Summary

Trip Length
7 days / 6 nights

Price
from USD$ 4,656
Details >

HIGHLIGHTS >>

• Close-up polar bear encounters
• Spectacular photo opportunities from a specially adapted vehicle
• Includes exciting day activities
• This trip is popular -- book early!

Outline
Arrive Winnipeg
Churchill
Tundra Buggy Tours & activities
Departs Winnipeg

Starts
Winnipeg, Manitoba

2008 Dates
October - November

Accommodation
Standard Inn / Lodges

Options & Upgrades
Tour Options & Activity Options

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Depart Winnipeg
This evening you board VIA Rail and depart Winnipeg by train. Watch the scenery change from wooded forests to plains to tundra as you leave the city behind and make your way North. Overnight onboard the train.

Day 2 - Onboard the Train
Spend a relaxing day riding the rails across Manitoba. This is a full day onboard the train and is a great opportunity to meet your group. The scenery will become more arctic and barren, and the feeling of crossing a vast nothingness is quite incredible. Overnight onboard the train.

Day 3 - Arrive in Churchill
Your train arrives in Churchill early this morning. With a town and area tour, you’re sure to get a good introduction to this community. A visit to the Eskimo Museum will offer insight into the lives of the first settlers of the region.

To amp up the excitement for the days to come, enjoy an evening slide presentation by local photographer all about the bears – baby cubs, bears at play, and more. Once you learn more about these fascinating and lovable creatures, you’re sure to be anxious to get out there and see them! Overnight in a Churchill hotel.

Days 4 - 5 - Polar Bear Viewing on the Tundra Buggy
Spend two full days in a Tundra Buggy with knowledgeable guide, viewing polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. The Tundra Buggies know just where to go, and with hundreds of bears congregating in anticipation of the ice forming on the Hudson Bay, there’s plenty of bears at rest and at play to spot. Overnight in a Churchill hotel.

Day 6 - Return to Winnipeg
Embark on an exciting dog sledding excursion, where you get to meet the dogs, learn about their lives and histories, and then take on the wild tundra mushing your very own team!

You will then enjoy a visit to the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre, where you’ll learn more about the history, wildlife, and culture of the Churchill area, before flying back to Winnipeg and checking-in to your hotel for a one-night stay. Overnight in Winnipeg.

Day 7 - Departure
You polar bear package comes to an end with check-out from your hotel.

Reverse Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive Winnipeg
Welcome to Winnipeg! Spend the night at an airport hotel in preparation for tomorrow’s morning flight to Churchill. If you arrive at a decent hour, spend some time exploring central Canada's largest city. Consider visiting the Manitoba Museum, which has nine galleries displaying historical artifacts, or the Royal Canadian Mint to learn about Canadian coins, or strolling down to the Forks, a funky market which is one of the city’s most popular gathering places.

Day 2 - Fly from Winnipeg to Churchill
Today’s the day – you fly to the Polar Bear Capital of the World!

When you arrive, embark on an exciting dog sledding excursion, where you get to meet the dogs, learn about their lives and histories, and then take on the wild tundra mushing your very own team!

You will then enjoy a visit to the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre, where you’ll learn more about the history, wildlife, and culture of the Churchill area. Overnight in a Churchill Hotel.

Day 3-4 - Polar Bear Viewing on the Tundra Buggy
Spend two full days in a Tundra Buggy with knowledgeable guide, viewing polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. The Tundra Buggies know just where to go, and with hundreds of bears congregating in anticipation of the ice forming on the Hudson Bay, there’s plenty of bears at rest and at play to spot. Overnight in a Churchill hotel.

Day 5 - Board VIA Rail
Bid farewell to Churchill as you board a VIA Rail train. Watch the northern scenery pass by your window as you relax and are gently rocked to sleep in your cozy bedroom accommodation. Overnight onboard the train.

Day 6 - On VIA Rail
Spend a relaxing day riding the rails across Manitoba. This is your last full day with your group so be sure to make it count, share those email addresses with promises to swap photos! As the scenery changes from Arctic tundra to central plain to wooded forest, you’ll realize just how far you’ve come. Overnight on the train.

Day 7 - Departure
You polar bear package comes to an end as you arrive in Winnipeg this afternoon. Consider adding a post-night for a more leisurely end to your vacation.

return to top

2008 Package start dates
Fly/Rail:
Oct 26
Nov 2
Nov 7

Rail/Fly :
Oct 21

Options & Upgrades
• Enjoy extra nights in Winnipeg before or after your polar bear tour

Price Notes
• Prices are per person based on two people sharing
• Package will be charged in Canadian dollars

Package Includes
• VIA Rail Sleeper service between Winnipeg and Churchill one-way, typically a double bedroom
• Meals onboard the train
• Return air transportation between Churchill to Winnipeg
• Fully escorted group tour
• Hotel accommodations in Churchill for 3 nights, Winnipeg for 1 night
• Local tours: bus tour, Tundra Buggy Tour (2 full days including lunch)
• Tour of the Eskimo Museum and Parks Canada Interpretation Centre
• Dogsledding tour
• Transfers while in Churchill
• Group farewell dinner
• 3.5% HST

Not Included
• Transportation to Manitoba
• Meals, except as indicated above
• Items of a personal nature
• Accommodations in Manitoba, except as indicated above
• Gratuities
• GST
• Hospital, medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance

return to top