Itinerary
Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Arrive in Winnipeg and transfer to the historic Fort Garry Hotel. Meet for an orientation dinner with our Expedition Leader this evening.
Day 2: Winnipeg to Churchill / Tundra Lodge
Fly to Churchill and transfer to the Tundra Lodge by polar rover, watching for Arctic wildlife against the vast white landscape along the way. A presentation on polar bears by one of our Expedition Leaders provides an enlightening introduction to our Far North adventure. Dinner is served at the Tundra Lodge, where we may see polar bears wandering outside our windows.
Days 3 - 5: Tundra Lodge
The Tundra Lodge is strategically positioned at the beginning of each season in the best area for bear viewing. Inquisitive bears often approach the lodge, which features rows of windows and fenced observation decks to accommodate our own curiosity.
As we watch them interact, we're delighted by their antics and rugged beauty. We may see mothers with cubs, and young adult males play-fighting. Our unique location, combined with half-day excursions in special all-terrain tundra vehicles, affords the best possible wildlife experience in the Churchill area.
In addition to polar bears, we may see caribou, Arctic fox, Arctic hare, ptarmigan, and snowy owls. At the end of each exhilarating day, we retire to our cosy accommodations for dinner and presentations. In the light cast by our lodge across the frozen tundra, we look for the illuminated eyes of animals. And if we are fortunate to have a clear night, the north’s spectacular natural light show may appear as darkness descends. Churchill has some of the world’s most concentrated aurora borealis activity.
Day 6: Churchill / Winnipeg
This morning, we reluctantly leave the tundra and head back into Churchill for our flight to Winnipeg. Depending on flight schedules, we may have time for some last-minute exploration of this frontier town, originally a Northwest Company fur trading post, with a chance to pick up native handcrafts at the Arctic Trading Company.
There is also an opportunity for optional dog-sled excursions and helicopter flights over the tundra. We enjoy a farewell lunch in Churchill or dinner together in Winnipeg.
Day 7: Winnipeg / Home
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for flights home
Dates and Cost
We are thrilled to offer travelers an extraordinary polar bear experience – a stay at the Great White Bear Tundra Lodge, situated outside Churchill on the tundra itself. As evening falls, guests remain in the domain of the polar bear to experience sunset across the snow and ice. Safe inside our custom lodge, we enjoy surprising comfort, considering our environs. This “train” of connected bedrooms, dining room and lounge car is on wheels, allowing it to be stationed for optimal bear viewing each season.
There’s no more thorough immersion into the world of the polar bear than on this most unique northern adventure
Trip Duration
7 Day Tour
2012 Dates
Oct 11 - 17
Oct 15 - 21
Oct 19 - 25
Oct 23 - 29
Oct 27 - Nov 2
Oct 31 - Nov 6
Nov 4 - 10
Nov 8 - 14
Nov 12 - 18
2012 Fees
$6,695
Single Supp.: $250
Deposit: $500
Extra Information
Accommodation
The Tundra Lodge, located on the sub-Arctic tundra outside of the small Canadian outpost of Churchill, Manitoba, is a remarkable rolling hotel that is placed in an area of high polar bear density in the beginning of the polar bear season which runs each October and November.
It has 32 rooms, each room a single compartment similar to a room on a train. With three general toilets and two showers as well as a lounge area for viewing bears and a dining area with sliding windows for viewing and photography, the Tundra Lodge offers an authentic and personal Arctic experience without sacrificing comfort.
Location of Adventure
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Group Size Limit
Approximately 28 Travelers
A very important feature of this polar bear adventure is the limited group size. Nature is always best experienced in smaller groups and it is particularly important on this trip so our guests have plenty of room on board the tundra vehicles. Our Tundra Lodge holds 32 guests plus staff but we limit the group to approximately 28 guests. On our arctic tundra drives we generally accommodate 14 guests which leaves plenty of room to move about the Polar Rovers and see bears.
Included
Return flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, accommodations, all meals (except either lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill), services of professional Expedition Leaders and assistants, some gratuities, all activities/entrance fees, evening wildlife and cultural presentations, all taxes and service charges.
Not Included
Travel to and from Winnipeg, lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, travel insurance, items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, etc.).
Physical Requirements
Easy -
This tour requires very little to no walking. Polar Rovers can sometimes offer a bumpy ride.
Important Information
A stay at the exclusive Tundra Lodge gives guests the true feel of the Far North, with polar bears ambling across the tundra right outside the windows. Despite the sense of isolation, the facility is remarkably comfortable, with private bedrooms and a common living room. The onboard kitchen prepares delectable meals served in the spacious dining room.The specialized Polar Rover on site allows us to explore the tundra during our half-day excursions.
An important feature of our polar bear trips is the limited group size. Nature is always best experienced in smaller groups, a particularly important element of this trip. The Tundra Lodge holds 32 guests plus staff, but we limit our group to approximately 28 guests. Tundra drives generally accommodate 14 guests, which ensures a window seat for everyone and plenty of room for moving about the vehicle.
Regarding polar bears in general: Polar bears are typically in the Churchill area all year round. The highest concentration occurs in Oct. and Nov.
Sometimes the best viewing is in the beginning of the season, sometimes the middle and sometimes the end - we never know for sure. The bears are waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze, and when it does, many of them depart. Historically, this has been in early December, but an unusually early cold spell may occur, hastening their departure.
Getting There & Getting Home
In case of flight or weather delays, we recommend that you arrive a day early and either participate in our Extra Day in Winnipeg program or stay on your own. Our expedition begins with a 7:00pm welcome dinner on Day 1. You are free to depart at any time on the final day
Complimentary Boots & Parkas
Our partners, Natural Habitat Adventures lends winter parkas and Arctic boots to all travelers during their polar bear adventures. Use of this gear will ensure your comfort and eliminate the hassle of carrying these bulky items between your home city and Winnipeg.
Enjoy!
