cox

Pro Photographer and Naturalist Guides

Local Flights

Round Trip Winnipeg / Churchill

Round Trip Winnipeg / Churchill

Price US

USD8957

USD8957
Price AU AUD10,089 AUD10,089

Base Currency CAD

CAD9051

CAD9051

Price GB£

GBP4391

GBP4391

Single Supplement

CAD330

CAD330

Activities

Town Orientation

Town Orientation

There are limited toilet and shower facilities as water and waste transportation is a real problem out here from an environmental angle.  You will share 3 or 4 toilets and 2 showers with up to 38 people. 99% of our guests feel the small inconvenience is more than made up by the extra time on the tundra. More about the tundra lodge

Ask questions about this option

What is Included
* Return airfare from Winnipeg *
* A Hotel in Winnipeg (normally the Sheraton) *
* Transport to or from Churchill Airport *
* Transport to & from the tundra *
* Hotel in Churchill, on a shared basis *
* All meals included *
* Activities as stated in the table *

Full details will be provided in a personalised quotation.

Feedback from our travellers

Terms & Conditions       Reservation Form

Airfare (from the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be about GBP480 - GBP700 in economy class.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.