Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer
Trip Overview
Summer is the perfect time to visit Churchill, Manitoba. During the months of July and August, the Churchill River is teeming with beluga whales who migrate into the warm, shallow waters to give birth and feed on fish. Known as the “canaries of the sea”, these friendly and inquisitive creatures will capture your heart as you enjoy their whale song by boat or, for the more adventurous, in the water with a Zodiac, kayak or stand-up paddleboard adventure.
While on land, enjoy the view as the surrounding landscape erupts into colourful summer blooms. You will experience a dog carting excursion with a professional musher on a mile-long trek through the boreal forest and explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area by Tundra Buggy for your chance to see a multitude of northern wildlife. You might even have the opportunity to see the first of the summer polar bears as they begin their migration into the area.
Formerly known as: Belugas, Bears and Blooms - Adventurer.
Unescorted Tour: Our most flexible and cost-efficient option, these tours include the basics of lodging and transportation, and allow flexibility to add the activities that interest you most. Unescorted tours have the largest guest capacity of all our tours, are self-guided and tend to be shorter in length.
The Experience
Beluga whales by the thousands, colourful blooms erupting over the tundra, and you, soaking up the northern sun - how could summer get any better?
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
I flew into Winnipeg today and I am so excited to get to Churchill tomorrow! My home for the night is a Winnipeg hotel which is just across the street from the airport. After checking in, I head to an evening meet and greet held by a representative from Frontiers North. Our tour is unescorted - the Frontiers North rep will not be travelling with us to Churchill - so the meet and greet gave our group the chance to ask some last-minute questions about our adventure.
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
In the morning I walk over to the airport with a few others from my group and check in with Calm Air for the short flight to Churchill.
Our first day in Churchill encourages guests to learn about the history and culture of the town. Upon arrival, we head straight out on a Churchill and area tour, which comprises of an exploratory drive past various points of interest in and surrounding Churchill. Our driver stopped briefly at Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility so we could get out and take photos. Don't forget to bring your bug spray!
After our tour, the bus dropped our group off at our hotel for check in. I chose to spend my afternoon visiting the Parks Canada Visitor Centre and Churchill’s Itsanitaq Museum, which houses one of the most extensive Inuit Art collections in the world. For dinner I meet with a couple of my fellow travellers at the Tundra Inn Dining Room and Pub - lucky for us it happens to be open mic night so we stayed for a pint and enjoyed the show!
Photo © Doug Ross
Day 03
Beluga Whales, Prince of Wales Fort and Dog Carting
Today is our first encounter with Churchill’s beautiful beluga whales! After a light breakfast at our accommodations, I meet with the rest of the tour group at Sea North Tours and we are bussed down to the port for our morning on the water. They take us on a three-hour boat tour on the Churchill River, cruising down the river looking for pods of curious whales.
This excursion also included a stop for a walking tour at the historical Prince of Wales Fort where a Parks Canada Interpreter teaches us about the famous explorers who lived at the fort in the 18th Century and how they managed to survive in Churchill’s harsh climate.
After lunch on our own, we head down to Wapusk General Store for our next activity—dog carting! We are transferred to join a local dog musher for an exciting dog carting excursion through the boreal forest, what a rush! Our host Dave Daley introduces us to his team of sled dogs and explains to us the importance of dog sledding in northern culture and history.
Photo © Belinda Fitzpatrick
Day 04
Beluga Whale Zodiac Tour
Our third day in Churchill starts with Zodiac boat tour, giving us a chance to get even closer to the extraordinarily friendly beluga whales. Once again I meet with the rest of the tour group at Sea North Tours and head to the water. Once we board the Zodiac and head into the river estuary we see how curious and friendly the beluga whales are. They seem to love the bubbles from the Zodiac’s motor – they follow us so closely!
Photo © Mike Macri
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
It's hard to believe but my Churchill adventure is almost over. But before we leave, it's time for our Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area! We meet at Fifty Eight North - Home of the Tundra Buggy - and a Frontiers North representative takes us out to the Tundra Buggy Dock area to begin our tour.
Once we board the Tundra Buggy and our driver gives us a safety talk, we 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! Our tour allows us to learn from our Tundra Buggy Driver about the many different types of plant life and animal life that are native to the Churchill area. The landscape is so colourful and beautiful and our Tundra Buggy Driver shares a wealth of knowledge about the area. What an adventure!
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
My Churchill adventure is over and I’m heading home – but I have a lot of wonderful photos to show my friends and family. I can't wait to plan my next Churchill adventure!
Itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into their hotel at the Winnipeg airport; Evening meet and greet hosted by Frontiers North representative. Meals: None
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Early morning flight to Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Free time to explore Churchill; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B
Day 03
Beluga Whales, Prince of Wales Fort and Dog Carting
Boat tour of the Churchill River; Interpretive walking tour of Prince of Wales Fort; Dog carting and interpretive program; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B
Day 04
Beluga Whale Zodiac Tour
Zodiac boat ride on the Churchill River; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Evening flight to Winnipeg; Guests will check into their Winnipeg hotel. Meals: B, L
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure. Meals: None
Join the Adventure
See dates for:
202220232022
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 11-16, 2022 Tour Code: BBB10 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,749 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Aug 18-23, 2022 Tour Code: BBB11 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,749 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
2023
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 3-8, 2023 Tour Code: BBB5 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,899 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Jul 10-15, 2023 Tour Code: BBB6 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,899 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Jul 15-20, 2023 Tour Code: BBB7 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,899 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Jul 24-29, 2023 Tour Code: BBB8 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,899 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Aug 7-12, 2023 Tour Code: BBB9 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,899 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Aug 21-26, 2023 Tour Code: BBB11 | Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 40 people | CA$4,899 CAD CA$900 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.
Belugas, Bears and Blooms by Train
Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer by Train