Northern Lights & Arctic Exploration

An important feature of our trips is the limited group size, as nature expeditions are best experienced in the intimate context of a smaller number of travelers.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional 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, some 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 during the prime time to experience one of nature's most wondrous sights—the northern lights. Our itinerary is a  full one as we discover the nature and culture of the Canadian North by day, then, after dark, we head out to scan the skies for the aurora borealis. However, please join this trip knowing that while Churchill is a consistent spot for some of 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 the 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!

A note regarding our schedule:
Scheduling for all activities in Churchill is flexible in order to accommodate varying weather conditions and other contingencies. Your itinerary may vary slightly and activities may happen at different times from what is listed here, but inclusions are the same. Please also be aware that each group will visit a sampler of aurora-viewing sites but not all of them, and we do not know in advance which locations will be included on which departure—but be assured that every spot offers an excellent viewing opportunity, away from any light pollution from town, and all are enhanced with heat for your comfort. For safety's sake and to ensure your chance to sleep, we return to town after each night’s activities, and we are unable to stay out all night. When conditions allow and energy levels permit, we may extend viewing time for particularly enthusiastic groups. However, as our aurora viewing happens in a group context, we strive to balance the needs and energy of all participants across the four-night experience.

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

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.