Start Location: Winnipeg, Canada; End Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Duration: 7 Days
Travel Season: October and November (Best: early November)
Accommodation: Churchill Wild - Seal River Heritage Lodge
Far from the madding crowds, out on the raw coast of Hudson Bay, an entirely unprecedented wilderness experience awaits. Step beyond the confines of traditional vehicles to enter the home of the great white bear on foot, where the wild tundra becomes the stage for close encounters. This is the world's premier ground-level polar bear safari.
Highlights at a Glance
• The encounter: Polar bears at ground level, on foot, with armed guides - not from a fourteen-foot tundra buggy looking down.
• Other mammals: Arctic fox - arctic hare - caribou - gray wolf - all four named by the operator.
• Birds: Snowy owl and ptarmigan, both named by the operator - gyrfalcon - ravens working the bear kills.
Itinerary
50°N55°N60°N100°W90°WSaskatoonReginaThunder BayGrand ForksMinotBrandonSeal River LodgeChurchillWinnipeg1·423500 km
1·4 Winnipeg · 2 Churchill · 3 Seal River Lodge
Day 1Arrive in Winnipeg
Arrive in Winnipeg and check into The Grand by Lakeview, the group's hotel beside the airport. Winter gear fitting takes place at 5pm, followed by an orientation dinner with a Churchill Wild representative who runs through the days ahead.
Day 2Winnipeg to Churchill to Seal River Heritage Lodge
Fly north to Churchill on Hudson Bay, then transfer to a small charter aircraft for the 60-kilometre hop up the coast to Seal River Heritage Lodge. After a tour of the lodge, room allocation and the safety briefing on walking in polar bear country, the first excursion sets out from the fenced compound.
Days 3-5Polar bears at Seal River Heritage Lodge
Three full days of guided excursions on foot with your guides, typically two outings a day timed to the low, warm autumn light that photographers come for. Guides position the group safely for polar bears on the coastal willow flats and tidal rocks, and meal times flex around whatever the bears are doing. Evenings mean image review by the fireplace, presentations from the guiding team, tundra-inspired dinners, and a night watch kept for aurora and for bears at the lodge windows.
Day 6Seal River Heritage Lodge to Churchill to Winnipeg
Fly back to Churchill with aerial photography of the coast en route, then join a guided tour of the town taking in the Parks Canada exhibits, the Itsanitaq Museum, the Polar Bear Holding Facility and the SeaWalls murals. There is free time for shopping and a group dinner before the evening flight to Winnipeg and a final hotel night.
Day 7Depart Winnipeg
Breakfast at the hotel after a good sleep and time to repack. Transfer to the airport for onward flights home.
Accommodation
Churchill Wild - Seal River Heritage Lodge. eight ensuite guestrooms in queen, king, twin and family configurations; polar bear viewing lounge; great room with fireplace; dining room; library; gift shop; outdoor viewing tower; elevated viewing decks; fenced lodge compound; mudroom and gear room; Hudson Bay shoreline frontage at the Seal River estuary.
All-Inclusive Package
• Gathering and dismissal in Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Round-trip air Winnipeg-Churchill-Seal River-Churchill-Winnipeg, including the private charter to the lodge
• Two nights' hotel accommodation in Winnipeg at The Grand by Lakeview
• Four nights at Seal River Heritage Lodge in an ensuite guestroom
• All meals throughout, at the lodge and in Churchill
• Canadian wines and beers with meals
• All excursions and guide services at the lodge and in Churchill
• Guided Churchill town tour: Parks Canada exhibits, Itsanitaq Museum, Polar Bear Holding Facility, SeaWalls murals
• Full winter gear package on loan, including boots to men's size 13
• Gear fitting and orientation dinner in Winnipeg
• All ground transfers in Winnipeg and Churchill
• Satellite Wi-Fi at the lodge
Not Included
• 8.5% tax, which is added to the trip cost
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Flights to and from Winnipeg
• Travel insurance, including medical evacuation cover
• Spirits and personal purchases from the lodge gift shop
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