Churchill Summer Rail and Road Trip
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.
This unescorted summer trip includes the return train journey from Thompson to Churchill and is sure to leave you in awe of the beauty of Canada's North.
Formerly known as: Belugas, Bears and Blooms - Adventurer - Drive and VIA Rail.
Adventurer Level: 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. Adventure-level tours have the largest guest capacity of all our tours, are unescorted 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
Train to Churchill
Today is the day! From Thompson, Manitoba, we climb aboard the evening northbound train with VIA Rail - next stop, Churchill!
Photo © Uli Kunz
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
We wake up early in the morning before arriving in Churchill. We're here!
Upon arrival, we head straight to our hotel before our free day to explore the town of Churchill. With our free time we decide to check out the Itsanitaq Museum, home to an enormous collection of Inuit artifacts honouring the town’s Indigenous history and culture. Next, we head over to the Parks Canada Visitor Centre to view detailed and exciting wildlife dioramas and fur trade exhibits. We leave chock-full of natural and historical information about the Churchill region!
We cap off the day by exploring the beautiful SeaWalls murals painted on buildings around town. What a great first day!
Photo © Jessica Burtnick
Day 03
Beluga Whales and Prince of Wales Fort
Today we get out on the Churchill River with the beluga whales! As we cruise the river by boat, we soon see these beautiful white whales are everywhere! We watch in awe as they crest the waters around the boat, appearing to be just as interested in us as we are in them.
This excursion also includes 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.
Photo © Belinda Fitzpatrick
Day 04
Dog Carting
Today we 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. It was a great way to learn more about Churchill's Métis culture.
For the afternoon we pre-booked a stand-up paddleboarding experience through Frontiers North for another chance to see the beluga whales. While out on the river, we see another group of people kayaking when a pod of belugas swim right beneath us — almost bumping into our paddleboards. What an amazing wildlife encounter!
Photo © Dan Harper
Day 05
Tundra Buggy® Adventure
Our Churchill adventure isn't over yet — it's time for our Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area! Once we board the Tundra Buggy 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 and animal life that are native to the Churchill area.
This evening, it's time to say goodbye to Churchill. We board the southbound train for our overnight travel back to Thompson.
Photo © Handcraft Creative
Day 06
Depart Thompson
We arrive into Thompson in the morning. My Churchill adventure may be over but I’m heading home with a lot of wonderful memories and photos to show my friends and family. I can't wait to plan my next adventure!
Itinerary
Day 01
Train to Churchill
Guests will arrive into Thompson by own arrangements; Evening VIA Rail departure for overnight travel to Churchill. Meals: None
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Morning arrival into Churchill; Guests will make own way to Churchill hotel for check-in; Free time to explore Churchill; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: None
Day 03
Beluga Whales and Prince of Wales Fort
Boat tour of the Churchill River; Interpretive walking tour of Prince of Wales Fort; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: None
Day 04
Dog Carting
Dog carting and interpretive program; Free time to explore Churchill; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: None
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Evening VIA Rail departure for overnight travel to Thompson. Meals: L
Day 06
Depart Thompson
Guests may depart Thompson at their leisure. Meals: None
Join the Adventure
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.
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Belugas, Bears and Blooms - Adventurer - Family Adventure
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