8-Nights Wild Canada: Bears, Belugas and the Aurora Borealis - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Winnipeg, Canada

The prairie city of Winnipeg flourishes in a harmonious relationship with the landscape all around it. Located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, and about 30 miles from Lake Winnipeg, its aquatic connections are evident in its name: Winnipeg means “muddy waters” in the Western Cree Indigenous language. A trading hub long before the arrival of French and British settlers, it is now a city of cosmopolitan neighborhoods, cutting-edge cuisine and street art — most visible in the striking murals emblazoned on buildings everywhere from the West End and Downtown to fashionable Transcona and The Forks.

Tour the city’s highlights, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the historic Forks Market. Then, paddle a canoe through Winnipeg’s Wildlife Management Area and participate in an expert-led songbird research project. Later, meet a conservationist on an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Assiniboine Park and the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Center.

Head north from Winnipeg some 620 miles to Churchill, a port town and former hunting hub on the shores of Hudson Bay. From here, catch a charter flight to your remote hideaway, Seal River Heritage Lodge. This truly is the subarctic wilderness, home to polar bears that migrate from inland areas to the bay each autumn. In summer, thousands of beluga whales gather in the warmer waters of the Churchill River, while the skies promise glimpses of the northern lights some 300 nights per year.

Hike out on the tundra this morning accompanied by your guide, who keeps watch for polar bears and other wildlife. After lunch back at the lodge, head out for a marine tour in search of beluga whales. Relive the day’s excitement over appetizers and dinner. Then, top up your glass and settle in for the evening’s presentation.

If the weather cooperates, whale watching may be on the menu, or perhaps an impromptu evening visit from one of the great ice bears. Your guides assess each day’s conditions to maximize your comfort, fun and wild encounters.

Today, your guide might take you farther afield on an ATV excursion down the coast. Back at the lodge, review the day’s photos and compare your wildlife sightings. If the night sky permits, take in a dazzling display of the northern lights.

Soak in your final full day at the lodge, keeping your camera at the ready for one last wild encounter of a lifetime.

After one last hearty lodge breakfast, fly back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots. Back in Churchill, your guide reveals the city’s rich history with stops at the Parks Canada exhibit, Itsanitaq Museum and the Polar Bear Jail. After some free time, continue on to Winnipeg.