Polar Bears of Churchill
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Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
1082
Start City:
Winnipeg
End City:
Winnipeg
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
First Class
Tour Length:
7 days
Age Requirement:
12+ Years Old
Tour Capacity:
16
Physical Rating:
1 - Light
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2020 | Aug 18, 2020 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 16, 2020 | Aug 22, 2020 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 20, 2020 | Aug 26, 2020 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Jul 23, 2021 | Jul 29, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 12, 2021 | Aug 18, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 16, 2021 | Aug 22, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote |
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Travelers save $1000 per couple ($500 per person) on all Small Group, Small Ship and Private Journeys worldwide when you pay in full at time of booking. Plus as always, receive our AffordableTours.com 7% extra everyday savings.
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Must Book By Mon, Sep 30, 2019
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Family & Friends Discount: Save up to $200 per person
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Combinable with pay-in-full discount.
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Day 1 - General Tours Canada Tour begins in Winnipeg, Manitoba
| On arrival at the airport this morning, you’ll be met and chauffeured to the Inn at The Forks. Distinguished by its casual sophistication, General Tours contemporary luxury boutique hotel offers a privileged location in the heart of Winnipeg. Just outside General Tours hotel’s front door, The Forks is a National Historic Site at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. With a fascinating past dating back 6,000 years to ancient aboriginal settlements, the area has witnessed waves of history from European fur traders and buffalo hunters to 19th-century railway pioneers. This afternoon, you’ll join General Tours in-the-know resident guide for a sightseeing tour of the city. You’ll see St. Boniface Cathedral, a well-known landmark in Winnipeg’s vibrant French Quarter, and drive along Broadway to marvel at the Manitoba Legislative Building. Built in the early 1900’s, the cupola of this impressive provincial building is topped by the Golden Boy, a gilded statue of the Roman God Mercury. Then learn more about Winnipeg’s long history as you get to know The Forks, still a popular gathering place as it has been for centuries. Here along the banks of the two rivers, not far from your hotel, you’ll find tree-shaded parks, promenades, and outdoor sculptures along with cafes, shops and restaurants – many of them set in restored architectural landmarks. After sightseeing, you’ll have time to refresh before this evening’s Welcome Dinner. Meals D |
Day 2 - Day 2 - Charter Flight to Churchill, the Polar Bear Capital
| After breakfast, we’ll take you to the airport for General Tours chartered flight to Churchill. Set along the Churchill River where it flows into Hudson Bay, this remote and inviting northern town of 1,000 residents is uniquely situated between two distinct eco-systems: The Boreal Forests to the south and the Arctic Tundra that stretches north toward the Arctic. On arrival at the airport, you’ll be met and escorted to the Lazy Bear Lodge where you’ll find a welcome bottle of wine in your cozy log and wood-paneled guestroom. This afternoon, join your fellow Lodge guests for a Culture + Heritage Sightseeing Tour of Churchill. You’ll see the legendary Polar Bear Jail where rogue bears that come too close to town are safely housed until they can be released deeper in the wilderness. At historic Cape Merry, you’ll learn about the town’s founding in 1717 when James Knight sailed up the mouth of the Churchill River and built a fur trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company. In the midst of the boulders and hardy pine trees that dot the shores of Hudson Bay, you’ll also see Miss Piggy, a Curtiss C-46 freight plane that famously went down in 1979 – landing in the wilderness, well short of the runway, without any fatalities. This evening, A+R guests will join a local wildlife and nature photographer for a specially arranged private presentation. Viewing his mesmerizing photographs of the Hudson Bay region offers an excellent introduction to your own upcoming explorations. Photographers, regardless of your experience level, will find his tips insightful and helpful. Tonight you’ll dine at the Lazy Bear Café, an inviting venue with a vaulted log-beam ceiling and stone fireplace. If fresh homemade specialties like Roasted Manitoba Bison or Braised Peppered Elk don’t appeal, the chef is also well-known for his fine pasta dishes, vegetarian stir-fries, and Arctic Char fresh from the waters of Hudson Bay! Meals B+D |
Day 3 - Day 3 - Polar Bears of Hudson Bay
| The western coast of Hudson Bay is one of the best places in the world to encounter Polar Bears in their native habitat. This morning, you’ll step aboard General Tours Coast Guard certified, custom-built boat to go in search of these amazing creatures. In late summer, the Polar Bears are a little bit lazy, gathering on the shore and sometimes going for a swim to cool off: This gives us an amazing opportunity to watch as they lumber among the rocks and summer wildflowers that dot the shoreline. Conditions permitting, you might even the opportunity to go ashore and walk with the bears! With insight and guidance from General Tours expert wildlife guides, it’s not unusual for guests to have remarkably up-close encounters that allow for truly once-in-a-lifetime photographs! Today’s expedition lasts 6 to 8 hours and includes a boxed lunch. Tonight, we’ve made private arrangements for General Tours guests to spend some time with Gerald Azure. In the 1960’s, Cormorant, Manitoba was a small Métis community accessible only by the Hudson Bay Rail Line – and dog sleds. It was here that Mr. Azure developed a lifelong connection to his land, heritage and sled dogs. He arrived in Churchill more than 15 years ago and found a welcoming community where he could found his own dog-sledding enterprise while retaining his Métis history, culture and heritage. With the possibility of witnessing the Aurora Borealis in the dark northern sky, tonight’s congenial discussions with Mr. Azure promise unique insight into the life, people and traditions of Manitoba. Meals B+L |
Day 4 - Day 4 - Beluga Whale Watching Expedition
| Today’s 3-hour expedition finds you on the waters of the Churchill River and Hudson Bay. In summer, up to 60,000 Beluga Whales come to feed, mate, give birth and raise their young in these shallow, near-coastal waters. With General Tours experienced wildlife guides and crew, we’ll set out in highly maneuverable Zodiacs to go in search of these amazing marine mammals here in their native habitat. Often times, we’ll find them feeding on schools of Arctic char, capelin and brook trout. Belugas are highly intelligent and will often swim quite close to us - as if driven by curiosity to investigate General Tours Zodiacs and their 2-legged passengers! You’ll also step ashore for a guided tour of the historic Prince of Wales Fort. Built by the Hudson’s Bay Company during the fur trading days of the 1700’s, this National Historic Site bears witness to the rivalry between the French and English as they struggled for control of Hudson Bay and its resources. Later today, A+R guests will have a chance to get even closer to the remarkable Beluga Whales with their choice of an included AquaGliding or Kayaking excursion: AquaGliding Adventure: Get up-close and personal with these gentle giants on this exciting marine expedition with General Tours expert naturalist guides. Lying prone on specially designed, highly-buoyant aquatic mats puts you as close as you can get to water level without actually being in the Bay. The mat is tethered to a Zodiac so your guide can take you out to carefully selected settings based upon the real-time locations of the Beluga pods. These AquaGliders are new to Hudson Bay and are sure to engender the whales’ natural curiosity. You should not join this expedition if you will be anxious or uncomfortable when your mat is approached by a friendly and curious Beluga! This 3-hour excursion is shared with other Lodge guests and includes transfers to the dock, a wet or dry suit, neoprene boots, gloves and lifejacket. Kayaking Expedition: Appropriate for beginners and experienced kayakers alike, this expertly guided 3-hour adventure begins with a short instructional session. Venturing onto the Churchill River in single or double kayaks, you’ll have a chance to get up close with Beluga Whales in their natural environment. These amazing marine mammals are highly curious and will often trail closely behind General Tours kayaks. This excursion is shared with other Lodge guests and includes wet suits, life jackets and neoprene boots. For generations, fur traders, mail carriers and other residents relied on dog sleds to travel across the winter snow; for many, it’s still the most convenient way to get around. As winter gives way to spring and the snows begin to melt, people often replace their sled runners with wheels – it’s a convenient means of transport and keeps the dogs in shape all year long. Later today you’ll join other Lodge guests for a Dog Carting adventure. Riding behind a team of energetic sled dogs is a terrific way to appreciate the beauty of the countryside and to experience a slice of Manitoba life. You’ll also learn how the dogs are trained and gain insight into the local dog-mushing culture. Meals B+L |
Day 5 - Day 5 - Tundra Tour on General Tours Arctic Crawlers™
| Today you’ll hop aboard General Tours Lodge’s exclusive Arctic Crawlers™ for a guided tour across the Tundra. With massive all-terrain wheels and large windows that open, these vehicles are prefect for exploring the rugged landscapes outside of town. In addition to the more-famous Polar Bears and Beluga Whales that you’ve already encountered, the lands along the western coast of Hudson Bay are home to many other species - including a variety of migratory birds, Arctic Hare, Arctic Fox, caribou, moose and eagles. Accompanied by General Tours expert naturalists, you and other Lodge guests will spend 3 to 4 hours getting to know the geology, flora and fauna of the wildly beautiful Tundra. Because General Tours included AquaGliding and Kayaking excursions are dependent upon weather and water conditions, this free afternoon offers another chance to enjoy the tour of your choice - if it was not available yesterday. Or you might even have the opportunity to do both excursions. This evening, you’ll gather for a festive Farewell Dinner at the Lazy Bear Café. Meals B+D |
Day 6 - Day 6 - Return Flight to Winnipeg
| After a leisurely morning to enjoy General Tours Lodge or to explore the small settlement of Churchill on your own, you’ll be escorted to the airport for General Tours charter back to Winnipeg. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred once again to the Inn at The Forks. Your evening is free to enjoy downtown Winnipeg as you wish. Meals B |
Day 7 - Day 7 - Homeward Bound
| You’ll be chauffeured to the airport today for your homeward flight. Meals B [Please Note that all activities in Churchill are dependent upon local weather and water conditions. These included excursions may need to be rescheduled during your stay, but every effort will be made to ensure a complete program as per General Tours itinerary. Local staff, crew and naturalists have the final authority to make decisions to ensure the safety and comfort of General Tours guests. A more final itinerary will be given to you when you arrive at the Lazy Bear Lodge.] |
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Lazy Bear Lodge - Churchill, Canada
General Tours base for exploring the western shores of Hudson Bay is the Lazy Bear Lodge in the town of Churchill. Built with hand tools and hardwood timber salvaged from a forest fire, this inviting log cabin resort has windows that were recycled from an old 1800’s Hudson Bay Trading Post. Everything about the lodge, from its massive stone fireplace to beam-vaulted restaurant, speaks to the history and beauty of this remote wilderness area. Spacious guestrooms have all the modern amenities from free Wi-Fi to cable television.
The Inn at the Forks - Winnipeg, Canada
General Tours luxury boutique hotel is a contemporary oasis located in the heart of The Forks, a National Historic District situated at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Here in downtown Winnipeg, you’ll find shops, restaurants and tree-shaded riverside promenades all within walking distance. General Tours hotel offers 117 spacious rooms, all generously appointed with luxury pillow-top mattresses, luxury bathrobes, locally made Riverstone Spa bath amenities, Keurig coffee makers with coffee and tea, and a 55-inch HDTV wit expanded channel selection.
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.
Note: AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Alexander Roberts. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. All prices are USD per person and based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1-800-935-2620 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Some land prices may include an internal air component and discounts will not be offered on the internal air component. Discounts will not be offered on packages with a land price of less than $500.
