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Great Ice Bear Tour
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.
This itinerary can be added to a tailor-made holiday to suit you. If you want to add extra days at the start or end please talk to one of our experts about how to make this holiday the perfect one for you.
Lodge details
The location of Dymond Lake Lodge, nestled near the treeline of the Boreal Forest, gives it a true wilderness feel. Being close to both the coast and the forest means the variety of wildlife is unparalleled. Polar bears, moose, fox, pine marten, snowy owls, and even the elusive wolverine are known visitors of this unique destination.
The fenced-in compound keeps you safe as you move about and allows you to get within mere feet of the wildlife that stop by to check things out. It’s also great when you want to lie on the tundra, watching the northern lights dance across the sky!
In the evenings, gather in the main building for a presentation or enjoy some quiet time in the small common areas located in each guest cabin.
There are two cabins each with four guestrooms (double and quad rooms) and ensuite washrooms. There are cozy common areas with fireplace, a fenced compound surrounding the lodge buildings, viewing tower and decks, library, gift shop, full-service meals, 24h electricity via solar power, natural gas, and wood heat, radio/telephone & satellite wi-fi.
E Petheram - Travelled to Alberta & BC"amazing time in Canada"
I just wanted to say THANKYOU for organising us a completely fantastic honeymoon!!! We had a really amazing time in Canada, everything ran so smoothly and we absolutely loved the country - we can't wait to go back (already planning the next trip!).
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
Depart UK and arrive into Winnipeg, where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at The...
Day 1
Winnipeg
to Dymond Lake EcoLodge
Depart UK and arrive into Winnipeg, where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at 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 and you will spend the day with a tour guide exploring Churchill and learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military town. Your tour will include stops such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Before a group dinner, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.
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 back into The Grand 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.
