Polar Bear watching holiday

country:	Canada
departures:	This 5 night itinerary departs on various dates from 11 Oct - 3 Nov. Other departure dates, durations and tours are also available (Polar bear viewing only possible October & November)
price:	From £3100 (6 days) including flights from the UK and return flights from Winnipeg to Churchill. All meals also are included

Bear watching holidays

Canada holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Located on the western shore of Hudson Bay, and inaccessible by road, lies the small northern seaport of Churchill, Manitoba. In October and November Polar Bears bears slowly congregate along the coast, anticipating the coming freezing over of Hudson Bay. When the bay freezes, the polar bears can get onto the ice to hunt their favourite meal, the ringed seal.

Travelling by Tundra Buggy is the safest and most comfortable way to experience a polar bear tour in the bears' natural environment, and provides a wonderful opportunity for a close-up encounter never to be forgotten. This hotel-based adventure combines polar bear viewing with activities in & around the small community of Churchill, offering a perfect balance for those who wish to learn about the history and culture of the region, and experience the magic of the bears.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Fly from London Heathrow via Toronto to Winnipeg. Overnight at an airport hotel.
Day 2:	Fly from Winnipeg to Churchill. Churchill is a small, northern community with a lot of character; you won't find one of the big-chain hotels here that you might find in a larger centre. You will, however, find warm, homely hospitality in simple, clean and comfortable hotels. Depart for a tour of the town to visit local and historical points of interest including Cape Merry, the port of Churchill, and Manitoba Conservation's Polar Bear holding facility (weather permitting). After your tour visit the Eskimo Museum which contains one of Canada's finest collections of Inuit carvings, kayaks and artefacts dating from pre-Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit times. Overnight Churchill hotel.
Day 3-4:	Two days are spent in a Tundra Buggy with a knowledgeable guide, viewing polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. The Buggy meanders over a system of established trails, stopping at leisure to enjoy the scenery, search for wildlife, and take photographs. Nothing can quite prepare you for the thrill of seeing your first wild polar bear, especially when he's roaming just outside the window! When daylight begins to fade, take the return transfer back to your downtown hotel. Lunch is included on the Tundra Buggy. Overnight Churchill hotel.
Day 5:	Spend a thrilling morning dogsledding. This half-day programme includes a slide show of Arctic and Antarctic dog sled travel presented by John Stetson, who has travelled more than 60,000 miles with his dogs. Enjoy an exhilarating ride behind a strong team of huskies on a custom-made sled. Some dates replace dogsledding with a cultural arts presentation. This afternoon visit Parks Canada Interpretive Centre. Here you can go back in time viewing exciting wildlife dioramas and fur trade exhibits and view videos about the history, culture and wildlife of the area. Staying in town will allow you to walk to and from the different venues, spend some time on your own, and perhaps meet some of the locals. This evening board your return flight to Winnipeg. Overnight at an airport hotel.
Day 6:	Fly from Winnipeg via Toronto to London Heathrow where you arrive the following day.

tailor made holidays

This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

how this holiday makes a difference

The operators of this trip strive to inspire their guests with quality wildlife and nature experiences in a sustainable and responsible manner, as well as sharing their experiences with wildlife enthusiasts the world over. As such, they set up the Polar Bear Cam on top of a Tundra Buggy to beam live images and video footage of polar bears onto the internet. This footage has also been aired by National Geographic.

Education: Each autumn the operator hosts polar bear researchers to conduct video-conferences with groups of students at zoos, and other educational institutions to spread polar bear awareness and the conservation message. In October 2004, a select group of students from around the globe took part in a Polar Bear Science Camp, intended to stimulate creative and critical thinking and to generate in the students "Ambassadors of the Arctic".

Human impact research: The operator sponsored a comprehensive, decade-long study conducted by Dr Jane Waterman of the University of Central Florida, designed to evaluate if any significant human impacts on Churchill's polar bear population exist as a result of ecotourism operations and, if so, what sorts of measures could be implemented to mitigate or minimize such impacts.

As a result of these actions the operator has been recognised with awards from The Travel Manitoba (Ecotourism / Sustainable Tourism Award 2004 & 2005), Polar Bears International (2004 Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award) and The Foundation for Ocean Research (2004 John Stoneman Award).

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