Canada | Polar Bears and Beluga Whales in Churchill, Manitoba

Upon arrival in Winnipeg, you will be met and taken to the hotel. Meet our representative and receive a briefing on tomorrow’s schedule. Please note: Today is an arrival day and no meals are included. This trip is only available in the summer months of July and August.

Return to the airport this morning for our charter flight to Churchill. Upon arrival, we meet our naturalist guide and check in at our cozy, 1800s-style lodge, recognized by National Geographic Traveler for its unique atmosphere and sustainable practices. This afternoon, learn about the culture and heritage of Churchill and the surrounding area as we explore various historic sites, including Cape Merry and the wreckage of the famous plane known as "Miss Piggy." Learn about the Polar Bear Jail, a special building where polar bears that are considered troublesome are isolated before they can be relocated. Gather for an interpretive presentation by Parks Canada, followed by a welcome dinner at Lazy Bear Café. Enjoy made-from-scratch entrees or sample Indigenous food such as braised peppered elk, Arctic char, and Manitoba bison.

Today, we set out for an exciting Hudson Bay coastal boat excursion for the chance to see polar bears, beluga whales, and other Arctic wildlife. In the spring the melted waters of Hudson Bay force polar bears onto the coast where their main meals-seals-are not often found. Unlike their southern counterparts, these bears do not hibernate but spend their downtime relaxing on the coast, sunning themselves, napping, wandering along the rocky shores, and taking cool dips in the water-their own all-inclusive vacation. Polar Bears are also uniquely suited to aquatic activities as they have webbed paws and they enjoy swimming in the warmer southern climates. Taking a boat trip to visit these amazing bears in summer gives you a perfect chance to see them swimming and walking around the rocks and wildflowers on the majestic Hudson Bay coast. This full-day adventure also takes us to the spot where 60,000 beluga whales (the highest concentration in the world!) descend upon Hudson Bay. Rendezvous with our experienced guide, we may encounter other tundra fauna and flora: the Pacific Loon, Ptarmigan, Arctic hare, Arctic fox, and a plethora of wildflowers.

This morning, our beluga whale boat tour takes us along the same shoreline where hundreds of beluga whales come to feed, mate, and give birth. This is another chance to view beautiful beluga whales in their natural habitat in the Churchill River and into the mouth of the Hudson Bay as they feed on schools of capelin, Arctic char, brook trout, and cisco whitefish. Step ashore for a walking tour of the Prince of Wales Fort, constructed over a span of 40 years in the 1700s, to learn about its history and gain a sense of a fur trader's life at this massive stone outpost. This afternoon, discover the oldest and most comprehensive collection of Inuit artifacts at the Itsanitaq Museum, not far from our lodge. The museum is dedicated to promoting northern culture and history, with an emphasis on the Canadian Inuit.

Embark on a kayak adventure for an up-close experience with beluga whales. As you gently paddle your single or double kayak along the tranquil estuary, watch for curious belugas trailing behind you. Later, learn about the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, focused on research and education in the Subarctic. The Centre is a non-profit field station located outside of Churchill along the Hudson Bay seacoast at the meeting of three major biomes: marine, northern boreal forest, and tundra. Have a talk to learn about scientific and social research work, including sustainable resource development. Tonight we share a farewell dinner at the Lazy Bear Café.

After breakfast, check out of the lodge. As our last excursion before returning to Winnipeg, we will enjoy a summer tundra tour on the famous Arctic Crawler. We will be able to step outside and walk on the tundra if conditions allow. Please note that during the summer, it is very rare to see any polar bears out in the tundra. However, we will have a chance to see and learn about the ecosystem.

Flights back home. Breakfast is included depending on flight times.