July 16 – 24, 2012

Few of nature’s marvels match the intense aliveness of a tundra summer. In a region frozen, still and dark for much of the year, the Far North awakens with a burst of energy during these long days when the tundra turns green, animals come forth in great flocks and herds and the sea welcomes thousands of beluga whales back for their summer feasting.

With the remote outpost of Churchill as our base on the edge of Hudson Bay, this adventure travel cruise takes us to the heart of the excitement, surrounded by a flurry of natural wonders that only a arctic summer can provide.

• Get amazingly close to beluga whales from our Zodiac boats on the Churchill River.
• Join our expedition leaders in search of caribou, arctic fox, snowy owls and polar bears near the shore of Hudson Bay.
• For the ultimate encounter with these friendly whales, kayak or snorkel among them on an optional adventure.

Trip Itinerary

Monday, July 16, 2012: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Arrive in Winnipeg and transfer to your hotel, which was built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The French-style chateau is still the grande dame of Winnipeg, offering first-class hospitality. Meet your expedition leader and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening. Fort Gary Hotel (D)

Tuesday, July 17: Winnipeg / Train to Churchill
As an introduction to the Canadian north, explore Winnipeg’s history and natural environs, including Oak Hammock Marsh, with its rich variety of birdlife. Depending on the train schedule, board the Hudson Bay passenger train to Churchill around lunchtime. Overnight aboard the Tundra Train

Wednesday, July 18: Train to Churchill
Traveling northward, southern prairies give way to dense boreal forest. Disembark to explore a waterfall and enjoy lunch by the lake before continuing by rail to the edge of the tundra. The train is relaxing and comfortable, and each cabin has its own toilet, sink and large windows, offering a broad vista of the changing ecosystems. Overnight aboard the Tundra Train

Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22: Churchill
Early in the morning, arrive in the small northern outpost of Churchill, gateway to the Arctic, with four full days of adventure ahead. Activities include two Zodiac trips to see belugas in the Churchill River. More than 3,000 of these wondrous white whales spend the summer in the region, and your motorized raft puts you at eye level with them. With their unusual ability to turn their heads from side to side, they appear to be as curious about you as you are about them. Through the use of a hydrophone on board, you can even listen to their otherworldly songs. Few wildlife encounters offer as intimate a perspective as this one.

Take a larger vessel across the river to Prince of Wales Fort, established by Danish explorer Jens Monk in 1619, where the Hudson’s Bay Company built one of its original fur-trading posts. Churchill became a stopover point for explorers searching for the fabled Northwest Passage and was instrumental in the opening of the Canadian West.

A unique polar rover conveys you to a point near Hudson Bay, where you enjoy an outdoor cookout while watching for wildlife here at the interface of the boreal forest and tundra. Caribou with calves, snowy owl, Arctic fox and ptarmigan are often seen, and you may even spot polar bears. At this time of year, it is not uncommon to find mothers with cubs. The Churchill area also boasts plenty of wonderful walking trails lining the border between the northern boreal forest and the southern tundra. This combination of ecosystems hosts a variety of flora and fauna, which you may encounter during short walks. Hotel TBA (B,L,D daily)

Monday, July 23: Fly From Churchill to Winnipeg
Your morning is free to wander Churchill's main street, where several locally-owned shops offer native handicrafts, from traditional mukluks to caribou hair sculptures. Then transfer to the airport for your return flight to Winnipeg. If the flight schedule permits, this afternoon visit the acclaimed Manitoba Museum, renowned for its exhibits reflecting the human and natural heritage of the province, including the history of northern native cultures. This evening gather one last time for a farewell dinner. Fort Gary Hotel (B,L,D)

Tuesday, July 24: Return Home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)