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9 Day Polar Bear Photo Safari Adventure
Highlights: Toronto, Winnipeg, Churchill
Trip start: Global
Trip end: Winnipeg
Trip Available:
19-Oct-2012, 23-Oct-2012, 27-Oct-2012, 31-Oct-2012, 04-Nov-2012, 08-Nov-2012
Price Range From $10,350 pp *
* GBP per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Travel to the remote coastal tundra, north of Churchill, Manitoba, for a once-in-a-lifetime photography expedition amongst the polar bears of the great Canadian north. Ground level photo opportunities are offered for Arctic wildlife in a pristine, untrammelled wilderness setting in the heart of polar bear country. Nowhere else can you get this close, and experience this high concentration of the majestic bears. No strangers to the Arctic chill, you are also likely to come across other interesting wildlife, such as caribou or Arctic fox. Another stunning feature of the remote northern location of this experience is the strong number of clear nights for viewing and photographing the Aurora Borealis, which can often be seen in full force, dancing across the sky in the evening. This will surely be an experience you won't soon forget.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Toronto
  • Global: Pre-departure Materials
  • Toronto: Transfer - Private - Airport with Meet & Greet - Sedan/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto City Centre (3*)  
Day 2
Toronto
  • Private - Niagara Falls (8hrs) - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto City Centre (3*)  
Day 3
Winnipeg
  • Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Flight Toronto - Winnipeg (Not Included)
  • Winnipeg: Dinner Team Meeting
Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*) 
Day 4
Churchill
  • Air - Winnipeg - Churchill - Economy
  • Churchill: Fixed-Wing Plane into the Wild, Orientation & Hike
  • Lunch (Included)
  • Dinner (Included)
Seal River Heritage Lodge (B)
Day 5
Churchill
  • Tundra Trekking - (Guide)
  • Lunch (Included)
  • Dinner (Included)
Seal River Heritage Lodge (B)
Day 6
Churchill
  • Polar Bear Watch - (Guide)
  • Lunch (Included)
  • Dinner (Included)
Seal River Heritage Lodge (B)
Day 7
Churchill
  • Priceless Photography
  • Lunch (Included)
  • Dinner (Included)
Seal River Heritage Lodge (B)
Day 8
Winnipeg
  • Bush Plane back to Churchill, Afternoon at Leisure
  • Lunch (not Included)
  • Dinner (Included)
  • Air - Churchill - Winnipeg - Economy
Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*) 
Day 9
Winnipeg
Depart (Int`l Airport) 
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Toronto

Toronto is a cosmopolitan city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational and cultural facilities. It is the largest city in Canada, with a population consisting of over 2.5 million people. Toronto is the home of seven professional sports teams and the third largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, behind New York and London. It is one of the world's most multicultural cities, home to more than 80 ethnic communities (half of people living in Toronto were born outside Canada). A dominant force in the business and economy of the nation, it is also the cultural centre of English-speaking Canada. Toronto is known as a city of neighborhoods. Districts are often centered one of the main streets (Queen, College, Bloor etc), and packed tightly together, with each having something different to offer each visitor. The relative compactness of these neighborhoods makes exploring on foot easy and pleasant, especially in the warmer months.

You will be provided with a pre-departure package which will include all necessary information that you will need for your trip including materials such as vouchers, maps, train tickets (if relevant) etc.

Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel in Toronto. Your driver will meet you at the arrivals gate with a sign with your name to greet you before accompanying you for the transfer.

Hilton Garden Inn (3*) is centrally located in Toronto's Garden District, within walking distance to the Toronto Eaton Centre, Dundas Square and a number of theatres including Elgin & Wintergarden Theatre, Cannon Theatre, and Lorraine Kimsa. Modern decor and luxurious amenities adorn each of their many unique guest rooms and their facilities will enhance the stay of their guests. The Great North American Grill is located on their second floor serving freshly prepared breakfast, 24 hour room service, and has an evening lounge with full beverage service. Popular restaurants in the area include The Keg Mansion, Hard Rock Cafe, Milestones and numerous independent restaurants available through their concierge desk. Work out in the complimentary fitness center, relax in the whirlpool or take a plunge in the pool.

Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn Toronto City Centre (3*) .


Toronto
Toronto
Hilton Garden Inn, Toronto City Centre Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn, Toronto City Centre Hotel
Day 2 Toronto

Enjoy a day trip to Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake with your private car and driver. After being picked up from your hotel, you'll be transferred to Niagara falls where you can have some free time to admire the falls and possibly take a cruise on the "Maid of the Mist" or explore the tunnel system behind the falls. Then explore the nearby town of Niagara on the Lake - with its quaint, quintessentially English feel.

Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn Toronto City Centre (3*) .


Day 3 Winnipeg

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer with vehicle and driver.

Flight from Toronto to Winnipeg (Not included in the tour cost).

At 7:00 pm this evening, a dinner will be held at the hotel where you will meet your group and your adventure specialist. You'll need your rest tonight for your early morning departure to Churchill.

The Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg International Airport(3.5*) is Winnipeg's only hotel connected to the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport by skywalk. This hotel offers first-class facilities and features 132 guest rooms and suites. The on-site restaurant serves quality offerings and has an extensive menu. After dinner, relax and unwind in the Local Heros sports bar. The property has a state of the art fitness centre as well as all of the services and amenities you would expect from a hotel of this standard.

Overnight at Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*).


Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Four Points Hotel at Winnipeg Airport
Four Points Hotel at Winnipeg Airport
Day 4 Churchill

Enjoy a short flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, where an expert staff member will meet you at the airport and provide you with an orientation to the tour.

You will then be transferred by fixed wing aircraft to the finest Arctic Eco Lodge on the planet, the Seal River Heritage Lodge. This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River, and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast to Canada's most exclusive Polar Bear viewing properties. Keep a sharp eye out en route for caribou, seals, wolves and of course the "Great Ice Bears". Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. Then it's time to assemble all those priceless cameras, hard drives, and tripods and start burning some serious gigabytes! Tonight will offer your first chance to see the magical Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky.

Seal River Heritage Lodge is a family-owned and operated eco-lodge located just above the high water mark of western Hudson Bay. Accessible only by air, boat, dogsled or snowmobile, and 50 km away from the nearest community (Churchill) this location was chosen for several reasons - beauty, uniqueness and diversity. The surrounding area is truly wilderness. The air pure, the water crisp and clean and the land unspoiled.  The location also minimizes the efforts people need to undertake to view wildlife. The coastline is the most active area for wildlife movements – the animals come to the people, reducing the temptation to use motorized vehicles to find them.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.


Churchill
Churchill
Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis
Seal River Heritage Lodge
Seal River Heritage Lodge
Day 5 Churchill

Each of your next three days will be spent going on daily tundra treks in search of polar bears to photograph. The daily outing typically takes place at 9:30 am, shortly after breakfast, when a guide will escort you and your group out into the remote wilderness surrounding the Searl River Heritage Lodge. This is the heart of polar bear country, so don't be surprised to have multiple encounters each day you go out! Your photos will have stunning backdrops with the sea and landscapes surrounding the lodge. Its shoreline is ideal for photographing bears on the snow and ice.

Each evening you will return back to the lodge for appetizers and drinks at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm. From there, the common room with the fireplace is often the gathering place.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.


Bears Wrestling
Bears Wrestling
Day 6 Churchill

The placement of the lodge puts you right in the action of polar bears and many other wildlife in the area. Spend the day learning about the wildlife and the land from your knowledgable group guide as you adventure out around the lodge, and spend some time in the lodge's viewing tower, giving you an amazing and safe view of bears as they pass right along the property. You will never get this close to polar bears anywhere else!

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.


Mother and Cub
Mother and Cub
Day 7 Churchill

Your final day of exploring the northern Manitoba wilderness is upon you. Get ready for an exciting day of encounters to yield some absolutely amazing photographs of these wild animals, giving you lasting memories to bring home. Tonight will of course be your last chance to see and capture the wonderous northern lights as well. If the skies are clear, get your tripod out and watch the magic unfold before your eyes.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.


Lazy Bear
Lazy Bear
Day 8 Winnipeg

After a hearty breakfast, pack your bags for a trip back south to Churchill on a bush plane. If you're lucky you may fly over a large herd of caribou on your way back. Upon arrival in Churchill, you will have an afternoon at leisure, followed by dining at one of the multiple restaurants where your provided $30 dinner voucher is accepted. After dinner, you will meet up with the expeditor and you will be transferred to the airport in preparation for your flight back to Winnipeg this evening.

Enjoy a short flight from Churchill back to Winnipeg this evening. Upon arrival, you will check back into the Four Points Sheraton for one more night, conveniently located at the Winnipeg airport.

Overnight at Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*).


Herd of Caribou
Herd of Caribou
Day 9 Winnipeg

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services - Flight from Winnipeg to Churchill.

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance - Other flights not mentioned in the itinerary.

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your non-refundable deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 50% of the program price.. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 75% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at