iExplore Canada Polar Bears Once in a Lifetime(Trip #63634)

Tour Overview

Welcome to Manitoba, Canada! We are thrilled to offer our 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 bears to experience sunset across the snow and ice. Safe inside the custom lodge, you will experience 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. There is no more thorough immersion into the world of the polar bear than on this most unique northern adventure!

Trip Highlights:
Incomparable polar bear viewing at all times of the day!
Overnight directly on the frozen tundra in the comfort of a unique mobile hotel!
Safari along the ice-bound shores of Hudson Bay in search of Arctic wildlife!

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
Arrive in Winnipeg, a city resplendent with arts, culture and commercial activities, and celebrated for its rich history as a trading and transportation center.

Transfer to the historic Fort Garry Hotel and meet for an orientation dinner with your expedition leader this evening.

The Fort Garry Hotel is designated as a national historic site. Since 1913, this former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway hotel has stood as a symbol of Winnipeg's importance as a North American transportation hub and of the prairie city's affinity for old world elegance. One of Winnipeg's most prestigious landmarks, The Fort Garry is now in its 10th decade. In recent years, this grand hotel has enjoyed an unparalleled renaissance, winning new admirers and accolades from patrons and guests as the hotel approaches its 100th year on Broadway.

In case of flight or weather delays, we recommend that you arrive a day early. The expedition begins with a 7:00 pm welcome dinner on Day 1.
Dinner
Fort Garry Hotel

Day 2: Winnipeg- Churchill- Tundra Lodge
Fly to Churchill and transfer to the Tundra Lodge by tundra vehicle, watching for Arctic wildlife against the vast white landscape along the way.

A presentation on polar bears by an Expedition Leader provides an enlightening introduction to your far north adventure.

Tonight, savor the first of many mouth-watering meals prepared by a professional chef, who resides on the lodge throughout the season. Don’t be surprised if dinner is interrupted by a mad dash to the windows to watch a polar bear lumbering around the lodge.
Breakfast, Dinner
Tundra Lodge

Days 3 to 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.

We spend hours watching them interact, delighted by their antics and rugged beauty. We may see mother bears protecting and teaching their cubs, young adult males play fighting, or giant adults patrolling the shores as they wait for the bay to freeze.

Our unique location, combined with half-day excursions in special all-terrain tundra vehicles, affords the best possible wildlife experience in the Churchill area. From the comfort and safety of our tundra vehicles, we “safari” along the coast in areas of high bear density, searching for unique wildlife much as we would on an African safari. In addition to the polar bears, we may see caribou, arctic fox, arctic hare, ptarmigan, and snowy owls.

At the end of each exhilarating day, retire to your cozy accommodations for dinner and presentations.

In the light cast by the lodge across the frozen tundra, we look for the illuminated eyes of animals. And if we are fortunate enough to have a clear night, the north’s spectacular light show may appear as darkness descends. Churchill has some of the worlds most concentrated aurora borealis activity.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tundra Lodge

Day 6: Churchill- Winnipeg
This morning we board our tundra vehicle, leaving the ice-bound coastline of Hudson Bay in the distance as we make our way back to Churchill.

Depending on flight schedules to Winnipeg, we may have time for some last minute exploration of this sub arctic frontier community, originally a Northwest Company fur trading post, with a chance to pick up native handicrafts at the Arctic Trading Company.

We enjoy a farewell lunch in Churchill or dinner in Winnipeg.
Breakfast
Fort Garry Hotel

Day 7: Winnipeg- Depart
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for flights home.
Breakfast

Departure Dates

Departure dates 2009:

October 11 to 17
October 15 to 21
October 19 to 25
October 23 to 29
October 27 to November 2
October 31 to November 6
November 4 to 10
November 8 to 14
November 12 to 18

Other itineraries which are hotel-based are also available.

Prices

Departure dates 2009:

October 11 to 17
October 15 to 21
October 19 to 25
October 23 to 29
October 27 to November 2
October 31 to November 6
November 4 to 10
November 8 to 14
November 12 to 18

$5,995 per person, double occupancy, based on two persons traveling together.
$225 single supplement

Inclusions:
· Round trip flights from Winnipeg to Churchill
· Accommodations as per the itinerary
· All meals (except either lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill).
· Services of expedition leaders and assistants
· Airport transfers
· All permits & entrance fees
· All taxes and service charges

Exclusions
· Flights to/from Winnipeg
· Gratuities
· Lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill
· Alcoholic beverages
· Items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc)
· Travel Insurance

Trip Information

Tundra Lodge Adventure

A stay at the exclusive Tundra Lodge provides the true feel of the far north, with polar bears ambling across the tundra right outside the windows. Despite the sense of desolation, 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 tundra vehicle on site allows us to explore the tundra during our half-day excursions. An important feature of these polar bear trips is the limited group size. Nature is always best experienced in smaller groups, a particularly

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. On this trip 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 buggy and see polar bears.

Physical Requirements: Easy. This expedition requires very little to no walking. Buggies can sometimes offer a bumpy ride.
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 7:00 pm welcome dinner on Day 1. You are free to depart at any time on the final day.

Proof of Citizenship: NOTE: BEGINNING JANUARY 8, 2007, ALL U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING VIA AIR OR SEA WILL REQUIRE A VALID PASSPORT TO ENTER CANADA. Please note that birth certificates and other government-issued photo I.D.’s will NO LONGER be accepted for entry.