Churchill travel guide
Why choose Polar Bear Alley
About Polar Bear Alley
A character among characters
The town of Churchill is full of vibrant characters that make the ‘polar bear capital of the world’ truly special. Kelsey Eliasson, owner and founder of Polar Bear Alley, is one of them – with more than 25 years of experience walking with polar bears and a vast knowledge of the town's history, wildlife behaviour and general insights.
As a wildlife filmmaker and visual artist, Kelsey knows how animals behave and where the light falls – so you get the best sightings to capture your perfect memories.
Mothers and cubs or big sparring males, we take an approach to wildlife that is respectful but also one of camaraderie – your guides are always excited to share the whys and why-nots of what we are doing with bears.
Why Polar Bear Alley
What makes our tours different
Authentic experience
Churchill’s quirky charm makes it one of the most authentic wildlife destinations in the world. The town is full of vibrant characters – and founder Kelsey Eliasson is one of them, with 25+ years walking with polar bears and a deep knowledge of the town’s history and wildlife behaviour.
Sustainable travel
We drive low-emission Ford F150 hybrids, and part of every tour goes to carbon offsets through Plan International’s “I Am A Girl” programme – supporting the people most affected by climate change.
Protection & wellbeing
Besides our guests’ safety, the wildlife’s wellbeing is our priority. Every encounter is about reading the animal’s comfort level and how it communicates – respectful, never intrusive.
Small group tours
A maximum of nine guests with a 3:1 guide ratio. In our 4×4 trucks and Broncos every guest has personal space and their own window – a big difference from a van with windows that don’t open.
Expert guides
Our guides know the wildlife inside out and are committed to your safety and enjoyment, making every moment one of learning and wonder.
Testimonials
What our guests say
“Photographing the Churchill Polar Bears has been on our wish list for a number of years. We came away from the trip with a deep appreciation of these magnificent animals. From sunrise to sunset, we took thousands of images. Our guides shared their vast knowledge of the bears and Churchill. Hands down, they placed us in the right location at the right time to see these beautiful animals in action. Wonderfilled trip of a lifetime!”
— D. Rohn “I’ve been to Svalbard but the Churchill experience was far above & beyond! Being on the ground with experienced guides and able to get ‘eye to eye’ with them (safely) was truly beautiful. Thank you for making this happen!”
— Deborah Kozura “This was my first expedition looking for polar bears and it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Guides were amazing and so knowledgeable about the history of the area, habitat behaviour, and environmental impact. Searching for bears and seeing them was exceptional – it was a lifetime of memories.”
— L.G. “Seeing the polar bears was an unforgettable experience. These majestic Kings and Queens of the Arctic was a dream come true to see. As a bear lover, this was a thrill of a lifetime. We had the best guides and gave us a trip with full days and entertaining nights. Seeing the Aurora Borealis two nights was a plus! We loved our time in Churchill and seeing polar bears. The trip was perfect!”
— Deborah Carr
Your Arctic adventure awaits
Get up close with polar bears, marvel at the Northern Lights and experience the breathtaking beauty of the tundra. Your adventure of a lifetime starts here.