Polar Bears & Northern Lights Photography Tour
Polar Bears & Northern Lights Photography Tour
October 15-21, 2027 - 4 spots available
October 21-27, 2027 - 6 spots available
An intimate, ground-level polar bear photography tour in the heart of Churchill's bear country.
Join professional wildlife photographer Ken Anderson in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, one of the world's premier destinations for photographing wild polar bears.
Every fall, polar bears gather along the shores of Hudson Bay waiting for the sea ice to form and their winter hunting season to begin. For photographers, this creates an extraordinary opportunity to photograph one of the world's most iconic predators against the vast, beautiful landscapes of the Canadian subarctic.
But this is not a traditional Churchill tundra buggy tour.
Our workshop is built around small groups, mobility and ground-level photography. We travel in small 4×4 vehicles, giving us the flexibility to respond to changing light, weather and bear activity throughout the day. When conditions allow, we photograph from the ground under the supervision of experienced local bear guides, creating a completely different perspective than photographing from high above the tundra.
Stay Right in Polar Bear Country
Instead of commuting back and forth from Churchill each day, we stay at a comfortable tundra-based lodge located outside of town and directly in polar bear habitat.
The property is fully fenced for safety, and polar bears can sometimes wander right past the lodge. You may wake up, look outside and discover that your first bear encounter of the day is already waiting for you.
Being based on the tundra also puts us closer to productive photography areas, meaning less time commuting and more time behind the camera.
From First Light to the Northern Lights
Our days are built around photography.
We spend long days exploring the tundra, following the best available conditions and looking for opportunities to photograph individual bears, interactions, behaviour and environmental portraits.
And once the sun goes down, the cameras don't necessarily get packed away.
Churchill sits beneath the auroral oval, making it one of Canada's premier destinations for the Northern Lights. On clear nights, you can simply grab your camera and tripod and step onto the lodge deck. With dark skies and virtually no city light pollution, the aurora can become the perfect ending to an already incredible day of wildlife photography.
More Than a Polar Bear Tour
This workshop is designed for photographers who don't simply want to see polar bears. They want the time, access and photographic opportunities to create exceptional images of them.
Small groups. Ground-level perspectives. Long days in the field. A tundra lodge surrounded by polar bear country. Professional photographic instruction. And the possibility of ending your day beneath the Northern Lights.
For wildlife photographers, few experiences compare to standing on the tundra with a wild polar bear in front of your lens.
Whats 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
5 full days and 2 half days of ground-level polar bear photography.
Round-trip flights between Winnipeg and Churchill (approx. value $2,800 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 Churchill
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).
Payment & Booking Details
Price: $8700 USD + 5% GST tax
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 2.4% 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 2.4% processing fee applies)
USD pricing is converted from Canadian pricing using a fixed exchange rate of 1.38 - This may be adjusted as rates change
ACH payment instructions are provided directly on the invoice.
Final Payment
The remaining balance is due June 1, 2027.
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 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 14
Fly to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Check into the airport hotel. Meet and greet dinner at the hotel that night (not included).
Day 2 – Oct 15
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 16–20
Early breakfast at the lodge. Bears are often visible from the property (fenced for safety). 5 full days photographing polar bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora sessions.
Day 8 – Oct 21
Breakfast then transfer to the airport for flight to Winnipeg. Overnight at Winnipeg airport hotel.
Day 9 – Oct 22
Fly home from Winnipeg.
Itinerary (October Tour 2)
Day 1 – Oct 20
Fly to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Check into the airport hotel. Meet and greet dinner at the hotel that night (not included).
Day 2 – Oct 21
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 22-26
Early breakfast at the lodge. Bears are often visible from the property (fenced for safety). 5 full days photographing polar bears. Dinner in town. Evening aurora sessions.
Day 8 – Oct 27
Breakfast then transfer to the airport for flight to Winnipeg. Overnight at Winnipeg airport hotel.
Day 9 – Oct 27
Fly home from Winnipeg.