Our immersive Conservation Journeys® offer up-close wildlife encounters with a strong focus on conservation and education. You will have the benefit of exploring Churchill, Manitoba with an accomplished wildlife scientist and gain exclusive access to important research infrastructure. Partial proceeds from this tour will support the Cetacean Conservation Research Program, an initiative of Raincoast Conservation Foundation.
Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales
Trip Overview
This exclusive tour combines immersive education and adventure to create a unique opportunity to experience Churchill’s coastal waters with an experienced marine expert.
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 a species expert as you view these magnificent creatures.
This adventure is specially designed to provide you with an epic experience and a meaningful opportunity to learn from and engage with a species expert as you enjoy viewing beluga whales. Take home unforgettable memories and new insights after this trip to the subarctic.
About Dr. Laura Thompson
Dr. Laura Thompson has been studying beluga whales in both aquaria and the wild since 2008, evaluating the health of beluga populations through immunological studies and disease surveillance, and developing non-invasive sampling techniques such as “blow”, or breath, collection to measure hormones and other health parameters. She is also a pioneer in investigating the relationship between diving and health to better understand how changing dive behaviour due to human disturbance or the changing arctic environment may impact beluga health.
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
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 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
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 a Winnipeg hotel which is just across the street from the airport. Upon arrival we visit Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Conservancy for an introduction of Churchill's beluga whales. I'm so excited to see them in the wild up in Churchill!
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 beluga whale researcher and marine mammal scientist, Dr. Laura Thompson.
Photo © Jessica Burtnick
Day 03
Coastal Hike, Beluga Whales and Prince of Wales Fort
Day three starts out with a morning coastal hike to 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 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 the Cetacean Conservation Research Program, an initiative of Raincoast Foundation, to help achieve their habitat and wildlife protection goals!
Itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into their hotel at the Winnipeg airport; Assiniboine Park Conservancy; 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 beluga whale researcher and marine mammal scientist; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 03
Coastal Hike, Beluga Whales and Prince of Wales Fort
Morning coastal hike; Boat tour of the Churchill River; Interpretive walking tour of Prince of Wales Fort; Overnight at Churchill hotel. 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; PBI House; Overnight at Churchill hotel. 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
See dates for:
202420252024
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 26-31, 2024 Tour Code: CJBW | Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | $5,734 USD $668 USD Single Supplement |
2025
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 23-28, 2025 Tour Code: CJBW | Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | $6,217 USD $705 USD 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. True North Deposit eligible. Gratuities included for 2024 and later travel dates only. Applicable taxes and mandatory comprehensive travel insurance are extra. See booking terms and conditions for more info.
Belugas, Bears and Blooms
Conservation Journey: Polar Bears