Day 1 Winnipeg | Arrival
Arrive in Winnipeg and settle in at The Grand by Lakeview at Winnipeg Airport. This evening, meet your fellow travellers during an orientation dinner hosted by a Churchill Wild representative, providing an introduction to your Arctic adventure before the journey north begins the following morning. (Dinner is included today.)
Day 2 Winnipeg to Churchill | Flight to Seal River Heritage Lodge
Fly from Winnipeg to Churchill, where Churchill Wild staff will meet you and coordinate your onward flight to Seal River Heritage Lodge. From the air, watch the Hudson Bay coastline unfold below as you travel toward this remote wilderness lodge near the Seal River Estuary, with possible sightings of whales, birds and polar bears along the way.
Upon arrival, meet your hosts, settle into your room and receive an important orientation on travelling in polar bear country before heading outside. After a tundra-inspired lunch, venture onto the Hudson Bay coast for your first guided introduction to this remarkable northern environment.
Return to Seal River Heritage Lodge for appetizer hour followed by dinner. Evenings typically include an informative presentation or slide show led by Churchill Wild’s knowledgeable guides or staff, adding insight into the wildlife, landscapes and ecosystems surrounding the Lodge. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included today.)
Days 3 to 6 Seal River Heritage Lodge | Wildlife Activities
Spend four full days exploring the Hudson Bay coast with experienced guides. Each day is shaped around weather, tides, wildlife activity and group interests, allowing the program to respond to the best opportunities available. Depending on conditions, excursions may take you onto the tundra on foot, into the Seal River Estuary by Zodiac or farther along the coast aboard specialized tundra vehicles.
Activities during your stay may include:
Marine Tours | Zodiac
Travel by Zodiac into the Seal River Estuary, where beluga whales gather during the summer months. Watch for belugas, seals, seabirds and possible polar bears as you explore this rich coastal habitat, while hydrophones may provide the opportunity to hear the distinctive underwater sounds of the whales. Marine excursions are tide and weather dependent.
Tundra Trekking & Walking Tours
Head onto the tundra with expert guides for ground-level wildlife viewing and exploration. Walk through a landscape of coastal vegetation, wildflowers and open northern sky while watching for polar bears, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, sik-siks and migratory birds. Routes and duration vary according to wildlife activity and conditions.
Coastal ATV & Tundra-Vehicle Excursions
Travel farther along the Hudson Bay coast aboard specialized low-impact tundra vehicles. Half- or full-day outings provide access to more distant coastal habitats and viewpoints, expanding opportunities for wildlife observation and photography beyond the immediate Lodge area.
Wildlife & Bird Photography
The tundra, Hudson Bay coastline and Seal River Estuary provide constantly changing opportunities to photograph polar bears, beluga whales, migratory birds and other northern wildlife. Your guides help position the group for responsible viewing while allowing time to appreciate and photograph the landscape as each day unfolds.
Northern Lights Viewing | Conditions Permitting
On clear nights, watch for the northern lights above the Hudson Bay coast. Churchill Wild staff monitor conditions around the Lodge and may alert guests when the aurora appears, providing an opportunity to step outside and photograph the northern sky.
Evening Presentations
After dinner, settle into the Lodge for presentations and informal discussions led by knowledgeable guides and staff. Topics may include polar bears, Arctic wildlife, northern ecosystems, the Hudson Bay landscape and life in this remote part of Canada.
Marine excursions are tide-dependent, so daily schedules and mealtimes may be adjusted to make the most of wildlife and whale-viewing opportunities. Return to the Lodge each evening for appetizer hour, dinner and time to share the day’s experiences. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included each day.)
Day 7 Seal River Heritage Lodge to Churchill and Winnipeg | Guided Churchill Tour
After a final breakfast at Seal River Heritage Lodge, fly back along the Hudson Bay coast to Churchill, with another opportunity to enjoy aerial views across this vast northern landscape.
Back in Churchill, join a guided tour of the town and surrounding area and discover its history as an Arctic seaport and former military community. Stops may include the Parks Canada exhibit, Itsanitaq Museum and Polar Bear Jail, while your guide will also point out colourful murals created as part of the SeaWalls mural festival.
Enjoy time to browse Churchill’s shops before gathering for a group dinner. This evening, fly south to Winnipeg and return to The Grand by Lakeview at Winnipeg Airport for your final overnight. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included today.)
Day 8 Winnipeg | Departure
After a restful night, check out of your hotel and continue with your own onward travel arrangements. Your Churchill polar bear and beluga whale safari comes to an end after eight days exploring the wildlife, coastline and remarkable summer landscapes of Hudson Bay.
Please note: Activities, flight times and itinerary arrangements may change due to weather, tides, wildlife activity and logistical conditions associated with travel in northern and remote locations.
