7 Day Canada’s Polar Bears and Beluga Whales Summer Adventure
This tour is escorted by local city guides in each location. The local guides will join you during the included activities and local representatives will assist with transfer arrangements. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise, or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
This tour is categorised as 1 out of 5
Explore at your own pace: Discover your destination at your own pace with our self-guided itinerary. Options include driving, rail, or cruising (excluding expeditions). Enjoy included guided day trips for sightseeing as outlined in your itinerary.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including a Hudson Bay Coastal Tour to view polar bears, Beluga Whale boat tour, and travel onboard the purpose built Arctic Crawler tundra vehicle searching for polar bears and other Arctic wildlife
✓ 4 nights at the cosy Lazy Bear Lodge in the heart of Churchill
✓ 2 nights in deluxe 4-star accommodation in Winnipeg
✓ Daily breakfast, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
✓ Spend a day witnessing polar bears in their natural habitat on the tundra
✓ Hudson Bay Coastal Boat Tour with the opportunity to view Beluga Whales, Polar Bears and other arctic wildlife
✓ Zodiac tour to see Beluga Whales and a walking tour of the historic Prince of Wales Fort
✓ 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
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Get ready to explore Winnipeg, Manitoba! Upon arrival, check in to your deluxe hotel located in the vibrant Forks district. The rest of the day is yours to unwind and discover the city at your own pace. Located only a short walk away is the Forks food hall, home to an array of local restaurants, artisan shops and cafes.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Following breakfast, a group transfer will transport you to the airport for your journey to Churchill. Upon arrival at Churchill Airport, a guide from Lazy Bear Lodge will greet you and accompany you to the lodge. There, you'll begin your Cultural and Heritage Tour, delving into Churchill and its surrounding areas, where you'll discover various historic landmarks. These include Cape Merry, an outdoor tour of the polar bear holding facility, the remnants of the renowned plane "Miss Piggy," and other significant sites that contribute to Churchill's unique identity. Following the tour, settle in and meet your hosts for the upcoming five days. Throughout the afternoon and your stay, you'll have some free time to explore Churchill at your leisure. Additionally, feel free to inquire at the front desk about optional tours and excursions available during your lodge stay.
Embark today on a full-day Hudson Bay Coastal Tour aboard the state-of-the-art vessel 'Matonabee', boasting exclusive underwater viewing windows. Along the coast of Hudson Bay and in local river estuaries, you'll have the chance to observe polar bears in their natural habitat. These majestic creatures can be spotted swimming in the water or lounging on the rocky shores. Enjoy a day filled with excitement and educational insights, enhanced by a delicious lunch served onboard during the tour.
After breakfast, you'll head back out on the water for a 3-hour Beluga Whale Boat Tour to spot the beautiful ivory-coloured beluga whales. As part of the excursion, you'll also enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic Prince of Wales Fort, providing a fascinating glimpse into the region's past.
Today is a day for relaxation, allowing you ample opportunity to explore the charms of Churchill at your own pace. You might consider dedicating time to visiting local attractions such as the Itsanitaq Museum and the Canada Parks Museum, or perhaps meandering through the town's distinctive shops to admire authentic Native Art.
Alternatively, take part in one of the optional tours offered by Lazy Bear Expeditions.
Paddle amongst beluga whales in the Churchill River with an experienced guide. Beluga whales are curious creatures and on occasion they may trail behind the kayaks! The excursion takes place at low tide and focuses on spending time with the beluga whales in their natural environment. This adventure is safe for beginners and first time kayakers; a short instructional session will be provided prior to going on the water.
Included are equipment (single or double kayak, wet suit, life jacket and neoprene boots), experienced guide, and dockside transfers. Some passengers choose to wear bathing suits or thermal clothing under the wetsuits. It is best that clothing be close fitting. The excursion is subject to weather conditions.
Duration: 3 hours
Glide above the water for a truly unique ultimate water adventure. The specialised excursion creates a non-threatening posture, encouraging some of the thousands of friendly and curious Beluga Whales to approach us in their natural habitat.
This adventure immerses you in the natural habitat of thousands of beluga whales and puts you right where the action is! Gliding over the surface of the water on a floating mat provides an outstanding opportunity to be approached by any of the thousands of curious and friendly whales for a truly unforgettable experience.
When participating in Beluga AquaGliding™, your floating mat will be tethered to a zodiac in the Churchill River or Hudson Bay. Guests will lie flat and be able to watch the belugas approach. It is perfect for picture taking and experiencing the belugas up close and personal.
On this approximately 3-hour expedition (inclusive of transfers), guests are provided wet suits. We provide all equipment including neoprene boots, gloves, and lifejackets. It is best that clothing be close fitting under the wet suits. Many people choose to wear bathing suits or thermal clothing. (Dry suit available upon request). Activity is subject to weather and water conditions.
Recommended for ages 12 and older.
Duration: 3 hours
After enjoying your final delightful breakfast at the Lazy Bear Lodge Café, you'll embark on a 3-hour Tundra Tour, offering an immersive experience of the Arctic landscape. You'll have the opportunity to explore the tundra's natural beauty, observe its diverse flora and fauna, and perhaps encounter various wildlife, all from the comfort of a specially designed all-terrain vehicle, the Arctic Crawler™. Following the tour, the lodge shuttle will transport you to Churchill Airport for your return flight to Winnipeg. Upon arrival in Winnipeg, you'll be transferred to the Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel.
Your adventure ends this morning at the hotel after check-out. We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
This hotel is located at the airport terminal. Please proceed on foot to the airport terminal for check in.
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.
Installment Schedule:
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:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”2”
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.
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 $1,295.00 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.
Insurance
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.
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).
Packing Suggestions
It is important to bring warm layered clothing such as snug but comfortable fitting windproof outerwear with an attached hood or very warm hat, a pair of ski or wind pants, long underwear, as well as a fleece jacket and/or sweater. Please bring gloves/mittens and warm boots with ample insulation. Weather permitting, there will be short walks in patrolled areas.
Please consider bringing items of a personal nature to be used for hiking and the outdoors: light jacket, windbreaker, rain gear, shorts and long pants, hats, gloves, extra socks, sun glasses with UV protection, sun block lotion, lip protector and insect repellent with deet, bug jacket and bug hat.
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.
Children
Children must be 5 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:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Canada & Alaska.
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