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Photography Tour: Northern Lights of Churchill

Length

8 days / 7 nights

Hotel type

Downtown hotel

Nights of viewing

4 nights

Where it goes

When to go

February - March

Price from

Your itinerary is personalized to suit your dreams and needs:

  • Decide your desired budget
  • Choose your own activities and experiences
  • Have all the details of your trip arranged for you
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Capture perfect photos of the Northern Lights

On this Photo Specialist trip, travel to Churchill, Manitoba — one of the best places in the world for Northern Lights viewing. Each evening, head to a new, secluded location with a Photographer guide and wait for the beautiful aurora to light up the night sky. Discover the frozen subarctic landscape and the unique history of this remote town. Suitable for all skill levels, from smartphone to DSLR camera users!

Top experiences and features

Evening visit to Wapusk Adventures

Witness the Northern Lights at four locations

Snap stunning shots of the aurora at four different viewing locations in Churchill, including a traditional teepee in the forest. Each place offers excellent opportunities for nighttime photography.

Your Questions Answered

Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.

What’s Included

Hotel accommodation
Flights between Winnipeg and Churchill
Unique guided activities such as dogsledding, cultural tours and more
Guided Northern Lights viewing experiences
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Frequently Asked Questions

Aurora activity can be seen in Churchill up to 300 nights per year, making it a top destination for Northern Lights viewing. Your chances are high, but because this is nature, nothing is guaranteed.

The town of Churchill is only accessible by train or airplane; there are no roads that lead there so you cannot drive. The quickest way to get to Churchill is by plane from Winnipeg or Calgary.

Our vacations are not typically escorted. You are not tied into a specific group, or a rigid daily itinerary but rather have the freedom of independent travel.

This allows you, with the help of our travel experts, to personalize your trip to suit your interests, timeframe, and budget. We’ll guide you through the process and provide the reassurance of seamless connections, customer service support, and scheduled activities tailored to your taste.

An exception to this is our Northern Lights vacations in Churchill. These are hosted trips. On these trips, you will be with the same group for each day of your trip and have a daily activity schedule. A local guide will be with you and almost all meals are included.

The Northern Lights are most commonly a greenish-yellow hue, though they can appear pink, red, blue and even violet.

Either winter or fall is the best season for viewing the Northern Lights in Canada. During these seasons, there are extended periods of darkness.

Yes! In spite of its cold and snowy reputation, Canada is one of the world’s best destinations for winter sports and activities, from downhill skiing and heli-skiing (invented in Canada), to dog sledding and snowshoeing. Canada is also one of the top places on the planet to see the Northern Lights, with best viewing between November and March.

You can photograph the Northern Lights, but you will need a tripod and preferably a DSLR camera where you can control the shutter speed. A wide angle lens is also recommended to capture their full scope.

As Northern Lights viewing experiences take place at night, there is plenty of time in the day for other activities. Tour and activity options depend on the season and the location. In the winter, go dogsledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling or ice fishing. In the fall, go hiking, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing. There are opportunities to learn about local culture and history too.

Trip Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip.
Indicates featured activities
Arrive in Winnipeg
Day 01

Arrive in Winnipeg

Your adventure begins in Winnipeg. Known affectionately as Winter-Peg, Winnipeg was historically established as a fur-trade post, but is now a vibrant, cultural hub city in the heart of Canada’s prairies.

  • Meet Your Group and Guides
Discover Winnipeg
Day 02

Discover Winnipeg

Learn about Winnipeg's history and culture at the Manitoba Museum. 

  • Manitoba Museum and Planetarium
Journey north to Churchill
Day 03

Journey north to Churchill

After an early morning flight, you’ll touch down in the historic northern community of Churchill. 

  • Fly to Churchill
  • Northern Lights Forest Excursion

    This evening, travel to a cozy yurt tucked away in the snowy boreal forest and witness the awe-inspiring northern lights.

Explore the North, view the aurora borealis
Day 04

Explore the North, view the aurora borealis

See the highlights of Churchill on a guided tour before heading to Dan's Diner for a unique culinary experience. 

  • Churchill Town and Area Tour

    On this Churchill interpretive tour, view and photograph the Polar Bear Holding Facility, historical Cape Merry, and an impressive Inukshuk.

  • Parks Canada Centre Visit

    Discover Churchill's intriguing history through Parks Canada Centre's wildlife dioramas and interactive exhibits.

  • Northern Lights Culinary Experience

    This evening, cross the frozen Churchill River in a Tundra Buggy and arrive at Dan's Diner. Enjoy regional cuisine and watch for the aurora borealis through panoramic windows.

Dogsledding and Northern Lights viewing
Day 05

Dogsledding and Northern Lights viewing

Enjoy a fun dogsledding excursion during the day, then travel to Thandalethur Lounge for Northern Lights viewing in the evening. 

  • Dogsledding Adventure

    Meet a local Métis musher for an authentic dogsledding experience. Hear incredible tales of Arctic racing before embarking on your own race through the boreal forest.

  • Northern Lights Viewing - Thanadelthur Lounge

    Cross the frozen Churchill River to view the northern lights from Thanadelthur Lounge — a mobile lodge with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and an outdoor rooftop observation deck, situated on the Tundra, far away from the lights of town. 

Explore Churchill's boreal forest
Day 06

Explore Churchill's boreal forest

Enjoy another day of uniquely Northern adventures. This evening is your final aurora viewing experience. 

  • Interpretive Snowshoe Tour
  • Northern Lights Evening with Wapusk Adventures
Churchill to Winnipeg
Day 07

Churchill to Winnipeg

It's your last day in Churchill! Visit the Itsanitaq Museum and Polar Bears International House before taking an evening flight back to Winnipeg.

  • Itsanitaq Museum Visit

    Learn about Inuit culture at the Itsanitaq Museum. The museum's collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts are among the finest and oldest in the world.

  • Polar Bears International House

    Visit Polar Bears International House, hear from a PBI representative, and learn about ongoing polar bear research in the region.

  • Fly back to Winnipeg
Depart from Winnipeg
Day 08

Depart from Winnipeg

After checking out of your hotel, depart Winnipeg at your leisure. 

Prices

Get your personalized quote as prices vary by departure date, selected activities, and hotel. Prices shown are our lowest rates per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude taxes.
Comfort Level
Hotel Accommodations
3 Star
Activities and Northern Lights Viewing
Fully Guided
Meals
Most meals included
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Accommodations

These are examples of the places you can stay on this trip. Please get in touch to discuss your options and to check availability.
Inn at the Forks hotel exterior, low-rise building with tree on the left side

Inn at the Forks

Example of a Superior hotel in Winnipeg

In the heart of downtown Winnipeg, right where the Assiniboine River meet the Red River, lies the Inn at the Forks. The hotel’s superb location means that the city’s top attractions, including the Forks National Historic Site, are all nearby.

Personalize this itinerary

Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.

Take the train to Toronto

Take the train to Toronto

Extend your time in Canada by taking the sleeper train between Winnipeg and Toronto. A highlight of this journey is travelling through the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield. This area consists of ancient, exposed rock, boreal forest, and endless frozen lakes.

Discuss your Northern Lights tour with a Canadian travel expert

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