Day 1 & 2 - Arrive Winnipeg / Via
Rail- Winnipeg to Churchill
Today
you will arrive on your own at the Winnipeg Airport. You will transfer
(on own) to the Via
Rail station for your evening departure aboard the Hudson Bay. For
a total change of scenery leave Winnipeg, in the heart of the southern prairies
and travel to Churchill, a city in the vast sub-arctic region on the shores of
the Hudson Bay. This 1,700 km
two-night journey features regional cuisine prepared fresh on board in the
dining car, cozy accommodations with shower access in the Northern Spirit
sleeper cars and stunning views of the prairies, lakes, forests and tundra en
route to Hudson's Bay.
Moderate:
Overnight
onboard
Via Rail
Day 3 - Arrive Churchill / Churchill Town & Area Tour
This morning the Hudson Bay will
roll into Churchill. Upon arrival you will enjoy a guided bus tour of
local and historical points of interest surrounding Churchill, including such
attractions as Cape Merry, Port of Churchill and the Manitoba Conservation's
Polar Bear Holding Facility.
Moderate:
Overnight
Churchill
(Hotel to be advised)
Day 4 - Beluga
Whale & Prince of Wales Fort Boat Excursion
This morning you will depart on
a coast guard approved vessel, and discover hundreds of beluga whales in the
mouth of the Churchill River. During the summer, the mouth of the
Churchill River teems with the largest concentration of beluga whales in the
world. 3000+ playful and vocal belugas spend time here birthing their young and
feeding on crustaceans found in the warm water of the river. Then, travel across
the river to tour the Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada the
oldest most northerly stone fort in the country. Here, you can experience
the diverse history of the Hudson's Bay Company and the fur trade of the 1700s.
The Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Churchill, provides an excellent introduction
to the sites with exhibits and special presentations.
The afternoon is free to explore Churchill on your own. You may wish visit
the Eskimo Museum & Parks Canada Interpretive Centre (not included), which
contains one of Canada's finest collections of Inuit cravings, kayaks and
artifacts dating from per-Dorset, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit times.
Moderate:
Overnight
Churchill
(Hotel to be advised)
Day 5 - Beluga
Whale Zodiac Tour & Tundra Buggy® Tour
This morning you will depart on a guided excursion into
the beluga whale estuary in a Zodiac. Quickly move around the beluga whale
estuary and experience the largest beluga whale population in the world at
surface level. Zodiacs are industrial-strength inflatable boats commonly used by
military and law enforcement agencies.
This
afternoon you will embark on a half day Tundra Buggy® tour. What is a
Tundra Buggy®' Picture in front of you this huge wheeled - I mean huge,
like 5 feet high huge, wheeled vehicle. Sitting on top of the wheels is this
huge, I mean huge, wide-bodied enclosure. The vehicle includes a propane heater,
a toilet facility and, for all intent and purposes, comfortable seats, windows
(that open) and a large observation deck. Alas, now you have a Tundra Buggy® that
allows you to go out on the tundra, in relative comfort and safety to watch and
photograph wildlife & fauna.
Moderate:
Overnight
Churchill
(Hotel to be advised)
Day 6 - Depart Churchill
This morning you will depart
Churchill and fly back to Winnipeg. Arrive in
Winnipeg, mid-day, and board your outbound flight for your return home.
PACKAGE
INCLUDES:
-
3
nights accommodation & room tax in Churchill
-
2
nights accommodation onboard VIA Rail between Winnipeg & Churchill
-
Flight
between Churchill & Winnipeg
-
Churchill Town & Area Tour
-
1/2
day Beluga Whale & Prince of Wales Fort Boat Excursion
-
1/2
day Beluga Whale Tour by Zodiac
-
1/2
day Tundra Buggy® Tour
-
Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES
NOT INCLUDE:
-
Meals
-
Activities
not listed as included
-
Gratuities
-
Transfers
-
Transportation
not listed as included
-
Goods and Services tax (GST)
-
3.5%
Provincial Sales Tax (PST)
-
Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation
Specialist, ask for more details)