The Arctic: Polar Bears in Fireweed

8 Days Trip

with Martin Gregus

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The Story
The Highlights
About the Storyteller
Itinerary / Day by Day
Experience Details
Trip Images / Gallery
FAQs

Guided trip

The Story

There are places on earth where very few people ever go. The remote wilderness of the Canadian Arctic is one of them. And there are images that stop you mid-scroll - the kind that make you want to know exactly where that is and how to get there. Martin Gregus has been making those images for decades.

This trip is built around one of nature's most extraordinary seasonal moments - polar bears moving through fields of summer fireweed, vivid pink against the white and grey of the Arctic landscape. It's the scene that made Martin's photography famous. It's also the scene most people assume is impossible to witness in person. It isn't.

The journey begins in Churchill, Canada, the closest town to where you're headed. The group gathers for a welcome dinner with Martin before heading north by boat the following morning, to a remote wilderness camp that sits in the middle of it all.

For the days that follow, the bears are your neighbours. Each morning Martin leads the group into the field, to locations he's spent years quietly finding and returning to. You don't need to be a photographer to be here - but if you are, or if you want to become one, the access and instruction you'll get from Martin is unlike anything available anywhere else. Masterclasses at camp cover everything from reading animal behaviour to editing in the field. The evenings belong to stories, shared meals, and the particular kind of conversation that only happens when a small group of people are somewhere genuinely remote together.

On the final morning, there's one last session with the bears before the boat heads back to Churchill. Most guests say the hardest part of the trip is leaving.

Six guests per expedition. No exceptions.

The Highlights

6 days searching for polar bears, beluga whales and seals
Guided walking tours - Arctic fox, hare, caribou, and sik sik
4 nights in a shared remote Arctic safari camp
Pre and post-trip accommodation in Winnipeg
Return flights between Winnipeg and Churchill
Guided by wildlife photographer Martin Gregus

This is more than a trip.

Time in the Arctic is shaped as much by understanding as by experience. Through masterclasses and informal talks, Martin and your expedition leader share the knowledge behind the moments - animal behaviour, polar bear ecology, and what it actually takes to photograph in extreme environments.

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8 Days, 7 Nights

Polar Bears in Fireweed

Price

$25,900 USD

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“I have had the almost unparalleled privilege to experience iconic wildlife in a way few people have ever had."

- Martin Gregus

Meet Your Guide

Why Travel With Martin?

Martin Gregus grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia, in a household full of artists. He learned photography from his father and was exploring local wildlife with a camera before most kids had decided what they wanted to do with their lives. The hundreds of National Geographic magazines stacked around his home did the rest.

Nineteen years later, his work has taken him across all seven continents and some of the most remote ecosystems on the planet. He has earned two wins and two nominations at Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and his 2022 polar bear project, 33 Days Among the Bears, became an international story after National Geographic coverage. His cinematography has since contributed to productions for Disney, BBC, and Netflix.

Now based in Canada, Martin is recognised internationally for his work in polar regions and remote wilderness, and for his ability to create extraordinary images in some of the most extreme environments on earth.

What Sets Martin Apart

Nearly two decades of expedition work across the planet's most extreme environments: Arctic, Antarctic, Patagonia, and the Himalayas
A network of expert local guides and trackers in each destination, built over years of repeat fieldwork, giving guests access that cannot be replicated
Technical mastery developed in the harshest conditions on earth: polar ice, high altitude, dense wilderness, and open ocean
A teaching approach grounded in patience and preparation, with a belief that the best wildlife images are earned, not stumbled upon

20+

Years Experiences

200+

Global Expeditions

730k+

Followers

What Fuels Martin

"When you're standing on polar ice at sunrise, you don't need convincing that this planet is worth protecting."

It started in a living room in Slovakia, surrounded by his father's photographs and stacks of National Geographic. That childhood wonder never faded. It grew into a drive to reach the most remote corners of the planet and bring back images that make people care. For Martin, every expedition carries a purpose: show people what's out there, so they want to protect it.

Day By Day

Your Itinerary

Day

Welcome to Winnieg

Arrive in Winnipeg, the gateway to your Arctic adventure. Your airport transfer to the hotel is taken care of - settle in and get your bearings.

That evening, join the group for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow travellers.

Accommodation: Winnipeg hotel

Day

Into the Wilderness

After breakfast, we fly from Winnipeg to Churchill, where your Airguides expedition leader will meet you. From there, a boat transfer takes you to our remote wilderness camp.

After settling in, the afternoon is your first time in the field with the polar bears. That evening, dinner and a Q&A with Martin - the stories behind the images, and what drew him to the polar regions.

Accommodation: Remote wilderness camp

Day

3-6

Polar Bears in Fireweed

Polar bears moving through fields of summer fireweed - the scene Martin's photography made famous. Each morning you're out in the field with him, visiting locations he's spent years finding.

Back at camp, Martin runs masterclasses covering polar bear behaviour, landscape composition, and editing. Evenings are for sharing the day's images, stories, and a meal together.

Accommodation: Remote wilderness camp

Day

Final Hours in the Field

A final photo editing masterclass with Martin over breakfast, then one last half-day with the bears before the boat back to Churchill.

Charter flight to Winnipeg. Your last night on this trip.

Accommodation: Winnipeg hotel

Day

Departure

Breakfast together, then you're heading home - with images from a place most people will never see, and a few people you'll probably stay in touch with.

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Guest Review

Fireweed

"To be in the presence of a unique visionary like Martin Gregus and be welcomed into his home away from home in the middle of nowhere is truly a once in a lifetime event right up there with getting married or having a child."

- Anne Prather, United States

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What's included

4 nights luxury safari camp accommodation (shared)
Pre and post-trip accommodation in Winnipeg
Return flights from Winnipeg to Churchill
Return boat transfers to camp
Hotel and airport transfers
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
Welcome dinner at outpost accommodation
4 days exploring for polar bears, beluga whales and seals
Walking tours searching for Arctic fox, Arctic hare, Arctic Sik Sik and Arctic wolf
Polar bear and conservation masterclass with Martin Gregus
Wildlife photography and editing masterclasses with Martin Gregus
Personal gallery of trip highlights by Martin Gregus
Airguides expedition leader

Daily itineraries are guided by weather, tides and conditions on the day.

‍What's not included

Tips and gratuities
International and domestic flights (unless specified)
Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage (unless specified)
Visa and passport fees
Travel insurance
Optional activities and personal expenses

Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed, and weather conditions can vary. Some activities may be affected by factors outside our control.

Is it safe to be around polar bears?

Polar bears are apex predators, and your safety depends on following the guidance of Martin and your airguides expedition Leader at all times. Safe distances are strictly maintained - this protects both guests and the bears. The camp and all wildlife outings are managed with this as the first priority, and every guide on this trip has extensive experience operating in polar bear country.

On the ethical side, this trip is built around observation, not intervention. No baiting, no feeding, no disruption to natural behaviour. Martin's approach as a wildlife photographer is rooted in patience and respect - getting close enough to tell the story without changing it. The itinerary puts the animals' wellbeing first, which is also what makes for the best encounters.

Do I need a Visa?

Many nationalities are visa-exempt for Canada and can enter with an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). Check the Canadian Immigration website for the full list, or get in touch and we can help.

What is the drone policy?

Experienced operators may fly from camp only, and only when no guests or staff are in the field. You'll need a valid drone licence from your home country and liability insurance of up to $1,000,000. Staff make the final call on where and when flying is permitted.

Is there a solo traveller supplement?

Yes. Solo travellers can request a private room for an additional fee. We also offer a roommate pairing option on a limited, first-come-first-served basis. Contact us for details and availability.

Can I speak to someone about this trip or get help with flights?

Yes. Our team can help with flight options and travel routing. Call, text or WhatsApp us at +61 402 552 918. You'll speak directly with an Airguides team member who knows this trip inside out. We're here to help with any questions, big or small, from planning your adventure to arriving back home.

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What They Say About Us?

Airguides were exceptional hosts for our Raja Ampat liveaboard dive trip. Seamless, professional and incredibly well organised from start to finish. A special mention to Brooke and Prashanti Pyke for their warmth, expertise and attention to detail. They truly made the experience unforgettable.

Highly recommend Airguides.

Adam McKnight, Raja 2025

A truly unique experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

This experience is not for the faint of heart or someone who is looking for Instagram moments for clout. You are being given a unique opportunity to go to a place that will only be accessible to a handful of mere mortals.

To be in the presence of a unique visionary like Martin Gregus is truly a once in a lifetime.

Anne Prather, Fireweeds 2025

The Airguides trip to Tonga to swim with humpback whales was the experience of a lifetime. I have traveled all over the world, and nothing compares to being in the wild, rustic, deep blue waters of the South Pacific while interacting with whales and their calves. A wonderful and caring team made our adventures stress free.

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