Included
Accommodations; services of professional expedition leader(s) and assistants; Polar Rover excursions; dog sledding excursion; evening wildlife and cultural presentations; all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day; cold-weather gear including a parka and boots during your trip; most gratuities; airport transfers on Day 1 and final day; all activities and entrance fees; all taxes, permits and service fees.
Exclusions
Travel to and from Winnipeg; alcoholic beverages; some gratuities; passport and visa fees; airport and departure taxes; optional travel insurance and insurance of any kind; items of a personal nature (telephone calls, souvenirs, laundry, etc.); optional activities. All passengers are required to purchase the round-trip Winnipeg-Churchill group flight package ($1,297 per person in 2024, booked through AdventureSmith).
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $500 is required per person at time of booking. Deposit may be transferred to a new departure date of this trip anytime before the balance of the trip price is due, 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days – $100 cancellation fee
120 to 61 days – 50% of total trip cost
60 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
The Classic Polar Bear Adventure begins and ends in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (YWG). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Winnipeg no later than 5:00pm on Day 1 of the itinerary in order to participate in a mandatory group welcome briefing and dinner beginning at 7:00pm. Plan flights to depart Winnipeg anytime on the final day of the trip. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.
Internal Flights
Required internal group flights on Day 2 and Day 6 between Winnipeg and Churchill are not included in the rate; see the mandatory transfer package information listed in Exclusions.
Activities
The Classic Polar Bear Adventure Trip is a genuine wilderness experience, located in an exceptionally remote and rugged area that is accessed via a charter flight. Activities take place in this remote and rugged environment with unpredictable weather, so be prepared for a true wilderness adventure. Active days revolve around excursions to the tundra in polar rovers, watching for bears. A night is spent on the tundra in the polar rover, watching for the aurora borealis. Other daytime activities may include a possible scenic drive, free time in Churchill, dog sledding or an opportunity for an optional hour-long helicopter excursion for up to 5 guests over the tundra (inquire for pricing & details).
Room Configuration
Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy room may do so at $1,295 (2024) supplement for the 7-day itinerary, in addition to the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Solo travelers willing to share, please ask your Adventure Specialist about the possibility of matching with a roommate; this program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found.
Families & Children
Due to the expedition nature of this program, children must be 12 years old at time of departure.
Travel Insurance
Optional emergency medical evacuation insurance with a minimum coverage of $250,000 per person is recommended for this trip. Trip cancellation insurance is also optional but highly recommended. Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.
Itinerary & Polar Bear Season Notes
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact program varies according to wildlife and weather conditions. Polar bears are typically found in the Churchill area year-round with the highest concentration in October and November as the bears gather on the shores of Hudson Bay awaiting the annual freeze-up. Sometimes the best bear viewing is at the beginning of the season, sometimes it happens in the middle, and sometimes at the end—we never know for sure. Once Hudson Bay freezes, many of them depart. Historically, this has occurred in early December, but an unusually early cold spell sometimes happens, hastening their departure. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.
Variable Departure Details
Rates and dates are tentative and will be allocated to guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your Adventure Specialist will confirm details at time of booking.
