Manitoba: Polar Bear Adventure

5 night tour - starting in Winnipeg, Manitoba - ending in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2016 Early Booking Offer - Book before the 28th February 2016 and enjoy a free pre or post nights stay on us! making this an 6 night tour.

A Tauck BBC Earth Journey.

Created by Tauck with BBC Earth - Access to gadgets used by professional wildlife photographers and filmmakers such as specialized microphones, shotgun microphones and camera traps and exclusive on-tour films that deepen your experience.

Celebrating 90 years in the travel touring business, Tauck offer the ultimate in luxury touring. Throughout the years, ingenuity and innovation, plus a focus on customer servce and authentic experiences, have grown Tauck into one of the world's leading travel touring companies. On your tour you can expect an itinerary carefully designed to create an unforgetable experience, ensuring the finest hotels, luxury motorcoaches and highly experienced tour directors.

Travel to Manitoba in "Polar Bear Season," when these great white carnivores lumber across the plains toward Hudson Bay to prepare for winter. Get up close to astonishing Arctic life in Churchill: snowy owls, white foxes, a cavorting cub, Inuit sculpture, the beauty of a fire-killed log, and the amazing sled dogs. Late October and November is polar bear season in Churchill, Manitoba, the start of the long-awaited migration of these great white creatures. Over icy rivers and across the subarctic plains, they make their way towards the coast and the seal-rich waters of the Hudson Bay to fulfill their need for food for the winter ahead. Normally elusive, these bears are plentiful in this remote location of northern Canada at this time of the year, giving travelers seeking an up-close look at arctic life an exciting glimpse into their world. You'll stay in a cozy lodge where family-style meals, warm camaraderie and two-footed locals share stories about Hudson Bay history, past and present, in front of a crackling fire. You'll also learn more about Manitoba and early fur-trading history during a special private evening with the Hudson’s Bay Company of Adventurers at the Manitoba Museum... at a presentation by an Arctic photographer... at a dog sledding demonstration... on a dog sled ride and much more. Embrace your inner explorer on an adventurous Manitoba vacation!

2016 departure dates:
October 26th & 29th
November 1st, 4th, 7th & 10th
 
TO BOOK THIS TOUR: CALL US ON FREEPHONE 0800 0336 335 OR EMAIL US RESERVATIONS@PURELYTRAVELGROUP.CO.UK
View Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Winnipeg

After an included transfer from Winnipeg Airport, your Manitoba vacation adventure begins at 2:00 PM at the Inn at the Forks. Discover why Manitoba’s capital city is often called the "Gateway to the West" during an afternoon sightseeing tour. Join us this evening for a Tauck Exclusive – a private, after-hours cocktail reception and dinner at the Manitoba Museum, housing artifacts donated by the famous Hudson’s Bay Company, one of the oldest commercial enterprises in the world and deeply intertwined with the history of Manitoba. The highlight of the museum is the historic ship the Nonsuch, a replica of the 17th-century vessel responsible for the founding of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1670. You'll get an introduction to cultural traditions of the First Nations at a dance performance this evening. 

Lodging: Inn at the Forks

Dinner

Day 2: Private charter flight to Churchill

Everyone’s up early today for a private charter flight to Churchill, “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” accessible only by boat, plane or train – population approximately 950+! A guided tour upon arrival includes the village of Churchill – isolated in its remote location in northern Canada but thriving with Arctic wildlife, from waterfowl, beluga whales, seals and polar bears to vestiges of its position as a grain exporting town. It is along the shores of Hudson Bay, situated at the mouth of the Churchill River, at the juncture of two eco-regions – the boreal forest to the south and the Arctic tundra to the north. Your accommodations for the next three nights are at the Lazy Bear Lodge, the largest log building in Manitoba. It is built in a style reminiscent of the fur trading era, handcrafted from fire-killed logs. Dinner tonight is in the lodge, where the excitement for your upcoming Manitoba vacation adventures really heats up!

Lodging: Lazy Bear Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: The Polar Bears of Churchill

Climb aboard a specially designed tundra vehicle for a full-day excursion into the heart of bear country in search of the magnificent "Polar Bears of Churchill." Each autumn, small groups of polar bears migrate from frigid inland locations to Churchill, the staging area for their winter food-hunting season; today you'll see them in their natural habitat. From the safety of your vehicle, you'll have unrestricted views of the bears as they go about their daily business, so keep your camera at the ready. Your expert naturalist guide shares insights about the conservation efforts under way to protect these beautiful animals from environmental and other issues that threaten their survival. You'll never forget what you see and what you learn today; it is definitely a Manitoba vacation highlight! After dinner at the lodge this evening, a well-known arctic photographer gives a special presentation featuring his work – you'll find your armchair travels memorable!

Lodging: Lazy Bear Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: A day in the Arctic wonderland outside of Churchill

First up – visit the Eskimo Museum to view one of Canada's oldest, and most comprehensive, collection of Inuit artifacts and sculpture. Indigenous peoples have lived out here for centuries, and the museum displays one of Canada's finest collections of Inuit art and artifacts, revealing insights about their hearty lifestyle. Head out for another half-day on the subarctic plains as our naturalist points out the local wildlife. White snowy owls with a four- to five-foot wing span perch on high, falcons cruise over bushes, white arctic foxes trot across the flats, all looking for unsuspecting prey like lemmings, who happen to be the lowest creature on the food chain out here. Warm up by a roaring fire back at your lodge tonight.

Lodging: Lazy Bear Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Dogs, sledding & a flight back to Winnipeg

Your Manitoba vacation continues with a closer look at the sport of dog sledding, a popular local diversion out here in the Manitoba wilderness. See a demonstration by dog trainers, then climb aboard a sled yourself for a ride with your canine drivers – another amazing day on the tundra. A private charter flight brings you back to Winnipeg this afternoon for a final overnight stay and farewell reception and dinner at the Inn at the Forks.

Lodging: Inn at the Forks

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Journey Home or extend your stay

Your Manitoba vacation adventure ends in Winnipeg. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from the Inn at the Forks to Winnipeg Airport. Please allow 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

Breakfast

Your Tauck Tour Highlights


On-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts
Field equipment may include FLIR® thermal imaging cameras and camera traps
Small groups averaging 30 Tauck guests.
Two exciting excursions in polar bear country with a naturalist guide aboard a specially designed tundra vehicle
Private, exclusive after-hours reception and dinner at the Manitoba Museum, home to a replica of the historic 17th-century ship, Nonsuch
Presentation by a renowned arctic wildlife photographer
Private charter flights between Churchill and Winnipeg; spend three nights at a lodge in the “Polar Bear Capital”
Dog sledding demonstration and a dog sled ride
Visit to the Eskimo Museum in Churchill
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
14 meals (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners); service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage

Your Hotels....

Nights 1 & 5 : Inn at the Forks - Winnipeg, Manitoba   Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!

Throughout the centuries, European fur traders, buffalo hunters, and railway pioneers made "The Forks" at the junction of the Assinboine and Red rivers "the" place to meet; today, the Inn at the Forks boutique hotel is the only hotel in this National Historic Site. You’ll feel welcomed from the moment you enter, as the staff is known for their friendliness and gracious hospitality. Characterized by casual luxury, the Inn at the Forks puts your well-being first. Every guest room features a soothing contemporary motif, highlighted with works by local artists. A meal at the Current Restaurant and Lounge boasts a contemporary Canadiana dining experience – and for the utmost in relaxation and therapeutic treatments, the Riverstone Spa features escape packages that leave you feeling rejuvenated. There’s no better choice to begin and end this journey!

Nights 2 - 4 : Lazy Bear Lodge - Churchill, Manitoba, Canada   Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!

A visit to Churchill, the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” is just the start of one of the greatest adventures in the world today. Comfortable, cozy, rustic, simple, family owned – all of these words describe the Lazy Bear Lodge. The lodge itself is rustic, consisting of handcrafted log cabins; all rooms have a private bath / shower. Dinners around the authentic stone fireplace set the stage for story swapping – and you’ll have plenty to swap with fellow travelers after a day in the tundra. Meals are memorable and homemade; if specialty dishes such as Caribou Pepper Steak or Sirloin of Muskox Rouladen don’t appeal, there’s always more international fare like Bruschetta Grilled Chicken or Fillet of Cod, Maui-style. Buns are baked fresh in a stone baking kiln, and the chef creates homemade desserts. No alcohol is served at the lodge but you are welcome to have a bottle in your room. Owner Wally Daudrich, an excellent naturalist / historian, enriches your stay with insights and information that reflect his deep love for this remote part of the world.

Tour Only Cost: All prices quoted below are per adult person, per tour in British Pounds (GBP)

Departure Dates

 Single Twin/Double Triple Quad
All departures in 2016 £4280 £4150 £4150 Please call
 
2016 Early Booking Offer - Tauck's most popular tours fill very quickly. Don't be disappointed, book before the 28th February 2016 and enjoy a free pre or post nights stay on us!.
 
Special Solo Traveller Savings – save up to £130 off the single room price on select departure dates – Please call us for more details. 
 
Children - may qualify for a discount when sharing a room with 2 adults - Please call us for details. 
 
Not included in your tour cost:
Flights – we can package your tour with flights at very competitive airfares using our airline partners. Please call us to discuss the best airline for your itinerary.
Pre or post accommodation - If you want to extend your stay at the start or the end of your escorted tour or add another destination to your booking please call us and we will be happy to provide a quote.
Meals, other than those listed in the itinerary.
The customary gratuities for the Tour Director and local drivers are not included.
 
FAQs:
There are many questions and considerations you might have when planning an escorted tour with Tauck Tours. For more information please click here.
 

TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:

Please call us on FREEPHONE 0800 0336 335 or EMAIL us reservations@purelytravelgroup.co.uk we are open 7 days a week.

We will be happy to answer any questions, check the availability of your tour, offer a quote for flights and any pre or post nights you would like to add.

When you are ready to go ahead with the booking, a non-refundable deposit of 10% will be due at time of booking or the full balance if you are due to travel within 8 weeks.

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