Polar Bears, Belugas & Northern Lights
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
Upon arrival in Winnipeg, transfer to your hotel before discovering the city’s highlights on a guided sightseeing tour. See The Forks Market, the Manitoba Legislative Building, the Canada Life Centre—home of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets—and the charming French Quarter of Saint Boniface. Visit one of the city’s most striking landmarks, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, before gathering this evening for a Welcome Dinner.
We fly from Winnipeg to Churchill. Upon arrival, we check in at our lodge. Afterwards, we learn about the First Peoples and Indigenous culture on our Churchill Heritage Tour. We will see historic sites such as Cape Merry, the “Polar Bear Jail” and the famous “Miss Piggy” plane crash site, which make Churchill the town it is today. Weather permitting, tonight will be the first opportunity to witness the striking light display of the northern lights.
The western Hudson Bay is home to 57,000 beluga whales and every summer roughly 4,000 whales make their way to the Churchill River estuary to feed, mate and give birth. Get up close to these curious and friendly “Ambassadors of the North” on a zodiac ride along the shore. Then explore the spectacular coastline of Hudson Bay and the Churchill Wildlife Management Area aboard the state-of-the-art Arctic Crawler™, designed for a comfortable and safe journey through this remarkable wilderness. Lazy Bear buses or exclusive Lazy Bear wildlife-viewing vehicles may also be used, offering a closer, ground-level perspective where appropriate. Keep watch for a variety of Arctic wildlife, including Arctic foxes, Arctic hares and ptarmigans, as well as the magnificent polar bears.
Soar over vast expanses of tundra, taiga and boreal forest on an unforgettable helicopter ride through the realm of the polar bear. Take in the views of the pristine wilderness, the magnificent coastline of Hudson Bay and the town of Churchill, all the while keeping an eye out for polar bears, moose, caribou, red foxes, Arctic foxes and belugas. You will also enjoy a Parks Canada interpretive presentation about the Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site and the surrounding area, including information on the Indigenous communities, the fur trade, and the natural environment of northern Manitoba.
Today, we will enjoy an exhilarating dog-mushing experience! We hear Indigenous stories and wisdom from a Métis dog musher, and enjoy a ride in a dog cart pulled by huskies through the northern boreal forest. Tonight is our last opportunity to see the Aurora’s nightly dance against starry skies.
Set out on a final exploration of Churchill and its surrounding wilderness aboard an Arctic Crawler™ or wildlife-viewing vehicle, with one more opportunity to discover the remarkable wildlife of this unique region. Keep watch for polar bears and other northern wildlife as our experienced guides lead the way in search of memorable encounters. A wonderful final opportunity to experience the wild spirit of Churchill before our adventure comes to an end. After a last glimpse of the stunning Arctic landscape, we fly to Winnipeg and transfer to our hotel. This evening, we come together for our Farewell Dinner and share memories of our Churchill adventure with new friends.
We bid a warm farewell to Manitoba.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (120 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
