5 days -November 12-16, 2009
$2995 includes air!
THIS TOUR IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS!
Day 1: Arrival into Winnipeg, Manitoba. This central Canadian province stretches from rolling prairies in the south, through hardwood and mixed wood forests, across the Canadian Shield of boreal forest, and north up to the arctic tundra along Hudson Bay. The Hudson Bay itself also adds a marine element to this province, from badgers to polar bears and from meadowlarks to arctic terns. Transfer to your hotel and later, enjoy a welcome dinner. HILTON SUITES HOTEL (D)
Day 2: Churchill. This morning, fly north to Churchill, “The Polar Bear Capital of the World.” Upon arrival, you will be met by your naturalist guide and will be given a town tour including a visit to the Eskimo Museum, containing Inuit and Arctic artifacts. After lunch, opt to take a spectacular helicopter ride and see the full expanse of the paga, where the forest turns into the tundra, and be on the lookout for polarbears, arctic fox, caribou, arctic hare, lemmings, and other wildlife! In the evening, see a slideshow about the mystical Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, which first appear in early autumn; later, join your guide outdoors for viewing. AURORA INN or POLAR INN (B,L,D)
Day 3: Churchill/tundra vehicle. After breakfast, board A.C.T.’s private polar bear buggy and embark on a full day journey into the wild terrain to view endangered polar bears. This unique, late model vehicle is well heated and washroom equipped. The buggy’s over-inflated tires allow unparalleled access onto the tundra. Your experienced naturalist guide is well versed in local bear conditions and will make every effort to ensure you have the most favorable conditions to photograph the animals. A platform on the rear of the buggy allows passengers unrestricted viewing. This exciting excursion is set during the peak of the polar bear migration, and finding the bears is generally not a problem. For maximum time among them, a superb, enhanced picnic lunch will be served on board your polar bear buggy. Dinner will be at a select restaurant upon your return. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Churchill/Winnipeg. Morning free to shop for some Inuit soapstone carvings or other local souvenirs, or for optional dog sledding. Late morning flight to Winnipeg, and special farewell dinner at your hotel. HILTON SUITES HOTEL (B,D)
Day 5: Winnipeg/USA. Your memorable tour officially ends after breakfast at the hotel. (B)
* Because of fluctuating oil prices and early advanced planning of this tour, airfare to and from Winnipeg is not yet available. In 2008, the roundtrip cost for air from Palm Springs to Manitoba during November was $760.
