Polar Bear Watching at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge Mothers and Cubs
6 nights
Your exclusive wildlife adventure to see polar bear mothers and their enchanting cubs will take place on the coast of Hudson Bay, within the Cape Tatnam Wildlife Management Area.
Churchill Wild has been the premier eco-outfitter in northern Manitoba forover 40 years, and we are excited about introducing you to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Northern Manitoba is one of the most pristine wilderness areas left in the world. Only a two-hourplane journey north of Winnipeg lies the coastline of Hudson Bay - an area so remote that it hasn't changed in thousands of years. During your breathtaking flight east from Gillam to the lodge you will fly over the Northern Taiga Forest and follow the mighty Nelson River to the plains and tidal flats of Hudson Bay. Some of the staff expedition leaders are descendants of the Cree people who originally inhabited this area whenthe first Europeans showed up in the early 1600's. Stay alert for a chance to see beluga whales as you fly over the mouth of the Nelson & Hayes Rivers. However, what will make your adventure so unique is the high concentration of mother bears and cubs. These are pure, wild polar bears living the way they have lived since time began.
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You will arrive in Winnipeg on your own travel arrangements and overnight at the Four Points Sheraton located at the airport where your adventure begins.
1 night in Winnipeg.
Winnipeg to Gillam
You will depart Winnipeg for Gillam early in the morning on Calm Air International. Upon arrival in Gillam you will transfer to a private charter for your one hour flight to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. You may have some great opportunities for aerial photography during the flight so make sure you have your cameras ready. Upon arrival at the Lodge you will receive a tour and be shown to your room to get settled. Check out our lounge which includes local maps and information about the Lodge & surrounding area. Lunch or a light snack is served shortly 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 at 6 p.m. and your dinner is served at 7 p.m. After dinner there will be an informative lecture or slide show presentation. Lights are out at 10 p.m. - this is when the generator is turned off. If it is a clear night you will have the chance to view the Aurora Borealis (northern lights).
4 nights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
During the rest of your stay your breakfast will generally be served at 8 a.m. and your outings will begin at about 9:30 a.m. If there are bears near the Lodge (this happens often!) the tour may be delayed to take advantage of the photo and observation opportunities. There is the option available for anyone to stay behind to take photos of the wildlife around the Lodge and relax. Daily outings rotate through the following;
#1 An ATV coastal tour to the tidal flats and Hudson Bay shoreline, including a viewing of the historic beached vessel the 'Mooswa'. Lunch and a tea boil are served around the campfire.
#2 A full day photo tour to the coast of Hudson Bay to photograph the polar bears and other abundant wildlife in their unique landscape. Lunch and a tea boil are served around the campfire. After lunch you will explore the river deltas and coastal eskers.
#3 Staying close to the Lodge to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves as the day unfolds to photograph the King of the Arctic. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the Arctic environment. Lunch is served at the Lodge on this day.
Appetizers and cocktails are served at 6 p.m. and your dinner is served at 7 p.m. After dinner there are often informative lectures, slide show presentations, or informal discussions. Aurora Borealis viewing after dark is possible if conditions are optimal (i.e. clear skies).
Gillam to Winnipeg
This morning you will take advantage of last minute photo opportunities, pack your gear and get ready to head home. Lunch will be served at the Lodge today and your charter for Gillam will leave afterwards. You will depart Gillam for Winnipeg on Calm Air late in the afternoon. You arrive in Winnipeg early in the evening and will again overnight at the Four Points Sheraton by the Winnipeg airport. Then the tour ends after check out from your hotel the following morning.
1 night in Winnipeg.
Firstly we need to discuss your requirements and provide you with a quotation. So whether you would like to book this exact itinerary or you would like us to tailor a trip for you, please give us a call on 020 8776 8709 or send us an email.
Alternatively please add this itinerary, or any particular destinations or hotels to My Wishlist by clicking on the ADD TO WISHLIST buttons on all pages. Once you are happy with your items in My Wishlist you can either register and save them to look at again or simply send the wishlist to us and we will contact you to discuss your holiday further and send you a detailed quotation.
We are here to tailor your holiday to your specific requirements and our knowledgeable staff are all ready to help.
Booking your holiday with us doesn't end when we send your confirmation out to you. We can add excursions and offer advice all the way up to your departure date. Even when you depart we are here to help. For example if your flight that we have booked is delayed or cancelled due to ash cloud, strike, etc, its down to us to re-arrange your travel. We want to make sure your holiday runs smoothly. We are fully bonded with ATOL and ABTA, so your money is completely protected.
Dates
The trips run between the middle of August and the middle of September - ask us for exact dates.
Mothers & Cubs
The Mothers & Cubs polar bear adventure is an exclusive program and is sure to be the trip of a lifetime. The owners and staff routinely deal with the unique situations that arise from having polar bears in close proximity with humans. There is an overwhelming abundance of wildlife in the area to photograph and enjoy, including migratory birds, geese and other four-legged friends such as wolves and moose.
It is very common during the season to record over 400 bears passing by the Lodge. Our daily record from 2005 is 17 bears around the Lodge in just nine hours. Photo opportunities present themselves often from inside the 8-foot buffalo fence, with bears as close as three feet away.
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is a NEW destination offered by Churchill Wild, and as such, it is not yet as luxurious as the other three lodges. But it is perfectly comfortable, with a fireplace in the main lodge, good beds, and full bathrooms in each heated cabin. The big plus is bears, more polar bears than you are likely to encounter anywhere else on Earth!
Here are a few of the features at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge:
Cozy fireplace lounge for relaxation and storytelling
Four, two-bedroom guest cabins with private washrooms
Perimeter fencing and 24 hour safety patrol
No tourists or lodges within 100 miles
Satellite telephone
Viewing towers to watch and photograph bears
Large windows overlooking the coast, and passing bears
Fabulous food – each meal is taken from our famous northern cookbook series 'Blueberries and Polar Bears'
Honda ATV's and deluxe touring trailers with emphasis on comfort, safety and environmental low impact
Tailor-making YOUR perfect holiday
Fully bespoke holidays across Canada
This suggested itinerary is our recommendation but can be tailored to match your requirements
- We can tailor this trip to suit your specific requirements
- We can change everything from the hotels & tours to the durations & destinations.
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