Experience Canadian Wildlife in an adventure tour. Make the journey to Churchill for some nature exploration. The Birds, Bears, and Belugas adventure in July and August combines summer polar bear viewing with the thrill of seeing, hearing and swimming with beluga whales. Against a backdrop of tundra alive with flora and fauna, this diverse and unique eco-program takes place at the Seal River Heritage Lodge, 60 km's north of Churchill in the heart of polar bear country. Aside from the belugas and polar bears, you'll explore the habitat of a host of other wildlife on this adventure such as caribou, fox (red and Arctic), wolves, moose and birds. Birders could see up to 100 species over the course of their quest (such species as ptarmigan, Smith's Longspur, Ross' and Bonaparte gulls, jaegers, etc). You should keep your ears open for the sounds of sub-Arctic wildlife, including wolves howling in the distance. Seal River Heritage Lodge offers ground level photo opportunities for all Arctic wildlife. This summer adventure is optimized for full group or family participation.

Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada and was a historic trading centre for First Nations people. Winnipeg is ranked 6th overall for Canada's sunniest city year round, second for clearest skies year-round, and second for sunniest city in Canada in the spring and winter. Winnipeg is a city of neighbourhoods (228 of them to be exact!) and Winnipeg is also known for its urban forest, particularly its beautiful American Elm trees.

You will be provided with a pre-departure package which will include all necessary information that you will need for your trip including materials such as vouchers, maps, train tickets (if relevant) etc.

Upon your arrival into Winnipeg airport, make your way to the Sheraton Winnipeg Airport hotel via the sky walk which connects the terminal to the hotel.

The Radisson Hotel is located downtown in the heart of it all, and offers convenient services and the kind of warm hospitality sure to please both business and leisure travelers. The hotel offers 263 newly renovated guest rooms, each equipped with a Sleep Number® bed that adjusts to your comfort. Guests can also enjoy the on-site restaurant and Fitness Centre. The team of professional associates at the Radisson in Winnipeg, are dedicated to making your stay with as comfortable as possible.

Overnight at Radisson Hotel.

Enjoy a short flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, where a representative will greet you at the airport upon your arrival.

Enjoy an airport transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Enjoy the balance of your day in Churchill at leisure. You will have time to take in the town sites, shops, and historical points of interest.

This evening, you will be provided with a $30 dinner voucher to use at a choice of local restaurants.

At the Aurora Inn you can experience northern owned and operated hospitality in spacious 2 story loft apartments, featuring one queen or two double beds, within steps of Churchill's restaurants, bars, shopping and recreation facilities. Hotel and room facilities include Cable television, movie station, VCRs and/or DVD players, fully equipped kitchens with complimentary coffee and tea, complimentary laundry service, wheel chair accessible, automatic 24 hour telephone system with voice messaging and data ports, high speed wireless internet hot spot, high speed public access terminal, tour & u- drive information available from the front desk staff.

Overnight at The Aurora Inn.

This is it, the point of no return; you will leave Churchill
this morning on a bush plane, heading around 50km north-west to the finest Arctic Eco Lodge on the planet, the Seal River Heritage Lodge. There will be endless visuals en-route, so keep those eyes open for polar bears, caribou and other wildlife. Arrive at the Lodge, meet your hosts, check into your private room, and prep that camera gear. Your guide will provide you with a brief orientation and then it’s time to get out on the land!

This morning, a representative will arrive at the hotel to escort you to Landing Lake where your adventure begins with a breathtaking aerial tour of the winding Hudson Bay coast en-route to your home for the next 6 days - Seal River Heritage Lodge. Be prepared to see huge pods of whales, countless birds, and caribou... and of course, the magnificent Ice Bears. The Seal River Estuary is a summer favourite for these goliaths and they are regularly seen swimming or basking near the water's edge. Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travel in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings.

After lunch, you will experience the coast for the first time. The combination of diversity and sheer natural elegance will amaze you. Ensure your camera battery is charged and you have lots of room on your camera to take pictures!

Your first day at the Lodge will be rounded out by the first of many full course meals and a cozy fireplace for evening wind down. Relax, recharge and get a good rest because you have many amazing days to go!

Seal River Heritage Lodge is a family-owned and operated eco-lodge located just above the high water mark of western Hudson Bay. Accessible only by air, boat, dogsled or snowmobile, and 50 km away from the nearest community (Churchill) this location was chosen for several reasons - beauty, uniqueness and diversity. The surrounding area is truly wilderness. The air pure, the water crisp and clean and the land unspoiled.  The location also minimizes the efforts people need to undertake to view wildlife. The coastline is the most active area for wildlife movements – the animals come to the people, reducing the temptation to use motorized vehicles to find them.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.

The placement of the lodge puts you right in the action of polar bears and many other wildlife in the area. Spend the day learning about the wildlife and the land from your knowledgable group guide as you adventure out around the lodge, and spend some time in the lodge's viewing tower, giving you an amazing and safe view of bears as they pass right along the property. You will never get this close to polar bears anywhere else!

In the coming days, your breakfasts will be served at 8:00 am and the tour of the day will typically depart from the lodge at 9:30 am, returning by 4:30 pm. Depending on both weather and group interest, you will enjoy one of the activities outlined today or on each of the following days.

Tides and weather permitting, you will do at least two expeditions by boat to view beluga whales, seals, seabirds, and polar bears. Marine tours are conducted in large, 12-person zodiacs powered by Mercury's clean burning 4 stroke outboards and fully equipped with two way radios, safety gear, flotation jackets for each passenger, and a hydrophone so that you can listen to the whale songs. Each expedition is a half day in order to coordinate with the high tides.
Depending on the timing of the tides, refreshments and/or lunch may be served aboard. Expect to see hundreds of whales per outing! Beluga whales are very curious socialites and will investigate our presence with a bold courage expressed by few other creatures. Dry suits will be provided to offset the chill of the Hudson Bay.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.

See the Hudson Bay coast on a custom made Tundra Tracker. A day trip in one of these vehicles allows you to cover a lot of shoreline while searching out wildlife. Lunch is a picnic en-route. Ample time is provided for exploration and photography.

With your group guide, go on a tundra trek, as you search for wildlife in the most environmentally friendly way- on foot. There are many different animals that can be seen in the area, including wolves and Arctic fox.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.

This is a daily part of the program and the tours range from short jaunts to photograph a passing caribou to day trips with a packed lunch. There is no better way to experience the sheer vastness of the Arctic's flora and fauna. Nesting bird life, fox dens, wild flowers, Inuit
archeological sites and caribou are just a few of the
features that could be spotted. When polar bears
are sighted, your guide will advise you on the best
way to maintain a safe viewing distance.

A charter aircraft will be used to take you out for a day trip to encounter the migrating masses of Canadian Central Barren Ground Caribou, which number in the hundreds of thousands in the area. This can be an absolutely miraculous sight.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.

Over 100 species of birds visit this area and the expert guides can help you locate and identify a wide variety of these.

Additionally, you can enjoy the greatest light show on earth in the summer, especially in the latter part of the season. The northern skies are a perfect ballroom for the aurora, but remember, this phenomenon is best photographed with a tripod, so if you have one, bring it along.

With another excursion out along the tidal flats, keep your eyes open for the possibility of coming across grizzly or black bears, which can also be seen in the area. The spectacular backdrop of fall colours offers up photo-worthy imagery at every turn.

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge.

After a hearty breakfast, pack your bags for a trip back south to Churchill on a bush plane. You are likely to spot wildlife from the air, so keep your camera handy. You will have an afternoon at leisure in Churchill before your flight back to Winnipeg this evening.

Enjoy a short flight from Churchill back to Winnipeg this evening. Upon arrival, you will check into the Four Points Sheraton, conveniently located at the Winnipeg airport.

The Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg International Airport(3.5*) is Winnipeg's only hotel connected to the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport by skywalk. This hotel offers first-class facilities and features 132 guest rooms and suites. The on-site restaurant serves quality offerings and has an extensive menu. After dinner, relax and unwind in the Local Heros sports bar. The property has a state of the art fitness centre as well as all of the services and amenities you would expect from a hotel of this standard.

Overnight at Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*).

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).