Arctic discoveries on Hudson Bay

Blueberry Inn Lodge in Churchill

The newly built Blueberry Inn Lodge is located in the heart of Churchill, the lively "polar bear capital of the world." At this premium lodge, you will spend two nights in a cozy atmosphere with every comfort. Thanks to the convenient location of this stylishly furnished accommodation, you can easily reach Churchill's famous sights, shops, and restaurants.

• Fifteen guest rooms (with queen-size beds or twin beds)
• Private en suite bathrooms
• Continental breakfast
• souvenir shop
• Wi-Fi included

Your bedroom at the Blueberry Inn Lodge

The elegant lounge area

Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge on Hudson Bay

With its rustic charm, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is one of the most renowned National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. It is just a stone's throw away from the pristine Arctic waters of Hudson Bay. Turn your gaze and it wanders over Canada's boreal coniferous forest. When majestic polar bears or other curious wildlife such as moose or black bears come by, you can almost feel their breath through the secure lodge fence. At night, the colorful northern lights can often be seen in the lodge's protected outdoor area.

The eight comfortable guest rooms with private bathrooms are spread across two wings that are directly connected to the main building. From the cozy sitting areas, you can enjoy panoramic views of the vastness of Hudson Bay through the large windows. After an eventful day in the tundra, relax in the lounge in front of the crackling fireplace – in good company or for a lecture by your experienced guides.

The lounge area at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge | © Scott Zielke

Your cozy room at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge | © Scott Zielke

In the protected outdoor area | © Scott Zielke

Kayaking with beluga whales on the Churchill River

Every summer, up to 6,000 white beluga whales gather in the cool mouth of the Churchill River to find food and calve. In a kayak, you can get incredibly close to these peaceful marine mammals. The whales dive beneath you or accompany you for a while. This often leads to touching eye contact – these moments are all the more precious because the curious animals voluntarily seek your company. Meanwhile, the whales' persistent songs fill the water and you find yourself right in the middle of the social interactions of these intelligent sea creatures.

To ensure you can spend as much time as possible with the beluga whales, the times of the guided kayak tours are based on the tides.

Polar bear watching on Hudson Bay

During the summer months, polar bears gather on the coast of Hudson Bay to wait for sea ice to form in the fall. Together with your guide, you will set out in search of these Arctic hunters in the tundra of Manitoba and along the coast of Hudson Bay – on foot or in an off-road vehicle. The polar bears also visit your lodge regularly, so you can observe them directly through the panoramic window or the protective fence. Once you have seen their thick fur and impressive paws up close, you will understand why the polar bear is also known as the "King of the Arctic. "

Sightseeing in Churchill, Manitoba

The small town of Churchill is located 1,000 kilometers north of Winnipeg, the last outpost on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. In this remote location, the residents cultivate a strong sense of community as well as the culture and history of the region, which was once an important base for the Hudson's Bay Company. On a personalized tour of Churchill, you can gain a deep insight into Inuit culture at the Itsanitaq Museum and feel the local connection to Arctic nature as you view the SeaWalls Murals. A detour to the Polar Bear Jail, a shelter for polar bears that have attracted attention, highlights how closely life in Churchill is intertwined with the surrounding wilderness.

aurora borealis

Even in the Arctic summer, the magical Northern Lights dance across the Arctic sky. Away from artificial light sources, you can watch this colorful spectacle directly from the Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Either in the warmth through the panoramic windows or in the sheltered outdoor area. So that you don't have to sacrifice a good night's sleep, the lodge staff keep a close eye on the night sky and gently wake you as soon as the spectacle begins.

Lectures & Photo Shows

Just visiting the Arctic Gallery at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg will make your Arctic safari an immersive experience. In addition, during quiet evenings at the lodge, you will have the opportunity to attend lectures and slide shows and learn more about the unique geology, flora, and fauna of the Arctic region. This will give your experiences and encounters with wildlife in the wilderness even greater meaning.

The coastline of Hudson Bay is pure, untouched wilderness and the natural habitat of many wild animals such as polar bears, wolves, caribou, black bears, and arctic foxes. The adjacent Arctic bays are home to seals, ringed seals, and even beluga whales during the summer months. The combination of the three surrounding ecosystems—Hudson Bay, taiga, and tundra—creates a true paradise for cold-loving creatures.

An untouched corner of the world where nature is still allowed to be natural. 

What is ethical wildlife viewing? 

Ethical wildlife viewing involves observing wild animals in their natural habitat without disturbing or influencing their instinctive behavior.

In practice, you must therefore observe the following principles:

Getting around on foot:

• The excursions are usually conducted on foot in order to approach the wild animals quietly and unobtrusively. Although this means covering long distances on foot, it is the only way to protect the rich ecosystem with your small footprint.

Keep your distance: Better safe than sorry

• Cute and fluffy are definitely adjectives that can be used to describe polar bears. However, they are the largest land-based predators on earth and can quickly feel threatened. To ensure the safety of these frosty predators and your own, you must maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters. If a curious polar bear does stray into your vicinity, the guides have various deterrent measures at their disposal to safely de-escalate the situation.

Noise reduction: 

• Psst! Polar bears are very sensitive to noise and are startled even by the simple creaking of wood.
  As soon as a polar bear approaches the lodge, you should remain calm and, for example, turn off the sound of the shutter when taking photos. This way, both you and your wild visitors can enjoy the experience undisturbed.

No drones:

• As tempting as it may sound to film these majestic animals from high above, you should refrain from using them. Flying drones are a visual and acoustic stimulus for polar animals and expose them to avoidable stress.

No perfume: 

• Polar bears have highly sensitive noses and can detect smells from miles away. To avoid irritating the bears, you should therefore refrain from wearing perfume.

Do not feed wild animals: 

• Feeding wild animals can trigger a dependency on humans and, in extreme cases, can even be fatal.

Northern lights are a natural phenomenon. We cannot guarantee their occurrence.

You travel to the untouched Arctic regions of Canada to observe the majestic wildlife. Our mission is to offer you safaris that have minimal impact on the environment and wildlife. The safety of travelers and the integrity of the animals are our top priorities.

To ensure this, our customers travel in small groups and are accompanied by experienced nature guides. The daily program is flexible and depends on the current movements of the wild animals, the tides, and the weather.

inventia and our local partner accept no liability for unforeseen events ("force majeure") that affect the sighting of wild animals in their natural environment. Although our travel itineraries and content are the result of many years of experience, we cannot guarantee the extent or diversity of animal sightings.

Weather conditions, population density, behavior patterns, and migrations of other wildlife are some factors that can influence the behavior and activity of animals. Therefore, there is a possibility that the desired wildlife may not be sighted. While this is unlikely, it is not impossible.

Due to the remote location of your destination in the Arctic, flight irregularities are possible due to rapidly changing weather conditions. It is important to remain flexible on this type of expedition trip. We will always arrange alternatives for you.

Be aware that traveling to remote regions of Canada can involve risky activities such as polar bear encounters, which may pose risks to your health. These experiences are vastly different from visits to the zoo or Disney World. Please follow the instructions of our local partners and guides at all times. Any deviation from these instructions is at your own risk.