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Aurora and Astronomy in Churchill

Length

8 days / 7 nights

Hotel type

Research centre

Nights of viewing

5 nights

Where it goes

When to go

February

Price from

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  • Choose your own activities and experiences
  • Have all the details of your trip arranged for you
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See the Northern Lights on a unique learning vacation

Discover the wonders of Canada’s subarctic region with a stay at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, an active research facility. In addition to five nights of Northern Lights viewing at the centre, you’ll have time to engage with scientists and researchers, learn about the local people and cultures, and explore the frozen winter landscape.

Map of Manitoba
Highlights of your trip

Five nights of guided Northern Lights viewing

Daily research presentations and cultural workshops

Tour the research station and the Rocket Range historic site 

Winter outdoor adventures, including dog sledding

Top experiences and features

Northern Lights ripple across the sky above the Churchill Northern Lights Studies Centre

Watch for the aurora borealis each night

View the Northern Lights at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. The centre is 23 kilometres away from the town and there is minimal light pollution.

Your Questions Answered

Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.

What’s Included

Hotel accommodation
Unique guided activities such as dogsledding, cultural tours and more
Guided Northern Lights viewing experiences
Return airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill
Transfers between Churchill airport and Churchill Northern Studies Centre
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Frequently Asked Questions

Aurora activity can be seen in Churchill up to 300 nights per year, making it a top destination for Northern Lights viewing. Your chances are high, but because this is nature, nothing is guaranteed.

The town of Churchill is only accessible by train or airplane; there are no roads that lead there so you cannot drive. The quickest way to get to Churchill is by plane from Winnipeg or Calgary.

Our vacations are not typically escorted. You are not tied into a specific group, or a rigid daily itinerary but rather have the freedom of independent travel.

This allows you, with the help of our travel experts, to personalize your trip to suit your interests, timeframe, and budget. We’ll guide you through the process and provide the reassurance of seamless connections, customer service support, and scheduled activities tailored to your taste.

An exception to this is our Northern Lights vacations in Churchill. These are hosted trips. On these trips, you will be with the same group for each day of your trip and have a daily activity schedule. A local guide will be with you and almost all meals are included.

Our Northern Lights trips can accommodate children, but there may be a minimum age for some day tours. Winter clothing rentals may be harder to obtain for some ages. It’s important to note that Northern Lights viewing happens late at night, so it may be tiring for some children. Please ask one of our Vacation Advisors for your options.

Either winter or fall is the best season for viewing the Northern Lights in Canada. During these seasons, there are extended periods of darkness.

Yes! In spite of its cold and snowy reputation, Canada is one of the world’s best destinations for winter sports and activities, from downhill skiing and heli-skiing (invented in Canada), to dog sledding and snowshoeing. Canada is also one of the top places on the planet to see the Northern Lights, with best viewing between November and March.

The Northern Lights are most commonly a greenish-yellow hue, though they can appear pink, red, blue and even violet.

You can photograph the Northern Lights, but you will need a tripod and preferably a DSLR camera where you can control the shutter speed. A wide angle lens is also recommended to capture their full scope.

Prices

Get your personalized quote as prices vary by departure date, selected activities, and hotel. Prices shown are our lowest rates per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude taxes.
Comfort Level
Hotel Accommodations
3 Star
Activities and Northern Lights Viewing
Fully Guided
Meals
Most meals included
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Accommodations

These are examples of the places you can stay on this trip. Please get in touch to discuss your options and to check availability.
People in winter jackets standing outside the Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Churchill Northern Studies Centre

A research centre in Churchill

At the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, you can interact with in-house researchers and guest scientists during your stay. Guest rooms are dormitory style, and meals are served in the cafeteria. The centre offers a unique vacation experience in a remote location.

Personalize this itinerary

Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.

Add nights in Winnipeg

Add nights in Winnipeg

Spend more time in Winnipeg at the beginning or end of your trip and discover this city's hidden gems. Highlights include the Assiniboine Park Zoo (and its 'Journey to Churchill'), the Museum of Human Rights, the Royal Canadian Mint, and the Inuit Art Centre — the first of its kind in the world.

Discuss your Northern Lights tour with a Canadian travel expert

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