Embark on an adventure of a lifetime to Churchill, Manitoba
Join us for an eco-adventure in Canada’s famous polar bear capital. Due to popular demand, this trip is back for its fourth year.
Much more than a tour
- Sustainable travel by van and train—Journey through Saskatchewan parkland. Then travel to the boreal forest to where taiga and tundra meet the Churchill River and Hudson Bay. Don’t forget to look for the Aurora Borealis!
- Full day on a Tundra Buggy®—View and photograph polar bears in their natural habitat. Keep your eyes open for fox, ptarmigan, snowy owls and peregrine falcons.
- Stay at the Churchill Northern Students Centre (CNSC)—This is your home away from home. You’ll have time to socialize, join guest lectures and get a front row seat to view the northern lights.
- Explore Churchill, Manitoba—Tour the town site, Cape Merry bastions, the Miss Piggy plane wreck, Bird Cove and the Itsanitaq Museum.
- Earn a Surge Micro-credential badge—Take part in pre-trip learning sessions on geology, history, northern culture and climate change.
If you’re a polar bear enthusiast, a nature buff or want to learn about northern culture, this tour offers an immersive experience for all ages. Secure your spot today – limited seats available!
Itinerary
November 9: Travel to The Pas, MB
November 12: Tundra Buggy® day
November 13: Churchill exploration day
November 14: Train journey to The Pas
- Travel from Saskatoon to The Pas in 15-passenger vans with lunch and bio breaks on the way. On our way out of Saskatoon, we will stop at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Join us for supper in a local restaurant and then relax in shared motel rooms as we await the early morning departure of the train.
- Board the train for a scheduled 2:30 a.m. departure. Settle in and be rocked to sleep by the gentle sway of the train and the faint sound of its whistle (or stay awake and watch for the Aurora Borealis!). Enjoy leisure activities or take in the scenic beauty. You might spot wildlife such as caribou, foxes and northern birds. Lakes, rivers, muskeg and outcrops of rocks provide captivating views of Canada's boreal forest and Canadian Shield. The train has two washrooms in each car, and food is available for purchase. Fresh air is free during stops at remote communities along the way!
- We arrive in Churchill – The polar capital of the world! We may see a polar bear on our 24 km drive to our accommodations at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC). The CNSC is a LEED-certified building on the historic Churchill rocket research range—a national historic site of Canada. After check-in and a tasty lunch, we will have an afternoon of area exploration. Keep your eyes peeled for polar bears!
November 12: Tundra Buggy® day
- Embark on an unforgettable adventure on a Tundra Buggy®. The rugged yet comfortable safe viewing vehicle will give you a “tundra buggy massage” as it ambles along the shoreline military roads. These specialized vehicles have a viewing deck on the back and the windows open for excellent photographic opportunities. Rest easy with a self-contained washroom onboard, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout this exciting expedition. You could be gazing over the frozen landscape at bears, Arctic or red fox, Arctic hares, or ptarmigan as you enjoy a delicious lunch, a coffee/hot chocolate break or a snack.
November 13: Churchill exploration day
- Our last day in Churchill is an exciting day of van exploration, ensuring we see the highlights of Churchill, and have some free time for souvenir shopping. We will board the train at 7:30 p.m. but first gather for a farewell supper in a local fine-dining restaurant serving specialties such as Arctic char.
November 14: Train journey to The Pas
- You and the last hours of your train journey are winding down. Viewing photos, reminiscing about trip experiences, visiting with new friends, watching the ever-changing landscape and catching up on your sleep may be on your personal itinerary. The train is scheduled to arrive in The Pas at 11:30 p.m., where double rooms await you.
- After breakfast in The Pas, our departure for Saskatoon will be 8:30 a.m. With lunch and bio-breaks included, we plan to have you back in Saskatoon by 5 p.m. Due to circumstances beyond our control (such as weather/road conditions or train delays) there may be travel delays. We recommend you allow one extra day at the end of this trip.
Cost
$6,220 (Includes tuition, student fee, GST and PST)
Includes
Included with tuition:
- Travel by shared vans from Saskatoon to The Pas and return
- Economy class seats on VIA Rail from The Pas to Churchill and return
- Shared accommodations at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (two nights)
- Shared accommodations in The Pas (two nights)
- Lunches on van travel days (days one and seven)
- Meals in Churchill
- Pre-trip learning sessions with a Surge micro-credential badge for attending (includes shared knowledge and experiences of guides/interpreters, researchers and guest speakers)
Not included
Not included with tuition:
- Pre-trip or post-trip travel to or from Saskatoon
- Breakfast and supper on group van travel days (days one and seven)
- Meals/food on the train
- Any meals or additional accommodation required due to delays
- Personal spending money (CAD) and tips for Tundra Buggy driver and Churchill bus driver as you see fit (optional).
Registration
1. Review the know before you go information.
2. Review the Saskatchewan Polytechnic refund policy for domestic educational tours.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic refund policy for domestic educational tours
- A student who withdraws three months prior to the tour start (up to August 8, 2025) will be subject to a non-refundable $350 administration fee.
- No refunds for withdrawals after three months prior to the tour start date (after August 8, 2025).
- Travel cancellation or interruption insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment.
- This trip has been carefully planned by experienced guides to put you in the best places at the optimum time to see bears. However, nature, wildlife and weather are unpredictable so no guarantees can be offered.
- The itinerary and planned activities of this tour may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic is not responsible for expenses incurred due to weather or travel delays.
3. Complete and submit the registration form. Twenty spots are available to members of the public. Acceptance is based in the order registration forms are received. A wait list will be maintained to replace any cancellations.
4. Await contact from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Centre for Continuing Education team starting on Monday, June 16, 2025. They will collect payment at this time and finalize your registration. Ensure that your payment method is ready to guarantee your spot.
Know before you go
Accommodations, transportation and food
The van ride to and from The Pas will be about five hours. This includes a lunch stop
and a few bio-stops along the way.
The train from The Pas, MB to Churchill is scheduled for 30 hours. A limited selection of food is available for purchase on the train.
Our accommodations are at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, approximate 24 km east of Churchill. It is an independent, non-profit research station located on the site of the former Churchill Rocket Research Range. It is a modern LEED certified building. If dietary restrictions are identified we do our best to accommodate them.
The train from The Pas, MB to Churchill is scheduled for 30 hours. A limited selection of food is available for purchase on the train.
Our accommodations are at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, approximate 24 km east of Churchill. It is an independent, non-profit research station located on the site of the former Churchill Rocket Research Range. It is a modern LEED certified building. If dietary restrictions are identified we do our best to accommodate them.
Moderate mobility required
A moderate mobility level is required for this trip.
- Our travel to The Pas, MB is via 15-passenger vans which can be cumbersome to get in and out of, especially in the winter.
- Moving around the train requires good balance as the train cars rock.
- Weather conditions may result in slippery surfaces.
- Our accommodations at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre are shared rooms with bunk beds but you can request a bottom bunk.
- Our accommodation in The Pas may required climbing two flights of stairs.
Insurance
We recommend you carry out-of-province medical insurance and purchase trip interruption
and cancellation insurance.
The areas we are travelling through and to are very remote. Churchill has a health centre but if you were to require urgent medical attention, you may have to be airlifted to a hospital. If you are injured or otherwise medically unable to attend this trip, you would lose your tuition fee based on Sask Polytech’s refund policy for domestic education tours (before August 8, 2025).
Due to circumstances beyond our control (such as weather/road conditions or train delays) there may be travel delays. Additional accommodations, meals or other expenses are not covered in your tuition fee. You can purchase trip interruption and cancellation insurance through most travel agencies.
The areas we are travelling through and to are very remote. Churchill has a health centre but if you were to require urgent medical attention, you may have to be airlifted to a hospital. If you are injured or otherwise medically unable to attend this trip, you would lose your tuition fee based on Sask Polytech’s refund policy for domestic education tours (before August 8, 2025).
Due to circumstances beyond our control (such as weather/road conditions or train delays) there may be travel delays. Additional accommodations, meals or other expenses are not covered in your tuition fee. You can purchase trip interruption and cancellation insurance through most travel agencies.
Surge Micro-credential
Learn before you travel. As part of the trip package, participants will earn a Surge
Micro-credential badge through pre-trip learning with subject experts. Surge micro-credentials
are short, focused learning experiences that recognize in-demand, real-world skills.
In September and October registrants will meet for lectures in person or by Zoom on the topics of geology, history, northern culture and the effects of climate change on our ecology. Earning a micro-credential is based on attendance at the pre-trip information sessions. There are no homework assignments or exams.
In September and October registrants will meet for lectures in person or by Zoom on the topics of geology, history, northern culture and the effects of climate change on our ecology. Earning a micro-credential is based on attendance at the pre-trip information sessions. There are no homework assignments or exams.
Weather and packing
The average daytime temperature in Churchill is -3 to -11 degrees C. However, strong,
cold winds off the Hudson Bay can make temperatures feel bitterly cold.
A detailed list will be provided to registrants at our pre-trip learning sessions.
A detailed list will be provided to registrants at our pre-trip learning sessions.
Wildlife sightings
Our trip has been carefully planned by experienced guides to put you in the best places
at the optimum time to see polar bears. However, nature, wildlife and weather are
unpredictable, and no guarantees can be offered.
There may be opportunities to see other wildlife throughout your trip. On the train, red fox and northern birds; caribou have been spotted on some occasions. In Churchill, red fox, arctic fox, ptarmigan, snowy owls, caribou, Arctic hare, and Northern birds are all possible.
There may be opportunities to see other wildlife throughout your trip. On the train, red fox and northern birds; caribou have been spotted on some occasions. In Churchill, red fox, arctic fox, ptarmigan, snowy owls, caribou, Arctic hare, and Northern birds are all possible.
Read more about our previous trips and view our photos:
Ready to register? Secure your spot today!
Contact us
Questions? Contact polarbeartrip@saskpolytech.ca