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
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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!
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Your Questions Answered
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What’s Included
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
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
Learn about Winnipeg's history and culture at the Manitoba Museum.
- Manitoba Museum and Planetarium
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
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
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
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
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
After checking out of your hotel, depart Winnipeg at your leisure.
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