6 Day Canada's Polar Bears and Northern Lights Expedition

• Incredible sightseeing, including two days polar bear viewing onboard the purpose built Arctic Crawler tundra vehicle, northern lights viewing and a dog-sledding adventure
• 3 nights at the cosy Lazy Bear Lodge in the heart of Churchill
• 2 nights in deluxe 4-star accommodation in Winnipeg
• Daily breakfast, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
• Spend two full days witnessing polar bears in their natural habitat on the tundra
• Experience dog mushing on an authentic sled pulled by Huskies
• Guided Churchill Heritage Tour including historic Cape Merry and the infamous Polar Bear Jail
• Return flights from Winnipeg to Churchill
• Expert naturalist guides during all tours in Churchill
• Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout

• Winnipeg – Enjoy a night in the cosmopolitan Forks region of Winnipeg, home to artisan shops, cafes and restaurants
• Churchill – Two-day Arctic Crawler adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area during polar bear season to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat
• Churchill – Feel your adrenaline rush as you ride a Huskies-pulled dogsled in the Northern Boreal Forest
• Churchill – Weather permitting, venture out to exclusive viewing points with your expert guides to view the stunning northern lights
• Churchill – Learn about First Peoples and Indigenous culture during our Churchill Heritage Tour. Explore historic sites including Cape Merry, the ‘Polar Bear Jail’, the famous plane crash site of ‘Miss Piggy’ and more that make Churchill the town it is today
• Churchill – After your day's adventures, return home to your cosy wood-fire heated log lodge, sumptuous local cuisine at Lazy Bear Café, and your warm room with comfy beds and all the modern amenities

Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.

Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.

Instalment Schedule:

1. At the time of booking pay a $99.00 deposit per person.
2. Pay a 1st installment of $2,749.00 per person within 7 days.
3. Pay a 2nd installment of $2,836.00 per person within 90 days.
4. You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure.

This is a land only package.

This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination. 

The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:

• Your booking is confirmed
• Your departure date is within 11 months
• You  have completed your passenger detail form

Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances. 

It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.

Fitness Requirements
Leisurely Paced Tour: This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.

Tipping 
Tipping in Canada is a complex cultural practice. While not technically mandatory, it's deeply ingrained in the service industry and considered a crucial part of an employee's income. Understanding the tipping etiquette can be confusing for visitors, as it varies depending on the type of service, location, and even the bill amount.

Here is some information to assist you with tipping in the Canada.
Tipping in the Canada is expected, but not mandatory. Generally 15-20% of the bill (before tax) is considered standard for good service, while higher tips are customary for exceptional service. Some restaurants may automatically add gratuity, so check your bill carefully. 

Tipping your tour leader in the Canada is not as common as tipping in restaurants, but it's certainly a kind gesture and a way to show your appreciation for their hard work and guidance throughout your trip. If you had a good experience, CAD$5-$10 per person per day is a decent starting point. For exceptional service or longer tours, aim for CAD$10-$20 or a lump sum at the end.

Ultimately, tipping your tour leader is a personal decision. If you felt they provided a valuable service and made your trip more enjoyable, a tip is a thoughtful way to express your thanks. Remember, even a small gesture can go a long way in showing your appreciation for their hard work.

While navigating the intricacies of tipping can feel overwhelming at first, understanding the basics will ensure you navigate this cultural practice confidently during your visit to Canada.

Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.

Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:

1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $2,445.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.

2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement. 

You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub

During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.

Triple Share
Not available.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.

Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.

Due to the remote nature of this tour, we strongly recommend trip cancellation/medical evacuation insurance. Churchill is a remote community with limited facilities including a major hospital. In light of that fact, please ensure that you take the necessary precautions with regards to your insurance and ensure it covers you for medical evacuation.

Children
Children must be 8 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels: 

• Local Guides - During this tour you will be escorted by a professional local guide in each city whilst you will be unaccompanied when traveling from city to city (by plane, train or bus)

Carry On & Baggage Allowance for flights to Churchill
Maximum two (2) pieces of baggage not to exceed combined weight of 30kg and maximum outside linear dimensions not to exceed 62 in or 158 cm.  Each bag must weigh 23kg or less.

Passengers are permitted two (2) pieces of carry-on baggage per person, free of charge - provided their combined weight does not exceed 9kg and their combined dimensions (L x W x H) do not exceed 10in x 16in x 12in or (25cm x 40cm x 30cm).

Temperatures & What To Pack
The average temperature in October is about 0 to -10 degrees Celsius (32 to 14 Fahrenheit) and in November about -5 to -20 degrees Celsius (23 to -4 Fahrenheit).

We recommend bringing warm and layered clothing to prepare for wind, snow, and freezing temperatures. (Even though the tour vehicles are heated, you will need to stay warm when on the viewing deck and while the windows are open.)

• Long underwear, snug but comfortable fitting outerwear, and a fleece jacket or sweater. Outer clothing should consist of a windproof material, with an attached hood or very warm hat.
• We highly recommend a pair of ski or wind pants to keep heat around your torso and lower body. A jacket alone will not do this.
• Gloves should have ample insulation. Gloves may look like ski gloves and should have an upper extension to cover your wrist as well as your hands.
• Warm boots with thick insulation and good grip, such as Sorel and Kamik, are a must.
• Spare batteries for each camera type you bring.
• Charging cords for laptops, cell phones, tablets.
• We also recommend bringing along a small carry-on bag with your absolute necessities just in case your luggage makes it to Churchill after you do.

All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.

Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.

It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.

• International airfares
• Airport transfers
• Visas
• Travel insurance
• Tipping
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Click HERE for more information on weather in Canada & Alaska.