Capture the Magic: Polar Bear Photo Tour in Churchill

Polar Bear Photo Tour – Churchill, Manitoba

October 13–21, 2026 - SOLD OUT

October 19-27, 2026 - 2 Spots

November 12–20, 2026 - SOLD OUT

2027 Dates coming soon - if wish to be added to a list please notify Harry Collins or myself

$9900 CAD ($7100 USD)

Overview

Join professional wildlife photographers Ken Anderson and Harry Collins for an immersive small-group photo workshop tour in Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Each fall, hundreds of bears gather along Hudson Bay as they wait for the ice to form, creating unmatched opportunities to photograph them from the ground in their natural environment.

Ken Anderson is a wildlife photographer and tour leader based in Alberta, Canada. Ken specializes in photographing and guiding guests to Canada’s most iconic species, focusing on ethical fieldcraft, small groups, and professional instruction.

Harry Collins (harrycollinsphoto.com) is a professional wildlife photographer and award-winning videographer known for his dynamic imagery and storytelling of large mammals and birds from around the world. Harry brings extensive experience in both photography and video education.

Participants stay at a comfortable tundra-based lodge, located right in the heart of polar bear country and surrounded by the landscape they are there to capture. The property is fully fenced for safety, and it is not uncommon to wake up and see bears right outside the fence line, offering incredible close viewing opportunities without ever leaving the lodge.

Being situated outside of town, the lodge provides immediate access to the best bear activity areas, meaning less time commuting and more time in the field. On clear nights, you can step right onto the lodge deck to photograph the aurora, with unobstructed views of the northern sky and no city lights to interfere.

The 2026 season is expected to bring exceptional aurora activity, giving photographers the rare chance to capture polar bears by day and the northern lights by night, all from a setting designed to keep you close to the action while ensuring comfort and safety.

This workshop is built for photographers who value time in the field, ethical wildlife practices, and authentic storytelling. You will spend long, rewarding days on the tundra photographing bears in soft light and finishing each evening beneath the vibrant northern sky.

A polar bear sitting amidst dry, brown vegetation in a natural daytime habitat.

Price & Booking

Dates:

  • October 13–21, 2026  SOLD OUT

  • October 19-27, 2026 - 2 spots

  • November 12–20, 2026 - SOLD OUT

  • 2027 - FILL OUT FORM BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN DATES ANNOUNCED


Price: $9900 CAD (approx $7100 USD) per person
Deposit: 50% non-refundable deposit secures your spot
Balance Due: June 15, 2026
Group Size: Limited to 5 participants per departure

Single supplement $1500 CAD.(inquire for availability).

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation (double occupancy) at a comfortable, fenced tundra-based lodge in the heart of polar bear country (Single supplement: $1,500 CAD)

  • Wake up surrounded by the tundra with direct access to aurora photography right from the lodge deck on clear nights

  • 6 days of ground-level polar bear photography (5 full days, 2 half days)

  • Round-trip flights between Winnipeg and Churchill (approx. value $2,500 CAD)

  • Continental breakfast served daily at the lodge

  • All transfers in Churchill, including airport pickup/drop-off and daily shuttles for excursions

  • Travel in 4x4 tundra vehicles to reach prime locations for photographing polar bears and other tundra wildlife such as Arctic and Red Foxes, Snowy Owls, and Arctic Hares

  • Photography instruction and field guidance from Ken Anderson and Harry Collins, including camera setup, composition, and field techniques for both stills and video

  • All permits, logistics, and local coordination handled for you in Churchil

Not Included

  • Flights from your home city to Winnipeg, Canada.

  • Accommodation and meals in Winnipeg before and after the workshop.

  • Lunches and dinners in Churchill.

  • Alcoholic beverages.

  • Gratuities for guides and staff.

  • Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended).

***Accommodations are based on double occupancy. Each room has its own private bathroom, and guests have access to shared common areas and a fully equipped kitchen for preparing lunches or light meals. Lodge has hi-speed Starlink Wifi.
A single room supplement may be available on request but limited. Single supplement $1500 CAD.(inquire for availability).

Who Should Join

This polar bear photo tour is ideal for anyone who has ever dreamed of photographing polar bears in the wild plus capturing the Northern Lights in one trip. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or a passionate wildlife enthusiast, you’ll enjoy a safe, ethical, and unforgettable adventure in the polar bear capital of the world.

A polar bear standing on a dirt and gravel surface in a natural landscape.
Sign for White Whale Lodge with an illustration of a whale and the establishment year, 1978, located on rocky terrain with buildings and power lines in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A mother polar bear sitting with her cub lying against her in a rocky, sandy landscape.
A polar bear walking on rocky terrain with sparse vegetation in a cold environment, bathed in warm sunlight.
A young polar bear walking on rocky terrain.
A white ptarmigan standing on a patch of dry vegetation.
Cozy living room with wooden walls and ceiling, featuring a dark sofa with throw pillows, six plaid armchairs, a rustic wooden coffee table, and large windows letting in natural light; artwork of a bear hangs on the wall.
Adult and baby polar bears walking on rocky, mossy terrain in the Arctic.
A mother polar bear and her cub walking on rocky terrain in a cold landscape.
Two polar bears, an adult and a cub, walking on rocky terrain with dried grasses, in a natural Arctic environment.
Map of Churchill, Manitoba with a marker indicating its location on the coast in Canada.
A polar bear lying in tall dry grass and rocks in a snowy landscape
A white bird with brown speckles on its head and wings, perched among leafless branches.

Payment & Booking Details

Price: $9,900 CAD per person + 5% GST
(Approx. $7,100 USD)

Deposits & Booking

A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your spot on this tour.

  • Deposits are non-refundable (see Cancellation Policy below)

  • Invoices are issued electronically

Canadian Clients

Canadian clients may pay in CAD using:

  • Interac e-Transfer (no processing fee)

  • Credit card (a 2.7% processing fee applies)

U.S. Clients

U.S. clients may pay in USD using:

  • ACH bank transfer (USD) – preferred, lowest-fee option

  • Credit card (a 2.7% + $0.20 USD processing fee applies)

USD pricing is converted from Canadian pricing using a fixed exchange rate of 1.38.
ACH payment instructions are provided directly on the invoice.

Final Payment

The remaining balance is due June 15, 2026.

Automatic email reminders are sent in advance of the final payment deadline.

Non-Photographer Companions

The same daily rates apply for non-photographer companions.

Cancellation Policy

This tour involves accommodations, transportation, and other arrangements that require non-refundable advance commitments.

  • The 50% deposit is non-refundable

  • If you cancel before final payment is due, we will attempt to fill your spot

    • If successful, all payments will be refunded minus a $500 administration fee

  • If you cancel after final payment, no refund will be issued unless your spot can be filled

    • If successful, all payments will be refunded minus a $500 administration fee

We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and travel insurance to protect your investment.

Waiver & Non-Disclosure Notice

All participants are required to sign a Liability Waiver prior to joining any Ken Anderson Photography workshop or tour. This agreement outlines the inherent risks associated with wildlife photography in remote environments, affirms that you are responsible for your own personal safety at all times, and includes a commitment to protecting sensitive wildlife locations.

Itinerary (October Tour 1)

Day 1 – Oct 13
Fly to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Check into the airport hotel. Meet and greet dinner at the hotel that night (not included).

Day 2 – Oct 14
Morning flight to Churchill. Pickup and transfer to the lodge. Bear safety session. Half-day photographing bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora photography (weather permitting).

Days 3–7 – Oct 15–19
Early breakfast at the lodge. Bears are often visible from the property (fenced for safety). Full days photographing polar bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora sessions.

Day 8 – Oct 20
Breakfast and half-day photographing bears. Transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Winnipeg. Overnight at Winnipeg airport hotel.

Day 9 – Oct 21
Fly home from Winnipeg.

Itinerary (October Tour 2)

Day 1 – Oct 19
Fly to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Check into the airport hotel. Meet and greet dinner at the hotel that night (not included).

Day 2 – Oct 20
Morning flight to Churchill. Pickup and transfer to the lodge. Bear safety session. Half-day photographing bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora photography (weather permitting).

Days 3–7 – Oct 21-25
Early breakfast at the lodge. Bears are often visible from the property (fenced for safety). Full days photographing polar bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora sessions.

Day 8 – Oct 26
Breakfast and half-day photographing bears. Transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Winnipeg. Overnight at Winnipeg airport hotel.

Day 9 – Oct 27
Fly home from Winnipeg.

Itinerary (November Tour)

Day 1 – Nov 12
Fly to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Check into the airport hotel. Meet and greet dinner at the hotel that night (not included).

Day 2 – Nov 13
Morning flight to Churchill. Pickup and transfer to the lodge. Bear safety session. Half-day photographing bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora photography (weather permitting).

Days 3–7 – Nov 14–18
Early breakfast at the lodge. Bears are often visible from the property (fenced for safety). Full days photographing polar bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora sessions.

Day 8 – Nov 19
Breakfast and half-day photographing bears. Transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Winnipeg. Overnight at Winnipeg airport hotel.

Day 9 – Nov 20
Fly home from Winnipeg.

Register Below for Polar Bear Photo Tour, Churchill Workshop