Day 1: Anticipation Builds During Your Overnight Stay in Winnipeg
Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport. Your winter gear fitting and collection will take place at 5 pm prior to meeting the rest of your group at an orientation dinner hosted by a representative.
Day 2: The Adventure Begins
Arrive in Churchill by air where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and will provide you with instructions of the morning transfers. You will then be transferred by fixed wing aircraft to our Dymond Lake Ecolodge. This short flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast. Keep a sharp eye en route for possible sightings of moose, wolves, and of course, the ‘Great Ice Bears’.
Upon arrival, your hosts will provide a tour and show you to your room. Lunch will be served soon after, and before heading out on your first excursion, you’ll be thoroughly debriefed regarding your stay in polar bear country.
This day includes a guided hike on our rugged and starkly beautiful coastline, an interpretive slide show featuring the wildlife of Hudson Bay, and hopefully a clear night for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Dymond Lake Ecolodge features an Aurora viewing tower for northern lights observation. All this will be topped off with a lunch and dinner where your hosts and guides will regale you with tales of life and adventures in Canada’s Arctic.
Day 3 and 4: Tundra Trekking, Polar Bears and Priceless Photography
Each morning after a hot breakfast, your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions. If there are bears near the Lodge, your morning tour may be delayed to take advantage of these photo and observation opportunities. The walks are comfortably paced as they are geared towards plenty of viewing and photo opportunities.
Back at the lodge, enjoy appetizer hour followed by one of our signature tundra-inspired meals. Evenings typically include an informative lecture or slide show presentation narrated by one of the knowledgeable guides or staff. On clear nights, you may also have a chance to view one of the spectacular aurora borealis displays common at this latitude.
Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. Our staff monitor the compound and skies and will rouse you if the aurora or a nocturnal polar bear make an appearance.
Day 5: Say Goodbye to the Logde...But Not to the Bears!
After another hearty Lodge breakfast, we will begin air transfers back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.
Back in Churchill, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring Churchill and area and learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military town. Your tour will include stops such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Along the way, your guide will point out murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival. Before a group dinner, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.
Tonight you’ll overnight in Churchill at our choice hotel.
Day 6: Tundra Buggy Excursion & Back to Winnipeg
Today you will travel across the tundra in a Tundra Buggy® for more polar bear viewing. Transportation by bus to and from the launch site is provided pre- and post-tour. You’ll have lunch out on the tundra during your tour.
Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place this evening. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and back to The Grand Hotel.
Day 7: Homeward Bound
After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home.
