This is just the coolest trip in the world, and I’m not just talking outside temperature either! Imagine this…. Explore the heart of Canada - Winnipeg, a city of culture, architecture and arts. A two day train journey through the prairies of Canada to a small, coastal town in the far north, a town that isn't even connected to a road. Add on the attraction of this town and you've got a winner. Up close and personal, the largest land carnivores in Canada – polar bears, right here in Churchill, Manitoba.
I’m your guide to see the wonders of Churchill and all of its uniqueness. Each time I do this trip, I can’t help but just fall in love with the surroundings. I know, for a fact, that some of the polar bears recognize me. Every year you see the same bears, the same people, the same natural surroundings. But each day is so fantastically unique. I remember riding home in the guide van at the end of the day with 12 other guides and each day, all we could talk about were the amazing experiences we had. Whether your interests be photography, sightseeing, educational or animal viewing, this tour holds it all for you.
Come join me on my favourite yearly migration to see the polar bears of Churchill. All of our tours are all inclusive so if I mention something that we're doing, it's included. This trip includes all breakfasts, all dinners and three lunches in addition to everything else. To maximize our experience this trip will be limited to 10 guests.
Individual arrivals. I'll be at the airport to welcome you to the heart of Canada, check you in at our hotel and, based upon arrival time, direct you to some of the optional activities you may want to participate in.
Winnipeg is one of Canada’s most culturally vibrant urban centres. Our tour will begin at the Assiniboine Park Zoo , where we’ll visit one of the zoo keepers caring for Winnipeg’s captive polar bear population. Afterwards we’ll visit The Forks National Historic Site at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. For over 6,000 years people have come here to hunt, trade, share stories and perform ceremonial rites; the area was the hub of the western fur trade as early settlement began. On the banks of the Assiniboine River stands a monument of Metis leader Louis Riel, Metis leader. From there, we’ll visit the Manitoba Museum for a two hour guided tour through the history of the province. Climb aboard the Nonsuch, a famous replica of the 17th century ship responsible for the founding of the Hudson’s Bay Company when it sailed into Hudson Bay in 1668. The Manitoba Legislative Building will be our next stop before we have dinner atop the Royal Crown Restaurant with special guest, a First Nations story teller. After dinner we board the train for an unforgettable journey of a lifetime.
Some of the people you meet in such close confines as a train can sometimes become friends for life. This train journey which began last night is a 36 hour trip through the bread basket of Canada aboard VIA Rail. We all get unique, private sleeping compartments. Watching the boreal forest disappear outside we realize we are on the treeless plains of the tundra. We saw over 100 caribou on this section in 2007.
After two nights on the train you always appreciate being able to put your feet on mother earth again. Arrival is scheduled for around 11:00. At that point we'll commence our local townsite tour including Cape Merry, the Eskimo Museum and Wapusk National Park Visitor Centre Museum. I always like to introduce my guests to some of the local characters. For a great scoop on what's happening in Churchill throughout the year, check out Kelsey Eliasson's website Polar Bear Alley . He offers some great insight into what's happening in Churchill when the rest of the world isn't there.
Polar Bear on the shore of Hudson BayThis is the day we've all been waiting for. Our first time on the tundra with our private Tundra Buggy® to see the animals along Hudson Bay. On any given day we could expect arctic foxes, polar bears, arctic hares, caribou, snowy owls, ptarmigan and many more. The reason we're travelling at this time of the year is because this is the best time to see the majority of the polar bears. Early November we've seen as many as 30 bears in one day. We're not looking for quantity, we want a true quality experience.
Just when you thought it doesn't get any better than this, we're doing it again. We'll go explore another full day on the tundra, learning about the history of Hudson Bay, viewing the bears again.
After breakfast and a short transfer to the airport, we leave Churchill for Winnipeg, arriving at 14:00 for other connecting flights or the next big adventure.
