Manitoba
Into the Arctic Skies: Aurora and Astronomy in Churchill
Program No. 7931RJ
Come for the chance to fulfill a dream and witness the northern lights beneath the brilliant skies of Churchill, Manitoba.
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Feb 26 - Mar 6, 2025
Starting at
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9 days
8 nights
21 meals
8B 6L 7D
2
Manitoba Museum, Planetarium, Human Rights Museum
Winnipeg, MB
3
Fly to Churchill, Safety Briefing & Orientation
Churchill, MB
4
Current Research, Film Screening, Sky Watching
Churchill, MB
5
Snow Ecology, Snowmobile Trip, Snowshoeing
Churchill, MB
6
Research Rocket Range, Dogsledding, Sky Watching
Churchill, MB
7
Itsanitaq Museum, Parks Canada Center, Sky Watching
Churchill, MB
9
Program Concludes
Winnipeg, MB
At a Glance
The clear skies of Churchill’s winter will thrill and challenge any sky watcher. With over 300 nights of auroral activity, Churchill is the best spot on the planet to view the northern lights. Our instructor will lead you through the fascinating world of comets, deep sky objects, meteors and northern lights. Visit the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg for an in-depth study of the region’s natural history and an introduction to the vast subarctic region of Northern Manitoba.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Activities may include dog sledding, snowmobiling and walking, dependent on weather.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Discover the world of comets, deep sky objects, meteors and northern lights in the planet’s top viewing spot.
- Spend an afternoon dog sledding in the boreal forest.
- Take an exhilarating ride by snowmobile into the boreal forest and experience snowshoeing.
General Notes
This program stays in unique accommodations. Be sure to review the lodging description for the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. If you enroll in a Single room, it is only available for the two hotels in Winnipeg but not in Churchill.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Alan Dyer
Alan Dyer is a writer and producer of planetarium programs for the TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary. He is one of Canada's best-known astronomy writers and serves as associate editor of SkyNews magazine, Canada's magazine of stargazing. Alan also takes the opportunity as often as possible to visit the southern hemisphere to pursue both interests under southern skies. His other obsession, eclipse chasing, has taken him to every continent, chalking up 15 total solar eclipses. Asteroid 78434 is named for him.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Alan Dyer
View biography
Alan Dyer is a writer and producer of planetarium programs for the TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary. He is one of Canada's best-known astronomy writers and serves as associate editor of SkyNews magazine, Canada's magazine of stargazing. Alan also takes the opportunity as often as possible to visit the southern hemisphere to pursue both interests under southern skies. His other obsession, eclipse chasing, has taken him to every continent, chalking up 15 total solar eclipses. Asteroid 78434 is named for him.
David Hems
View biography
David Hems has had a career centered on the management of cultural heritage sites with a strong focus on interpretation and presentation. After earning a degree in anthropology, he spent nine years working for the Manitoba Historic Resources Branch and 20 years with Parks Canada as an archaeologist and a heritage resource adviser throughout Western and Northern Canada. David was able to follow his passions travel and the sport of ice hockey. He played semi-professional hockey in Germany and another coaching in Northern Italy!
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
View biography
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Suggested Reading List
(12 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Into the Arctic Skies: Aurora and Astronomy in Churchill
Program Number: 7931
Our Ice Is Vanishing / Sikuvut Nunguliqtuq: A History of Inuit, Newcomers and Climate Change
Wright charts the history of the Inuit and the experiences of recent Arctic immigrants alongside reflections on current conditions and devastating climate change.
The Northern Lights, Celestial Performances of the Aurora Borealis
Shot in Alaska, one of the best places to watch the northern lights, these images capture the natural phenomenon in all its splendor and majesty. Hall and Pederson’s 160 photographs were taken with ultra-HD cameras during a period of unusually high solar activity.
The Arctic Guide, Wildlife of the Far North
Written for travelers and naturalists alike, this comprehensive guide to the flora and fauna of the Arctic covers 800 species. Each profile features color illustrations, range maps and full descriptions.
Northern Lights, A Practical Travel Guide
With helpful advice on viewing the Northern Lights in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and Alaska, this Bradt guide has essential information on forecasts, the science behind the lights, photography and how to dress.
Arctic Dreams
A dazzling meditation on the Arctic, breathtaking in scope. Lopez draws on his travels throughout the North, including Baffin Island, the Chukchi and Bering seas, Alaska, the Yukon and Greenland, interweaving natural history, accounts of early exploration, anecdote and lore into an indelible portrait of place.
What We Know About Climate Change
MIT atmospheric scientist Emanuel outlines the issues, causes and concerns about the fate of our climate. This second edition covers the latest from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the lack of will in the United States to tackle this vexing issue.
Northern Lights
These color photographs capture the dazzling majesty and mystery of the aurora borealis while journalist George Bryson provides a short essay on the history of the phenomenon.
Never Look a Polar Bear in the Eye
A captivating look at the battle between man and nature from the vantage point of Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear Capital of the World.
Ancient People of the Arctic
In this nicely illustrated overview of the Paleo-Eskimos, Robert McGhee, an archaeologist, brings vibrantly to life North America's first settlers and their culture.
Auroras, Fire in the Sky
These 80 color photos by Yuichi Takasaka celebrate the beauty, history, folklore and science of the northern lights.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Arctic
Our bestselling book on the Arctic, this guide covers the geography and climate, plants, birds and wildlife of the Circumpolar North.
The Northern Lights, The True Story of the Man Who Unlocked the Secrets of the Aurora Borealis
The compelling story of Kristian Birkeland, the turn-of-the-century Norwegian scientist who devoted his career to understanding the aurora borealis, this book also covers the science, history, myth and romance of the phenomenon.