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, we transfer to our hotel. Then discover Winnipeg’s highlights on a sightseeing tour. We’ll see the lively Forks Market, the Manitoba legislative building, the Canada Home Centre, home of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets Hockey Team, the French-speaking community of Saint Boniface and visit the city most striking site, the Canadian Human Right Museum. Tonight, we will enjoy our 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, take the state-of-the-art Arctic Crawler™ for a comfortable and safe exploration of the coastline of Hudson Bay and the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. At this time of year, you may encounter a variety of wildlife, including arctic foxes, arctic hares and ptarmigans, as well as 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 on 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.
Once again, we take in the sub- arctic environment and view wildlife in their natural habitat aboard the Arctic Crawler™. This afternoon, 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.
After one last glimpse of the stunning subarctic landscape, we fly to Winnipeg and check in at our hotel. This evening enjoy our Farewell Dinner and adventures recap with our new friends.
We bid a warm farewell to Manitoba.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 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).
