Polar Bear Migration

 

Winnipeg	Hilton Suites Hotel	1 night
Churchill	Polar Inn or Aurora Inn	3 nights
Winnipeg	Hilton Suites Hotel	1 night

7 days from £3096

excluding international flights

DAY 1 – Arrival in Winnipeg.

The Hilton Suites Hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to thehotel; a direct line telephone is located at the baggage carousel. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner and orientation meeting. Recommended flight: Air Canada from London Heathrow (see below).

DAY 2 – Flight to Churchill.  Helicopter flight.

Take the early flight to Churchill (duration: 3 hours) and transfer to your hotel, taking a brief look at the town’s highlights en route. Churchill is situated on the southwest shores of the vast Hudson Bay, an isolated settlement hundreds of miles from other centres of population. It was here that the first trading outpost of the Hudson Bay Company was established in 1717 and the town remains Canada’s only Arctic seaport. A quiet backwater for most of the year, Churchill becomes a Mecca for the wildlife enthusiast in the autumn as the ice reforms in the Hudson Bay and large numbers of polar bears, having gone without food during the summer months, emerge from their dens and venture offshore in search of seals. This is the largest gathering of polar bears anywhere in the world and is a spectacle not to be missed! This first afternoon in Churchill you will visit the small Eskimo Museum, which will give you an insight into the harsh life of the settlers in this remote region.  You will also divide into groups of 4 to take an exciting helicopter flightto gain aerial views of the polar bears and other wildlife.  In the evening enjoy a delicious Arctic Char dinner followed by a slide presentation.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 3 – Bear Watching.

A full day out in the ‘Tundra Buggy’, a specially-constructed vehicle for viewing the polar bears. As well as the bears, you may also see caribou, Arctic fox, red fox, Arctic hare and lemming, as well as snowy owl, gyrfalcon, ptarmigan and other Arctic birds.
Meals included: Full breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 - Bear Watching.  Northern Lights.

Another day out in the 'Tundra Buggy'. In the evening you will be taken on an excursion to hopefully view the amazing phenomenon of the ‘Aurora Borealis’ or Northern Lights (pictured left).
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 – Return flight to Winnipeg. Farewell dinner.

In the late morning return by air to Winnipeg. In the evening a farewell dinner has been arranged.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 – Depart for home.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 - Arrive home.

Arrive London Heathrow in the morning.

International Flights.

There are no direct flights to Winnipeg at this time of year. We recommend the services of Air Canada from London Heathrow via Toronto to Winnipeg. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Toronto. Depart at 09.00; arrive Toronto at 12.20
Toronto/Winnipeg.  Depart at 15.40; arrive Winnipeg at 17.15
Winnipeg/Toronto.  Depart at 15.50; arrive Toronto at 19.18
Toronto/Heathrow. Depart at 20.40; arrive Heathrow at 08.25(next day)

 

Polar Bear Migration (Tour Reference: WDCA010)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures	Price
Mon 11 Oct, Thr 14 Oct, Sat 23 Oct, Tue 26 Oct; Tue 2 Nov, Sun 7 Nov	£3096
Sat 16 Oct, Mon 15 Nov (FULL)  see note below	£3170

Single Room Supplement (all dates): £360.

NOTE: 16 October and 15 November 2010 departures: On day 3 there will a helicopter ride for an aerial view of the bears, followed by dogsledding in the afternoon. Day 4 will be a full day on the tundra.

LONGER DURATION - there are additional departures with an extra day in Churchill [more] THESE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights on Calm Air between Winnipeg and Churchill (and v.v.) including airport taxes
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
• 5 full breakfasts, 4 lunches (including 2 picnic lunches) and 5 dinners as shown in the itinerary
• Transfers in Winnipeg and Churchill
• All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees
• Baggage handling
• The services of a Naturalist tour leader/guide for the included sightseeing and activities
• Tipping (except for the Tour Leader and drivers).

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• International airport taxes

A deposit of £400 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 3 months before your departure date.