Polar Bears - Mothers and Cubs

Itinerary

• Manitoba

  Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province which has over 110,000 lakes and a largely continental climate because of its flat topography.  The eastern, southeastern, and northern reaches of the province range through boreal coniferous forests, muskeg, Canadian Shield and a small section of tundra bordering Hudson Bay.  Manitoba is home to diverse species of animals. The province is especially noted for its polar bear population; Churchill is commonly referred to as the "Polar Bear Capital". Other large animals, such as moose, deer, and wolves, are common throughout the province, especially in the provincial and national parks.

• Gillam

  Gillam is a community located in Manitoba between Thompson and Churchill on the Hudson Bay Railway line. The Town of Gillam itself is quite small, yet its full district encompasses uninhabited and undeveloped land filled with lakes, rivers and forests. In tourism, Gillam is often used as a jumping point for wildlife outings into nothern Manitoba.

• Winnipeg

  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.

• • Winnipeg
  • Four Points Hotel at Winnipeg Airport

  Day 1: Winnipeg

  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.

  Accommodation: Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*)

  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.

• • Gillam
  • Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

  Day 2: Winnipeg - Gillam

  Enjoy a short flight from Winnipeg to Gillam, where you will transfer to a private charter for a flight to your lodge. From there, you will board a small bush plane for your one hour flight to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, your lodging for the next four nights. You'll likely have some great opportunities for aerial photography during the flight, so be sure to have your cameras ready.
  
  Upon arrival at the lodge, you will receive a tour and be shown to your room to get settled. Lunch is served slightly after your arrival, and you will be given an orientation on your stay in polar bear country. This day includes an interpretive walk on the inland Palsa Bogs, Tundra Ponds and Taiga Forest.
  
  Appetizers and cocktails are served nightly at 6:00pm, with dinner following at 7:00pm. The generator is turned off at 10:00pm, which means lights out. If it is a clear night, you may be able to view the Aurora Borealis.

  Accommodation: Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

  Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is the only tourist camp along a 100-mile stretch of Hudson Bay coastline, a polar bear mecca, with up to 400 bears passing by the lodge in a given season. The lodge, while not luxurious, is perfectly comfortable, with a common room and fireplace in the main lodge, quality beds, and full bathrooms in each heated cabin. The big draw is of course the polar bears- more than you are likely to encounter anywhere else on earth!

• • A Drink on the Coast

  Day 3: Gillam

  During the rest of your stay, breakfast will generally be served at 8:00 am, with daily outings beginning at 9:30 am. If there are bears near the lodge (this happens often), the tour may be delayed to take advantage of the photo and observation opportunities. Daily outings are on a rotating schedule, and may include any of the outlined activities.

  Today, enjoy an ATV coastal tour to the tidal flats and Hudson Bay shoreline, including a viewing of the historic beached bessel the Mooswa. Lunch and a tea boil are served around the campfire.
  
  Later in the day, enjoy a guided nature trek as you go in search of the polar bear moms and cubs.

  Accommodation: Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• • A Caring Touch

  Day 4: Gillam

  Go for a full day excursion to the coast of the Hudson Bay, allowing you to photograph polar bears and other abundant wildlife in their unique landscape. Often, groups are able to spot caribou, wolves, foxes, groundhogs and hundreds of different bird species around this area.
  
  You'll get a first-hand look at the close bond a mother polar bear has with her cub. It's certainly a heart-warming sight, and you'll surely want to be ready with your camera.

  Accommodation: Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• • Mother and Cub Foraging

  Day 5: Gillam

  Staying close to the lodge will allow you to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves as the day unfolds to photograph the Kings (or Queens) of the Arctic. A guide will bring you closer than you ever imagined possible, while still keeping you safe, so that you can be fully immersed in the experience. Perhaps you can encounter a mother and her cubs foraging nearby.

  Back in 2005, a daily record was set with 17 bears around the lodge in just 9 hours. This is certainly prime bear territory.

  In the evening, return to the lodge for dinner, and another opportunity to catch the Aurora Borealis presenting a magical light show, dancing across the sky.

  Accommodation: Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• • Mother with her Cubs

  Day 6: Gillam - Winnipeg

  This morning, take advantage of last minute photo opportunities. After a nice lunch at the lodge, pack your bags for a trip back south to Gillam on a bush plane. You will depart Gillam for Winnipeg in the late afternoon. Upon arrival in Winnipeg, you will again overnight at the Four Points Sheraton by the Winnipeg airport.

  Accommodation: Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*)

• Day 7:

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Four Points Sheraton at Winnipeg Airport(3.5*)

  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.

  • More information
• • Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

  Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

  Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is the only tourist camp along a 100-mile stretch of Hudson Bay coastline, a polar bear mecca, with up to 400 bears passing by the lodge in a given season. The lodge, while not luxurious, is perfectly comfortable, with a common room and fireplace in the main lodge, quality beds, and full bathrooms in each heated cabin. The big draw is of course the polar bears- more than you are likely to encounter anywhere else on earth!

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
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  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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