EXTEND YOUR WORLD: IN SEARCH OF POLAR BEARS

After being transferred to the airport, we board a flight for Winnipeg in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Having been joined by our Polar Guide, we attend a briefing to learn about what we can expect during our stay at our remote lodge over the coming days. This evening’s dinner is at our hotel, The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel.

We set our sights on Churchill this morning, on the edge of Hudson Bay. From here, we are met by another aircraft, which delivers us onward to Seal River Heritage Lodge - fortune may favour us with a casual polar bear sighting mid-flight. On arriving to our comfortable accommodation, we meet our friendly hosts and receive a tour of the lodge, along with a valuable orientation on how best to proceed through polar bear country.

Following breakfast each morning, our guides detail the day’s planned activities. Our spirits are high as we head out, cameras in hand, in search of wildlife. Led by our expert guides, we quietly maintain our distance while keeping watch for some of the more frequent visitors to the area, such as Arctic hares, moose, wolves, and, of course, polar bears. 

After our day of exploration, we compare notes, glancing through our respective photos before dinner. Afterwards, perhaps grab a glass of wine and retreat to the lounge, where a crackling fire keeps us warm as we listen to a presentation by one of our team. Retire to your guestroom at your leisure; one of our hosts will offer to wake you should a polar bear make an impromptu nocturnal appearance just beyond our windows. You may also be roused by a similar level of excitement if aurora borealis also becomes visible. 

This morning, we make our return to Churchill. Take advantage of the incredible aerial views from aboard our plane as we trace the edge of Hudson Bay. Back on land, our guide shows us around Churchill, with visits to the Parks Canada Visitor Centre; the Itsanitaq Museum, which displays a collection of Inuit carvings and artefacts dating back as far as 1700BC; and the Polar Bear Holding Facility, where bears considered to pose a danger are temporarily held in isolation. Along the way, we also see several of the SeaWalls murals, which run for 30kms along the shores of Hudson Bay. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to seek out some last-minute souvenirs of your time in Canada. Reconvening at Churchill Airport, we fly due south on our return to Winnipeg. Welcomed back to The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel, we reflect upon our adventures during a final evening. 

Following breakfast this morning, we farewell our Tour Host Team and new-found friends as our compelling journey reaches its end.