Summer Predeparture Information

PASSPORT

All international travellers are required to have passports to enter Canada. Well before your departure, we invite you to visit the Government of Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration website for more information. All travellers to and from the United States are required to have a passport. For more information, visit travel.state.gov.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel in Canada’s North is not like other parts of the world. You will be travelling to a remote destination. Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage is mandatory. See our full Booking Terms and Conditions.  

GRATUITIES

As of 2024 gratuities are included in the price of your trip. Should you wish, you are still able to provide additional gratuities to any individual you interact with. 

EXTENDING YOUR TRIP

Your adventure includes both a pre and post night stay in either Winnipeg or Calgary, depending on your itinerary. If you would like to add more time in Winnipeg or Calgary, please contact our office for more information. Please note, these departure cities are itinerary specific and are not interchangeable.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

We suggest you exchange your currency into Canadian dollars prior to your departure. Currency exchange can be completed at most major banks or international airports. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in Churchill at most shops, hotels and restaurants. There is also an ATM at the Royal Bank in the Bayport Plaza.

CHURCHILL HOTELS

The hotels in Churchill are clean, comfortable, centrally located and include all basic amenities, including internet access.

PACKING

Here is a list of items that we recommend you pack for your time in Churchill:

• Walking/hiking footwear
• Windbreaker and nylon pants or waterproof jacket and pants
• Short and long-sleeved t-shirts
• Hat and sunglasses
• Lip balm and moisturizer
• Long pants and warm sweater
• Reusable, sealable travel mug or water bottle
• Camera and extra camera batteries and memory card
• Binoculars
• Bug repellent and/or bug jacket
  (During the summer months mosquitos and black flies can be very active)

Checked baggage for all flights must be limited to one piece per guest for a maximum total of 23kg (50lbs), and not be larger than 158cm (62in) (L+W+H). Each guest is allowed 2 carry-on, including personal items, for a maximum combined weight of 9kg (20lbs).

The maximum dimensions permitted for carry on-baggage is 25cm x 40cm x 30cm or 10in x 16in x 12in. Carry on that exceeds these dimensions will be considered checked baggage and will have to be stored in the general baggage compartment. Space permitting and if able to be safely stowed, additional items such as coats, medication bag, a cane, CPAP etc. may be permitted in the cabin.

WEATHER CONDITIONS/DAY LIGHT

Temperature can vary from 10˚C to 20˚C (51˚F to 68˚F) but often strong winds can make the temperature feel colder. 

The days are longer during July and get shorter in August. You can expect approximately 16 hours of daylight during your summer adventure.

POLAR BEAR HOLDING FACILITY

The Polar Bear Holding Facility in Churchill is referred to by the locals as Polar Bear Jail. If a bear is repeatedly chased from the town it may eventually be captured and put in ‘jail’ for up to 30 days before being released north of the town or out onto the frozen Hudson Bay. Transportation required.

THE CHURCHILL INUKSHUK

Located directly on Hudson Bay, this large Inukshuk is a popular spot for group photography. Be aware: there are often bear sightings along this shore.

SEAWALLS MURAL PROJECT

Spearheaded by Manitoba artist Kal Barteski, this event transformed abandoned buildings, objects and blank walls around Churchill into beautiful murals to raise awareness for ocean health and conservation. Transportation required for some murals. Multiple locations throughout Churchill.

TOWN CENTRE COMPLEX

Opened in 1976, this expansive structure serves as a focus for many community activities. The Centre includes the municipal offices for The Town of Churchill, the Churchill hospital, Duke of Marlborough School, the public library, as well as a curling rink, arena, swimming pool, cafeteria, bowling alley, indoor playground and theatre.

CAPE MERRY BATTERY [National Historic Site]

A stone battery built on this site in 1746 provided additional protection for Prince of Wales Fort across the Churchill River. It is an excellent location for watching whales, viewing waterfowl or migrating birds or simply enjoying the panoramic view of Hudson Bay. Transportation required. Please note that bear sightings in this area are common. Never walk alone in this area and always be bear aware!

MV ITHACA

The wreck of the MV Ithaca sits 20 km (12 miles) east of Churchill, high and dry when the tide is low and surrounded by water when the tide is in. Bound for Rankin Inlet in September 1960, the right rudder broke in an 80mph gale and it floundered near Bird Cove where it rests to this day. Transportation required.

MISS PIGGY

The site of a crashed airplane affectionately known by locals as Miss Piggy. The plane crashed in November 1979 as it attempted to return to the Churchill airport shortly after take-off. The plane landed in rough terrain and still remains there today. Transportation required.

 

As phone technology continues to evolve our guests have had great success using mobile phones for both photography and videography while on their trips with Frontiers North. It is worth remembering that printing imagery from a mobile phone is still not as good as printing imagery from a camera. 

PHONES TO CONSIDER

It is a good bet that if you purchased a smartphone in 2020 onwards your phone will be able to take good imagery. However, many of our staff and guests have found success with the following phones:

• Google Pixel 6 and newer: excellent captures
• Samsung GalaxyS21 and newer: excellent captures
• iPhone 12 and newer: excellent captures
• Google Pixel 5: great captures
• iPhone 11: great captures

EQUIPMENT

Cameras

Any camera can be used to capture images while aboard the Tundra Buggy. Compact cameras or mobile phone cameras are fine at times when bears or other wildlife are close to the Tundra Buggy, but a midrange zoom or interchangeable telephoto lens with image stabilization allows the most flexibility. Many digital cameras also have a video feature built in, which is great for capturing wildlife behaviour, movement and audio.

Lenses

If the camera can accommodate interchangeable lenses, midrange telephoto lenses will give more opportunities to capture images of beluga whales, while longer lenses will be more suited for the other wildlife. Longer lenses also give the effect of being closer to eye level with your subjects. Auto focus lenses work well most of the time but may not be able to function accurately if aimed at belugas below the water surface. When the belugas surface most auto focus systems with perform acceptably. A midrange zoom allows for quick composing and manoeuvrability.

Memory Cards

Make sure you have enough memory card storage with you. Bring extra memory cards and/or have a way to download the images on another storage device, such as a laptop and spare hard drive. It’s common to use 32GB of storage—or more—in a single day. TIP: Take a few smaller cards (four 8GB cards) rather than one big card (32GB or 64GB) unless shooting HD or 4K video continuously. If a card breaks, it’s hard to retrieve images.

Extra Batteries

The cold will drain batteries quicker than normal, so keep spares in a warm pocket near your body to help maintain their charge.

Sensitivity

During your time viewing belugas there is a good chance the water will be choppy. You need to compensate for the movement of the boat and the movement of the whales; using a digital capture at 400 ISO is most prevalent. The ability to speed up or slow down your camera’s shutter speed will help as well. For bright summer days it is recommended to use a 100 ISO capture.

Exposure

Generally, an overall metering of the whale and water will provide pleasing results. Care should be taken when filling the viewfinder with the whale as the meter may be fooled by the white skin. On digital cameras you can check your histograms to check exposure. Also consider a polarizer filter to remove the glare from the water, especially when shooting toward the sun or at belugas before the surface. This will help remove any glare and reflections and provide better results.

CAMERA SUPPORT

On Land

Most point-and-shoot cameras can be hand held, but cameras with longer lenses need support in order to obtain sharper images. A monopod is a good form of support for your camera when shooting from the Tundra Buggy. It is also recommended to bring a beanbag to rest your camera on the windowsill while shooting.

On Water

The most effective method of capturing images of belugas from the boat is by using a hand-held method. Longer focal length zooms, which are comfortable to hand hold, work very well. As it is often difficult to predict where the whales might surface, hand holding the camera allows for quick reaction.

POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL

Frontiers North Adventures has been working with Polar Bears International since 2001. Polar Bears International is the only conservation organization dedicated solely to wild polar bears. Frontiers North supports Polar Bears International through Churchill-based conservation initiatives, including developing and building Tundra Buggy® One, which Polar Bears International uses throughout the autumn polar bear season as a roaming studio enabling them to air their Tundra Connections webcasts worldwide. Tundra Connections allows Polar Bears International to share their polar bear conservation messaging with teachers, students, and lifelong learners around the globe. Partial proceeds from our trips go directly to Polar Bears International. 

RAINCOAST CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Frontiers North Adventures has been working with Raincoast's Cetacean Conservation Research Program since 2022. Raincoast Conservation Foundation works in collaboration with Indigenous communities and other organizations to study how cetaceans use sound, to interpret trends and impacts of underwater noise, to evaluate killer whale health and nutrition in the face of ecosystem change, and to understand beluga whale communication and behaviour. Partnering with with Raincoast Conservation Foundation allows Frontiers North to provide their guests with the opportunity to learn about and deepen their understanding of beluga whales and their Arctic ecosystem, their complex vocalizations, and the conservation threats they face.

POLAR BEAR ALERT PROGRAM

Although “polar bear season” occurs in the autumn months, polar bears actually first return to the Churchill region in summer. It’s good to be prepared no matter which season you travel to Churchill.

Polar bears spend much of their year roaming the ice of Hudson Bay hunting seals. When the ice begins to melt in July, the bears come ashore and remain on land until the bay freezes over in late November. While on land in the summer, the bears eat little and are quite inactive. But as autumn approaches, they begin to move northward along the coast and congregate where the first winter ice forms. This annual movement brings many bears into the town of Churchill each year. Manitoba Conservation and Climate and the Town of Churchill have worked hard to educate the people of Churchill and visitors about polar bears and how to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Manitoba Conservation and Climate operates the Polar Bear Alert Program, which has the following objectives:

1. To protect people and property from the dangers posed by the presence of polar bears.
2. To ensure the conservation of polar bears and avoid undue harassment and killing of bears.
3. To prevent polar bears in the Churchill area from becoming conditioned to scavenging for food or developing other problem behaviours.
4. To protect Manitoba Conservation staff who work in the Polar Bear Alert Program.

IF YOU ENCOUNTER A POLAR BEAR

• Stay calm
• Stay with your group
• Back away, facing the bear at all times
• Do not turn and run away
• Do not play dead
• Get into your vehicle or a building as fast as possible
• Call the Polar Bear Alert line at 204-675-2327 (204-675-BEAR)

*We offer Family Learning Adventure tours designed for families who value the cultural teachings and unique bonding experiences that come with travelling together.

What kind of family-friendly activities will there be?

We designed this adventure to be for the whole family, with a focus on learning to keep your kids engaged and excited about the wildlife and culture of Canada’s North. Specialized family activities for the kids include: a behind-the-scenes tour of the Assiniboine Park Zoo Journey to Churchill exhibit, a yurt excursion, an exclusive tour of Polar Bears International House, the chance to learn how to be a citizen scientist and time put aside for family recreation, such as swimming at the Town Centre Complex.

What is there to do during our free time?

We encourage you to chat with the locals! Churchill is a vibrant, close-knit town of around 900 residents. Stop by the Canada Post Office to get a “Churchill—Polar Bear Capital of the World” stamp on a postcard. A family favourite is seeing the bright, vibrant and colourful murals during a the Mural Walking tour. There are also a variety of gift shops in town, including our own Fifty Eight North. Known for their passion for supporting local and Canadian makers. Additionally, the Town Centre Complex holds most of the town’s amenities, including the hospital, school, arena and swimming pool.

*Our Canada's Big Five Safari adventure is the only tour with a portion of the itinerary outside of both Winnipeg and Churchill. Below is information specific to the Riding Mountain portions of your trip.

How far is Riding Mountain National Park from Winnipeg?

Riding Mountain National Park is located 280km (175 miles) from Winnipeg. You will arrive in Winnipeg and spend one night in your hotel, the next morning, your group will depart on a three-hour bus ride to Riding Mountain National Park, where you will stay for two nights before returning to Winnipeg.

What can we expect to do and see in Riding Mountain National Park?

In Riding Mountain National Park we will spend time in a bison enclosure and during our wildlife safaris we will search for moose, black bears and other wildlife. We will also have the chance to explore the charming town of Wasagaming on the shores Clear Lake. 

What are the accommodations like in Riding Mountain National Park?

The hotel in Riding Mountain National Park is located in downtown Wasagaming and is on the upper level of the Lakehouse, a popular coffee, ice cream and smoothie shop.