Northern Lights Photo Expedition

Limited To 12 Travelers

Smaller groups are the best context in which to experience nature, and this is especially true for our photography expeditions. With no more than 12 travelers, you’re assured plenty of space and personalized attention when you need it. As a small group, we maintain the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions in a way that maximizes photo opportunities. Our Expedition Leader, an expert naturalist and accomplished photographer, is always available to answer your questions, provide tips and techniques, and to help you better understand and photograph the amazing natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, as well as the Arctic landscape and wildlife.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Photography Expedition Leader(s) and assistants, excursions to our exclusive Aurora Pod and Aurora domes, dog sledding excursion, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, most gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, cold-weather gear including a parka, fleece neck buff, fleece jacket, waterproof pants, mittens and Arctic boots for use during your trip, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.
  
• Internal air cost includes: Round-trip private charter flights from Winnipeg to Churchill (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), optional travel protection and medical evacuation insurance.

Moderate  
This adventure does not require a significant degree of physical fitness. However, we will be exposed to extremely cold weather, often experiencing temperatures well below freezing, which in itself can be physically challenging. We may also have to walk in deep snow. Most nights we will stay up past midnight to look for the northern lights, which typically appear late at night. It is necessary to climb 10 steps up a ladder in order to access the upper level of the Aurora Domes, for the best view of the sky from this facility. Travelers must be able to walk up and down stairs. All of our activities are optional.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

This adventure takes place in Churchill during the prime season to experience one of the natural realm's most wondrous sights—the northern lights. On a full itinerary, we discover the nature and culture of the Canadian North by day, then, once night falls, we scan the skies for the undulating colors of the aurora borealis. However, please join this trip knowing that while Churchill is a consistent spot for the planet's best aurora viewing, we are never guaranteed to see it, and on some departures, we may not. It's impossible to predict, though our odds are very good, given the frequency and intensity of auroral activity over Churchill and unique geographic factors that minimize cloudy nights.

A note regarding the moon:  We run this trip when there is a full moon, a new moon, and at all times in between. When the moon is full, the foreground is brighter, making for interesting photographic images. During a new moon, the sky is darker, so the lights may appear slightly brighter. However, since we are in a place where the aurora tends to be quite bright anyway, the phase of the moon generally has very little effect on the quality of viewing. Any time one witnesses the northern lights in Churchill, it is an experience to behold!

Click here for more information on the difference between viewing versus photographing the northern lights.

Mandatory Insurance

In case of flight or weather delays, we recommend that you arrive a day early. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 5 pm in order to attend a 7 pm orientation dinner on Day 1 of your program. You are free to depart at any time on the final day.