Northern Lights Season in Churchill

In February and March in Churchill Manitoba, you have the best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis dance across the night sky! Winter in Churchill is a unique experience; choose from adventures such as snowmobile journeys, dog sledding, and fine dining on a frozen river— all while hunting for the mystical aurora!

Quest For The Bay: Northern Manitoba Snowmobile Adventure Package

Join us on this all new multi-day tour, specially crafted by one of North Star Tours Lead Guides and snowmobile experts, Claude Daudet! On this trip, we journey by snowmobile from Thompson Manitoba all the way to Churchill! This unique winter adventure will give you the opportunity to get to know northern Manitoba and it’s winter landscapes and wildlife as you move North on trails less travelled to the frontier of the mighty Hudson Bay. Each tour is 10 riders, and is led by an experienced Guide team.

2025 Tour Dates:

  • March 2nd-7th SOLD OUT

  • March 16th-20th *7 spots left*

  • March 17th-20th *10 spots Left*

Requirements for the Tour:

  • All participants to use their own snowmobile (rentals may be set up, subject to availability)

  • All participants are required to have a Snopass and vehicle insurance

  • All participants must provide an example of riding experience (long distance trips/ tours) as this is a demanding journey

Included:

  • 2 Guides provided for entire itinerary

  • Safe parking and storage for vehicles and trailers

  • Accommodation: Thompson, Gillam & Churchill

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – as per itinerary

  • Snowmobile Gas from Gillam to Churchill

  • Guided tour in the Churchill area – touring on snowmobile

  • Return Via Rail Churchill to Thompson

  • Snowmobile return via Arctic Gateway to Thompson

  • Guides will have emergency equipment, tools and extra oil

  • Guides will be prepared for minor maintenance and equipment failures

  • All transportation while in Churchill

Not Included:

  • Snowmobile & gear

  • Snopass (The Manitoba permit for trail riding)

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Survival kit

  • Gratuities

  • Travel insurance

  • Expenses of a personal nature

$4,099CAD per person (Based on Double Occupancy)

Please note that all prices listed on website are in Canadian Dollars and do not include taxes or gratuity

Payment schedule:
$800.00 non-refundable deposit per person at time of booking
Final payment on/by March 01, 2025

Tour Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrive In Thompson 

  • Meet and Greet, evening welcome dinner reception and group leader review the tour details
    please note we have arranged for your trailers to be safely secured at the monitored staging area

  • Overnight at Thompson accommodation

Day 2: Thompson to Gillam (278km)

  • 8:00 am – Breakfast at accommodation

  • 9:00 am – Depart staging and vehicle storage site on approx. 160 km journey to Kelsey Generating Station

  • Lunch at Kelsey Generating Station

  • Depart Kelsey Generating Station on approx. 118 km journey to Gillam

  • Late afternoon arrival and check in at the Gillam accommodations

  • Dinner and overnight at Gillam accommodations

Are you with a Snowmobile Club?

We value snowmobile clubs and the countless volunteers that run them, and understand the important role they play in the preservation of this sport. As a thank you to clubs, we are offering a $50 donation per sign up to any referring snowmobile clubs! When you sign up, you just have to let us know who referred you for your club to receive their donation.

Do Not Attempt This Trip On Your Own!

Safety of our guests is of the utmost importance to us. Do not attempt this trip on your own; always use a tour company with experienced Guides and proper safety and survival equipment. This route contains many potentially dangerous hazards and challenging terrain to those who have not travelled it before.

To access the entire trip document with more maps, details on lodging, vehicle and trailer security, transport, staff, and more, please contact Heartland Travel to get started with your booking and receive this information.

Day 3: Gillam to McClintok (118km)

  • 7:00 am – Breakfast at Gillam accommodations

  • 8:00 am – Depart Gillam for McClintock Lodge – approx. 118 km

  • Dinner and overnight at McClintock Lodge

Day 4: McClintok to Churchill (155km)

  • Depart McClintock for Churchill – approx. 155 km

  • Celebratory welcome dinner at local restaurant

  • Overnight at Polar Inn and suites Hotel

Day 5: Churchill

  • Special Town and Area & Churchill River Tour

  • 12:00  – Load snowmobiles on train

  • Dinner at local restaurant

  • 7:30 pm – Depart Churchill on overnight train to Thompson

Day 6: Arrival Back To Thompson 

  • Passengers arrive Thompson at 11:30 am, upon arrival pick up truck and trailers from staging site

  • Snowmobile pick up from Train station

  • Dinner at Thompson accommodation

  • Overnight at Thompson accommodation

Day 7: Departure Day

  • Breakfast at  Thompson accommodation

  • Depart back home

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Three Night Northern Lights Package

The easiest way to plan your entire Churchill experience! We take care of everything; from flights to hotels, to all activities, and even more great opportunities for add-ons such as dog sledding, aurora tours, and meals,— We will help you organize every aspect of your great northern adventure.

2025 Tour Date:

  • To be released

Included:

  • A round trip flight from Winnipeg to Churchill

  • 3 Nights accommodation at Churchill’s best accommodation, the Polar Inn & Suites.

  • All meals while in Churchill

  • An evening at Churchill’s world famous Aurora Domes.

  • An evening at one of Churchill’s best northern lights attraction, a modern Mongolian Yurt.

  • An exciting dog sled ride with Wapusk Adventures, Churchills, leading and Indigenous run dog sled operation.

  • Town & Area Tour with North Star Tours

  • Tour of the Iconic Arctic Trading Company. Leave Churchill with a pair of custom handmade moccasins that will be mailed to your home address— this is included free with tour!

  • A visit and lunch at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre

  • A visit to the Prince of Whales Fort, a location rarely visited during the winter months. Here you will have a chance to see and photograph the interesting pressure ice, as well as a guided tour of the historic site.

  • Aurora viewing from a lodge outside of Churchill

  • Potential wildlife sightings of Ptarmigan, Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare, Moose, Caribou, and Snowy Owl

Optional Add Ons:

  • Cold Weather clothing rentals manufactured by a local Churchill clothing company: Polar Adventure Clothing (Parkas, ski pants & winter boots available in many sizes)

Not Included:

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Accommodation in Winnipeg

  • Gratuities

  • Travel Insurance

  • Expenses of a personal nature

$5,035 CAD per person (Based on Double occupancy)

Please note that all prices listed on website are in Canadian Dollars and do not include taxes or gratuity

Sample Tour Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival Day

  • Afternoon arrival on Calm Air flight from Winnipeg to Churchill

  • pick up from airport and drop off at Polar Inn & Suites Hotel for check in

  • 18:00– Dinner and evening aurora viewing at remote lodge outside of Churchill

  • 24:00– return back to Polar Inn for night

Day 2: Churchill Sightseeing

  • 09:00–  Churchill Town & Area Tour

  • 12:00–  Tour & Lunch at the CNSC (Churchill Northern Studies Centre)

  • 20:00– Depart hotel for a night at a modern Mongolian yurt, for northern lights viewing, food, and storytelling outside of Churchill.

Day 3: Churchill Sightseeing

  • 09:00–  Travel across the frozen Churchill River for a Prince of Wales Fort tour

  • 13:00– Tour of Arctic Trading Company for moccasin workshop

  • Dinner at a local restaurant

  • 20:00 - Depart hotel for a night at the Aurora Domes

Day 4: Departure Day

  • Morning Dog Sledding with Wapusk Adventures

  • Lunch at a local restaurant

  • 12:00– Pick up from lunch to head to airport

  • 13:45– Depart on Calm Air flight from Churchill to Winnipeg

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Create Your own Custom Winter Experience In Churchill

We offer completely customizable tours. Whether you’re a serious photographer looking for amazing photo opportunities,  seeking the knowledge that comes from one-on-one time with an experienced local guide, or looking to plan the most incredible trip including features such as private jets and ground transport, musicians, Service staff on site, and Private Chefs— We can help you out. Let us create a Churchill Experience like no other:

  • Photography Tours

  • Exclusive VIP Custom All-Inclusive Packages

  • Private Guiding

  • Luggage Transfer and Service

  • Private Shuttles and Transport

We are also able to offer many other private services, Including bus charters and shuttles, luggage service, airport transfers. If you can dream it, we can make it happen in Churchill!

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