2027 Polar Bear Photography Safari
Adventure

2027 Polar Bear Photography Safari

Nov 10, 2027  -  Nov 16, 2027
    For Polar Bear and wildlife enthusiasts: Only 16 Guests!BOOK ONLINE OR CALL AN OLIVIA TRAVEL™ CONSULTANTBook Your Perfect Trip
    • Activity Level: Moderate-Difficult

      Activity Level: Moderate-Difficult

      These trips do require a high level of mobility, as the tours in Hudson Bay are all hikes on snow, ice and/or uneven terrain.  If you do have limited mobility, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you. There are also plenty of sighting opportunities at the lodge while viewing from the comfort of the lodge through the windows, or while in the fenced-in area in the back of the lodge if you wish. 

      Unfortunately, wheelchairs, walkers or scooters cannot be accommodated on this trip.

    What's Included

    • Hotel accommodations in Winnipeg November 10 and 15, 2027 at the Grand at Lakeview at Winnipeg Airport. 

    • Olivia representative to accompany the group 

    • Full gratuities to the Lodge Staff, Interpretive Polar Bear Staff and gratuities for meals included outside of the lodge 

    • 8.5% Government and VAT taxes 

    • Wireless Internet at hotel and lodge 

    • All Churchill transfers  

    • Interpretive Polar Bear experts to lead tours 

    • Three full days of guided photo expeditions 

    • Winter gear of a down jacket, boots and pants to use (fittings on the first day) 

    • Beer and wine with appetizers and dinner at the Seal River Lodge 

    • All meals, beginning with dinner on November 10 at the hotel, and ending with dinner on November 15 (as indicated in the itinerary by B/L/D). 

    • Four nights’ accommodation at Seal River Lodge on November 11, 12, 13 and 14, 2027 

    • Round-trip Air on private planes from Churchill to Hudson Bay 

    • Round-trip Air from Winnipeg to Churchill 

    What's Included
    • What's Not Included
      • Gratuities to interpretive guide/driver in Churchill (upon arrival in Churchill from Winnipeg and on departure from Churchill to Winnipeg)
      • Air transportation to/from Winnipeg
      • Items such as laundry and other items of a personal nature. 

    Itinerary

    • Day 1Winnipeg, CanadaWednesday, Nov 10, 2027

      Arrive in Winnipeg, Canada, overnight at the Grand by Lakeview Hotel (-/-/D) 

      Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel – The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport. At 7 pm, a dinner will be held at the hotel where you will meet your Olivia Staff member and fellow adventure travelers, and your adventure specialist! This is the day you will pick up winter gear if rented. You will need your rest for your early morning departure to Churchill. 

    • Day 2Seal River, Manitoba, CanadaThursday, Nov 11, 2027

      Fly from Winnipeg to Churchill to Seal River Lodge (B/L/D) 

      The adventure begins!

      Arrive in Churchill by air where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and will provide you with instructions of the morning transfer. You will then be transferred by fixed wing aircraft to our Seal River Heritage Lodge. This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River, and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast to Canada’s most exclusive polar bear viewing properties. Keep a sharp eye enroute for caribou, seals, wolves and of course the ‘Great Ice Bears.’ Upon your 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 all those priceless cameras, hard drives, and tripods and start burning some serious gigabytes! 

    • Day 3Seal River, Manitoba, CanadaFriday, Nov 12, 2027

      Morning and afternoon Photo Safari. Overnight at lodge (B/L/D) 

      Nature Trekking, polar bears and magnificent photography!

      The Seal River Heritage Lodge is a wildly rugged and remote location catering to the dedicated wildlife photographer willing to spend long hours in the field getting up close and personal with the arctic wildlife. Ground level photo opportunities are offered for arctic wildlife, including polar bears in a pristine wilderness setting. We ARE in the heart of polar bear country! Your photos will have stunning backdrops with the sea and or landscapes surrounding the Lodge. Its shoreline location is ideal for photographing bears on snow and ice. Hopefully, we’ll have an exceptional number of clear nights for northern lights photography. Our full-service mealtimes will be adjusted to accommodate photo opportunities, which are the priority, so expect many a meal to be interrupted. Generally, breakfast is served at 8 am, lunches are typically held at the Lodge at noon, with appetizers at 6 pm followed by a veritable feast for the palate at 7 pm. 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. The entire Lodge area is patrolled for Polar Bears all night by one of our night watchmen so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit by one of the Great Ice Bears (or by one of our dazzling displays of northern lights!). 

    • Day 4Seal River, Manitoba, CanadaSaturday, Nov 13, 2027

      Morning and afternoon Photo Safari. Overnight at lodge (B/L/D) 

    • Day 5Seal River, Manitoba, CanadaSunday, Nov 14, 2027

      Morning and afternoon Photo Safari. Overnight at lodge (B/L/D) 

    • Day 6Winnipeg, CanadaMonday, Nov 15, 2027

      Flight to Churchill. Flight to Winnipeg. Overnight Winnipeg (B/L/D) 

      Last minute wildlife viewing!

      After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to pack for the flight back to Churchill, say goodbyes and snap a few more pictures. After another exciting aerial tour, you’ll arrive in Churchill where your bags will be stored for you until your flight back to Winnipeg later in the day. You are then free to explore and wine & dine in this frontier community at your leisure. 

      We recommend local places such as Cape Merry, the Port of Churchill, the Itsanitaq Museum, as well as the Parks Canada exhibit, which are all of great interest. Optional tours for dog sledding and helicopter charters fit nicely into this afternoon if you’re so inclined. After dinner, you will be transferred to the airport in preparation for your flight back to Winnipeg. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and look to your right. The Grand Hotel is located across the way, only a two-minute walk.

    • Day 7Winnipeg, CanadaTuesday, Nov 16, 2027

      Depart Winnipeg at leisure (-/-/-) 

      Homeward Bound!

      After a restful sleep, you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home. May the memories of this once-in-a-lifetime-trip fill your soul for years to come! 

    Your Accomodations: The Seal River Heritage Lodge

    This beautiful lodge has earned the prestigious National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.  The lodge consists of 8 guest rooms, each with a window and en-suite bathroom with shower, and 110-volt electrical outlets. Soap, shampoo, rinse, hairdryer, bedding, and towels are provided for your comfort.  

    Our cozy lounge, complete with fireplace, is the perfect place to relax, share photos or talk with new friends. The dining room is in a separate wing and features the most amazing homemade specialties! You might even enjoy the food first—and polar bears 2nd! 

    Your Accomodations: The Seal River Heritage Lodge
    • Lodge Amenities
      • Eight guestrooms, each with their own ensuite washroom
      • Cozy common area with fireplace
      • Fenced compound surrounding the lodge
      • Outdoor viewing tower and decks
      • Library
      • Gift shop
      • Full-service meals
      • 24h electricity via solar power, natural gas, and wood heat
      • Radio/Telephone
      • Satellite wi-fi
    • Guest Room
    • Lower Lounge with Fireplace
    • Seal River Heritage Lodge

    Payment Plans

    Two payment plan options are available when booking online or through a Travel Consultant:

    1. Olivia 6-Month Interest-Free Payment Plan: Olivia's No-Interest Payment Plan gives you the ability to pay for your vacation, without interest, over 6 monthly payments. This option is available for trips departing 12 months or more after the booking date.

    2. Flex Pay Loans: Need to extend your payments over more time? Apply for a Flex Pay loan!

    Waiver & Travel Insurance Are Mandatory for this Trip

    All guests are required to submit a Health Questionnaire, sign a waiver and be protected by travel insurance. The travel insurance, whether purchased through Olivia or on your own, should cover weather delays, cancellation/trip interruption, medical and medical evacuation, as we will be in a very remote location. 

    Cancellation Policy & Travel Insurance

    Unexpected events can cause you to cancel your vacation. Because we are committed to this charter, we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy as outlined in our Olivia Terms & Conditions. Transfer funds are nonrefundable and nontransferable from the point of sale forward.

    Olivia recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. Visit our Insurance page at olivia.com/travel-insurance for more information. For a travel insurance quote, more information or to purchase a protection plan, please call Olivia at 800-631-6277 and select option 1 for a Travel Consultant. You may also purchase insurance online after your checkout.

    Cancellation Fees 

    • Non-Refundable Deposit

      Non-Refundable Deposit: 25% of trip cost

    • 365 days or more prior to trip date: on or before 11/10/2026

      Cancellation Penalty: 50% of trip cost

    • 0-364 days prior to trip date: 11/11/2026 -11/10/2027

      Cancellation Penalty: 100% of trip cost (no refund)

    Traveler Information

    • About Our Destination

      Climate

      Temperatures can vary from -5º to -15º C (23º F to 5º F), but often strong winds can push the temperature down several more degrees (the ‘wind chill’ factor). Dressing in warm layers is the best way to stay comfortable. 

      Visiting Churchill in November 

      The most active time of the year for polar bears in Churchill is at the end of October through mid-November, when the bears are congregating along the coast, anticipating the Hudson Bay freeze-up. This world-famous destination has the largest concentration of polar bears and provides the opportunities to view and photograph arctic wildlife. We time this as the Hudson Bay begins to freeze, and before it freezes completely as the bears go on the ice to hunt. 

      Daylight in the Canadian Arctic 

      During your adventure you can expect 8–9 hours of daylight. 

    • Before Your Trip

      Connect with Other Guests: Join the Facebook Group

      To meet some of the women who will be joining you on this trip, join Olivia’s official Facebook Group for this trip.

      Passports and Visas

      All US citizens and international travelers are required to have passports to enter Canada. Well before your departure, we invite you to visit the Government of Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration website for more information: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp . The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all travelers to and from the United States to have a passport. For more info visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html  

    • Travel and Arrival

      Air Travel

      Arrival: All flights should arrive in Winnipeg, Manitoba (YWG) no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 10, 2027, in time for the fitting of your gear, and a 7 pm group dinner and briefing. We will be passing out the rental gear included beginning at about 4 pm at the hotel.  

      We encourage all guests to arrive a day early if possible to avoid the stress of unexpected delays. 

      Airfare Discounts: Save up to 10% on your airfare through our partner airline, United Airlines. Airfare discount codes will be available approximately 11 months prior to the departure date. Check back here for details.

    • During Your Trip

      Currency Exchange 

      We suggest you exchange a small amount of currency into Canadian dollars at your bank or while in Winnipeg prior to your Churchill departure. Currency exchange can be completed at any bank or at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at the hotel and in Churchill at most shops, hotels and restaurants. You will need Canadian dollars for hotel housekeeping in Winnipeg and restaurant tipping. U.S. currency is not accepted, just as the Canadian currency is not accepted in the U.S. 

      For purchases at the Seal River lodge, they accept Canadian dollars or Visa and MasterCard only. American Express is not accepted. They have some clothing, recipe books and smaller items for sale. Go to www.xe.com for current exchange rates. 

      Gratuities

      Your gratuities to your Seal River Lodge staff and Tour Leaders are included in the cost of your trip. If you wish to show more Olivia love to the Seal River Lodge crew, it’s appreciated but not expected. 

      The standard for the tipping of hotel housekeeping staff is $3–5 per day; restaurant staff 10-15% per food bill (before taxes) only on meals not included in the cost of your tour. Hint: In Manitoba, tax on goods and services is 13% — while in restaurants, a suggestion is to tip your waiter the amount of tax you have been charged. 

      Winter Gear

      Included in the cost of your trip is a free rental of snow pants, Canadian Goose down jacket and winter boots. More information on this will be provided. 

    • After Your Trip

      Departure

      Departures from Winnipeg, Manitoba (YWG) can be for any time on Tuesday, November 16, 2027.   

      Additional Hotel Nights

      There is plenty to do on your own if you would like to spend some time exploring Winnipeg upon your return!

      We will be using the beautiful Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport for the first and last nights.  There are many museums, including the world’s only newly constructed Human Rights Museum, that opened in 2015. The Forks Market offers plenty of shopping and restaurants. If you can make some time, plan to include a few days to explore this beautiful city on your own. Let us know if you are staying later and have made your own reservations directly with the Grand Hotel by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport. They offer special Senior rates (55+) and AAA rates for additional nights. We will make sure you can stay in the same hotel room (standard rooms) when the Olivia program starts or ends.   

      Grand by Lakeview Hotel Winnipeg International Airport
      1979 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 1H5 Canada
      Phone: 204-505-0145
      Hotel Reservations: 877-355-3500
      Check-in at 3 pm. Check-out is 12 pm