Photo by Discover Churchill
Join us in the Subarctic to photograph
POLAR BEARS!
A photography adventure to the Polar Bear Capital of the World with two Nikon Ambassadors, Kristi Odom and Tamara Lackey
ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT
November 1st- 8th 2025
Known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” Churchill is home to about as many humans as Polar Bears. Each year a sub population of roughly 800 Polar Bears migrate through the area from July until November while patiently waiting for sea ice to form again. The first sea ice generally accumulates at Cape Churchill thanks to a counter clockwise current in the Hudson Bay and lower levels of salinity from the flow of fresh water from the Churchill River.
Our workshop gets you eye level with these amazing bears. Unlike other polar bear tours which put large groups in tundra buggies, with the use of our guide's 4×4 vehicles, our small group explores a network of trails along the Hudson Bay shoreline smack dab in the middle of a Polar Bear migration route. Our experienced guides and their permits allow us to exit the vehicle to create some of the best photo opportunities, giving you the best angle and experience with these amazing and powerful bears!
ITINERARY
This is a sample itinerary and subject to change.
Day 1
Today our adventure begins! On arriving at Winnipeg, you will meet the group at our hotel. Our first night is in a hotel close to the airport to give us plenty of time to rest after a long flight. The group will come together for a lecture in which Kristi and Tamara will give you photography tools that you can use on the adventure ahead!
Day 2
Today we will head to the airport and fly to Churchill. Churchill is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. The first week of November is known as one of the best times in to see Polar Bears. They gather by Hudson Bay testing and waiting for the ice to come. After arriving we will explore town and the area while looking for wildlife.
Each night in Churchill we will be on aurora watch and if the aurora makes an appearance before midnight, we will go out to photograph the sky. With around 300 nights a year with the Aurora Borealis visible, Churchill is one of the best destinations on earth to see the Northern Lights. This time of year does have a lot of cloud cover, so with some luck we will get to see this amazing dance of lights in the sky.
Day 3 through Day 6
Embark on 4 thrilling days across the tundra in search of polar bears and diverse wildlife. Our 4x4 vehicles helps us get eye level so we all can produce stunning images of these amazing creatures. This intimate setting guarantees ample opportunities for observing wildlife and capturing that thrilling shot. As dusk falls, enjoy our classes or one on one sessions with Kristi or Tamara, who will offer personalized critiques to refine your photography skills.
At night, our guides will be on Aurora watch, and if the skies clear we will go out and photograph the light dancing in the sky.
Day 7
If time permits, our last morning will be spent on the tundra looking for polar bears. We then fly to Winnipeg and have an evening image share and a group dinner to share all our favorite memories.
Day 8
Today we will wake up for a group breakfast and spend some time to say goodbye to our new friend and the amazing staff that helped us explore the polar bear capital of the world!
DETAILS
Dates
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November 1st- 8th 2025
Education Overview
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Class on camera settings for Arctic Wildlife
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Autofocus class
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Camera techniques to improve your visual storytelling
Inclusions
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Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill
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All meals once you get to Churchill
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Four full days of bear viewing. We don’t promise bear viewing on arrival and departure day, but definitely will try.
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Shared Accommodation in Winnipeg on both ends of the trip (in a double room with two beds)
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Five nights shared accommodation in Churchill (in a double room with two beds)
Exclusions
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International Air tickets to Winnipeg
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Travelers Insurance**
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Alcohol
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Items of a personal nature
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Gratuities
Cost
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Price:
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$10995
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$3500 nonrefundable retainer at time of booking
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Maximum 8 Photographers
**Travel Insurance is Required
ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT
FAQ
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Is November a good time to photograph Polar Bears?
Yes! This time of year is often referred to as the "Polar Bear Season" in Churchill because it coincides with the annual migration of polar bears to the shores of Hudson Bay as they wait for the sea ice to form. The congregation of polar bears near the coast during this time means that there is a higher chance of encountering multiple bears, making it easier to capture various behaviors and interactions.
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What animals might we see?
Wildlife sightings can vary based on factors like weather, luck, and the specific habitat we're exploring. We hope to see Polar Bears, Arctic Hares, Arctic Foxes, Red Foxes, Ptarmigans, and other birds.
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How do I get there?
You will need to fly into Winnipeg on November 1st and out again on November 8th. You are welcome to arrive early (early arrival is encouraged in case of flight cancellations or delays), but all costs outside of our trip dates will be your responsibility. From Winnipeg, you will fly to Churchill. The Canada domestic flight is included in the Trip price and scheduled for you. The flight to Winnipeg from your location and back home again is NOT included in the Trip price.
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How physically demanding is this trip
Our vehicles will be doing most of the work. We can sit back and enjoy being driven around to see and experience the wildlife, while capturing the moments with our cameras.
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What kind of vehicle will we be in?
We are not in one of those huge 40-person tundra buggies that are common for polar bear trips, instead we are in 4x4 GMC Savanna vans with doors on both sides and step stools for easy access. Originally configured for 10 passengers they have been modified to fit 5 photographers comfortably. There is a photo in the itinerary above.
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How many guests are in each vehicle?
Maximum 4 guest, one instructor and one guide in each vehicle.
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Any recommendation for travel insurance?
I personally use an Allianz Global policy.
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What about Visas?
Canada does not currently require US citizens to have a visa for stays under 180 days. Please check the Canadian Embassy website, or travel.state.gov for up-to-date information.
TAMARA LACKEY
Tamara Lackey is a renowned professional photographer, speaker, author and program host. A Nikon USA Ambassador, Tamara has taught a wide range of programs, from delivering inspirational presentations at Google, Disney, and Harvard to leading dozens of photography adventure treks to being invited to speak on stage at The Nikon Global Mirrorless Launch Presentation in Tokyo, helping to introduce its first new line of ground-breaking mirrorless camera systems. The author of nine books on photography, Tamara is also the creator and host of Chasing Frames, a television show focused on capturing adventures through photography, found on PBS.org.
Tamara is the co-founder of Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit focused on rescuing animals in need of refuge and connecting them with children in under-resourced communities. Strongly focused on conservation practices, education, and animal welfare advocacy, the sanctuary is currently being built out on 83 acres of land in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with a notable emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. This sanctuary will serve as a model for conservation, demonstrating best practices in solar power, land management and habitat preservation, creating a space that not only supports abused animals and local wildlife but also educates visitors on the importance of conservation efforts. In keeping with her passion for conservation and animal welfare advocacy, Tamara also created Coco Bistro & Bar (cocochapelhill.com), an award-winning plant-based restaurant in North Carolina that serves “Seriously Delicious Foods That Take Less From Our Planet”.
To see more of Tamara's work visit her website,
KRISTI
ODOM
Conservation photographer and Filmmaker, Kristi Odom, has worked in some of the earth's most remote locations to help document stories that will help protect our planet's biodiversity. She is an internationally awarded photographer, an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, a Nikon Ambassador and a motivational speaker.
She believes strongly in the power of photography to help create positive change and ultimately help protect the planet's wildlife.
Her accolades include over 60 international photography awards. Her work has appeared either online and/or in print for the following clients: National Geographic, Washington Post, New York Times, Forbes, Rollingstone, Nikon, Microsoft and Outside Mag.
