Arctic Kingdom Blachford Lodge
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February

POLAR BEAR MOTHER & CUBS

Witness Mother Polar Bears Introducing Their Cubs to the Arctic World

    Home / Arctic Expeditions / Polar Mother & Cubs

    Overview

    Experience one of nature’s most tender moments. Immerse yourself in the heart of the world’s largest polar bear denning region for an unforgettable encounter on an unforgettable polar bear photo safari.

    Be among the select few to witness the rare and magical moment when newborn polar bear cubs emerge from their dens alongside their protective mothers. Feel the thrill as the cubs take their first wobbly steps in the snow, exploring their icy surroundings under the watchful eyes of their mothers.

    • 2026
    • 2027
    Location
    Wapusk National Park, Manitoba
    Travel Dates
    Feb 15-28th, 2026
    Air Package
    Flights from Winnipeg (YWG) to Churchill (YYQ)
    Duration
    14 Days | 13 Nights
    Transportation
    Vans on tracks, train
    Guests
    7-12
    Average Temperature
    -40°C to -20°C (-40°F to -4°F)
    Daylight Hours
    9-11
    Location
    Wapusk National Park, Manitoba
    Travel Dates
    TBD
    Air Package
    Flights from Winnipeg (YWG) to Churchill (YYQ)
    Duration
    TBD
    Transportation
    Vans on tracks, train
    Guests
    7-12
    Average Temperature
    -40°C to -20°C (-40°F to -4°F)
    Daylight Hours
    9-11
    Notice
    Itinerary may change year to year. 2027 itinerary may change from what's displayed for 2026
    Polar bear mother and two cubs walking together by Jenny Lutzhoff
    Polar bear mother sleeps while her two cubs snuggle into her under a tree by Michelle Valberg
    A polar bear mother with two cubs peering from between her hind legs
    A polar bear mother with three small cubs climbing a small mound of snows and sparse trees by LYNETTE REID
    A polar bear mother and two cubs emerging from a snowy hill with sparse trees in behind them by Lynette Reid
    A close up of two cubs on top of their mother by Michelle Valberg
    A lone polar bear cub peaking out of a snow den with warm evening light through sparse trees by LYNETTE-REID

    Expedition Highlights

    • Witness newborn polar bear cubs emerge from their dens
    • Limited-access photo safari in Wapusk National Park
    • Heated tracked vehicles to get you closer to polar bear dens
    • Opportunities to photograph caribou, ptarmigan, and Northern Lights
    • Cozy lodge accommodations in remote arctic wilderness

    Your Itinerary

    From Winnipeg to Churchill to the remote lodge, experience the full Arctic Journey.

    Depart
    The grand hotel in Winnpeg at Airport

    Arrive in Winnipeg

    Arrive in Winnipeg, Manitoba and transfer to an airport hotel. Once settled into your hotel, join your Arctic Kingdom Expedition Leader and become acquainted with your travel companions. If you participated in our polar rental clothing program, exchanges for alternate sizing if requested will be at 7pm, followed by a briefing at 8 PM served with complimentary appetizers and a drink.
    An aerial view of Churchill from a distance by AlexDeVries

    Flight to Churchill

    Fly to Churchill in the morning and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the evening, join the group for dinner followed by a private cultural experience with wine and cheese at the Aurora Yurt, with the chance to see the Northern Lights. Overnight in Churchill. The next day, gather for a group breakfast, then visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre and Polar Bears International for educational talks about Wapusk National Park and the polar bears you’ll encounter. Enjoy a group dinner before transferring to the train station to board the evening train to Chesnaye, then continue to the Newborn Polar Bear Cub Lodge with assistance from your Expedition Leader.
    An aerial view of the naval base turned lodge in the winter

    Travel to Lodge

    After dinner, transfer to the train station where you will board the evening train to Chesnaye, then transfer to the Newborn Polar Bear Cub Lodge, assisted by your expedition leader.
    A polar bear mother with two cubs peering from between her hind legs

    Mother Bear & Newborn Cubs

    Spend the next few days witnessing the grace and majesty of mother polar bears in their natural habitat while their cubs tumble and explore. On snowmobiles, guides will scout the polar bear's dens in advance. When they find their dens, they radio the location to our heated, tracked vans offering unprecedented and comfortable access to denning habitats. On some days, we'll enjoy visits to known denning locations, while on other days, we may seek new, unknown dens.
    An arctic fox is pictured in the foreground with two photographers in winter gear positioned behind capturing a photo of the fox.

    Other Wildlife & Northern Lights

    Travel time from the lodge to the dens will vary, but you can generally expect a 20 to 60 minute or more drive. Wildlife viewing, including caribou and ptarmigan, is also possible. Enjoy hot dinners at the lodge, and if the conditions are right, watch the dancing Northern Lights at night.
    An inuksuk made from rocks on a snowy landscape in Churchill

    Churchill Tour

    Transfer back to Churchill, where you will enjoy a town tour followed by a group lunch and a visit to the Northern Studies Centre for a tour of their state-of-the-art eco-friendly facility. Afterward, enjoy snacks, souvenir shopping, and/or dinner before overnighting at a Churchill hotel. The following morning, enjoy a group breakfast before transferring to the airport to fly to Winnipeg, where you will overnight at a hotel. Depart for home the next day.
    Return

    Newborn Polar Bear Cubs Lodge

    A refurbished naval communications base, the Newborn Polar Bear Cub Lodge stands almost 100 m/ 300’ on top of an old beach ridge, located just south of Churchill, Manitoba. Isolated in the middle of the tundra, the lodge is as self-sufficient and “off grid”. This rustic lodge provides some of the world’s best access to polar bear mothers and newborn cubs in Wapusk National Park.

    • Single, double and quad rooms available
    • Wood-burning fireplace in the central lounge
    • A sauna is available, but please note showers are not available, due to remote location
    • Electric power provided by onsite generators

     

     

    The northern lights in vibrant greens above the lodge which is lit with a soft light
    Interior of the lodge showing a common area with couches, chairs, three people reading, and a cozy woodstove
    Three tundra vehicles equipped with tracks parked on a snowy terrain
    Lodge interior room showing two sets of wooden bunk beds

    Dates & Rates

    February 2026
    A mother holds her two cubs in her front legs and appears to be cleaning her restless cubs
    Bespoke Expedition
    Polar Bear Mother & Cubs
    • 2026
    • 2027
    Accommodations: Newborn Polar Bear Cubs Lodge
    CAD
    $38,985.00
    2026 Rate: $34,500.00
    Travel Package: Included
    Taxes: $4,485.00
    Accommodations: Newborn Polar Bear Cub Lodge
    CAD
    TBD
    2027 Rate:
    Travel Package:
    Taxes:
    Book Your Getaway
    Reserve

    What's Included

    Meals:

    • All meals (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) while in Churchill & The Lodge
    • Appetizers and a drink will be provided during your briefing at 8 PM on day 1

    Accommodations:

    • 9 nights, Newborn Polar Bear Cub Lodge
    • 2 nights, hotel in Churchill
    • 2 nights, hotel in Winnipeg

    Round-trip train ticket from Churchill, MB to Chesnaye, MB

    Flights/Transfers from Winnipeg, MB (YWG) to Churchill, MB (YYQ)

    Not Included

    • Meals enroute to/from the lodge, unless noted*
    • Tips, gratuities, personal expenses
    • Travel, medical and evacuation insurance
    • Additional costs associated with weather and/or layovers in Winnipeg or Churchill
    • Satellite phone or internet usage

    *Meals in Winnipeg are the responsibility of the guest and are not included in trip pricing excluding welcome drink and appetizer.

    Rates & Payment

    • Prices listed are per person based on double occupancy and are in CAD

    Payment Terms

    • CAD $2,750 deposit required at time of booking.
    • Second payment of 20% is due 360 days prior to departure
    • Third payment of 30% is due 240 days prior to departure
    • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure date.

    Cancellation Policy

    • All requests for cancellations must be received in writing.
    • Cancellations received up to 360 days prior to departure are refunded in full less an administrative fee of CAD $500 (+tax) per person.
    • If cancellation is received between 359 and 240 days prior to departure, the deposit is forfeited.
    • Cancellations between 239-120 days to departure: All payments are 50% refundable.
    • For cancellations received between 119 days and the departure date, all deposits and payments are forfeited.

    Travel Arrangements

    • Travel arrangements between your point of origin and Winnipeg (YWG) are the responsibility of the traveller.
    • We strongly recommend that participants traveling on reduced-fare airline tickets avoid scheduling their journey home on the final day of the trip, as any changes or deviations from the ticketed itinerary may result in penalties, regardless of the reason.

    • We highly recommend avoiding any important meetings or events the day after your trip ends and suggest allowing for ‘buffer time’ to account for any potential travel delays.

    Insurance

    • Due to the nature of this trip, trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly recommended. It is a condition of joining this expedition that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks and have search and rescue coverage.

    Gallery

    1-Ultimate-Journey-Yacht-Section-PJ-Yacht-3-Page-Carousel-Polar-Bear-Lodge-Private-Journey-Arctic-Polar-Adventure-Arctic-Kingdom-1
    caribou-sm-1

     

    Polar Bear Lodge_by Michelle Valberg _MV83473 - sm
    9-Polar-Bear-Mother-and-Cubs-Lodge-Mother-Polar-Bear-Walks-With-Cubs-Wildlife-Private-Journey-Arctic-Polar-Adventure-Arctic-Kingdom
    DSC_6600low (1)
    0037Francoise Gervais-2
    11-Polar-Bear-Mother-and-Cubs-Lodge-Polar-Bear-Cubs-Bask-with-Mother-Private-Journey-Arctic-Polar-Adventure-Arctic-Kingdom
    0074Francoise Gervais
    francoise gervais searching for bears
    arctic fox-sm-1

    Reserve your Arctic Kingdom Adventure

    With over 25 years of experience, we’re well-equipped to help you plan the perfect Arctic adventure. Thank you for choosing to book your journey with Arctic Kingdom, the leader in Arctic travel and wildlife experiences. Our expeditions bring you to some of the most remote and breathtaking regions of the Canadian Arctic, where extraordinary wildlife encounters and awe-inspiring landscapes await.

    Please complete the form to submit your reservation request. An Arctic Expedition Consultant will contact you shortly to discuss the expedition in more detail before your trip is finalized.

    At Arctic Kingdom, we take pride in creating exceptional, small-group experiences designed to connect you with the wildlife, culture, and beauty of the North. We look forward to welcoming you on an unforgettable adventure.

     

    How to reserve your expedition:
    • Complete the reservation form
    • Give us a call at 1 (888) 737-6818

    Reserve Now

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    Traveller Success Stories

    The Arctic Kingdom adventure was nothing short of breathtaking—gliding past towering icebergs, witnessing polar bears in their natural habitat, and feeling the crisp Arctic air is an experience beyond words.
    - Dave M
    There wasn’t a day that went by where we didn’t see a polar bear. It was fantastic to see these magnificent creatures in their territory and in the stillness of the tundra.
    - R.W., United Kingdom
    We have been to over 70 countries around the world, including the north Col of Mt. Everest by helicopter, and this trip beat them all!
    - Terry & Carl F, Canada
    Polar Bear Migration Fly-In Safari
    Having never been on an Arctic getaway before, I really didn’t know what to expect. But, after just a few days, I was totally hooked on the place, not just because of the incredible beauty of the scenery, but also because of the friendly people. You’re likely to be seeing me again!
    - N.C.