Tundra Buggy Lodge VIA Rail Enthusiast
Trip Overview
The Tundra Buggy Lodge VIA Rail Enthusiast tour includes a two-night train journey that winds through Manitoba and Saskatchewan to Churchill; a town only accessible by train or plane.
Frontiers North’s Tundra Buggy Lodge is located on Polar Bear Point in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA), home to the largest concentration of polar bears in Churchill. The lodge offers a unique, immersive experience where, on a clear night, you can view the dancing northern lights from our roof-top observation deck and fall asleep with polar bears right outside your window.
Daily Tundra Buggy® adventures take you out beyond the lodge and give plenty of photography opportunities. Evenings at the lodge can be just as memorable when you swap stories with other guests and enjoy world-class meals.
Photo © Simon Gee/Canuk Images
The Experience
The Tundra Buggy Lodge offers a unique, immersive experience where guests can fall asleep and wake up with polar bears right outside the window.
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
I flew into Winnipeg today and I am so excited for the Tundra Buggy Lodge! 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!
Photo © Inn at the Forks
Day 02
Boarding the Train
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 berths, which are essentially large comfortable booths that convert to bunk beds with privacy curtains. Some other guests upgraded to private sleeper cabins, but I am glad I stayed in the berths so I can socialize!
After dinner on board I read a few chapters of my book before retiring to my berth for the night.
Photo © Taylor Cole
Day 03
Day on Train
We wake up on the train for our first full day on the tracks. We enjoy a delicious breakfast in the dining car and afterward I snuggle up with a book and a cup of coffee in my berth. 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 routes 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. Once again I'm rocked to sleep by the slow chug of the train.
Photo © VIA Rail Canada
Day 04
Churchill Adventure Begins
We wake up early in the morning for breakfast before arriving in Churchill around 9 a.m. We're here!
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. 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?
We have some free time so explore more of Churchill before we board our first Tundra Buggy to make our way to the Tundra Buggy Lodge!
Photo © Eric Lindberg
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
I wake up early in the morning in my comfortable accommodations and peek outside the window. Before my eyes sits a polar bear snoozing on a rock! I spend a few minutes just watching this bear in disbelief. I hoped to see bears at Tundra Buggy Lodge but I did not think I’d wake up to one outside my window! After snapping a few pictures of the sleeping bear, I enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out on our first full-day Tundra Buggy adventure
Today we come across a mom and two cubs. They cross in front of our Tundra Buggy before disappearing into some willows. We spend the rest of the day scanning the tundra for more polar bears and other wildlife. We are not disappointed! At the end of the day we head back to the lodge for a fabulous dinner and evening appetizers. Afterward we get to enjoy a presentation by a Polar Bears International representative in the Thanadelthur Lounge about polar bears and Canada’s North. We all head to bed early before our final day on the Tundra Buggy.
Day 06
Final Tundra Buggy Adventure
After another delicious breakfast, our group packs up and sets out on the Tundra Buggy for our last day on the tundra. We spend the day getting incredible photographs and take in the beauty of the North.
In the late afternoon our Tundra Buggy transfers us to the Tundra Buggy Dock, where we say good bye to our Tundra Buggy Driver and climb aboard the Frontiers North bus, which takes us back to the Churchill airport for the short flight to Winnipeg. They serve a light meal on board.
Once we arrive in Winnipeg, we are checked back into the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel for our final night.
Photo © Daniel J. Cox
Day 07
Depart Winnipeg
My adventure has come to an end and I’m all ready to head home today. I’m so excited to share my adventure – and all my incredible photos - with my family and friends.
Itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and make their own way to the Inn at the Forks hotel; Evening meet and greet hosted by Frontiers North Interpretive Guide. Meals: None
Day 02
Boarding the Train
Board VIA Rail train early afternoon; Begin first leg of journey to Churchill. Meals: B, L, D
Day 03
Day on Train
Continue on journey from Winnipeg to Churchilll. Meals: B, L, D
Day 04
Churchill Adventure Begins
Morning arrival into Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Free time to explore Churchill; Afternoon transfer to the Tundra Buggy Lodge. Meals: B, L, D
Day 05
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Full-day Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Evening appetizers and dinner at Tundra Buggy Lodge. Meals: B, L, D
Day 06
Final Tundra Buggy Adventure
Full-day Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Afternoon transfer to the Churchill airport; 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
Testimonials
Photo: © Margaret and Ken - New York, USA
"Great experience overall. We're so glad we chose to stay at the lodge rather than in town - it was well worth the extra cost. It really encouraged a sense of camaraderie and adventure. The bunks were very comfortable and the staff was great and so was the food. Of course, seeing bears while lying in bed was a real plus too! It was a wonderful way to celebrate my 60th birthday."
Margaret and Ken - New York, USA
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.
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for participation in this tour.
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