Conservation Journey: Polar Bears
Trip Overview
Our Conservation Journey: Polar Bears takes you deep into the heart of polar bear country, the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, where the most studied population of polar bears in the world are found during the autumn months preceding the Hudson Bay freeze-up. This adventure includes an Interpretive Guide and a maximum of 20 people on each Tundra Buggy.
Frontiers North Adventures’ Tundra Buggy Lodge is our base for the adventure, which includes three full-days on the tundra, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Buggy One, a mobile broadcast and research station that also serves as operation central for the live polar bear cams operated by Polar Bears International, explore.org and Frontiers North Adventures. Evenings are spent on the Tundra Buggy Lodge, where you will learn about polar bear habitat and species conservation awareness from PBI researchers and scientists, including PBI's Chief Scientist Dr. Steven Amstrup.
You will return home with valuable information about how climate change is impacting polar bear habitat, along with valuable wildlife experience from the frozen Hudson Bay coast. Join us to see first-hand the work we’re doing and learn how you too can help preserve polar bear habitat.
Learn more about the Tundra Buggy Lodge
About Dr. Steve Amstrup
Dr. Steven Amstrup has worked tirelessly for more than 30 years to discover the wonders of polar bears. Among his long list of accomplishments, he led a team that contributed to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior listing of polar bears as a threatened species, is a longtime member and past chairman of the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group, and in 2012 was selected as the recipient of the prestigious Indianapolis Prize.
Photo: ©Matt Mays
A portion of the proceeds of this trip will be provided to Polar Bears International in support of their programs and conservation efforts.
*Tour capacity for Conservation Journey: Polar Bears is 40 guests at the Tundra Buggy Lodge; however, during the day guests are split into groups of a maximum of 20 guests per Buggy to maximize space for photography opportunities.
The Experience
This one-of-a-kind journey combines education with adventure and provides you the amazing experience of travelling to Hudson Bay with leading polar bear scientists.
Day 01
Winnipeg Arrival
We all arrived into Winnipeg by our own arrangements and make your way to the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, conveniently located adjacent to the Winnipeg International Airport. After checking in, we meet with our Interpretive Guide and the rest of our group for our meet-and-greet. The Interpretive Guide goes over the itinerary and answers any last minute questions we have.
Photo: ©Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Day 02
Our Churchill adventure begins!
It’s finally here! Today we are going to Churchill! After a very early breakfast our tour group boards a warm bus for the short ride to the private hangar from where our plane will depart for the 2-hour flight to Churchill.
Upon arrival, we head straight out on a Churchill Town & Area Tour which comprises of an exploratory drive in the area surrounding the town of Churchill, visiting sites like historical Cape Merry and the Polar Bear Holding Facility. We take a break for lunch and enjoy a warm, home-cooked meal at one of Churchill’s family run restaurants – who knew Churchill had such incredible food?
After the tour we stop off at Churchill’s famous Itsanitaq Museum, home to an internationally recognized collection of Inuit art in stone, bone and ivory depicting the life and spirituality of a people deeply rooted in the north. Next, we head over to the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre, which has in depth displays that reveal the remarkable history of Churchill through wildlife dioramas and exhibits that portray the history of the fur trade in the area.
Photo: ©Doug Ross
Day 03
Dog Sledding and Tundra Buggy Lodge
After breakfast, our first excursion of the day is a dog sledding program with local dog musher Dave Daley of Wapusk Adventures. Dave regales us with his incredible dog sledding stories, introduces us to his dog pack and then takes each of the group on a mile-long dog sled ride through the boreal forest. Then we head back to town for lunch and some time to explore the town’s gift shops.
In the late afternoon we board the Frontiers North bus and head out to the Tundra Buggy launch for our trip to the Lodge. It’s our first chance to see the incredible landscape of the north and it is absolutely breath-taking.
As the light begins to fade, we see the Tundra Buggy Lodge in the distance – it’ almost as if we’re approaching an isolated space station in the middle of nowhere. As we board the Tundra Buggy Lodge the feeling of isolation disappears. The welcoming lodge staff greets us warmly and we are treated to an incredible home cooked meal before settling in to our new home on the tundra.
Photo: ©Dan Harper Photo
Day 04
Tundra Buggy Adventure
After waking up in our bunks, we gather for a hearty breakfast before boarding the Tundra Buggy in time for first light. We set out to explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, in search of polar bears, arctic fox, ptarmigans and other incredible wildlife.
Our amazing Tundra Buggy driver and guide teach us about the history and importance of the northern landscape. Half-way through the day we enjoy a picnic style lunch packed for us by the Lodge chef.
At the end of the day, we return to the Tundra Buggy Lodge in time for a delicious meal and a chance to relax in the lounge with fellow travellers and PBI staff.
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
It's another great day to see some polar bears on the Tundra Buggy! We start our day travelling more inland than yesterday, hoping to see a mom and cub that were seen in the area yesterday. Our Tundra Buggy driver is in constant contact with other Tundra Buggies in the area to share sightings, so we always know where other bears have been seen.
Today on our Tundra Buggy we were joined by Polar Bears International scientist Dr. Steve Ampstup, a well known polar bear researcher with over 3 decades of experience in the field. Dr. Amstrup's presentation is very informative and we get to see up close polar bear fur, claws and even a skull (not a real skull though, just a replica). It is a great opportunity for us travelers to ask questions about polar bears and to get some insight into how climate change is affecting the arctic ice.
Photo: © Daniel J. Cox/NaturalExposures.com
Day 06
Last day in Churchill
Today is our last day on the Tundra Buggy and we excitedly set out right away to search for polar bears.
It is another great day on the tundra, full of extraordinary wildlife and many chances to get great photos. It’s been a successful day and our entire group celebrates our amazing luck to have been able to see polar bears in the wild.
As our day comes to an end, so does our time in Churchill. We are transferred back to the Churchill airport for our return flight to Winnipeg. When we arrive in Winnipeg we check back in to the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. The night is ours to do as we wish, which gives me a lot of time to look over all the photos I took!
Photo: ©JP McCarthy
Day 07
Depart Winnipeg
What an amazing experience I've had this past week.
Not only did I get to see Canada's incredible polar bears, but I also got to learn about these amazing creatures from scientists and researchers who have dedicated their lives to helping save the species. It's wonderful knowing that some of what I paid for my tour will be donated directly to Polar Bear International and their work to save polar bear habitat.
Knowing now how every choice I make affects our world, I will definitely be making some changes at home to ensure I'm living as green as possible.
Itinerary
Day 01
Winnipeg
Guests will arrive in Winnipeg and check into the Four Points by Sheraton hotel at the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. Meals: None
Day 02
My Churchill Adventure Begins.
Early morning flight to Churchill. Activities: Churchill & Area Tour; Churchill Itsanitaq Museum visit; Parks Canada Interpretive Centre. Overnight at Churchill Hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 03
Dog Sledding and Tundra Buggy Lodge
Activity: Morning dog sledding Program; free time in Churchill to shop/explore; Afternoon Tundra Buggy transfer to the Tundra Buggy Lodge. Meals: B, L, D
Day 04
Churchill Wildlife Management Area
Activity: Full-day Tundra Buggy excursion in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Meals: B, L, D
Day 05
Churchill Wildlife Management Area
Activity: Full-day Tundra Buggy excursion in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Meals: B, L, D
Day 06
Churchill to Winnipeg
Activity: Full-day Tundra Buggy excursion in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Evening flight to Winnipeg. Guests will check into the Four Points by Sheraton hotel at the Winnipeg airport. Meals: B, L, D
Day 07
Depart Winnipeg
Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure. Meals: None
Join the Adventure
2018
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 28 - Nov 3 2018 Tour Code: 54 | Conservation Journey: Polar Bears Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 1 night Churchill, 3 nights Tundra Buggy Lodge Maximum 40 people | $8,349 $550 Single Supplement Sold OutJoin the Waitlist |
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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