Photograph the Kings of the Arctic in Canada’s Wild North

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Stand Eye-to-Eye with the King of the Arctic

Join professional wildlife photographer Joe Desjardins for an unforgettable photographic expedition to Churchill, Manitoba—The Polar Bear Capital of the World.

This workshop is designed for photographers who want more than a fleeting glimpse. You’ll have the rare opportunity to photograph polar bears in their natural habitat as they roam the frozen tundra, waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze over.

Using full-sized 4x4 pickup trucks for safe, optimal viewing, we’ll venture deep into the bears’ territory during peak season for activity and encounters. Every day brings the possibility of moments few ever witness—whether it’s a solitary bear silhouetted against a windswept horizon or playful cubs trailing their mother across the ice.

Throughout the expedition, Joe will provide personalized instruction on composition, exposure, and storytelling in harsh northern conditions, helping you create photographs that go beyond snapshots and capture the spirit of the Arctic itself.

This isn’t just a trip. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime expedition into the wild North—cold winds, raw moments, and powerful images waiting to be made.

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📸What to Expect

• Guided photography in one of the world’s most iconic wildlife environments

• Prime polar bear viewing via new full-sized 4x4 trucks with a max of 3 guests per vehicle

• Coaching on field techniques, composition, exposure control, and working with natural Arctic light

• Opportunities to photograph other northern wildlife: Arctic foxes, ptarmigans, and more

• Dramatic subarctic landscapes—snow, ice, and endless horizons

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✅What’s Included

• Round-trip airfare Winnipeg ⇄ Churchill (approximate value $2,800 CAD)

• Five nights at one of our cozy and welcoming bed and breakfasts

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

• A complimentary cocktail hour once we get back to our accommodations to celebrate and talk about our amazing day in the Polar Bear Capital of the World.​

• Aurora viewing depending on weather conditions.

• All local transportation in Churchill​​

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❌What’s Not Included

• Airfare to and from Winnipeg, MB

• Hotel stay in Winnipeg

• Meals in Winnipeg

• Personal items and expenses

• Gratuities for guides (always appreciated)

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)​

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Itinerary​

Every day on this expedition is built around maximizing your time in the field with polar bears and Arctic wildlife. From the moment you arrive, everything is arranged so you can focus on the adventure, the photography, and the rare privilege of being in the presence of the Kings of the Arctic.

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Day 1​

Arrive in beautiful Churchill, Manitoba.

Your polar bear adventure starts midday when the Calm Air flight from Winnipeg arrives. For the guests arriving by plane, we will pick you up at the airport in a clean, new full-sized pickup truck and bring you to your room at the cozy Bluesky Bed & Sled. After a quick check-in, we will head out in the afternoon to search for polar bears until sunset.

NOTE: TIMING OF THE ACTUAL START AND FINISHING OF THE TOUR WILL ONLY BE FINALIZED ONCE THE CALM AIR FLIGHTS ARE ANNOUNCED AND BOOKED.  GUESTS WILL RECEIVE THE AMOUNT OF VIEWING NO MATTER THE TIMING.  

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Day 2-5

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Time to meet the stars of the show. (Polar Bear Capital of the World)​

For each of the next four days, our adventure begins with a hot breakfast prepared by one of the finest cooks in the North. Afterward, we will embark on our journey in spacious, full-sized pickups to search for polar bears until sunset. This ground-based tour offers the unique opportunity to observe polar bears at eye level—a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Upon spotting a bear, I will position the vehicle for optimal viewing, and when it is safe, we will step out to photograph these magnificent creatures. With our low guest-to-guide ratio, each guest enjoys a personalized and immersive experience like no other in Churchill.

In addition to polar bears, we may encounter arctic foxes, red foxes, wolves, ptarmigan, eagles, and arctic hares. As daylight fades and we return with a hearty appetite, we'll head back to our cozy home base to enjoy a delightful home-cooked meal, complete with dessert, drinks, and shared stories of the day's adventures.

If conditions permit, we will also venture out to photograph and marvel at the breathtaking Northern Lights—an indescribable natural wonder.

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Day 6

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Thank you for visiting the Polar Bear Capital of the World with us.​

Your tour will end shortly after breakfast, coinciding with the return flight to Winnipeg.  We hope you had a trip of a lifetime and love to see you again soon.

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Physical Requirements

This expedition is not physically strenuous, but participants should be prepared for:

• The ability to climb in and out of our 4×4 pickup trucks

• Patience and focus—the essential qualities of successful wildlife photography.

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Why This Workshop

Whether you’re building a powerful wildlife portfolio or chasing the awe of seeing a polar bear in the wild, this workshop delivers the real Arctic experience: raw encounters with the world’s largest land carnivore, and the wild beauty of Canada’s North,framed through your lens.

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🔥 Spots are limited. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

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Investment

Workshop cost: $13,755.00 CAD + GST

$500.00 deposit to secure your spot

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Based on double occupancy.​

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​​​​​​​Cancellation Policy

We understand that sometimes plans change. However, because securing guides and accommodations in Churchill during prime polar bear season requires a significant commitment, all payments (including deposits) are non-refundable unless we’re able to fill your spot with another participant.

To give you peace of mind, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment.

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