Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales
Trip Overview
New in 2020, this exclusive tour combines field education and adventure to create a unique opportunity to experience Churchill’s coastal waters with leading beluga whale researcher and ocean scientist, Valeria Vergara.
Venture into the Churchill River estuary, where thousands of beluga whales migrate into the warm, shallow waters each summer to give birth and feed. Learn about beluga whale biology and ocean health, come face-to-face with beluga whales in their natural habitat and engage with researchers studying the behaviour and vocalizations of Churchill’s beluga whales.
Join us to see firsthand the work that is being done and learn how you, too, can help protect beluga whales and our oceans for generations to come.
About Dr. Valeria Vergara
For 17 years, Dr. Valeria Vergara has designed and conducted studies on beluga whales and other marine mammals, accomplishing the first-ever research to document how beluga calves develop the incredibly rich vocal range of this species. Her research addresses the impacts of anthropogenic noise on beluga populations and the challenges such sound-centered species face in their increasingly noisy environment.
Partial proceeds from Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales will support Ocean Wise, a global ocean conservation organization.
Enthusiast Level: This is our most well-rounded level of departure, with a mixture of cultural and wildlife adventures with fewer people (maximum 20 people on this departure) than the Adventurer level. This level of tour is led by a professional Interpretive Guide and offers guests the ability to focus on their adventures - we'll take care of the little details.
The Experience
This one-of-a-kind journey combines education and adventure: travel into the Churchill River estuary with a leading beluga whale researcher and ocean scientist.
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
I flew into Winnipeg today and I am so excited for my Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales adventure! My home for the night is the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, which is just across the street from the Winnipeg airport. This evening I head to an evening welcome dinner held by our Frontiers North Interpretive Guide where our group has the chance to ask last minute questions and learn more about what our adventure holds.
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Our second day starts off with an early breakfast and a morning flight to Churchill. The two-hour flight takes us from the prairies of central Manitoba, over boreal forest and finally to the colourful tundra of Churchill.
Upon landing, we set out on a Churchill and area tour to explore the area surrounding the town of Churchill. Our Interpretive Guide teaches us all about the historical significance of the places we visit: Cape Merry; the site of a crashed airplane affectionately known by locals as Miss Piggy; and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (aka the Polar Bear Jail). We even had time to stop to enjoy a walk along the coast of the Hudson Bay – bring your bug spray!
At the end of the day, we enjoy a presentation by marine mammal research scientist, Dr. Valeria Vergara.
Photo © Jessica Burtnick
Day 03
Coastal Hike, Beluga Whales and Prince of Wales Fort
Day three starts out with a morning coastal hike with the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC), an independent field station dedicated to the research and education of the subarctic that was founded in 1976! After our coastal hike we are treated to a tour of CNSC for an inside look at the organization's research.
After lunch we get our first experience on the Churchill River! We search for beluga whales by boat and watch in awe as they crest the waters around the boat, appearing to be just as interested in us as we are in them.
While out on the river, we stop for a walking tour at the historical Prince of Wales Fort where we learn about the famous explorers who lived at the fort in the 18th Century and how they managed to survive in Churchill’s harsh climate.
Photo © Penny Hunter
Day 04
Beluga Whale Zodiac Tour and Tour Behind-The-Scenes
After breakfast we have some free time to explore the fascinating town of Churchill.
In the afternoon we get another encounter with Churchill’s beautiful beluga whales, this time by Zodiac boat which gives us a chance to get even closer to the extraordinarily friendly belugas.
The evening is a chance for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Beluga Boat, a vessel documenting the daily goings-on of belugas in the river, equipped with above and below water cameras allowing viewers around the world to see the belugas up close via live stream. We also get a tour of Polar Bears International House, a space used to educate Churchill's visitors about polar bears and climate change.
Photo © Zhang Yongpeng
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Sadly, it's our last day in Churchill. But before we leave we get to go on a Tundra Buggy® adventure into the vast and colourful Churchill Wildlife Management Area!
In the morning we hop on a world-famous Tundra Buggy and head out onto the tundra in search of summer polar bears, arctic foxes, hares, and more types of plants and flowers than you can imagine growing in the North!
After our day on the Tundra Buggy it's back to the airport for our return flight to Winnipeg, where the group checks back into our hotel for a good night’s rest – a perfect time to go over the thousands of pictures I took!
Photo © Handcraft Creative
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
What an amazing experience I've had this past week.
Not only did I get to see Churchill's incredible beluga whales, but I also got to learn about these amazing creatures from scientists and researchers who have dedicated their lives to helping conserve the species. I feel great knowing that part of what I paid for my tour will be donated directly to Ocean Wise, to help achieve their vision of a world in which oceans are healthy and flourishing!
Itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into their hotel at the Winnipeg airport; Evening welcome dinner hosted by Frontiers North Interpretive Guide. Meals: D
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Early morning flight to Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Presentation from Ocean Wise scientist. Meals: B, L, D
Day 03
Coastal Hike, Beluga Whales and Prince of Wales Fort
Morning coastal hike; Beluga tour of the Churchill River; Interpretive walking tour of Prince of Wales Fort. Meals: B, L, D
Day 04
Beluga Whale Zodiac Tour and Tour Behind-The-Scenes
Free time to explore Churchill; Beluga whale Zodiac tour on the Churchill River; Polar Bears International (PBI) House tour. Meals: B, D
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Full-day Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Evening flight to Winnipeg; Guests will check into their Winnipeg hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure. Meals: None
Join the Adventure
2020
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 28 - Aug 2 2020 Tour Code: CJBW1 | Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 20 people | $5,199 CAD $875 CAD Single Supplement |
Call To Reserve Your Spot Today
1 800 663 9832 (toll free)
1 204 949 2050 (international)
All prices CAD, plus applicable taxes.
All prices, inclusions, and dates may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
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