Subarctic Discovery: Churchill Polar Bears by Train
Trip Overview
Our Subarctic Discovery: Churchill Polar Bears by Train tour is led by an Interpretive Guide and includes a two-night train journey that winds through Manitoba and Saskatchewan to Churchill; a town only accessible by train or plane.
Experience the northern frontier town of Churchill and the wonderful wildlife surrounding it on this hotel-based adventure. You will have the rare opportunity to view wild polar bears from a Tundra Buggy® and to take in the eclectic charm of this remote and extraordinary community.
This trip includes two full-day Tundra Buggy adventures in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, where polar bears await the freezing of the Hudson Bay. Additionally, indulge in and explore the history and culture of Churchill by exploring its museums, unique shops and family-run restaurants.
Interpretive-Guided: Our most well-rounded adventures, these tours include lodging and transportation with a mix of cultural and wildlife or northern lights viewing activities built in. Interpretive-guided tours are medium-capacity, escorted departures so you can sit back and relax while we take care of all the details.
The Experience
Visit Churchill by train and experience the charm of the town while spending time viewing Churchill’s incredible polar bears.
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
I flew into Winnipeg today and I am so excited to go on my Churchill polar bear tour! My home for the night is the Inn at the Forks, which is just across the street from the VIA Rail Station at the Forks, a popular tourist destination. After checking in and having dinner in the hotel restaurant, I head to an evening meet-and-greet 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
The Train Voyage Begins
After breakfast at the hotel I have a bit of free time to walk around the Forks before our train departure in the early afternoon. We all meet at the train station with our Interpretive Guide and board the train. The travel arrangements on the train are private sleeper cabins, but there are plenty of opportunities to socialize with my fellow travellers during meals!
Photo © Taylor Cole
Day 03
Day on Train
We wake up on the train for our first full day. We enjoy a delicious breakfast in the dining car and afterwards I snuggle up with a book and a cup of coffee in my birth. As we are travelling, I notice the landscape is beginning to change. First from prairie grasslands thick with trees to boggy muskeg with stunted growth. In the late afternoon we arrive in Thompson, one of this route's major stops.
While some people board the train I spend an hour exploring Thompson. We once again board the train for our final leg to Churchill.
Photo © Uli Kunz
Day 04
Churchill Adventure Begins
Today's the day! We wake up early in the morning for breakfast before arriving in Churchill around 9 a.m. We're here! Upon arrival, we are accompanied into town by a driver who points out various places of interest in and surrounding Churchill. Our driver stopped briefly at the Polar Bear Holding Facility (better known as the Polar Bear Jail) so we could get out and take photos. 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 lunch, we head over to the Parks Canada Visitor 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.
Next we pay a visit to Polar Bears International House, where we receive a short talk from a Polar Bears International Ambassador who teaches us about polar bears around the world, polar bear research, climate change and more. We also tour the Interpretive Centre and learn how to support polar bear conservation efforts.
We stop at our hotel where we have a chance to freshen up before enjoying a wonderful dinner with our group. What an incredible first day in Churchill!
Photo © Madeline Grant
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Today we get to go on a Tundra Buggy adventure! I made sure to bring my sealable, reusable travel mug with me after reading this blog. After breakfast our group is picked up right from our hotel and transferred out to the Tundra Buggy Dock where we board our Tundra Buggy. After a safety speech from our Tundra Buggy Driver, we hit the trails and travel into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA)!
Our Tundra Buggy Driver navigates the bumpy trails of the CWMA in search of polar bears and other subarctic wildlife while a guide shares interesting facts about the area’s geology and history. We enjoy a delicious picnic lunch right on the Tundra Buggy as we watch and photograph the tundra landscape.
At the end of an incredible day on the tundra, we return to town for a warm dinner with our group, a great opportunity to share photos and swap stories about what we saw on our exciting adventure!
Photo © Jessica Burtnick
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. When we arrive we check back in to our 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 © Robert Taylor
Day 07
Depart Winnipeg
I wake up happy, thinking back on my wonderful polar bear adventure. What an amazing experience! Today I check out of my hotel and head home, ready to share my adventures with family and friends!
Itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and make their own way to Inn at the Forks hotel; Evening meet and greet hosted by Frontiers North Interpretive Guide. Meals: None
Day 02
The Train Voyage Begins
Board VIA Rail train early afternoon; Begin first leg of journey to Churchill; Overnight on train. Meals: B, L, D
Day 03
Day on Train
Continue on journey from Winnipeg to Churchill; Overnight on train. Meals: B, L, D
Day 04
Churchill Adventure Begins
Early morning arrival to Churchill; Churchill and Area Tour, Parks Canada and PBI House, Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Full-day Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 06
Last Day in Churchill
Full-day Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Evening flight to departure city; Guests check back into their hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 07
Depart Winnipeg
Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure. Meals: None
Join the Adventure
2022
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 17-23, 2022 Tour Code: 47 | Subarctic Discovery: Churchill Polar Bears by Train Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 2 nights Churchill, 2 nights train Maximum 22 people | $7,849 CAD $850 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.
All prices based on double occupancy. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. True North Deposit eligible. See booking terms and conditions for more info.
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