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Overview
This remarkable polar bear watching holiday is for those who want to get really ‘up close and personal’ with the polar bears.
Spend 3 nights at Dymond Lake Lodge, a 15-minute flight from Churchill and watch the polar bears on foot with your experienced naturalist guide. You stand a good chance of watching mothers and cubs as well as the magical Northern Lights. The last night or your polar bear watching holiday will be in Churchill, where you can take an optional Buggy tour if available.
Churchill, a northern seaport, has long been known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’ as approximately 1,200 of these enormous bears congregate on the Hudson Bay come fall in wait for the freeze. You’ll meet several of these animals up-close and on their turf on your Great Ice Bear adventure.
The trips run between the middle of October and the middle of November – ask us for exact dates.
Mrs Hastings - Travelled Alberta & BC"We are in love with Canada"
Thank you enormously for the fabulous holiday you put in place for us. Everything went smoothly and the hotels were great. The Fairmont at Jasper were amazing - upgraded us, provided champagne and strawberries for our anniversary! Our favourite hotel was probably the Magnolia in Victoria which was just lovely - beautifully presented and such friendly and helpful staff. We are in love with Canada and would love to go back - the Rockies were literally awesome, and we also really enjoyed the buzz of vancouver and victoria. It all went far too quickly and hopefully we can return and do it all again! If so, I would not hesitate to come back to you and will recommend you to anyone I can.
Itinerary (6 Nights)
Here’s a day-by-day guide to your itinerary. Feel free to ask us to add other days or ideas and excursions by contacting us directly, so we can give you the best price.
Day 1
Winnipeg to Dymond Lake EcoLodge
Arrive in Winnipeg, where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, THE...
Day 1
Winnipeg
to Dymond Lake EcoLodge
Arrive in Winnipeg, where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, THE GRAND Winnipeg Airport Hotel by Lakeview. At 7:00 p.m. a dinner will be held at the hotel, where you will meet your group and your adventure specialist. You’ll need your rest before an early morning departure to Churchill.
1 night Winnipeg.
Day 2
Winnipeg to Dymond Lake EcoLodge
Arrive in Churchill by air, where you will be met at the airport. You will...
Day 2
Winnipeg
to Dymond Lake EcoLodge
Arrive in Churchill by air, where you will be met at the airport. You will then be transferred by fixed-wing aircraft to the Dymond Lake Ecolodge. This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River and northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast to Canada’s most exclusive polar bear viewing properties. Keep a sharp eye en route for possible sightings of caribou, moose, seals, wolves and of course the “Great Ice Bears”.
Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. This day includes a guided hike on the rugged and starkly beautiful coastline, an interpretive slide show featuring the wildlife of Hudson Bay, and hopefully a clear night for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Dymond Lake Ecolodge features an Aurora viewing tower for northern lights observation. All this will be topped off with a lunch and dinner, where your hosts and guides will regale you with tales of life and adventures in Canada’s Arctic.
3 nights Dymond Lake EcoLodge.
Day 3-4
Dymond Lake EcoLodge
In the coming days, your gourmet breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. and the...
Day 3-4
Dymond Lake EcoLodge
In the coming days, your gourmet breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. and the first walking tour generally leaves at 9:30 a.m. Should there be a polar bear in camp (this happens frequently!), the walking tour is delayed for picture taking but no one ever seems to mind!
Once you’ve fueled up with one of Jeanne’s legendary full course breakfasts, you’ll be eager to bundle up and head out into the snow. The walks are comfortably paced as they are geared towards plenty of viewing and photo opportunities. They are guided by professional and knowledgeable tour leaders and so you’ll do a lot of learning along the way as well. Obviously they cannot allow the bears to approach too closely, and your guides are expert in keeping bears at a safe distance without sacrificing exciting viewing.
Polar bears are also known to saunter by the Lodge on a regular basis so you can often view them from the warmth and comfort of one of the lounges through the massive picture windows. This opportunity is all too welcome when a squall blows in! They have a variety of other activities to take part in as well should the weather prevent you from exploring the outdoors though such is rarely the case.
Lunches are served at the Lodge. You are generally back at the Lodge by 4:00 p.m.for hot or cold drinks and appetizers. Your full course delectable dinners are served at 7:00 p.m. after which, the fireplace is almost always central. Your guide team will give informative lectures and beautiful slide presentations as well as initiate a discussion about the activities for the following day. Bedtime is at your leisure. The entire Lodge area is patrolled for polar bears all night by one of the night watchmen so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit by one of the great Ice Bears (or by one of the dazzling displays of northern lights!).
Day 5
Dymond Lake EcoLodge to Churchill
After another hearty breakfast it is time to pack for the flight back to Churchill,...
Day 5
Dymond Lake EcoLodge
to
Churchill
After another hearty breakfast it is time to pack for the flight back to Churchill, say goodbyes and snap a few more pictures! After another exciting aerial tour, you’ll arrive in Churchill where your bags will be stored for you until you can check into your hotel later in the day. You are then free to explore and wine and dine in this frontier community at your leisure.
1 night in Churchill.
Day 6
Churchill to Winnipeg
Today you will travel across the tundra in the world famous Tundra Buggies for more...
Day 6
Churchill
to Winnipeg
Today you will travel across the tundra in the world famous Tundra Buggies for more polar bear viewing. Transportation by bus to and from the Tundra Buggies is provided at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. respectively so do remember to grab some breakfast beforehand. Lunch “with the bears” will be prepared and served to you on the tour.
Your flight south to Winnipeg is scheduled for the evening and then you will check into hotel.
1 night in Winnipeg.
Day 7
Winnipeg
After a good nights sleep take your return flight back to the UK.
Day 7
Winnipeg
After a good nights sleep take your return flight back to the UK.
