Birds, Bears & Belugas Adventure

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.