Land Journey

Manitoba: Polar Bear Adventure

All Departures Small Groups Averaging 30 Tauck Guests
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Year

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Days
6
From (per Person)
$8,290 USD
Includes On-Tour Air
Journey Type
Land
Time of Year
Nov
Cities & Landmarks
Winnipeg, Churchill
Polar Bear, Churchill

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Overview

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

 

Small groups averaging 30 Tauck guests

 

On-tour air included (2 flights)

 

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

 

Two exciting excursions in polar bear country with a naturalist guide aboard a specially designed tundra vehicle

 

Private, exclusive after-hours reception and dinner at the Manitoba Museum, home to a replica of the historic 17th-century ship

 

Private charter flights between Churchill and Winnipeg; spend three nights at a lodge in the "Polar Bear Capital"

 

Dog sledding demonstration and a dog sled ride

 

Visit to the Eskimo Museum in Churchill

 

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Activity

2
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Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Pace

2
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Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

View Full Itinerary

The World Next Door

Manitoba's vast open spaces are filled with unique wonders, stories, and adventures on this awe-inspiring journey to the far reaches of the Canadian wilderness. Embrace your inner explorer on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Manitoba in "Polar Bear Season," when these great white carnivores lumber across the plains toward Hudson Bay to prepare for winter... 

One of our most popular trips provides you with a rare look into the world of the polar bear in their natural habitat. Late October and November is polar bear season in Churchill, Manitoba, the start of the long-awaited migration of these great white creatures. Over icy rivers and across the subarctic plains, they make their way towards the coast and the seal-rich waters of the Hudson Bay to fulfill their need for food for the winter ahead. Normally elusive, these bears are plentiful in this remote location of northern Canada at this time of the year, giving travelers seeking an up-close look at arctic life an exciting glimpse into their world. You'll stay in a cozy lodge where family-style meals, warm camaraderie and two-footed locals share stories about Hudson Bay history, past and present, in front of a crackling fire. You'll also learn more about Manitoba and early fur-trading history during a special private evening with the Hudson's Bay Company of Adventurers at the Manitoba Museum... at a dog sledding demonstration... on a dog sled ride... and much more.  Read Less

Behind the Scenes on Manitoba: Polar Bear Adventure

Learn all about the dogs – and the sleds – of Manitoba

Day 5

Dog sledding and the Arctic

Polar bears are just part of the story of life in the forested Arctic wilderness; at a dog sledding demonstration you'll learn about the sport of dog sledding, an important part of Manitoba's history – and you'll meet the dogs. No one is sure who got the ingenious idea to rig dogs up to a sled for transportation over roadless, frozen landscapes. Presumably the Thule people (who arrived in Manitoba long before the Eskimos) brought the custom with them from wherever they came from; the European fur traders later picked it up from the Eskimos; and Jack London made the dog sled culture of the Canadian wilderness famous in "The Call of the Wild" (1903). Of course, for centuries dogs have been known as "horses of the poor," and in fact are eminently more suited than horses to fast, efficient travel through snow-clad environments, as you'll discover during a dog sled presentation in Churchill, where mushing is a venerated sport (and some residents still use dog sleds for everyday transportation). You'll meet formidable (charming and irresistible) racing huskies bred for endurance, capable of hauling loads hundreds of miles through grueling environments – and their trainers, who'll clue you in on the peculiar demands of the sport, its lore and history, and the politics of dog packs. Then settle in for an exhilarating ride across the tundra that is bound to awaken the call of the wild in you... flying behind the harnessed passions of dogs born to run.

Travel aboard a special tundra vehicle to "meet the polar bears"

Days 3 and 4

Northern stars – when the polar bears come to call...

Churchill, Manitoba may not look like much, with its one main road through the middle of town (that leads eventually to nowhere). It's so remote, you can't get here except by train or plane. But it turns out that Churchill is directly in the path of an ancient invisible highway; every autumn, when Hudson Bay begins to freeze over, hundreds of polar bears pass through this terminus on an annual migration to their winter hunting grounds. Dispersed throughout the boreal forest and the tundra all summer, fasting through a "waking hibernation," they are driven by instinct and hunger to the new-formed ice, which they need to hunt seals. There are other places you might see a polar bear – but nowhere up close, from the safety of a specially designed tundra vehicle. The inquisitive giants often come right up to the vehicle, standing full height to get a better look at you.

Three days in Churchill, the world's polar bear capital

Days 2, 3 and 4

The Lazy Bear Lodge – step back to simpler times

Comfortable, cozy, rustic, simple, family owned – all of these words describe the Lazy Bear Lodge. The lodge itself is rustic, consisting of handcrafted log cabins; all rooms have a private bath / shower. Dinners around the authentic stone fireplace set the stage for story swapping – and you'll have plenty to swap with fellow travelers after a day in the tundra. Meals are memorable and homemade; if specialty dishes such as Caribou Pepper Steak or Sirloin of Muskox Rouladen don't appeal, there's always more international fare like Bruschetta Grilled Chicken or Fillet of Cod, Maui-style. Buns are baked fresh in a stone baking kiln, and the chef creates homemade desserts. No alcohol is served at the lodge but you are welcome to have a bottle in your room. Owner Wally Daudrich, an excellent naturalist / historian, enriches your stay with insights and information that reflect his deep love for this remote part of the world.

This trip was a truly outstanding and unforgettable travel experience that was conducted so well in the traditionally high Tauck standards.

Jim & Rose Owen

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Your Journey

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Includes On-Tour Air

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About Booking This Tour

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Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Canada. You do not require a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are frequent traveler to Canada from the U.S., you may benefit from the NEXUS program, which is a joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, at NEXUS kiosks at Canadian Preclearance airports, and at marine reporting locations. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet site by clicking here.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact a Canadian embassy or consulate to determine what travel documentation will be required. If you will be visiting the U.S. before or after your tour, you may need a multiple-entry visa for the U.S. and should contact an embassy or consulate of the U.S. before booking your tour.

Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

 

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.


At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date
  • Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
  • Traveler's Address(es)
  • Email Address*
  • Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
  • Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
  • Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

 

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits:

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $700 per person

 

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

 

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

60 days or more before departure = $700 per person

59-30 days before departure = $2670 per person

29-1 days before departure = $3560 per person

 

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico. 

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

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Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.


Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Throughout the tour, we will provide you with clean and safe drinking water.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

 

VACCINATIONS 

If you are a citizen of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Canada. For complete vaccination information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). To inquire about international travel health advice from a CDC representative, you may dial 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact a Canadian embassy or consulate to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

 

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.


MOBILITY

You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over moderately uneven terrain, sometimes covered with snow and ice. To participate in the dog sledding experience, you will choose either to travel inside a cozy dog sled wrapped in a "polar bear" blanket or drive on the back of the sleigh with your musher and feel the fresh, cold, Arctic air on a ride along well-groomed trails. During the two full-day polar bear sightseeing excursions, you will travel in a tundra vehicle, which has a modest restroom facility onboard. No one is allowed off the vehicles for the duration of the eight-hour excursion. A picnic lunch is served onboard.

The Inn at the Forks is a smoke-free property.

The Lazy Bear Lodge does not serve alcohol. The town of Churchill has several restaurants and bars that do serve alcohol however, so it is not a dry town. You may have alcohol in your room, but not in a public space while at the Lazy Bear.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN AND MOBILITY ISSUES:  This Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate oxygen tanks, wheelchairs or motorized scooters.  Oxygen tanks are strictly prohibited in many foreign countries on regional flights aboard small aircraft, such as those intra-tour flights featured on this Tauck journey.  Likewise, the very limited cargo capacity on such flights prohibits the transport of wheelchairs or motorized scooters.

Guests should also bear in mind that the infrastructure in many foreign countries, particularly in developing countries, often presents severe and even insurmountable challenges for those with walking difficulties or other mobility issues.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list here.

What To Pack

When joining a Tauck journey, every guest is responsible for their own health and, in turn, the protection of their fellow travelers, the Tauck staff, our suppliers and the places we visit. As such, you are expected to follow local and supplier guidelines regarding face coverings, as explained by your Tauck Director. Our partners may have a limited supply of face coverings, gloves, and hand sanitizer, so please bring such personal items for your own comfort.

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site.

Your journey through Manitoba is casual. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering as it will be cold.

Comfortable, cotton or fleece clothing is suggested. We recommend bringing warm and layered clothing like long underwear, snug but comfortable fitting outerwear, a fleece jacket or sweater. Outer clothing should consist of a windproof material, with an attached hood or a very warm hat. For travel in October and November, you will experience cold temperatures and will need to dress accordingly. Although no special attire is required for dining, you may wish to dress more formally for the welcome and farewell receptions.

Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes for Winnipeg and waterproof boots for Churchill that have already been broken-in. It is important that your shoes and boots have good ankle support, as we visit some sites where paths and stairs may be uneven, unpaved, slippery and wet.

Valet laundry services are available at the Inn at the Forks, but not at the Lazy Bear Lodge.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

We recommend that you pack the following items for travel to Manitoba:

  • Comfortable, cotton clothing
  • Long pants
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Long underwear
  • Snug but comfortable windproof outerwear with an attached hood or a very warm hat
  • Pair of wind or ski pants
  • Fleece jacket or sweater
  • Lined gloves with an upper extension to cover your wrist
  • Warm insulated boots
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Gym wear
  • Comfortable walking shoes with adequate ankle support
  • Camera, lenses, extra batteries, memory cards and chargers
  • Travel alarm clock/ cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
  • Collapsible umbrella
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Weather

Due to the extremely flat, open landscape, Winnipeg is exposed to numerous weather systems throughout the year, including cold arctic high-pressure systems from the northwest during the late fall and winter seasons. Churchill falls into the subarctic climate zone and features long and extremely cold winters. From October through November, you will experience average high temperatures of 30-50 °F (-1 to 10 °C) in Winnipeg and 16-34 °F (-9 to 1 °C) in Churchill.

 

The Tauck Experience

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Never Settle For Ordinary

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Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

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