The Mothers & Cubs polar bear adventure is an exclusive program and is sure to be the trip of a lifetime. The owners and staff routinely deal with the unique situations that arise from having polar bears in close proximity with humans. There is an overwhelming abundance of wildlife in the area to photograph and enjoy, including migratory birds, geese and other four-legged friends such as wolves and moose.

It is very common during the season to record over 400 bears passing by the Lodge. Our daily record from 2005 is 17 bears around the Lodge in just nine hours. Photo opportunities present themselves often from inside the 8-foot buffalo fence, with bears as close as three feet away.

Come and join us on what is sure to be an adventure to remember.

 2012 Dates

August 22 - 28
August 26 - September 1   Photo Safari led by Dennis Fast
August 30 - September 5
September 18 - 25   Extended trip - $6,995
September 23 - 29

Price:  $6,395 CAD* per person plus applicable taxes (6% for non-residents and 8.5% for Canadians), for children 5 to 12 we offer a child rate of $5,695

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Duration: 7 days and 6 nights

Inclusions: 

• Return airfare from Winnipeg to Gillam
• Return aerial transfers from Gillam to the lodge and all necessary ground transfers
• Four nights at the Lodge, and two nights in Winnipeg
• 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, & 4 dinners
• All activities while at the Lodge

 

* A $1500 CAD single supplement will apply for single travelers who are not willing to share their room with another same-sex single traveler (or if none are available).

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Mothers & Cubs
7 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

Day 1 - ANTICIPATION BUILDS DURING YOUR OVERNIGHT IN WINNIPEG!
You will arrive in Winnipeg on your own travel arrangements and overnight at the Four Points Sheraton located at the airport where your adventure with us begins.

Day 2 - THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!
You will depart Winnipeg for Gillam early in the morning on Calm Air International. Upon arrival in Gillam you will transfer to a private charter for your one hour flight to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. You may have some great opportunities for aerial photography during the flight so make sure you have your cameras ready. Upon arrival at the Lodge you will receive a tour and be shown to your room to get settled. Check out our lounge which includes local maps and information about the Lodge & surrounding area. Lunch or a light snack is served shortly after your arrival, and you will be given an orientation on your stay in polar bear country. This day includes an interpretive walk on the inland Palsa Bogs, Tundra Ponds and Taiga Forest. Appetizers and cocktails are served at 6 p.m. and your dinner is served at 7 p.m. After dinner there will be an informative lecture or slide show presentation. Lights are out at 10 p.m. - this is when the generator is turned off. If it is a clear night you will have the chance to view the Aurora Borealis (northern lights).

Day 3, 4, 5 - NATURE TREKKING, POLAR BEARS & MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPHY!
During the rest of your stay your breakfast will generally be served at 8 a.m. and your outings will begin at about 9:30 a.m. If there are bears near the Lodge (this happens often!) the tour may be delayed to take advantage of the photo and observation opportunities. There is the option available for anyone to stay behind to take photos of the wildlife around the Lodge and relax. Daily outings rotate through the following;

#1 An ATV coastal tour to the tidal flats and Hudson Bay shoreline, including a viewing of the historic beached vessel the 'Mooswa'. Lunch and a tea boil are served around the campfire.

#2 A full day photo tour to the coast of Hudson Bay to photograph the polar bears and other abundant wildlife in their unique landscape. Lunch and a tea boil are served around the campfire. After lunch you will explore the river deltas and coastal eskers.

#3 Staying close to the Lodge to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves as the day unfolds to photograph the King of the Arctic. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the Arctic environment. Lunch is served at the Lodge on this day.

Appetizers and cocktails are served at 6 p.m. and your dinner is served at 7 p.m. After dinner there are often informative lectures, slide show presentations, or informal discussions. Aurora Borealis viewing after dark is possible if conditions are optimal (i.e. clear skies).

Day 6 - LAST MINUTE WILDLIFE VIEWING AND REMINISCING IN WINNIPEG!
This morning you will take advantage of last minute photo opportunities, pack your gear and get ready to head home. Lunch will be served at the Lodge today and your charter for Gillam will leave afterwards. You will depart Gillam for Winnipeg on Calm Air late in the afternoon. You arrive in Winnipeg early in the evening and will again overnight at the Four Points Sheraton by the Winnipeg airport.

Day 7 - HOMEWARD BOUND!
Today you will fly home on your own travel arrangements, marking the end of your adventure with Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.

Your photographs might now look more like the ones on this page...

Inclusions: All accommodations and transfers required within the package dates are included in the cited price. Meal inclusions are as follows:

Day	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Included Meals		L, D	B, L, D	B, L,D	B, L, D	B, L	B

Legend:
B = Breakfast   L = Lunch   D = Dinner

“We have already been in many nature places in this world. We have seen the lions in Africa; the tigers in India; the grizzlies in Alaska; orangutans in Borneo; the penguins in the Antarctic; but one of the most beautiful places is Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge with their many polar bears. We were overwhelmed to experience so many, so close. We thank the entire staff who made these special days a wonderful experience.”

– Marlies & Hartmut Thierfelder and Marlies & Siegfried Neubüser, Hamburg, Germany

Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is a NEW destination offered by Churchill Wild, and as such, it is not yet as luxurious as our other three lodges. But it is perfectly comfortable, with a fireplace in the main lodge, good beds, and full bathrooms in each heated cabin. Our big plus is bears, more polar bears than you are likely to encounter anywhere else on Earth!

Here are a few of the features at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge:

• Cozy fireplace lounge for relaxation and storytelling
• Four, two-bedroom guest cabins with private washrooms
• Perimeter fencing and 24 hour safety patrol
• No tourists or lodges within 100 miles 
• Satellite telephone
• Viewing towers to watch and photograph bears
• Large windows overlooking the coast, and passing bears
• Fabulous food – each meal is taken from our famous northern cookbook series 'Blueberries and Polar Bears'
• Honda ATV's and deluxe touring trailers with emphasis on comfort, safety and environmental low impact

Access: By Air only, Float plane, wheel plane or helicopter.
Location: 250 kilometers southeast of Churchill, Manitoba on the Hudson Bay coast near York Factory.

Mothers & Cubs (Late Summer/Early Fall):

Late Summer & early fall temperatures vary from cool to very hot. 10C to 30C, but can be down below freezing by the end of September. So pack in layers and be prepared for anything - within reason of course! 

• Camp shoes or slippers.
• Rain proof outer wear, with best quality hooded ¾ length jacket.
• Insulated hat, and warm gloves.

• Layers underneath work best starting with polypro underwear (or similar), sweaters, fleece pants etc. (no cotton if possible)

• Waterproof insulated footwear

• Bug jacket, bug spray & bug hat
• Camera, binoculars, personal items, notebook, sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Bring plenty of Film and or digital memory capacity, with perhaps extra for backup. You can charge all your camera equipment in your cabin. Over-estimate the capacity you will need then double it! Some guests use 80 rolls of film. One guest recently shot 20 rolls of film in two hours!